Let's mist it up a little with facial sprays

Even I as a beauty junkie admit that there are several beauty products on the market, that you can't help but wonder if they actually do something beneficial, or if they're just the latest craze - facial mist sprays are one example of that. These are in essence water mixed with different ingredients like minerals or antioxidants to help protect your skin and they have several uses. E.g. you can use them to set your foundation, to freshen up during the day or to calm your skin after you've been in the sun. Facial mist sprays come in all price brackets and I've done a comparison of a few of them to see what they actually did for me; in order of price - Avene, Anatomicals, Clinique and Caudalie.

The first spray I've tested is Avene Eau Thermal Water Spray which you can find in Boots, both in a travel size and in a larger version, which is great if you're planning to take it with you, like I usually do. I had read a lot about this product and know that it's supposed to be great for angry or sensitive skin and you can use it for many different things according to the description - here are few examples: sunburn, after hair removal, after anti-acne treatment, to complete cleansing and to set make-up. That's pretty impressive, so if you're going on holiday this will be one of your Must bring products. Since I've only tried this as a facial spray, I'll limit my review to that particular use. This is an aerosol bottle so it dispenses a cloud of very fine mist that is absorbed straight away into the skin. It doesn't have any scent at all which might be a plus point for some, but it feels incredibly refreshing and cooling, and I can imagine that it would feel soothing on skin that's irritated or sensitive. This is perfect as a moisture boost during the day and it really freshens up your skin and your makeup if you're wearing any, leaving it a bit more dewy and radiant. This spray is absolutely amazing and considering it costs less than a grande macchiato in Starbucks, I would highly recommend that you try it, and I would even go as far as to say that if you're new to facial sprays - I bet this will make you a fan!

 

The second one I tried is the Anatomicals Spray Misty For Me which I actually got in a Glossybox a while back. Since I have been using facial mist sprays for quite a while now I was very happy to have received it and was also excited to try it, but I wasn't happy with a few things. First of all the pump squirts the spray out like a mini shower, getting your face wet in small patches, rather than dispensing it evenly over your face (and I have tried lots of different ways of using it) - not a great first impression. The spray does absorb quickly, but it feels very patchy afterwards. Secondly, while I like an aromatic invigorating scent, this one - which is lavender and peppermint to hydrate and sooth your skin, is too prominent. It does evaporate very quickly, but for me it's important that you feel refreshed after using a facial spray and this scent puts me on edge, it just doesn't work for me. And lastly, it makes my skin feel sticky and dry. It probably has to do with the first point that it's sprayed unevenly on the face, so some areas may be hydrated and others not. Since I haven't found this product on another web site, I link to Glossybox where you can read more about it, and if you're interested in getting this product, I know you can find it on good old eBay.

Moving on to the considerably more expensive products, I'll start with the Clinique Moisture Surge Face Spray All Skin Types which is actually the very first facial spray I tried a few years ago. This also comes with a pump for spraying, but it's much better than the Anatomicals one. After much testing I think the trick to get the right amount of mist from this spray is to hold it as far away from your face as you can, spray a cloud, and then you step into it rather than applying it straight onto your face. It doesn't really have a distinct scent to it, but to me it smells a bit clinical, so it's a good thing that it doesn't last very long. This product is marketed as a moisturizing facial treatment in a liquid form and it does feel lovely and refreshing on the skin and it's melts in well, however I personally don't find that it does much for my skin and I also find that it tends to make my skin a bit too shiny if I've applied it a few times during the day, so I have to correct with powder or blotting paper.

The last mist in this mix is the cult classic Caudalie Beauty Elixir which comes in two different sizes - one for the bathroom, one for the handbag. This also has a great spray function that dispenses just the right amount of fine mist that settles on your skin, leaving it feel wonderful and it's great for adding radiance and hydration to your skin throughout the day. Since it contains oils that separate when the bottle's been standing for a while, don't forget to shake it properly before you apply it - to mix up the oils. This mist is a lovely green scent that reminds me of a herbal garden and I particularly notice the fresh mint, earthy warm rosemary and faint roses. This is not just a boost for the skin, the amazing aromas boost your mood too, and I love using it any time of the day.

I know that the effect of facial mist sprays is a temporary one and it doesn't magically fix your skin, but to me it's also about how it makes you feel, which is why my favourite out of the ones I've tried definitely is Caudalie and I wouldn't want to be without it. The aromatic scent calms and focuses me, it makes my skin feel hydrated and dewy and last but not least it feels so luxurious to use - but Avene comes in as a very close second, showing that there's a product for all budgets.  .

What do you think of facial sprays - Fad or Fab?