Urban Decay Setting Spray: The Spritz That Outlasts the Party

Urban Decay Setting Spray: The Spritz That Outlasts the Party

An Urban Decay setting spray is the last step I trust to keep makeup in place from morning until the lights come up. Here are the All Nighter formulas, the Urban Decay face products that pair with them, and other setting sprays worth a comparison.

Urban Decay was co-founded in 1996 by Wende Zomnir and Cisco Systems co-founder Sandy Lerner, and the brand is based in Newport Beach, California. Over the years it has become as known for makeup that lasts as for its shade range. That is the reason an Urban Decay setting spray is the first thing I think of when someone says their makeup disappears by dinner.

The trio I always come back to is All Nighter for long wear, De-Slick for oil control and Chill for cooling and hydrating. The four in this row all come from the All Nighter family. The Natural Finish version is the one I would hand to a first-timer, because it sets makeup without pushing it toward matte or glowy. All Nighter was developed with Skindinavia and features patented Temperature Control Technology, which is the brand's answer to makeup that slides.

The Hydrating and Glowy spray is for dry skin or for anyone who likes some light left on the cheekbones. The Matte version is the choice for oily skin and summer weddings. The All Nighter Ghosting Setting Powder Spray is the interesting one, a powder-and-spray hybrid by name, so read the directions and shake it before use.

Technique matters more than the bottle. Hold it about an arm's length away, close your eyes and mouth, and spray in an X and then a T. Let it dry on its own, with no fanning and no touching.

Collage of Urban Decay All Nighter setting sprays, foundation, concealer and powder, and setting sprays from other brands, and a mood photo of a woman with closed eyes and dewy skin.
Urban Decay All Nighter setting sprays, face makeup from the brand, and setting sprays from other names.

Urban Decay All Nighter setting sprays

The base layer underneath

A setting spray holds only what is underneath it, so the base deserves as much attention. If the foundation is patchy, no mist will hide it, so give the base a minute to settle before anything else goes on top. The Urban Decay face line is built with the same long-wear point of view, and it is the obvious pairing.

Face Bond Self Setting Waterproof Foundation is the waterproof, self-setting one, and Hydromaniac Glowy Tinted Hydrator Foundation is the lighter, dewier choice, a tinted hydrator for days when full coverage feels like too much. I would not layer both on the same day, but I like owning one of each. Quickie 24HR Full-Coverage Waterproof Concealer goes under the eyes and on spots where makeup tends to slide off, and you only need a small amount.

All Nighter Ghosting Lightweight Setting Powder is for the areas that always move, such as the T-zone and under the eyes. Press it on with a puff, not a brush, then finish with the spray. Face Bond Luminizer Waterproof Glow Drops for Face + Body are for shine on cheekbones, collarbones and shoulders, and I use a drop or two mixed into a foundation.

One test I trust: after the whole routine, press a clean tissue lightly against your cheek. If hardly any color lifts, the base has set. If a lot does, you used a little too much product and it needs a minute longer to dry. That small check takes ten seconds and saves a stained collar, which is why I do it before any event where I will be hugging people.

More Urban Decay for the face

Other sprays on my counter

Other brands make good sprays too, and each promises something slightly different, so the label is worth reading.

Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Hydrating and Waterproof Setting Spray is the one for dry skin, a softer finish with moisture. Milk Makeup Hydro Grip 12HR Dewy Setting Spray has hyaluronic acid and niacinamide in the name, and it is the dewy choice. Benefit Cosmetics The POREfessional Super Setter is the pore-minimizing, waterproof one. Fenty Beauty You Mist is a makeup-extending spray, and a simple one to add to a daily routine.

ONE/SIZE On 'Til Dawn is the mattifying and waterproof one, made for long nights. Anastasia Beverly Hills Impeccable 24HR Blurring Matte Setting Spray is the blurring matte one of the group, with 24HR wear in the name.

What I would skip: spraying a matte formula over dry, flaky skin, because it will only exaggerate the dryness. I would also skip drenching your face to get more hold. A light mist done twice is better than one heavy soak. Patch test a new bottle on your jaw before a big event, and anything that stings your eyes is not one to keep using.

A practical way to compare: pick the finish you want first, dewy, natural or matte, and only then look at the brand. Mist one side of your face with a new bottle and leave the other bare for an afternoon, then look in daylight. The difference, or the lack of one, tells you more than any label. If two sprays feel the same to you, keep the one whose nozzle gives the finer mist.

Setting sprays from other brands

How I set a full face

My full routine is simple. Prep and moisturize, apply the base, go lightly with concealer and powder, then let the spray finish the job. On dry days I use a hydrating spray. On humid days and for long events, I swap in matte.

Keep a travel size in your bag if you can, but do not keep re-spraying every hour, since that is how makeup ends up muddy. Blot with a tissue and press a little powder on the shiny parts. At night, take everything off with a proper cleanser, because long-wear makeup needs a bit more than a wipe. And if any spray stings or makes your skin feel itchy, stop using it. The best setting spray is the one your skin gets along with, and the one that fits the finish you actually want.