Hey gorgeous gals,
I have wanted to review this product for ages…like ages!! I know that the original formula is an old product and has been reviewed years ago, but I really really wanted to share my take on it And when MAC released set of new ones – previously released as Limited Edition – in their permanent line last month – I finally got an opportunity to share my views on this iconic product which people either love or hate! I’m so excited!!
Product Description:
A lightweight water mist that gently soothes and refreshes skin and finishes makeup.
Full Description:
A lightweight mist of water packed with vitamins and minerals, infused with a blend of green tea, chamomile and cucumber to gently soothe and refresh the skin. Gives an instant boost of hydration while delivering a soft sheen to refresh and finish makeup. This holy grail of hydrating mists can be used with other products in near-endless ways – to sheer out foundation, intensify colour, improve and extend the wear of makeup, or moisturize and soothe tired skin. A delicious twist in a permanent romantic rose scent, calming lavender scent, or creamy coconut scent
Key Claims and Benefits:
Soothes and refreshes skin
Hydrating
Sets and prolongs the wear of makeup
Dermatologist tested
Ophthalmologist tested
Non-acnegenic.
Price:
$26
My Experience with MAC Prep + Prime Fix Plus Rose:
The product comes packaged in a transparent, pink tinted, spray bottle with a lockable spray nozzle. The regular variant is transparent while the Rose variant has a pink tint.
First things first – This was NOT designed to be “fixing” or “setting” spray!! Shocking! I know!! The term “Fix” in the nomenclature doesn’t really help the product because people end up buying it thinking it’s a fixing spray like the Urban Decay All Nighter and when it doesn’t perform accordingly, the product gets a bad rap for it! So what is the product? Well, MAC Fix+ is part of the MAC Prep and Prime line, which is essentially geared towards preparing the skin for makeup. The products in this line consist of oil-control moisturizers, hydrating and illumination-boosting products, primers and conditioners (lip), etc. So, the line is basically geared towards getting the skin ready for makeup. And MAC Fix+ is also meant for the very same purpose. This product has a cult following and is used for a number of things apart from the original design.
Let us break it down, but before we do that, let us look at what the product is. It is basically a spray with base of water and glycerine. It includes a number of antioxidants and skin-soothing ingredients – like cucumber, chamomile, green tea. This particular variant also includes some amount of rose flower water – however, this ingredient is placed fairly low in the ingredient list. So, I cannot comment if the rose flower water adds any other benefit to the product apart from the fragrance it adds to the product. FYI – there is added fragrance also in the product. So, technically, this is a toner rather than a setting spray. It is a spray mist which has more benefits in it (if you ignore the addition of fragrance to the product) than your regular Evian/Avene Water atomisers.
Before I get into what the product is designed to do and what other uses professional MUAs have discovered along the way, let me address the packaging of the product because it plays an extremely crucial role in the usage of this product. The most special thing about this product is probably its spray mechanism. The nozzle imparts such a fine mist of product that I have never experienced any blotchiness or drops of water plunking on to my skin. Yes, with newer products in the market, you will see the mists getting finer and finer, but you have to take into account two things that make this packaging special. The product came out more than a decade back and this was the quality of the packaging. Second, and probably the most important aspect – this is a non-aerosol packaging. This fine a mist being dispensed by a non-aerosol packaging is fairly rare stull. You know about “Back to MAC” which allows you to recycle the packaging of MAC products. Well, an MUA once told me not to recycle the Fix+ once it is over, but to use replenish the bottle with my favourite rose water to be able to get the beautiful fine mist spray. Honestly, the most important aspect of this product is really the spray nozzle! Rest could be more easily replicated or duped.
Uses of MAC Prep & Prime Fix+:
Let’s start from the use for which the product was initially designed – prepping the skin. The product acts like a toner and when sprayed onto freshly cleansed skin, will, one, soothe the skin thanks to the antioxidants present in it; and two, will prep it for the application of your moisturizer, allowing the moisturizer to penetrate deeper.
It is a great way to hydrate the skin before the application of makeup or even during the course of the day (with or without makeup). It can essentially work as a finishing spray – something which you mist onto your face post application of your powder products – to take away the powdery look form your face.
It is extremely popular as a method to use an eyeshadow wet – to increase the intensity of the shade and reduce fall out (a bit). You spray a little onto your brush and you are good to go.
It can be used to dampen the Beauty Blender – especially when you just sat to do your makeup and realize that you forgot to wet your blending sponge. MAC Fix+ comes in handy. This can easily be your on-the-go face mist.
Pro MUAs are known to use this to alter the consistency of a cream/liquid foundation as per their requirement. An Insta-inspired use is to spray your face with this and then apply your highlighter or vice-versa. This will help in intensifying the highlighter to give you the “visible-from-space” look which is so ever popular on Instagram!
I have never used the regular Fix+ – except when it was used on me in store. I had been on a fence about buying this, for ages. I finally bought one when MAC released 5-6 new variants of this product as “limited edition release” a couple of years ago. So, the product I have used has always been the on with fragrance. This “rose” one smells quite like a bottle of rose water. It is distinct and very refreshing without being too powerful or nauseating. I do understand that everyone has their own threshold from smell, taste, etc. So, If you have a sensitive skin or nose – you might want to take a whiff in store before buying this.
To sum this up for you:
Pros of MAC Prep + Prime Fix Plus Rose:
- A refreshing face mist/toner.
- Love the rose fragrance.
- Multi-tasking product.
- The key is the spray nozzle – gives a beautiful fine mist.
- The packaging allows you to lock the spray bottle.
- Easy to carry – however, the nozzle stays exposed.
Cons of MAC Prep + Prime Fix Plus Rose:
- The name! The “Fix” makes people think it’s a fixing spray. When it just isn’t and neither is it meant to be!!
IMBB Rating:
4.5/5
It is a lovely product. In the form that it is designed – it would work for all skin types – except sensitive due to the addition of fragrance in the product. Lightly sprayed onto the makeup – it gives a dewy finish. This aspect works well to take away the “powdery-ness,” but it also leaves shine behind. While that may be welcome for someone with dry skin, it is not too becoming for gals with oily skin. Also, do take into account that it takes a while to dry down – unlike an alcohol based spray.
Is it dramatically different from the regular Fix+? I don’t think so! MAC is not claiming that the “Rose” variant has any benefits of rose water. They clearly state that is just the scent which differs. The rose flower water is too low in the ingredient list to be of any real value except the fragrance, of course.
Do I Recommend MAC Prep + Prime Fix Plus Rose?
Yes! I quite like this product.
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