Let's be real for a second. If you’ve ever spent forty minutes blending your foundation to perfection only to have it melt off by lunch, you know the panic. It sucks. For years, the gold standard has been the Urban Decay All Nighter. It’s the bottle everyone reaches for when they have a wedding, a long shift, or just a night out where things might get sweaty. But forty bucks for a few ounces of mist? That’s a steep price to pay for what is essentially "makeup glue."
People are desperate for an Urban Decay All Nighter setting spray dupe because, honestly, the economy is weird and our makeup budgets are shrinking.
We’ve all heard the rumors. People claim that certain drugstore brands use the exact same formula. Others swear that a specific hairspray—please don't do that to your pores—is the secret. The truth is a bit more nuanced. Setting sprays generally fall into two camps: those that just melt your powders together for a seamless look, and those that actually form a film to keep things from moving. All Nighter is a film-former. It uses a patented Temperature Control Technology developed in partnership with Skindinavia. That’s the "secret sauce" that makes it so hard to replicate.
If you want a dupe, you can't just look for "long-lasting" on the label. You have to look at the chemistry.
Why the Milani Make It Last is the strongest contender
If you walk into a CVS or a Target right now, the Milani Make It Last Original is usually the first thing people point to. It’s cheap. It’s accessible. But does it actually do the same thing?
Mostly, yes.
When you look at the ingredient list, you’ll see alcohol denat. near the top. Some people hate alcohol in skincare, but in a setting spray, it’s the vehicle that helps the product dry down fast and lock the polymers in place. Milani uses a mix of water, alcohol, and PVP (polyvinylpyrrolidone). That PVP is the film-forming agent. It creates a literal microscopic barrier over your skin.
Is it a 1:1 swap? Not exactly. The mist on the Urban Decay bottle is legendary for being fine and airy. The Milani nozzle can be a bit... aggressive. You might get a stray droplet that leaves a spot on your highlighter. But in terms of sheer "staying power," the Milani holds its own for about 16 hours, which is what the All Nighter promises. If you’re on a budget, this is the one you buy first.
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The Skindinavia connection you didn't know about
Here is a fun fact that most casual makeup users miss: Urban Decay doesn't actually make All Nighter. They license the formula from a company called Skindinavia.
If you want the "real deal" without the Urban Decay branding, you just buy the Skindinavia The Makeup Finishing Spray. Often, you can find it on sale or in larger pro-sized bottles that end up being way cheaper per ounce. Since it’s the same manufacturer, you’re getting that specific temperature control tech that lowers the temperature of your makeup to keep it from oxidizing or sliding.
It's not technically a "drugstore dupe," but it's a "pro-secret dupe."
NYX Matte Finish vs. Radiant Finish: Choosing the right vibe
NYX is basically the king of the drugstore when it comes to variety. Their Matte Finish Setting Spray is a cult classic. If you have oily skin and your main issue is looking like a glazed donut by 3 PM, this is actually better than the All Nighter for some people.
The All Nighter is designed for "all skin types," but the NYX Matte is specifically formulated to soak up excess sebum. However, if you have dry skin, stay away. It will make your face feel tight and might even cause your foundation to crack.
What about the "Natural" alternatives?
Some people try to use rose water or glycerin-based sprays like Mario Badescu as an Urban Decay All Nighter setting spray dupe. Stop. Those are "refreshing mists," not "setting sprays." They will make your makeup look beautiful and dewy, but they offer zero structural integrity. If you cry, sweat, or get caught in the rain, that rose water isn't going to save you. You need the polymers found in the heavier hitters.
The Elf Power Grip Dewy Setting Spray: A new challenger
Elf has been on a tear lately, basically cloning every high-end product on the market. Their Power Grip Dewy Setting Spray is interesting because it tries to bridge the gap between "sticky grip" and "long-wear lock."
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It’s a bi-phase formula. You have to shake it like a Polaroid picture to get the ingredients to mix. It contains hyaluronic acid and squalane, which makes it feel much more high-end than its price tag suggests. For someone who find the Urban Decay spray too drying, this Elf version is a legitimate upgrade. It keeps the makeup on, but it keeps the skin looking like skin.
Examining the ingredient deck: What are you actually paying for?
Let's get technical for a second. The main ingredients in the All Nighter are:
- Water
- Alcohol Denat
- PVP
- Dimethicone PEG-7 Phosphate
- PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate
That Dimethicone PEG-7 Phosphate is a big deal. It’s a water-soluble silicone that helps with the spreadability. Most cheap dupes skip the sophisticated silicones and just load up on alcohol and PVP. This is why some dupes feel "sticky" while the Urban Decay one feels like nothing.
If you find that a dupe is making your skin feel tacky, try this: spray it before your powder. This is a pro technique. Apply your liquids, spray the dupe, let it get tacky, and then press your powder on top. It creates a sandwich effect that is basically bulletproof.
Is the Sephora Collection spray the best hidden gem?
The Sephora Collection Makeup Setting Spray (the one in the black bottle with the blue text) is arguably the closest thing to Urban Decay in terms of the actual experience. The mist is incredibly fine. It doesn't smell like a chemistry lab. And most importantly, it’s usually half the price of the Urban Decay version.
I've tested this during a 12-hour shift in a humid environment. The results were nearly identical. My eyeshadow didn't crease, and my blush stayed vibrant. If you're already in a Sephora and don't want to drop $40, just walk over to the Sephora Collection stand.
Common misconceptions about setting sprays
A lot of people think that if they use a setting spray, they don't need primer. That's wrong.
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Setting spray is the topcoat, not the base coat. Think of it like painting a house. If you don't prime the wood, the paint won't stick, no matter how much sealant you put on top. Using an Urban Decay All Nighter setting spray dupe will only work if your skin prep is solid.
Another mistake? Spraying too close to the face. You want to hold the bottle at least 8 to 10 inches away. If you see visible droplets on your skin, you’re too close. You want a cloud, not a squirt gun.
Real-world testing: Does the price difference matter for your skin health?
There is an argument to be made for "expensive" formulas when it comes to skin sensitivity. Cheaper dupes often use lower-grade fragrances or harsher alcohols to keep costs down. If you have rosacea or extremely sensitive skin, you might find that the Milani or NYX sprays cause a stinging sensation.
Urban Decay’s formula is surprisingly gentle despite the alcohol content. This is likely due to the quality of the buffers and the specific temperature-lowering technology. If you use a dupe and break out in tiny red bumps the next day, it’s not the "setting" that's the problem—it’s the quality of the denaturants in the alcohol.
How to make a cheap dupe perform like a luxury spray
If you’ve bought a drugstore dupe and you're disappointed, don't throw it away. There are ways to hack it.
- The Beauty Blender Trick: Instead of spraying your face directly, saturate your damp beauty sponge with the setting spray and bounce it over your finished makeup. This presses the film-formers into the skin rather than just letting them sit on top of the peach fuzz.
- The Layering Method: Spray once after your foundation, and once again after your final powder. This creates a multi-level bond.
- Fix the Nozzle: If the spray bottle is "spitty," pour the liquid into an old, empty Urban Decay bottle. The nozzle is 90% of the luxury experience.
The final verdict on the Urban Decay All Nighter setting spray dupe
You don't need to spend $40. You just don't.
If you want the absolute closest performance for the lowest price, buy the Milani Make It Last. It’s the workhorse of the industry.
If you want the sophisticated mist and a more "prestige" feel without the price tag, go for the Sephora Collection version.
If you are a professional or someone who needs 24-hour wear, buy Skindinavia in bulk.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check your skin type: If you’re oily, go for the NYX Matte. If you’re dry or combo, stick with Milani or the Elf Power Grip.
- Verify the nozzle: Before you spray your face, do a test spray in the air. If it looks like a jet stream, transfer the liquid to a better spray bottle.
- Prep properly: Ensure your moisturizer is fully absorbed before applying makeup. Setting spray cannot fix a "sliding" base caused by too much oil or moisturizer underneath.
- Use the "X" and "T" motion: When applying, spray in an X shape across your face, then a T shape down the center. This ensures total coverage without soaking your skin.