You’ve seen the videos. Someone dives into a swimming pool, swims a few laps, emerges like a mermaid, and their winged liner is still sharp enough to cut glass. Usually, that’s a One Size Beauty setting spray ad—or at least a very dedicated fan showing off. Specifically, we're talking about the On 'Til Dawn Mattifying Waterproof Setting Spray. It’s the one in the bright red aerosol can that looks more like hairspray than a face mist.
Honestly? It basically is a sealant.
If you’re tired of your foundation sliding off by 2:00 PM or finding half your contour on the inside of your face mask, this stuff is the industry's current "gold standard." But it isn't perfect for everyone. There’s a learning curve. If you spray it wrong, you’ll end up feeling like your face is wrapped in Saran wrap.
What Actually Makes One Size Beauty Setting Spray Different?
Most setting sprays on the market are water-based. They use a bit of glycerin and some polymers to "melt" your powders into your cream products so you don't look cakey. They’re lovely. They’re refreshing. They also do almost nothing for oil control if you’re someone who produces sebum like it’s a full-time job.
One Size is a different beast entirely. It’s an aerosol.
The formula relies heavily on isododecane and alcohol denat. These are the ingredients that make it dry down instantly. It doesn't feel "wet" on the skin for more than a second. Because it's an aerosol, the mist is finer than anything you’ll get out of a pump bottle. No big droplets ruining your eyeshadow.
Patrick Starrr, the founder of One Size, didn't just stumble onto this. He’s a drag performer. In that world, makeup isn't just "applied." It is constructed. It has to survive stage lights, sweat, and hours of movement. He took the old-school drag trick of using actual hairspray on the face (which is terrible for your pores, by the way) and worked with chemists to create a version that actually belongs on skin.
The Mattifying Factor
This spray is matte. Not "natural finish" matte. We are talking flat matte.
It contains green tea extract to help tighten pores and witch hazel to absorb oil. If you have dry, flaky skin, you might actually hate this product. It can emphasize texture if you haven't prepped with a heavy moisturizer. But for the "oily girls" and "oily guys" out there? It's a miracle.
Does It Actually Last 16 Hours?
The brand claims 16-hour wear. In my experience—and looking at the sheer volume of wear-tests from creators like Mikayla Nogueira or Jackie Aina—it holds up. But there is a caveat.
The "On 'Til Dawn" name is literal.
I’ve worn this through a humid outdoor wedding in July. By the end of the night, my feet were killing me, my hair was a frizz-ball, but my blush was exactly where I put it. It creates a film. A literal barrier. This is why it’s waterproof. Rain? Fine. Tears? You’re good. A literal dip in a pool? Surprisingly okay, as long as you don't rub your face with a towel afterward.
The Correct Way to Apply One Size Beauty Setting Spray
If you just spray this like a normal mist, you’re wasting it. Worse, you might inhale a cloud of aerosol, which isn't fun.
First, you have to shake the can. Shake it like you're making a martini. The ingredients need to mix to ensure that mattifying powder doesn't clog the nozzle.
- The Distance: Hold it at least 10 to 12 inches away. If you’re too close, the pressure of the aerosol can actually move your wet foundation around.
- The Motion: Use a circular motion. Don't just do the "X" and "T" shapes we were taught in 2016. Go around the perimeter and then hit the center.
- The Shield: Use your hand or a piece of paper to cover your hair. Because this stuff has "hold," it can make your hair feel a bit crunchy if you get too much in your bangs.
A Pro Trick for Extreme Longevity
If you have a truly long day ahead, try the "sandwich method."
Spray a light layer of One Size after your primer but before your foundation. Let it dry for 30 seconds. Apply your makeup. Then spray again at the very end. Your makeup is now locked in from both sides. It won't budge. It won't transfer. You could probably sleep in it and wake up looking decent (though please don't do that, your pores will scream).
The Dark Side: Breakouts and Removal
We have to be honest here. Anything that can withstand a swimming pool is going to be tough to get off.
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If you use this spray and then try to wash your face with a gentle foaming cleanser, you’re going to fail. You'll leave residue behind. That residue is what causes the "One Size breakout" some people complain about online.
You must double cleanse. Use a cleansing balm or a high-quality cleansing oil first. Take the time to massage it into your skin to break down that waterproof barrier. Follow up with your regular cleanser. If you don't break down the polymers, you're basically leaving a layer of plastic on your face overnight.
Does it smell?
Yes. It has a scent. It's a bit "floral-meets-chemical." It lingers for about five minutes and then disappears. If you are extremely sensitive to fragrance, this might be a dealbreaker. However, compared to something like the Kryolan Fixing Spray (the other heavy-duty industry pro choice), the One Size scent is much more bearable.
Misconceptions: It's Not Just for Full Glam
People think because Patrick Starrr is the face of the brand, this spray is only for "heavy" makeup.
Not true.
I use this on "no-makeup" makeup days when I'm just wearing a tint and some concealer but I'm going to be running errands in the heat. It keeps the tint from oxidizing or sliding into the creases of my neck. It’s about the environment you're in, not just the amount of product you're wearing.
Comparisons: One Size vs. All Nighter
The Urban Decay All Nighter has been the king for a decade. How does One Size stack up?
- Urban Decay: Better for daily wear, works for all skin types, less aggressive.
- One Size: Better for events, humidity, oily skin, and "active" wear.
Urban Decay is like a light hairspray; One Size is like Gorilla Glue for your face. (Not literally, don't use actual glue).
Ingredients and Safety
Let's look at the label. You’ll see Alcohol Denat at the top.
Some "skinfluencers" will tell you to avoid denatured alcohol at all costs because it’s drying. They aren't entirely wrong. If you have eczema or severe dryness, a daily dousing of One Size will probably irritate you. But for a setting spray to be truly waterproof and "set" instantly, alcohol is a functional necessity. It evaporates quickly, leaving the film-formers behind.
It also contains Litchi Chinensis Fruit Extract and Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil. Do these provide massive skincare benefits? Probably not in a setting spray. But they do help mitigate some of the drying effects of the alcohol.
Why It Frequently Goes Viral
Google Discover loves a "magic" product. One Size Beauty setting spray fits the bill because it's visual. When someone wipes a white cloth across their face after spraying and the cloth comes back clean—that's a "wow" moment.
But beyond the TikTok hype, the product works because it solves a specific problem. Most makeup is designed for "optimal" conditions. Life isn't optimal. Life is sweaty. Life is rainy. One Size is the insurance policy for your face.
Practical Steps for Your Next Look
If you're ready to try it, don't just jump into a full-face application on the day of a big event.
- Test for sensitivity: Spray a bit on your jawline first to make sure the fragrance or alcohol doesn't cause a flush.
- Buy the travel size: One Size sells a mini version. Start there. It’s cheaper, and it's easier to control the mist while you're learning the "distance" trick.
- Check your base: This spray plays best with silicone-based foundations. If you're using a very water-heavy, "clean beauty" foundation, the high alcohol content in the spray might cause a tiny bit of separation if you spray too heavily.
- Keep your mouth shut: Seriously. It’s an aerosol. Close your eyes and keep your lips tucked in until the mist settles.
One Size Beauty has definitely carved out a niche that actually needed filling. We didn't need another "dewy mist." We needed something that would keep our face on during a 100-degree music festival or a tearful graduation ceremony.
Just remember: The strength of the spray is its biggest pro and its biggest con. Respect the barrier it creates, wash it off properly at night, and your makeup will finally stay exactly where you put it. No more "disappearing blush" mystery. No more foundation on your boyfriend's shirt. Just makeup that stays "On 'Til Dawn."