Take our quick quiz to find your ultimate setting spray match & discover our top application tips
This article is sponsored by Urban Decay
When you’ve spent time perfecting your make-up look, the last thing you want is for it to slide off your face by lunchtime. So, what’s the secret to getting your make-up to go the distance? Setting spray, of course!
The finishing touch to any make-up routine, a good setting spray can take your look from day to night, making patchy foundation and mascara smudges a thing of the past.
Read on for everything you need to know about this must-have beauty staple and take our quiz to find out which Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray is the one for you…
What is a setting spray?
A setting spray is a liquid mist that’s sprayed onto your face to set and lock your make-up into place. It functions exactly like a hairspray or nail polish topcoat but for your make-up. Its goal is to help your make-up last longer and stop it from transferring, but many are packed with other benefits too. (More on that later!).
What’s the difference between a setting spray & a face mist?
You might be wondering if you can just use your regular facial mist to set your make-up. In short, the answer is no.
Face mists are a skincare product designed to refresh, hydrate or cool your complexion down as and when needed. Whilst they’re great at giving your skin a revitalised, glowy look and breaking up any heaviness and cakiness from your cream and powder products, they’re not going to lock in your look.
Setting sprays, on the other hand, are a make-up product that goes that extra step further. The best ones will give you the revitalising benefits of a face mist, all while setting your make-up in place for the long-haul. We’re talking no budging or smudging after hours of wear.
What’s the best setting spray?
The best setting spray for you will be down to personal preference and your specific needs. Here are some of our top tips for finding one you’ll want to stick with:
- Think about wear time – most setting sprays will say on the packaging how long they’ll extend the life of your make-up, so if you need your look to last from morning to night, go for one with a long enough wear time
- Pick one that suits your skin type – many setting sprays work for all skin types, but some are tailored towards specific skin concerns such as oiliness or dullness and might bring that extra something to your routine
- Choose the right finish – setting sprays often have different finishes. If you love a glowy look, then pick one that promises dewiness. Or if you want to reduce oiliness, then opt for a matte finish spray to take away any shine
- Check customer reviews – if you’ve got a setting spray in mind that sounds great on paper, but you want to know how it really fares in the real world, then customer reviews can give you tried and tested opinions to help make your decision easier
Need a recommendation? We love Urban Decay’s range of All Nighter Setting Sprays to stop make-up from melting, fading or settling into fine lines. They’re one of the real OGs when it comes to make-up setting and, with four formulas to choose from, there’s a spray for everyone.
You can rest assured that each formula is:
- Long-lasting – designed to hold make-up in place for up to 16 hours
- Transfer-proof and smudge-resistant
- Enhanced with Temperature Control Technology
- Lightweight
- Vegan*
So, it’s no wonder Urban Decay are the No.1 luxury setting spray brand in the UK!**
Which Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray is right for you?
Take our quick quiz to help you find out…
What’s your skin type or concern?
A) Combination
B) Tired
C) Oily
D) Dry
What’s your favourite skincare ingredient?
A) My skin likes anything
B) Vitamin C
C) Kaolin clay
D) Hyaluronic acid
What make-up finish do you like?
A) Natural
B) Fresh and vibrant-looking
C) Matte
D) Extra glowy
How do you like your skin to feel when you’re wearing make-up?
A) Like there’s nothing there
B) Energised
C) Like it can breathe
D) Moisturised
If you answered mostly A...
Try: Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray Original
• Size: 118ml (also available in travel size 30ml and jumbo size 236ml)
• Up to 16-hour wear – 78% of participants said All Nighter helped their make-up last for 16 hours^
• Microfine mist
• Vegan*
• Perfect for all skin types, even sensitive
• Natural, skin-like finish
The original All Nighter Setting Spray everyone knows and loves! This option is suitable for all skin types, making it ideal for combination skin, but working equally as well for balanced, oily, dry or sensitive complexions.
With a weightless feel and natural skin-like finish, it features patented Temperature Control Technology to lower the temperature of your make-up all while keeping it in place even in hot, humid, cold or windy conditions. The result is smoother-looking skin and make-up that lasts all day (or all night).
What do customers think?
☆☆☆☆☆
“Absolutely amazing product... I use this when we go for whole day functions.. using this product, I don't need for any touch up for at least 22 hours.”
Bal007 – boots.com review, May 2024
If you answered mostly B…
Try: Urban Decay All Nighter Vitamin C Make Up Setting Spray
• Size: 118ml (also available in travel size 30ml)
• Up to 16-hour wear – 78% of participants said All Nighter helped their make-up last for 16 hours^
• Microfine mist
• Vegan*
• Perfect for tired or dull-looking skin
• Makes skin feel energised and fresh
• Brightening finish
Infused with vitamin C to brighten the look of skin and cactus flower for an instant hit of hydration, this option is the one for an illuminating and brightening finish.
Ideal for tired or dull-looking skin in need of a pick-me-up, All Nighter Vitamin C boasts all the same benefits as the original with the added bonus of a fresh citrus scent for a truly energising spritz that boosts make-up vibrancy. It really is summer in a bottle.
What do customers think?
☆☆☆☆☆
“WOW!Absolutely amazing. Just get it and try for yourself.”
Jess – boots.com review, November 2023
If you answered mostly C…
Try: Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray Ultra Matte
• Size: 118ml (also available in travel size 30ml)
• Up to 16-hour wear – 78% of participants said All Nighter helped their make-up last for 16 hours^
• Microfine mist
• Vegan*
• Perfect for oily skin
• Absorbs excess oil
• Ultra matte finish
A shine controlling expert, All Nighter Ultra Matte is infused with kaolin clay to mattify and remove excess oil on the skin’s surface. It’s a great option for (you guessed it) oily skin, helping make-up stay put without slipping or sliding around.
The best part? It’s got a breathable formula that helps your skin feel comfortable all day. You could even wear it alone on make-up free days to keep shine at bay.
What do customers think?
☆☆☆☆☆
“I have oily skin and this stuff is great! Makeup stays in place all day and I have noticed any shine has been reduced too. Highly recommend the ultra matte for oily to combination skin.”
Alice_O4_ – boots.com review, April 2024
If you answered mostly D…
Try: Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray Extra Glow
• Size: 118ml
• Up to 16-hour wear – 78% of participants said All Nighter helped their make-up last for 16 hours^
• Microfine mist
• Vegan*
• Perfect for dry skin
• Leaves skin feeling dewy and moisturised
• Extra glowy finish
For the dewy skin lovers, it’s got to be All Nighter Extra Glow. It’s perfect for dry skin, mature skin, and anyone else who wants a fresh, dewy look.
With hyaluronic acid and agave extract, it leaves skin feeling moisturised and refreshed while setting make-up all day long. Bring on a radiant, fresh-faced glow!
What do customers think?
☆☆☆☆☆
“Best setting spray and worth the price. It makes your face beautifully dewy and makeup stays looking fresh all day!”
Alexis30 – urbandecay.com review, January 2024
How to apply setting spray correctly
Now you’ve found the perfect All Nighter Setting Spray for you, it’s time for our top tips on application.
Setting spray is usually applied at the end of your routine after you’ve finished your make-up look. But if you need some serious staying power for a special event, you can apply it in between each stage of your make-up – for example after foundation, then after blush, then after bronzer... (you get the idea!).
Whichever way you choose, here’s how to nail the application…
Step 1: Give your setting spray a shake
Step 2: Hold it 8-10 inches away from your face, close your eyes and mouth, and mist evenly over your whole face 2-4 times in an ‘X’ and ‘T’ formation
Step 3: Allow your setting spray to dry naturally before touching your face or your make-up again to avoid smudging and give it time to lock everything in place
What would a setting spray be without a showstopping make-up look. Whether you go for no make-up make-up or full glam, we’re sure you’ll find something you’ll love in Urban Decay’s range of make-up must-haves.
