Beat the Heat Part 3: Setting Sprays!

So first off, what is a setting spray?? Setting sprays are the last thing you put on when you've completed your beautiful face of makeup. A setting spray is a clear mist that serves to fix and flatten the layers of base makeup, blush, highlighter, eyeshadow, and lipstick. I don't usually bother with setting spray if I'm not wearing foundation and blush, but for a full face it's a must.

There are loads of different setting sprays out there, and you have to find the one (or ones) that work for you! I'll discuss some common ones that are available, and give you more detailed reviews of the ones that are my favourites.

Pictured here from left to right are some of the most popular setting sprays out there. MAC Prep + Prime Fix +, Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Marine Boosting Mix, and Urban Decay All Nighter.

Fix + retails for $26 for 3.4 oz,  the Tarte retails for $30 for 2.5 oz, and All Nighter for $38 for 4 oz.

If we bring that to a dollar per ounce value, Fix + is $7.64/oz, Tarte is $12/oz, and All Nighter is $9.5/oz. Technically speaking, MAC is the best value.

HOWEVER. In my use, I've found that all three of these work differently.

MAC Prep + Prime Fix +
I love the packaging of this product. Instead of a cap, you rotate the top to unlock the spray, much like you would on new hand soap. I'm a fan because when I'm traveling, I find that the spray is less likely to rotate itself and then leak compared to something with a traditional spray nozzle and a cap.

The consistency of Fix + is quite liquid, and "watery" compared to Tarte, though similar to the UD. I don't find that it tends to "set" my makeup as well as some others - on the occasions I've worn it, I haven't seen any better longevity out of my makeup.

However, this product is great for a few things - namely, wet application of eyeshadows or other products. It does especially well for foiling metallic shadows - I recommend trying it with any of the shimmers in Naked 3 from Urban Decay, particularly Dust. Dust is beautiful when foiled, and it really cuts down on the fallout!

How to use Fix + to Foil: Pick up a lot of shadow on your brush - don't be shy! You've decided to foil, so you're going for it anyways. Once you have your brush, hold it away from the rest of your makeup and gently spray the brush tip with Fix + once or twice. Apply quickly afterwards, patting the shadow onto your lid. This can work for highlighters or blushes as well, if you want to be SUPER shiny!

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Marine Boosting Mist
I LOVE this setting spray! It's a slightly more recent purchase, as this is a new line for Tarte. It has a MUCH stickier texture than other sprays I've used in the past, including UD and Fix +. You definitely notice this locking down your makeup and creating a barrier between your face and the elements. It really feels like a sealer. However, that doesn't make it unpleasant on the skin! The product description says you can use this as a primer, setting spray, or just a facial refresher. I have tried using it as a primer, and it does work- though I'm not sure you get the same even coverage you would when applying a traditional primer by hand.

This spray is also the only one of the three mentioned here that is scented. It has a relatively strong, but light, citrus scent. I really love it, but if you're turned off by scented makeup you might want to avoid this.

My one peeve with this product is how it comes out of the bottle. Because it is a thicker and stickier product, I feel like you have to spray more to cover your whole face, and sometimes it feels like droplets as opposed to a fine "mist". But I won't complain about longevity..My makeup lasts through EVERYTHING with this! I wore it in both the Jays post and the Last post about base makeup.

UD All Nighter
This is a classic setting spray, and the first one I recommend to people looking. It has a decent dollar to ounce value, you get a TON of product, and it works really well. All Nighter serves to both flatten the layers of your makeup together and preserve its longevity - all night! It has a similar liquid texture to Fix + and is not "sticky" like Tarte. I do find that this one doesn't work quite as well as Tarte, and I tend to get a little breakdown of my foundation in especially oily areas of my face like my nose. But it handles sweat or rain like a champ!

I also love the coverage you get with one or two sprays - the spray comes out of the bottle really nicely and doesn't feel like a squirt gun, which the Tarte spray can at times.

UD also has several other sprays in this line - De-Slick, which is an oil prevention/mattifying spray, and a Vitamin B6 Infused Complexion Prep Spray. I have a mini of De-Slick and I find it works similarly to All-Nighter, but I've never tired the B6 spray. Should I? You decide!

What are your favourite sprays? Is there anything I missed? Let me know in the comments!