Key Takeaways
Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Powder can still be worth buying if you have oily or combination skin and your main goal is keeping makeup in place longer. The tricky part is that people often mean two different products when they search the name: the current pressed Waterproof Setting Powder and the older loose powder that Urban Decay has discontinued. Which one you mean changes the recommendation.
Best for
- Oily or combination skin
- Hot weather and high humidity
- Makeup that tends to slide or break down by midday
- A more matte, locked-in finish
Not ideal for
- Dry skin or flaky patches
- Mature or textured under-eyes
- Anyone who wants a very forgiving soft-focus powder
- Radiant or skin-like finishes
Quick Rating
Where to Buy
International and Vietnam options. The pressed Waterproof Setting Powder is also available at Sephora, Ulta, and Urban Decay's own website at $34 in the US and £24.50 in the UK.
| Region | Notes | Buy |
|---|---|---|
|
International
Best option
|
Loose powder listing. Good if you specifically want the older style powder and can still find stock. | Shop International → |
|
Vietnam
|
Shopee VN listing. Double-check seller history and product photos before buying. | Shop Vietnam → |
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What is Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Powder?
At this point, the name refers to two related but different products. The current official release is the All Nighter Waterproof Setting Powder — a pressed powder designed to mattify, control shine, and make makeup more resistant to wear. It is formulated to prevent makeup meltdown due to sweat or moisture, provides a translucent finish that works across skin tones, and keeps things in place for up to 11 hours even in hot and sweaty conditions. The formula is PETA-certified and cruelty-free.
The older version is the All Nighter Softening Loose Setting Powder, a translucent loose powder with a softer matte finish that was designed more like a classic long-wear loose setting powder. Urban Decay has since discontinued it.
If you searched the name and assumed it referred to one consistent product, that is exactly the problem this page is trying to solve. The naming creates more confusion than it should — and reviews, ingredient questions, and even the talc concern all depend on which one you mean.
Pressed vs. Loose: What Is Actually Different?
| Feature | Pressed Waterproof Setting Powder Current | Softening Loose Setting Powder Discontinued |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Pressed compact | Loose powder jar |
| Availability | Current, widely available | Discontinued, limited stock |
| Finish | Matte, performance-focused | Soft matte, more forgiving |
| Talc | Different formula, less talc concern | Contains talc |
| Best for | Oily/combination, long wear | Softer finish, classic setting |
| Shade | Translucent, but may show on some | Translucent, but may show on some |
Who is this product for?
This product makes the most sense for people who want their makeup to stay put, block shine, and provide effective shine control for oily or combination skin. It especially earns its keep in humid or hot climates — the T-zone stays less greasy, and the base stays more held-together across long days. The powder works well alongside both foundation and concealer to help achieve a long-lasting finish.
If you are building a routine around managing oiliness, my guide to makeup for oily skin gives the full picture on how setting powder fits in. If you want a broader comparison of options, my roundup of the best setting powders for oily skin covers the full field.
Who is it not for?
Not the most forgiving option for dry skin, flaky skin, or lined under-eyes. If you already know powders can make your skin look tighter, older, or more textured, this is not the one to blind buy. It is also not ideal if you want a radiant or skin-like finish — the whole point of this line is locking things down, not keeping everything soft and glowy. If you are looking for a setting powder that enhances a natural glow rather than controlling shine, this matte formula is going to work against you.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Very effective for oily skin and makeup that breaks down fast.
- Strong mattifying effect that meaningfully reduces midday shine.
- Good for humidity and extended wear, especially the pressed waterproof version.
- Can blur pores nicely when used lightly in the right areas.
- Useful for touch-ups when the T-zone goes shiny mid-day.
Cons
- Name confusion makes it easy to buy or research the wrong version.
- Can look chalky or dry if applied too heavily.
- Not forgiving on dry patches, texture, or lines.
- The loose powder is discontinued — availability is unreliable.
- "Translucent" does not mean invisible on every skin tone.
Powder vs. Spray: What Is the Difference?
The spray and powder do related jobs but behave differently on skin. The powder absorbs oil, sets cream products, and creates a more matte, controlled finish — something you can see and feel on the face. The spray locks the overall look together and improves wear in a lighter, less visibly powdery way.
For enhanced staying power, it is often recommended to combine the powder with the All Nighter setting spray. This combination helps achieve a more waterproof, matte finish and extends makeup wear, especially in humid or sweaty conditions.
My short version: powder is better when your main issue is shine and slippage. Spray is better when you want longer wear without adding another dry layer. For the full breakdown, read my Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray review.
How to Apply Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Powder
- Buff the powder lightly over your foundation using a powder brush with a patting or tapping motion — not a sweeping one.
- Focus on areas where shine breaks through fastest: T-zone, nose, and center forehead.
- It can also be used to set concealer when foundation is not worn.
- For touch-ups mid-day, apply only to the T-zone rather than all over, to avoid buildup.
- Less is more with this formula. One light layer is usually enough. A second heavy layer is where it can start to look dry or obvious.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Powder the same as the Waterproof Setting Powder, or are there two versions?
There are two versions people mean when they search this. The current official one is the pressed Waterproof Setting Powder. The older one is the Softening Loose Setting Powder. They are not the same formula, not the same format, and not interchangeable if you are being picky about finish and feel. Reading reviews without knowing which version the reviewer used makes those reviews almost meaningless.
Is the Urban Decay All Nighter loose powder discontinued?
Yes, officially it is. That does not mean you cannot still find it online — some retailers and resellers still have stock — but it is no longer part of Urban Decay's active line. If you buy the loose version now, you are buying a discontinued product, not a current release.
Is Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Powder good for oily skin?
Yes, this is where it makes the most sense. On oily skin — especially in a hot or humid climate — the All Nighter powder helps reduce the greasy look around the T-zone and keeps the base more held-together. It provides all day oil and shine control and helps prevent makeup meltdown even in challenging conditions.
It is less convincing on skin that is dry but shiny from dehydration, because the powder can solve one problem while making another one more visible.
Does it really make makeup waterproof, or just more long-wearing?
More long-wearing and more resistant is the honest framing. The current pressed powder is marketed as waterproof, but in real life that is better understood as helping makeup hold up better against humidity, sweat, and some moisture. It is a sealing step, not a force field. Setting powder alone cannot make a water-soluble foundation behave like a waterproof product.
Is the powder translucent, or can it look dark, orange, or ashy?
Sold as translucent or universal, but that does not mean every person experiences it as completely invisible. The pressed powder can look darker in the pan than expected, and on very fair or deeper skin tones any "universal" powder can still read as an off cast if too much is applied. The real risk is not usually a literal orange color — it is more a slightly dull or muted finish when overdone.
Does it blur pores or emphasize texture and fine lines?
Both can happen, which is why technique matters here. On oily areas with visible pores, a light layer can make the skin look smoother and more controlled. But applied over dry patches, lines, or tired under-eyes, the same mattifying effect can start making texture more noticeable instead of less. Less is more with this formula.
Is it better for touch-ups, baking, or all-over setting?
It works best as a targeted all-over setter on oily skin or as a T-zone touch-up powder mid-day. For baking, I would be cautious — this is not the kind of formula I would automatically recommend for a heavy baked under-eye unless you already know your skin handles very matte powders well.
Is the formula drying or irritating on sensitive skin?
It can be drying. This is a performance powder, not a comfort powder. Sensitive skin may tolerate it fine, but it is not the sort of formula that feels reassuringly gentle. If your skin reacts easily or you are dealing with a compromised barrier, expect a higher chance that this will feel too matte or settle too heavily.
Does it clog pores or cause breakouts?
There is no simple answer. Some acne-prone people actually do better with this type of powder because it cuts shine and reduces the slippage that can push makeup into pores. But Urban Decay does not claim the pressed Waterproof Setting Powder is non-comedogenic, so I would not call it breakout-proof. If you are acne-prone, patch test rather than assume.
What ingredients actually drive the mattifying and blurring effect?
The pressed Waterproof Setting Powder includes ingredients like dimethicone, nylon-12, silica, and zinc stearate — a classic combination for a powder that wants to sit smoothly on skin, absorb oil, and create a soft-blur effect. In plain terms: it is built to visually reduce grease and uneven texture by creating a controlled, matte layer on the surface.
How does it compare with setting spray, finishing powder, or other top setting powders?
Compared with setting spray, this is the more mattifying and more visibly controlling option. Compared with a finishing powder, it is more functional and less elegant — finishing powders typically soften the look of makeup at the end, while this one is focused on holding things in place and reducing shine.
Compared with top loose setting powders like Laura Mercier, Huda Beauty Easy Bake, or One/Size, Urban Decay is a more niche pick now. It still makes sense for people who want the All Nighter long-wear approach, but it is not automatically the prettiest finish in the category.
Is talc a concern here, and does that depend on which All Nighter powder you mean?
Yes, it depends on which version you mean — and this is one more reason the product-name confusion actually matters. The talc question comes up more clearly in conversations about the older loose powder. The current pressed Waterproof Setting Powder is a different formula. So if someone says "I heard Urban Decay All Nighter has talc," the first thing to establish is: which version are we actually talking about?
Should I buy the powder or the spray?
Buy the powder if your biggest issue is shine and slippage. Buy the spray if you want longer wear without adding a visible dry or heavy layer to the skin. For the most extended hold, combining both is often the recommendation — apply powder first, then set with spray.
Final Verdict
Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Powder is still a relevant buy, but only if you read the product name carefully and match it to what your skin actually needs. For oily, combination, or heat-affected skin that wants makeup to hold up longer and look less shiny, this product family still makes a solid case for itself. If your skin is dry, sensitive, or mainly looking for a flattering finish rather than performance-first oil control, there are more comfortable options out there.
Practical summary: if you want the current official version, look at the pressed Waterproof Setting Powder. If you specifically want the older loose version, understand that you are shopping a discontinued product with uncertain availability. And if your routine already relies on spray more than powder, the matching All Nighter Setting Spray may be the smarter buy for how you actually do your makeup.
Maddie is here to help you figure out what actually works in real life, not just what sounds good on the packaging.
Disclosure: If you buy through links on my site, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend what I'd repurchase.