If your make-up has a habit of sliding off by lunchtime, a good setting spray can make all the difference, especially in warmer weather. For more than a decade, Urban Decay’s all nighter setting spray has been a holy grail product that’s achieved cult status for its staying power, whilst Charlotte Tilbury’s airbrush flawless setting spray has quickly gained a similar reputation, with its ability to set, hydrate and blur.
With temperatures soaring this summer, I put both setting sprays to the test to see which one could keep my make-up intact through sweaty commutes, a full day at the office and evening plans.
Most make-up setting sprays, like these two, work through a polymer dissolved in a solvent. When you spray it on your face, the solvent evaporates, leaving behind a polymer “film” that locks in make-up and provides some water resistance. The ingredient can also diffuse your make-up slightly to make it look more blended.
So far, so similar. Both promise up to 16 hours of wear and waterproof performance, but which one actually delivers? I tested them side by side to find out.
If you’ve already got your eye on Charlotte Tilbury’s airbrush flawless setting spray, now’s an excellent time to try it with up to 45 per cent off Charlotte Tilbury icon kits, plus free gifts if you spend more than £200. The setting spray is included in a number of kits, including this duo that comes with full-size and mini products for £39 (worth £54, Charlottetilbury.com).
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Urban Decay all nighter setting spray
Rating: 5/5
Size: 118ml
Key ingredients: Aloe vera and vitamin E
Why we love it
- Holds make-up in place all day
- Lightweight spray
- Bottle lasts a long time
Take note
- Doesn't add any glow
I’ve used this setting spray for years, and I’m usually quite liberal when spritzing it. I get through two to three bottles a year, so the 118ml bottle lasts a long time.
It doesn’t provide any additional glow, but as someone with oily skin, this isn’t something I necessarily need every day. It has a light mattifying effect, but I’d still recommend a setting powder if you like a shine-free look.
As for its 16-hour claims? It’s rare to wear make-up for that long, so it’s hard to know. However, when I went to check my make-up in the evening, it had held up exceptionally well. My foundation hadn’t gone patchy, and my kohl eyeliner hadn’t smudged. There was still pigment left from my cream blush, and this is often the first to go.
Buy now £29.5, Lookfantastic.com
Charlotte Tilbury airbrush flawless setting spray
Rating: 4.5/5
Size: 100ml
Key ingredients: Aloe vera, Japanese green tea and aromatic resin
Why we love it
- Locks in make-up all day
- Can be used as a primer
- Fine, lightweight mist
Take note
- Strong fragrance
As well as setting your make-up, this can be used as a primer and throughout application to add hydration. I used it as the last step, as I was mainly interested in how it made my make–up last.
I found that it has a stronger scent than Urban Decay, which is worth noting if you’re sensitive to fragrance. It’s certainly not unpleasant, but it’s noticeable – a light, zesty sort of smell. Upon application, you get a fine mist that dries down quickly and leaves a healthy glow without looking shiny.
By the end of the day, my make-up had lasted well. However, Urban Decay takes the crown. With this Charlotte Tilbury setting spray, I noticed that a little shine had come through. This was to be expected on a 30C day, and was easily fixed with some setting powder, but it wasn’t as good a result. It’s still a great setting spray, but unfortunately, there’s one a little better.
If you fancy giving the product a try yourself, you can save up to 45 per cent on Charlotte Tilbury icon kits right now.
Buy now £33, Charlotte Tilbury
Urban Decay vs Charlotte Tilbury setting spray: Which one is best?
While both offer brilliant make-up fixing and setting, my personal favourite for a summer’s day is the Urban Decay all nighter setting spray. Both held up against sweat and my skin’s natural oils, but Urban Decay had just a touch more staying power.
However, I have to admit that I love using both together. I’ll use Urban Decay to set my make-up, let it dry down and then follow up with Charlotte Tilbury to add extra fixing, but most importantly, glow and hydration. I’ve tried this combo at a few weddings this summer, and it’s the best of both worlds; the Urban Decay spray made my make-up last, but the Charlotte Tilbury spray made it look radiant.
How I tested
I tested the Urban Decay all nighter and Charlotte Tilbury airbrush flawless setting sprays over several days during the UK's summer heatwave. I applied each spray over the same base make-up and tested staying power on commute, through a full working day and evening out. I assessed each for comfort on the skin, how well it held my make-up in place in hot and humid conditions and the finish it left behind.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Sabrina Sahota is IndyBest's Deputy Editor and has more than eight years' experience testing products across beauty and lifestyle. Her reviews include everything from facial SPFs and foundations to concealer. She regularly tests products in real-world conditions to see how they perform beyond the brand's claims.
For more heatwave skincare, check out our test of the best SPF moisturisers
