You’ve seen the videos. Someone stands in a pool, fully submerged, and comes up looking like they just stepped out of a vanity mirror. Or maybe it’s the girl at the music festival, drenched in sweat and glitter, yet her foundation hasn’t moved an inch while everyone else is melting into a muddy mess. That is the One Size On 'Til Dawn effect. It isn't just hype. Honestly, it’s kinda terrifying how well this stuff works. When Patrick Starrr launched One Size Beauty, people expected decent makeup, but they didn't necessarily expect a setting spray that functions like a literal sealant for your face.
It’s an aerosol. Most people are used to the pump sprays—the ones that leave big, annoying droplets on your forehead and take five minutes to dry. This is different. It’s a fine mist that smells slightly like peppermint and feels like nothing once it hits your skin. But once it sets? Your makeup is locked in. Forever. Or at least until you decide to scrub it off with a heavy-duty oil cleanser.
What One Size On 'Til Dawn Actually Does to Your Face
Let’s talk about the chemistry for a second without getting too boring. Most setting sprays are basically water and alcohol with a little bit of film-former. One Size On 'Til Dawn Mattifying Waterproof Setting Spray uses a blend that includes green tea extract and witch hazel. These ingredients help blur pores and soak up oil, which is why it gives that "matte" finish. But the real heavy lifter is the PVP (polyvinylpyrrolidone). This is a polymer that creates a thin, flexible layer over your makeup. It's essentially a raincoat for your blush.
Does it feel tight? A little. If you have super dry skin, you might feel like you’re wearing a very thin mask. But for the oily-skinned humans among us? It’s a godsend. You’re not going to see that midday shine breaking through your nose bridge by 2:00 PM.
There’s a reason drag queens and stage performers swear by it. Patrick Starrr comes from that world. He knows that "long-wear" in the consumer world usually means "it might last through lunch." In the drag world, long-wear means "it needs to survive three lip-syncs, heavy lighting, and an outfit change." This spray was built for the latter. It is aggressive in the best way possible.
The Viral Moments That Made This Spray a Legend
Remember the "Waterproof Test" era on TikTok? Influencers were literally dumping buckets of water on their heads. They’d do a full face of glam, spray the One Size On 'Til Dawn, and then dunk their faces in a sink. The results were consistently wild. The water just beads up and rolls off. It’s the lotus leaf effect, but for your contour.
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Then there was the shower test. People were taking full-on hot showers with a full face of makeup to see if the spray could handle steam. It did. While no one is suggesting you go swimming in a formal gown and a full beat, the fact that you could is what makes this product a staple. It changed the expectation of what a setting spray should do. We stopped settling for "refreshing mists" and started demanding actual performance.
Is It Actually Good for Your Skin?
Here is where we need to be real. This is a performance product. If you look at the ingredients, the first one is Butane. Then Propane. Then Alcohol Denat. It’s an aerosol. You are not putting a soothing cucumber juice on your face. You are putting a high-performance sealant on it.
What You Need to Know
- Aerosol Safety: You have to hold it 10-12 inches away. Do not inhale it. Seriously. Close your mouth and eyes tight.
- Alcohol Content: Because it's high in alcohol, it dries incredibly fast. This is great for setting, but if you have eczema or extremely sensitive skin, use it sparingly. It can be drying if used every single day for 12 hours a day.
- The Scent: It has a noticeable minty smell. Most people find it refreshing; some find it a bit intense. It dissipates quickly, though.
If you’re worried about breakouts, the witch hazel and green tea are there to help balance things out, but the most important part is the removal. You cannot just use a makeup wipe and call it a day. This spray creates a bond. You need a cleansing balm or a high-quality oil cleanser to break down the polymers. If you don't remove it properly, yeah, you're gonna get clogged pores. But that’s not the spray’s fault—that’s a user error.
Comparing One Size to the "Old Guard"
For years, All Nighter by Urban Decay was the gold standard. We all used it. We all loved it. But compared to One Size On 'Til Dawn, All Nighter feels like a gentle suggestion. Urban Decay is great for a standard work day or a dinner date. It keeps things from fading.
One Size is for the "I’m going to a wedding in Florida in July" or "I’m going to a 12-hour rave" type of days. It provides a level of mattification that the old-school sprays just can't touch. If you have dry skin, you might actually prefer the Urban Decay one because it’s less intense. But if you want that "locked and loaded" look, Patrick Starrr wins.
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There’s also the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray. That one is incredible for a "glowy but set" look. It’s elegant. But again, it isn't waterproof in the way One Size On 'Til Dawn is. One Size is more of a tool than a luxury mist. It’s functional, slightly industrial, and incredibly effective.
How to Apply It Like a Pro (Because Most People Do It Wrong)
You can't just spritz and go. Well, you can, but you won't get the best results.
First, do your makeup. All of it. Powder included. The spray reacts best when it has a powdered surface to "grab" onto. Shake the can like your life depends on it. This ensures the mattifying powders inside are actually mixed with the solvent.
Spray in an "X" and "T" motion. Keep your eyes closed for a few seconds after you’re done spraying. If you open them too soon, the vapors might make your eyes water, and then you’ve got a localized disaster on your lower lash line. Let it air dry. Don't fan it with your hands—just let the alcohol evaporate naturally. This creates the most uniform seal.
Some people like to spray a layer before foundation and then again after. This is called the "sandwich method." It’s overkill for most people, but if you have skin that produces oil like a refinery, it’s a game-changer. It creates a barrier between your skin’s natural oils and your makeup.
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The Price Tag: Is It Worth It?
At around $32 for the full size (and they have a travel size for about $17), it’s priced squarely in the "prestige" category. It isn't drugstore cheap, but it isn't "I have to skip a meal to afford this" expensive either. Considering how little you actually need—a two-second blast covers your whole face—one can lasts a surprisingly long time.
If you only use it for special occasions, that can will sit in your drawer for six months. If you’re a daily user, you’re looking at maybe two months of use. Honestly, compared to buying three bottles of a cheaper spray that doesn't actually work, the value is there.
Actionable Steps for the Best Results
If you’re ready to try One Size On 'Til Dawn, here is the roadmap to making it work for you without ruining your skin or your makeup:
- Hydrate First: Since the spray is mattifying and contains alcohol, use a good moisturizer or a hydrating primer. This prevents the "tight" feeling and keeps your skin from looking parched underneath the makeup.
- The "Powder Sandwich": Apply your cream products, then a light dusting of translucent powder, then your powder bronzer/blush. The spray performs 10x better on top of powder than it does on just wet foundation.
- Distance Matters: Do not hold the can 3 inches from your face. You'll get "hot spots" where the product pools. 12 inches is the sweet spot.
- Double Cleanse or Bust: Buy a cleansing balm (like the One Size Go Off balm or something from Clinique/Elemis). You need the oil to melt the spray. Regular soap won't cut it, and you'll end up scrubbing your skin raw.
- Check the Nozzle: Occasionally, the spray nozzle can get a little bit of buildup because of the polymers. If it starts spraying "chunky," just run the plastic nozzle under warm water for a second to clear it out.
The reality is that One Size On 'Til Dawn shifted the culture of makeup. It moved us away from the "natural, dewy, 15-minute wear" look into an era where we expect our face to look exactly the same at midnight as it did at 8:00 AM. It’s not a product for everyone—dry-skinned folks should proceed with caution—but for anyone who has ever looked in the mirror at the end of the night and wondered where their nose contour went, it’s a absolute necessity.
Stop worrying about the rain. Stop worrying about the humidity. Just spray it, let it set, and go live your life. The makeup isn't going anywhere.