"Setting" the record straight; Hydrating sprays vs. Setting sprays.

Good evening, ladies and gents. I'm outside of my usual Monday time frame I know, but that can't be helped. I'm here tonight instead, and I'm going to address a misconception that I come across quite frequently. This is something I used to take as gospel as well, but I'm now the wiser. The presumed notion I'll be referring to is as follows;

"MAC Fix+ is a setting spray."

On closer inspection Fix+ isn't a setting spray (although it does leave a nice finish once all of the make up has been applied.) It won't, however, increase the wear time of your make up. It's far from "setting" that this beauty was reared. 

Given that various beauty houses and even skincare brands have their own version of spray on products (be they toners, moisturising mists or other inventions) I think it's important to address the difference between the two key groups and let you guys know what they can be used for, and how to get the best out of your product. I'll start with the hydrating lads, shall I?

Hydrating sprays.

Main use; To add moisture back to dry, dehydrated skins. 

Key Ingredients; Glycerin. Rosewater, Aloe Vera extract is also listed quite frequently.

These sprays are generally marketed more as skincare, and they work really well at this step. Fix+ contains glycerin which is a humectant. Any humectant ingredient binds water to the skin by absorbing moisture in the environment. Layering these under serums and moisturisers will help to hydrate the skin. Products like Moisture Surge Face Spray by Clinique and Jurlique's Calming Mist are both hydrating and soothing sprays that contain this fantastic little ingredient. 

For the drier skin types out there, feel free to spritz a light layer over your make up to bring back a healthy sheen to the skin! These won't lock your war paint into place so for my oily skinned clan, stick to using these in your skin routine.

Setting sprays. 

Main use; To set the make up and keep it in place all day. Some can be used to prime the skin also.

Key Ingredients; Silicon ingredients, many contain alcohol.

In the style of Ronseal, these do exactly what they say on the tin. These products are designed to set the make up in place by leaving a lightweight, oil-controlling film across the skin so that the end result doesn't look heavy or cakey. These are usually offered as an alternative to setting powders, or to take away the look of heavy powder application. 

I've looked at the ingredients of a few choice options and they mostly contain silicon elements. If you remember the post about skin primers you'll know that these ingredients are beneficial for oily skins. This makes them fantastic primers as well, especially if you don't want too many heavy duty products on your skin. The down side is that they often contain alcohol so that the liquid can evaporate from the skin's surface. This will stop it mingling with any naturally occurring sebum but if you're in any way dry or sensitive I'd turn your head at this point. 

If you're interested in taking them for a test drive then definitely check out Urban Decay's De-Slick, Cinema Secrets Super Sealer or Model in a Bottle's Original Setting Spray. 

I know there's not a whole world of difference when it boils down to it but picking up the wrong one could wreak havoc on your beauty regimen. I'm by no means a skincare or product development aficionado, but my college days left me with some valuable info. Get into the habit of checking out what's in your beauty bits and pieces and you'll thank me, promise!

If you want to see some more product break downs like this one, definitely let me know! Give me another reason to spend hours reading about make up. Like, please? 

*insert the usual tired speech about various social media links at the top of the blog right here* I know I'm dragging the arse out of it now, I'm sorry. Not sorry enough to stop but I do feel a small twinge of guilt. Definite character progression, no? 

I hope this was in some way helpful.

Until next time, 

J x 

Prepped, Primed and Perfected: All about primer.

Good morning!

It's Monday. I'm up. I have a bucket of coffee and a list of some of my favourite priming products for you guys. Today I'm going to be going through what primers do, how to use them, and also give you some information on particular products that have worked really well for me. I have my homework done, let's get cracking!

First of all, lets talk about what a "primer" is. A primer is a product used after skincare but before foundation to correct any imbalances or issues with the skin. These products usually correct high colouring, excess oil or dryness in the skin among other things.

Primers are generaqlly cream, gel or liquid and are best applied with fingers and gently massaged into the skin.  Some primers can be worn alone to combat particular problems without layering make up on top.

A product might not have "Primer" on the lable but that doesn't mean it won't work brilliantly at this stage. I'll talk about this when we come to particular products below. I don't currently own (but have tried and loved!) all of the items listed below so I have links to where these products can be viewed and purchased if you feel so inclined. On we go!

Smashbox Photo Finish Light. 
Best for: Oily Skin.

This primer is one of many that uses silicone ingedients. Silicone, when used in cosmetics, gives them a nice silky texture and can absorb any excess oil. The more silicone, the thicker the formula and the softer the feel. This products is a thinner fluid, but I like that. It doesn't create a build up of excess product on oily skin, and is a staple for summer months. For combination skin where oiliness isn't so prominent, the original Photo Finish formula might be worth looking at.

To view this product, click here.

Illamasqua Hydra Veil
Best for: Dehydrated skin.

I love this product for normal/dry combination skin or dehydrated skin. This product contains glycerin which is amazing for lightweight hydration without being greasy as it infuses the skin with water instead of oil. Hydra Veil comes in a very cool looking pot with a small spatula to spoon the product onto your hand/palette. Hygiene was definitely a focal point for this one.

This is one of this products you can also incorporate into your skin care for days when make up isn't on the agenda. I love this if I have a little bit of sunburn across my nose, it's so soothing and stops my foundation irritating those areas. Illamasqua also do a Matte Veil primer for oily skins.

For more on Hydra Veil click here.

MAC Strobe Cream. 
Best for: Dry, dull skin.

This is one of those products that isn't called a primer, but works amazingly to prep dry or mature skin for foundation. This is a moisturising cream that contains a little bit of silicone for a nice silky slip, as well as multiple plant extracts like apple, grape and green tea. The best thing about this product is the pearl sheen it contains. Strobe Cream illuminates the skin immediately and creates a soft glow through foundation. It can also be layered over creamier foundations as a cream highlight. I love Strobe Cream for mature skin as it adds a healthy glow. Kudos for the fresh scent as well. (You'll know it as soon as you open the bottle, every MAC store smells like this and Fix+ )

To visit the MAC website and have a closer look at Strobe Cream go here.

No7 Brilliantly Bare Beauty Enhancer
Best for: Normal/Combination skin.

This product is fabulous. It's a light weight, silicone based product with a yellow tint. When blended into the skin you don't see any of that yellow, but on warmer skin tones it adds a soft and subtle glow. One thing I love about it is that it balances minor redness in the skin really well. Using a green base to correct redness can be too intense in some cases. The true yellow tone of this balm will balance skin tone and you can cover it really well without leaving an ashy cast to the skin. Because of the silicone this product also helps to hide pores.

For more on this little gem, check it out here

Urban Decay De-Slick Setting Spray
Best for: Oily skin.

Even though this is a setting spray you can use this guy before your foundation. Spritz De-Slick before your foundation to help control oil but with a really lightweight texture (again, summer must have for me!) and then when you're finished to lock it in. If I'm using a powder foundation, I use it underneath and buff the product over the top. I find it gives my under eye concealer something to blend into really smoothly. When I use liquid foundation and set with powder, I spray on top to take down the look of powder (I'm a setting powder fiend. I don't plan on changing my ways) and hold my make up in place. The aloe extract in this makes it nice and refreshing on the skin.

If you want a little nosey at this one, pop over here.


And that is where I stop for today! I've tried to include a varied range of skin types without being too broad and keeping you here forever. This is by no means the be all and end all of amazing primers, there's plenty more I want to get my greedy little paws on. These are just some that I've tried, loved, and would reach for again.

As always if you have any further questions on these products or want more information on priming the skin in general definitely get back to us and we'll do our best to arm you with helpful hints and info.

Until next time,
J x