I’ve Tried So Many Setting Sprays – This One Kept My Make-Up In Place For Over 10 Hours

If I've gone to the effort of doing my make-up, it needs to last. What’s the point of blending, baking, and setting if it’s all going to melt off in an hour? As a busy girl (and one who likes to party), I need my face to stay flawless all day. Is that really so much to ask? I know from experience that’s why a good setting spray is mandatory, and I have a few I think are brilliant. In my personal beauty hall of fame is the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray, Morphe Continuous Prep and Set Mist, Kryolan Setting Spray  and Fenty’s You Mist Setting Spray, which is the newest addition. These work well, but I'm always ready and willing to try something new in the name of beauty journalism.

I’ve never actually tried the original Urban Decay All Nighter Spray but, back in the golden era of YouTube, it was the setting spray spotlighted as the GOAT. So, when I got my hands on the brand’s new hyaluronic acid version, it felt quite nostalgic. It has the same signature bottle shape, now dressed for summer with a pink-purple lid and bold yellow lettering. The vibe? Bouncy, hydrated skin with a smoothing, melt-everything-together finish. There was only one thing to do: put it to the test.

Right after application

What does Urban Decay’s Hyaluronic Acid Setting Spray do?

The first thing I noticed was the scent. It's a juicy watermelon fragrance that not everyone will love, but I personally didn’t mind it, it's summery. The mist itself is lovely - a fine spritz that evenly coats the skin without drenching it. I did about four sprays and it instantly helped melt my make-up together, especially after I went a bit too heavy on the powder around my eyes. The finish was super smoothing and gave me that fresh-faced, hydrated look without any cakiness - I'm putting this down to the hyaluronic acid. It’s not just a beauty myth, this stuff is known for holding up to 1000 times its weight in water, keeping your skin beautifully hydrated under your make-up.

6pm vs 3am

I ended up wearing this one atop my make-up for over 10 hours at a day party, and honestly, it didn’t budge. I brought tools just in case, but I never had to touch-up once. I did notice some minor build-up in my brows but I simply just dusted this away. It's a small price to pay for something that genuinely works.

Final thoughts:

Normally, after a night out, I avoid mirrors like the plague. I'd rather not see the end result. But this time? I was pleasantly surprised. My base stayed intact and my skin still looked fresh. This one definitely lives up to the claims - my make-up didn’t smudge, the hold was impressive, and it felt hydrating the entire time. And my skin still felt like skin. Would recommend.

Shop: Urban Decay All Nighter Hyaluronic Setting Spray

Renee Washington, Grazia's digital fashion and beauty writer, lives online. With a penchant for wispy lashes and streetwear, she writes about the worlds of fashion and beauty from the viewpoint of the modern fashion girlie..