MAC Prep + Prime Fix+ Matte Review

Skin type: combination, acne-prone

Hey everyone,

I recently picked up the matte version of this iconic ‘Fix Plus Spray’ at a MAC sale. This is one of my first MAC products and also my first MAC review on IMBB. Everybody knows about this iconic professional brand, so it doesn’t need any introduction. A few things before I review the product: this is not a makeup setting spray, it is a fixing spray; meaning that it is not meant for prolonging your makeup wear but to prepare your face for makeup and to fix the ‘powdery’ look at the end of your makeup routine. It can also be used in other ways: to intensify the pigmentation of your eyeshadow by spraying this on a brush and applying the product, to get more glow out of your highlighter –just spray this mist and apply highlighter on a wet face, to use as an on-the-go face mist. I haven’t used other versions of this spray because I have combination skin and therefore, I cannot offer a comparative analysis in this review. So, let’s see how this multi-purpose product fared out for me and my combination skin.

MAC Prep + Prime Fix+ Matte Review

Price: $26 for 100 mL
Product Description and Claims:
A lightweight mattifying spray that refreshes skin while instantly controlling shine and oil on the surface without disturbing makeup. The innovative formula contains powders, silica and other oil-absorbing agents to help set makeup, rebalance and mattify skin.

• Instantly soothes and refreshes skin
• Instantly mattifying
• Instantly controls oil
• Instantly reduces appearance of pores
• Sets makeup without hindering wear
• For all skin types
• Dermatologist tested
• Ophthalmologist tested
• Non-acnegenic

MAC Prep + Prime Fix+ Matte Ingredients

My Experience with MAC Prep + Prime Fix+ Matte:

Packaging:
The product is enclosed in a standard MAC black cardboard box. The box has some glittery particles on it and it also contains the ingredient list. The product itself is in the classical prep + prime cylindrical spray bottle. The name of the product is inscribed in the same typography as the other fix+ sprays. The bottle is transparent and hence easy to visualise the amount of spray left.

MAC Prep + Prime Fix+ Matte Packaging

MAC has recently launched mini versions of their products but so far, I didn’t see a mini version of this spray. They might release it soon, but for the time being, this is the only volume available – which is 100 mL. The spray mechanism can be locked and unlocked like the other fix+ bottles. This is not an aerosol spray like other face mists but it delivers a diffused and even distribution of product on the face. Overall, the packaging is travel-friendly and the spray mechanism is efficient at diffusing the product evenly (without being blotchy or runny). I have no complaints about the packaging.

Results:
The key difference between this fix+ spray and the others is the presence of silica as one of the ingredients. Silica is the mattifying ingredient and therefore you need to shake well before spraying this. If left undisturbed for a while, you can see the separation of the silica and other ingredients in the bottle. People on the official website are complaining about the product leaving white blotches on their makeup but it is just because they didn’t shake it well before using.

Once shaken, the product looks milky in colour. Another difference is that the second ingredient in this spray is alcohol instead of glycerine. Now, if you have sensitive skin or if it’s allergic to alcohol, I would recommend doing patch tests first. I wouldn’t ask you to run away from this product simply because the second ingredient is alcohol as this tells us nothing about the concentration of the alcohol. It just tells us that alcohol is the second-most prominent ingredient. Brands should really start listing the concentrations of the ingredients too as it is the concentration and the dose that make anything poisonous or harmful.

Finally, coming to the performance of this product. Absolutely fantastic. I have used this spray thrice and I have fallen in love with it. The product has a mild cucumber fragrance which is very refreshing when sprayed on the face. It takes a couple of minutes to settle into a soft matte finish. This finish isn’t overly dewy or matte but it gives a very nice and natural finish. So even if you aren’t wearing makeup, you can spray this on top of your moisturizer on hot days to make the face appear smoother and the pores more refined.

MAC Prep + Prime Fix+ Matte Spray

It isn’t heavy at all and feels like a spray of freshness and delivers this absolutely stunning finish. Skin looks smoother, feels soft and pores look smaller. It hydrates the skin and the skin looks radiant instantly. This is perfect for combination and oily skin types. It will also suit dry skin types. It didn’t break me out either. Coming to the ‘prolonging makeup wear’ part, the only way this product can prolong makeup is by controlling the oil.

This product is pretty decent at controlling the sebum production on hot days. For my combination skin, the oil started to show up at my nose within 3-4 hours of application of this product. But I just blotted and didn’t feel the need to use the spray again as the rest of my T-zone still looked okay. I would say the oil control is decent for a fixing spray. It can be re-sprayed for the mattifying effect as well, so that’s also an advantage of the product.

Overall:
I love this product for the soft matte finish it gives while hydrating the skin, which is a bonus for combination and oily skin types. I cannot find any faults with it except I wish that they come up with mini versions soon.

Pros of MAC Prep + Prime Fix+ Matte:

• Mild cucumber fragrance which is refreshing
• Non-aerosol spray ensures even diffusion of product on face
• Smooth and non-runny application
• Mattifying and oil- control effect lasts for 3-4 hours
• Multi-purpose product
• Smooth matte finish which looks natural
• Refines pores
• Skin looks smoother and is hydrated upon application
• Can be used before and after makeup
• Will suit all skin types, especially combination and oily skin
• Didn’t cause breakout

Cons of MAC Prep + Prime Fix+ Matte:

• None

IMBB Rating: 4.5/5 (for not enlisting the concentration of the alcohol)
Would I Recommend/Repurchase MAC Prep + Prime Fix+ Matte?
Yes.

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