Tag: makeup wear test

Setting Spray Showdown Round 1, Match 7: Hourglass Veil Soft Focus Setting Spray vs Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray

Featuredby liftbakeloveLeave a Comment on Setting Spray Showdown Round 1, Match 7: Hourglass Veil Soft Focus Setting Spray vs Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray

This is the seventh match of the first round in my setting spray showdown series, where I’m testing popular formulas side by side to see what actually makes a difference in real life. I’ll be doing the same makeup, with the same lighting, for at least 16 hours for each test. I’ve also been testing all of these setting sprays for months before doing these elimination rounds. For this round, I tested the Hourglass Soft Focus Seeting Spray tested against the Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray (newest version). In this post, all links are affiliate links (thank you for your support!), but all opinions are my own.

Before I get into it, I did do a full day side by side wear test between the original All Nighter and the new All nighter. They were basically indistinguishable, especially by the end of the day. I felt super comfortable moving forward with the newest version since that’s what is available now. If you’re a loyalist to the original, I’d grab a bottle from Skindinavia (which I’ve also tested many bottles of), but the new one is almost identical in performance.

The Hourglass has one of the nicest misters of all the sprays I’m testing, which I do appreciate. The mist is so even and way better than the ones that spit out droplets all over your face. I do think that added to the overall blended/blurred look that the spray gave right away, in addition to making my skin look more hydrated. The All Nighter has a surprisingly nice mister for a mini that was still way better than a lot of the others. Going on, All Nighter feels like a classic setting spray. There is a bit of tightening and a light tackiness that lets you know it is setting everything down. It felt heavier than Hourglass, and it almost seemed like I lost a tiny bit of coverage as it dried. The Hourglass side just looked more seamless right from the start, and I could definitely tell a difference.

A few hours later, both sides were still looking good, but the Hourglass side was still slightly better. I happened to go into the office, so I asked my (fantastic, amazing, genius) coworker which side looked better, and she ended up choosing the Hourglass side. She said the blush and complexion products looked more intact and more skin-like, and I completely agreed. She did point out that my eyeshadow looked better on the All Nighter side (the glitter was holding up way better). It also seemed like from farther away, you wouldn’t be able to tell a difference, which was a good sign for both of these sprays.

Later in the day, the All Nighter side was feeling noticeably heavier, while the Hourglass side still felt hydrated and weightless. It also looked more soft, natural, and hydrated than the All Nighter side which was really starting to break down at this point.

By the time I was ready to wash everything off around 11 p.m., the difference was very obvious. The concealer on the All Nighter side was almost gone, and the Hourglass side still looked intact under my eyes and around my chin. Both sides wore off on my nose, but there was still slightly more coverage on the Hourglass side.

The blush, bronzer, and foundation were also holding up better on the Hourglass side. It kept that soft focus finish all day (as the name would suggest!), and it still felt lighter and more comfortable by the end of the night. The All Nighter side looked more worn down and noticeably drier. As always, my husband got a vote. He looked at both sides and immediately picked Hourglass because the All Nighter side looked much more textured.

I also took a video of myself to send to a friend, and the difference between the two sides was super clear. The Hourglass side looked hydrated and smooth, while the All Nighter side looked textured and overly matte. The only place where All Nighter still looked better was the eyeshadow, which really did hold up well.

Who’s moving on?
The Urban Decay All Nighter Natural Finish did well with eyeshadow and is still a great spray generally, but the Hourglass Veil Soft Focus really outperformed it. It has blown me away every time I’ve worn it. I will say that I have pretty dry skin, which I think made a huge difference in this particular match. I still think the All Nighter is really functional (even the new one), especially in the summer or for more combo skin. That said, the Hourglass made my complexion look better immediately, it held coverage longer, it felt better, and it kept a soft, hydrated finish all day. Hourglass moves on!

What other products would you like me to review? Let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to see here, and thanks for reading! As always, some links may be affiliate links that support the blog, but all reviews/opinions are completely my own and unsponsored.

Setting Spray Showdown Round 1, Match 6: Milani Make It Last Dewy Setting Spray vs Josh Rosebrook Hydrating Accelerator

Featuredby liftbakeloveLeave a Comment on Setting Spray Showdown Round 1, Match 6: Milani Make It Last Dewy Setting Spray vs Josh Rosebrook Hydrating Accelerator

This is the sixth match of the first round in my setting spray showdown series, where I’m testing popular formulas side by side to see what actually makes a difference in real life. I’ll be doing the same makeup, with the same lighting, for at least 16 hours for each test. I’ve also been testing all of these setting sprays for months before doing these elimination rounds. For this round,  I tested the Milani Make It Last Dewy Setting Spray tested against the Josh Rosebroook Hydrating Accelerator. In this post, all links are affiliate links (thank you for your support!), but all opinions are my own.

The Josh Rosebrook Hydrating Accelerator feels more like a skincare prep spray than a traditional setting spray, but I’ve seen it recommended as a multipurpose product that works well to set makeup too. The Milani Make It Last Dewy is more of a classic setting spray but with a glossy, “glass skin” finish. When I first sprayed them, it definitely felt like hydrating spa experience vs “a normal setting spray.” After they each dried down, both sides looked equally smooth and dewy, and my skin felt comfortable and hydrated. Neither blurred or mattified (as expected) which was a nice break for my dry skin.

By the afternoon, there were no major differences in how the sprays felt on the skin. Both sides still looked glowy and neither felt sticky or dried out. Where the difference started to show was in makeup longevity. My blush and bronzer looked better on the Milani side whereas they had faded a bit on the Josh Rosebrook side already. I also asked my husband to take a look, and he said the Milani side looked slightly better, which matched what I was seeing up close. From far away, I’m not sure you could tell a difference. I was especially impressed that the Milani spray held up to the Josh Rosebrook in terms of staying dewy and hydrated and was also impressed that the Josh Rosebrook was holding up against a setting spray for the most part.

At the end of the night, both sides still looked good overall. My skin didn’t feel tight or dry, and neither spray caused any serious patchiness or makeup breakdown like some other sprays have. That said, the Milani side continued to outperform when it came to makeup staying power. The blush, bronzer, and complexion products were still going strong on that side, while the Josh Rosebrook side had continued to fade even more throughout the day.

Who’s moving on?
The finish on both sides ended up being fairly similar, and I would gladly keep using both of them for a natural, slightly glowy, and hydrated look throughout the day. That said, the Milani helped my makeup last much better over the course of the day, while matching the dewy finish of the Josh Rosebrook. It promises a 16 hour wear, and I’d say it holds up. I will absolutely keep using the the Josh Rosebrook Hydrating Accelerator as a skincare mist and prep step, but (as probably expected), it didn’t quite hold up as a setting spray. Milani moves on!

What other products would you like me to review? Let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to see here, and thanks for reading! As always, some links may be affiliate links that support the blog, but all reviews/opinions are completely my own and unsponsored. I also received the Josh Rosebrook spray from the brand, but have bought at least 6 bottles of it myself before that. One of my favorite skincare brands!

Setting Spray Showdown Round 1, Match 5: Em Cosmetics Divine Water Perfecting Mist vs One/Size Powder Melt Glass Setting Spray

Featuredby liftbakeloveLeave a Comment on Setting Spray Showdown Round 1, Match 5: Em Cosmetics Divine Water Perfecting Mist vs One/Size Powder Melt Glass Setting Spray

This is the fifth match of the first round in my setting spray showdown series, where I’m testing popular formulas side by side to see what actually makes a difference in real life. I’ll be doing the same makeup, with the same lighting, for at least 16 hours for each test. I’ve also been testing all of these setting sprays for months before doing these elimination rounds. For this round,  I tested the Em Cosmetics Divine Water Perfecting Mist tested against the One/Size Powder Melt Glass Setting Spray. In this post, all links are affiliate links (thank you for your support!), but all opinions are my own.

I want to say up front that I’m not 100% sure you can even still get the Em Cosmetics spray anymore, but I decided to test it anyway because I wanted to see if the One/Size Powder Melt really works as well as I think it does. It’s been one of my favorites throughout the months I’ve been testing, and I love seeing in these side by sides if things actually work.

Both sprays applied beautifully with misters that sprayed evenly. I love that they don’t spit at you (looking at you so many of the sprays I’ve tested so far!). Right after applying, the One/Size side looked glossier and more hydrated, while the Em Cosmetics side looked little more natural and slightly drier in finish in comparison. I could definitely feel the difference in the beginning with the Em Cosmetics having more of a dry down vs the One/Size feeling more hydrating. Both actually did a great job of melting powders together and helping my makeup look cohesive, which is one of the promises of the One/Size spray.

Within the first hour, both sides looked really similar, and there was no clear line of demarcation. I couldn’t actually tell a real difference in texture or finish. If you told me I had used the same spray on both sides, I probably would have believed you. They both also settled into feeling lightweight and pretty unnoticeable. Neither were uncomfortable or tight like some setting sprays can be.

About halfway through the day, I could start to see a difference in how my makeup was holding up. The One/Size spray clearly kept the blush and bronzer in place better, and my skin still looked smooth and glowy without looking greasy. The Em Cosmetics side had a touch more fading and a slight increase in dryness, especially around my mouth and cheek area. I did a quick check with my husband, and he thought the One/Size side looked much better too. I even got a comment from one of my very favorite coworkers that one side clearly looked more dry and matte, even though Teams.

By the end of the day, it was clear that the One/Size spray outperformed the Em Cosmetics mist. My blush and bronzer were still visible and my skin still looked blurred and cohesive on the One/Size side. The Em Cosmetics side wasn’t bad, but it just didn’t hold up as well. The blush had faded significantly, and there was more texture showing through especially around my cheek and forehead. Both sprays were still super lightweight and never felt heavy or sticky, which I really appreciated compared to some of the other sprays I’ve tested.

Who’s moving on?
While both sprays are great in terms of comfort and application, the One/Size Powder Melt Glass Setting spray clearly out performed the Divine Water Mist in terms of actual makeup setting. If you’re looking for something that’s going to lock in your makeup for a long day and give a blurred and hydrated finish, One/Size is the better choice here. I’ll still use the Em Cosmetics mist as a skincare spray, but One/Size is definitely moving on in this setting spray tournament.

What other products would you like me to review? Let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to see here, and thanks for reading! As always, some links may be affiliate links that support the blog, but all reviews/opinions are completely my own and unsponsored.

Setting Spray Showdown Round 1, Match 4: Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Liquid Blurring Balm Mattifying Setting Spray vs Milani Make It Last Original Natural Finish Setting Spray

Featuredby liftbakeloveLeave a Comment on Setting Spray Showdown Round 1, Match 4: Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Liquid Blurring Balm Mattifying Setting Spray vs Milani Make It Last Original Natural Finish Setting Spray

This is the fourth match of the first round in my setting spray showdown series, where I’m testing popular formulas side by side to see what actually makes a difference in real life. I’ll be doing the same makeup, with the same lighting, for at least 16 hours for each test. I’ve also been testing all of these setting sprays for months before doing these elimination rounds. For this round,  I tested the Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Liquid Blurring Balm Mattifying Setting Spray against the Milani Make It Last Original Natural Finish Setting Spray. In this post, all links are affiliate links (thank you for your support!), but all opinions are my own.

This is one of the matchups I’ve been most excited to test. I’ve heard amazing things about the Danessa Myricks spray since it launched, including that it’s the best mattifying spray ever for dry skin (which is a bold claim). The Milani has been a drugstore staple that so many people swear by for a long time. I actually really liked both of these individually while I tested them and upfront I’ll say I’d recommend both of them if you want a setting spray that works. I honestly wish I hadn’t put them up against each other, but there can only be one winner in the end. And I definitely have a clear winner moving on to round 2.

When I first applied them, the Danessa Myricks spray immediately gave my skin a smooth, blurred appearance that looked softly matte without taking away any of the dimension from my face. The mist was very fine, even with the mini size I got, which I always appreciate. It didn’t leave any tackiness or heaviness behind. Despite being described as mattifying and blurring, it didn’t dry out my skin or emphasize dryness at all. I’ve been continually surprised at how this just looks so natural and nice even though it’s mattifying.

The Milani spray had a much more noticeable feel on the skin right after spraying. The mist isn’t as fine (which I’d expect from drugstore packaging, especially a mini), and it felt a bit heavier than the Danessa Myricks. It had a much more dewy, glossy finish which I honestly hadn’t noticed as much until I did this side by side. It really felt like I had a thicker layer sitting on my face vs the super lightweight feel of the Danessa Myricks.

A few hours into the wear test, the Danessa Myricks side still looked smooth, fresh, and very skin-like. It hadn’t settled into any fine lines or clung to dry patches, and it still felt completely weightless. The Milani side had started to look more textured in comparison, particularly around my nose and cheek area. It wasn’t breaking down or looking bad, but next to the Danessa Myricks side, the difference was pretty obvious.

We decided to after take our 10 month old on a 5 mile hike (a true test of a setting spray in my opinion!), and about half way through, I asked my husband which side looked better than the other. He said that the side that had Danessa Myricks on it (without knowing which was which) looked significantly better. And he holds nothing back (there have been some of these where he’s said neither side). I sent pictures to some friends who also all picked the Danessa Myricks side.

By the end of the day, both sides had held up well in terms of actual makeup wear. Nothing had melted off, and my foundation and blush/bronzer still looked intact. There was a clear winner in finish and comfort. The Danessa Myricks side continued to feel like I had nothing on, and it maintained a soft, blurred finish. The Milani side still looked okay from a normal distance, but up close it had more visible texture and felt heavier.

Who’s moving on?
Both sprays absolutely work, and I think someone who prefers a slightly dewier, more hydrating finish might actually prefer the Milani. Even though I have pretty dry skin, the Danessa Myricks spray was the clear winner. It gave my makeup a blurred, smooth finish that held up all day without ever feeling heavy or noticeable. This is the kind of product that makes me want to reach for it every time I do my makeup. Danessa Myricks definitely moves on to the next round in the bracket and is a real contender for winning the whole thing.

Stay tuned for the next round and more chances for drugstore products to move on! What other products would you like me to review? Let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to see here, and thanks for reading! As always, some links may be affiliate links that support the blog, but all reviews/opinions are completely my own and unsponsored.

Setting Spray Showdown Round 1, Match 3: Milk Hydro Grip Dewy Setting Spray vs. e.l.f. Power Grip Dewy Setting Spray

Featuredby liftbakeloveLeave a Comment on Setting Spray Showdown Round 1, Match 3: Milk Hydro Grip Dewy Setting Spray vs. e.l.f. Power Grip Dewy Setting Spray

This is the third match of the first round in my setting spray showdown series, where I’m testing popular formulas side by side to see what actually makes a difference in real life. I’ll be doing the same makeup, with the same lighting, for at least 16 hours for each test. I’ve also been testing all of these setting sprays for months before doing these elimination rounds. For this round,  I tested the Milk Hydro Grip Dewy Setting Spray against the e.l.f. Power Grip Dewy Setting Spray. In this post, all links are affiliate links (thank you for your support!), but all opinions are my own.

Today’s match is one I’ve been excited about because I’ve seen so many people say the e.l.f. is a dupe for the Milk. During my testing of them up to this point, I honestly liked them both pretty evenly, although I have been reaching for the Milk more. It’s actually almost half way empty even with all the setting sprays I’ve been test. Both sprays have a nice even mist, which I was pleasantly surprised by since the Milk is a mini and the e.l.f. is drugstore. Both sprays also smelled really nice, like being in a spa. Right away, the Milk spray felt more hydrating and the e.l.f. dried down noticeably faster. It honestly felt a little dry even before makeup was fully set.

By 11:30 AM, there was a super clear difference. The Milk side looked much more natural and hydrated in a way that made my skin look really healthy. The e.l.f. side looked dry and emphasized texture in places that normally don’t show any. It wasn’t stark, but I could definitely tell when they were side by side. When I asked my husband which side looked better, he chose the Milk side too without knowing which was which.

By the end of the day, the finish on both sides looked honestly looked pretty similar. The Milk side had basically caught up to the e.l.f. side in terms of looking too dry and textured instead of soft and blurred or staying dewy and hydrated. One thing that did stick out was the difference was in how the makeup held up. The Milk side stayed intact, while the e.l.f. side had much more wear and breakdown. Even though the finish evened out after 16ish hours, the Milk side still clearly held my makeup together better, and I could tell a huge difference side by side.

Who’s moving on?
If you want a setting spray that keeps your makeup looking hydrated, natural, and fresh while locking it in for the day, Milk Hydro Grip is the clear winner. The e.l.f. Power Grip does an okay job, but it couldn’t match the performance of the Milk, especially in how it handled texture and wear over time. The finish became dry way earlier and didn’t keep my makeup looking great all day. Even when the finish looked the same at the end of the day, the Milk side held the makeup itself noticeably better. I promise I found a drugstore gem, but for this one, the Milk Hydro Grip moves on!

Stay tuned for the next round and more chances for drugstore products to move on! What other products would you like me to review? Let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to see here, and thanks for reading! As always, some links may be affiliate links that support the blog, but all reviews/opinions are completely my own and unsponsored.

Setting Spray Showdown Round 1, Match 2 – MAC Fix+ Stay Over vs. Ulta Beauty Dewy Glaze Setting Spray

Featuredby liftbakeloveLeave a Comment on Setting Spray Showdown Round 1, Match 2 – MAC Fix+ Stay Over vs. Ulta Beauty Dewy Glaze Setting Spray

This is the second match of the first round in my setting spray showdown series, where I’m testing popular formulas side by side to see what actually makes a difference in real life. I’ll be doing the same makeup, with the same lighting, for at least 16 hours for each test. I’ve also been testing all of these setting sprays for months before doing these elimination rounds. For this round, I tested Mac Fix+ Stay Over on one side of my face against Ulta Beauty Dewy Glaze Setting Spray on the other side of my face. In this post, all links are affiliate links (thank you for your support!), but all opinions are my own.

Right after applying both sides, I was actually surprised by how similar they looked given how the tests up to this point had gone. Each gave me a dewy, healthy skin finish with all my makeup melted together. That’s one of the things I’ve loved about Mac Fix+ for years and why it’s been my go to when my face is a little too dry or powdery. The Ulta side stayed noticeably damp for a while and even felt a little cold on my face for the first ten minutes whereas the MAC side set down almost immediately and felt smooth and balanced. Once both sides dried, I couldn’t tell them apart visually, but I definitely could by touch. The Ulta side felt heavier and stickier, while the MAC side was practically weightless. This was in line with my experience so far, but it really stood out having them on my face at the same time.

A few hours later, the Ulta side began emphasizing texture I don’t usually notice, especially on my cheeks and forehead. It also never quite lost that slightly tacky feel. The MAC side stayed blurred and still felt comfortable and light. I asked a couple of people to compare both sides, and they all said that the Ulta side looked heavier and showed texture they hadn’t noticed before, while the MAC side looked smoother and more even. This was true both in pictures and in person.

By the end of the night (about 16 hours later), both sides still looked okay from a distance, but up close, the MAC side was the clear winner. The Ulta side still felt sticky and congested, while the MAC side stayed breathable and lightweight. I was pleasantly surprised that the MAC side actually kept the makeup look going as well as the Ulta side because I’m always a little suspicious if the Fix+ is doing anything. Now I can confirm that not only is it working, but it looked so much better on that side by the end of the day.

Who’s moving on?
If you want that soft-focus, weightless finish that keeps your makeup looking the same all day, MAC Fix+ Stay Over is the clear winner. If you prefer a shinier, ultra-dewy look and don’t mind a tackier feel, Ulta Beauty Dewy Glaze Setting Spray still gives a nice glow at first and might work better for very dry skin. I would take the glaze in the name seriously. After a full day of wear, Fix+ held up beautifully and stayed smooth, blurred, and balanced from start to finish, while the Ulta side started to emphasize texture I didn’t even know I had. This completely matches my past experience using Fix+, where it’s never let me down through long workdays, travel, or workouts. I was really hoping a more affordable option would win this round, but MAC Fix+ Stay Over moves on!

Stay tuned for the next round and more chances for drugstore products to move on! What other products would you like me to review? Let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to see here, and thanks for reading! As always, some links may be affiliate links that support the blog, but all reviews/opinions are completely my own and unsponsored.