The Best Ways to Use e.l.f. Studio Makeup Mist & Set
Not too long ago I purchased the e.l.f. Studio Makeup Mist & Set. I wanted to share some of the Best Ways to use the e.l.f. Studio Makeup Mist & Set. This product is the best cruelty free dupe for my beloved MAC Fix Plus that I’ve found, though I just purchased Lush Breath of Fresh Air to see how it compares. The All Natural Face makes a vegan dupe called Fix, but it doesn’t last as long as the e.l.f. or MAC.
Pr + purchased by me.
The Best Ways to Use e.l.f. Studio Makeup Mist & Set
Animal Testing Policy
e.l.f. Cosmetics is cruelty free.
The Website Says
Wish you could have a product for your makeup like Hairspray is for your hair? Well…keep your makeup staying in place all day with a radiance boosting invisible hold with our new Makeup Mist & Set. The invigorating mist moisturizes and soothes the skin with key ingredients Aloe, Green Tea, Cucumber and Vitamins A, C & E. The lightweight, comfortable and alcohol free formula improves makeup wearability and prevents color from running or fading.
- Spray on after makeup application to set makeup in place or during the day for a quick touchup to refresh.
- After you have applied your makeup spray a light mist 12-16 inches from your face with eyes closed to set your makeup in place or use for a quick touchup throughout the day to refresh your makeup.
- Let it dry naturally or blot with a tissue to help speed dry.
Ingredients
Water (Aqua), AMP-Acrylates/Allyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Propylene Glycol, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe) Leaf Juice, Green Tea (Camelia Sinensis) Extract, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate (Vc), Tocophryl Acetate (Ve) Retinyl Acytate (Va), Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Butylparaben, Propylparaben, Isobutylparaben.
I should point out that the ingredients are very similar to MAC Fix + (Water, glycerin, butylene glycol, Cucumis Sativus (cucumber) fruit extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) extract, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf extract, tocopheryl acetatea, caffeine, panthenol, arginine, ethylhexylglycerin, PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil, Ppg-26-Buteth-26, fragrance, disodium Edta, dehydroacetic acid, phenoxyethanol, benzoic acid)
However, I’m not crazy over all the parabens that are in the e.l.f. product. That’s a huge drawback to me.
Price
$3 for 2.02 oz
Packaging
It’s in a dark spray bottle, which is fine. There’s no discernible smell to me, though I know that others have not liked the smell. I really wish the nozzle had a better mister / dispenser, because sometimes it really comes out in globs, which I dislike. It needs a finer grate for misting. Though I’ll probably solve this issue by putting it into my empty MAC Fix+ bottle.
Note – I just put the e.l.f. Studio Makeup Mist & Set into my old MAC Fix+ bottle and that fixed the misting issue. It works better in that bottle 🙂
Best ways to use e.l.f. Studio Makeup Mist & Set with eyeshadow and eyeliner
My favorite way to use MAC Fix+, and now e.l.f. Studio Makeup Mist & Set, is to mist this onto an eyeshadow brush to dampen the brush, then use it with loose pigments, baked eyeshadows, mineralized eyeshadows or really glittery eyeshadows. Then I pat the brush across my lids. This gives a more vibrant, sticky application that dries down. It basically gives the look of foiled eyeshadow without the mess, and really highlights any duochrome eyeshadows or extra sparkly shades.
As you can probably tell, it works amazingly well with the Urban Decay Moondust eyeshadows. It intensifies the color and negates fallout. Without using Mist & Set and a primer, the color payoff is lacking. But on primer, or with Mist & Set, it’s pretty amazing.
I love how it makes colors like Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Technoir intensified and vibrant.
Makeup Geek pigments, which are already extremely pigmented and very smooth to work with, are intensified in color. Love that!
Specifically with baked eyeshadows and liners, like my Laura Geller products, spritzing the brush and then running the brush over the baked products directly works best. You get much better color payoff that way.
You can also spritz it onto the back of your hand or a makeup palette, dip your brush into a pressed eyeshadow, a cream eyeshadow, a gel eyeliner, etc and then dip that brush where you spritzed it on your hand or palette, then use it to line your eyes. This takes a product that might be on the dry side, makes it creamier so it applies easier and then it dries and lasts longer. I’ve done this with gel eyeliners that have gotten on the dry side, like my tarte gel liners or my Addiction NV liners.
You can see that it revitalizes the gel liner and intensifies the color payoff, making the black richer and deeper.
Best ways to use e.l.f. Studio Makeup Mist & Set with foundations and setting powder
Before you spray this directly on your face, make sure you’re holding it very far away! If you spray it too close, it won’t mist, it will get you too wet. You can also spray it on a duo fiber brush to apply it, rather than directly on your face.
For my sensitive oily t-zone normal to dry cheeks combination skin, it’s hard to beat misting this all over my face to help set my foundation. I will often apply primer, then foundation, then concealer, then setting powder, and by then I can look a little too dry, not glowy, so having a spray that I can use to just add some glow back into my skin is nice. If you’ve added too much setting powder, you can mist this on and it will help take away that powdery look that can age you. You can also spritz it onto a duofiber brush or a stippling brush and then use that brush on your face to add a glow back.
You can use it throughout the day to cool off and refresh your face. It’s soothing and it doesn’t irritate my sensitive, rosacea skin.
I recently discovered that you can take a concealer that’s on the thick side, like the It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye concealer, dab that on your makeup palette or the back of your hand, spritz the e.l.f. Studio Makeup Mist & Set onto the concealer, mix it together, then apply the concealer. This thins out the consistency of the concealer and helps it to apply better. It’s also less likely to crease.
As you can probably tell, the It Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye concealer in Light is actually darker than my skintone.
If you have a very full coverage foundation, like Kat Von D Lock-It Tattoo Liquid Foundation, which dries quickly and is on the thicker side, you can try mixing this in with the foundation to make it easier for you to apply the foundation and to thin out the consistency a bit. This basically gives you more control with your application. I actually think it works beautifully with the Lock-It Tattoo foundation. It makes it so easy to blend out this foundation with a stippling brush.
You can see that the Kat Von D Lock-It Foundation in Light 42 is a great match to my skintone.
Now, I really don’t use this to set my foundation for all day wear. If I want my foundation to last all day, I prefer to reach for Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray. I also have Model in a Bottle for that purpose. I really feel like MiaB and UD All Nighter do a better job at helping my makeup to last all day, while the e.l.f. Studio Makeup Mist & Set, as far as foundation is concerned, is better at making me not look too dry and adding a slight glow. I.e. if I’ve used too much of the NARS Light Reflecting Loose Setting Powder, this fixes it.
While the MAC Fix + is $21 for 3.4 fl. oz (or travel size for $10 for 1 fl. oz.) you get 2.02 fl. oz for $3 from e.l.f. You can’t really go wrong spending $3 on thee.l.f. Studio Makeup Mist & Set to see if it works for you. I think if you’re a fan of MAC Fix + you should give this inexpensive cruelty free dupe a try.
Make sure you check out 10 Life Changing Beauty Hacks You Need to Know!
Looking for more?
- 10 Organization Hacks for Beauty Lovers
- The Pale Girl’s Guide to Highlighting
- Best Mascaras + Mascara Hacks & Tips
Have you tried the e.l.f. Studio Makeup Mist & Set? What are your favorite ways to use this type of product? Share your tips and tricks!
I’m going to give the Elf spray a try to see how it works for me. Great review as always!
I tried it about 2 years ago and wasn’t a huge fan – but maybe I’ll try it out again after this!
This was great-many ideas to try and re-purpose some of my makeup products that didn’t work out!
I haven’t tried it but I really should! It makes a world of difference!
I recently bought the elf mist and set and I love it . I seem to always have very oily skin around my nose, chin, and forehead a cpl hours after applying my makeup. Well I went to the store and picked some of the mist up and sprayed it on in the car. At that time my makeup was already 6hours old and my skin was oily, a cpl minutes after I sprayed the mist my skin looked velvety fresh and non oily again as if I just reapplied my powder. I noticed that it also works awesome for keeping eyebrow powder/liner from coming off, its like hairspray for your makeup without the sticky hard feeling. I love this stuff and will definatly continue to buy it!!
awesome!!!
Great Info!! Thanks!!
I like the elf spray but not on my face..it feels too sticky.but as an eyeshadow intesfier i love it..it also worked well at binding makeup geek loose pigments when i pressed some&alchol didnt work..i didnt have Glycerin(it was my 1st time trying)..
I have tried so many e.l.f. products, but I’ve never purchased their makeup mist & set spray. I have to give it a try now – love that they are a cruelty-free company!
I really want to try this product. I love my MAC Fix+ but this is a much cheaper alternative. Thanks!
Wow! That really makes a big difference in your pics. I pinned this post for later. I’m going to order some. I am new to elf makeup but they have some products that I really like. Some of their products are surprisingly highly pigmented and as good if not better than some more expensive brands. Plus they are affordable AND cruelty free!
I like to spray my face with this prior to applying my foundation and then again at the end to set. As you suggested, it makes for great glittery eye shadow application or any shadow you have where you may experience some fall out
i have mist and set and dont use it as often as i could this post has some great ideas i havent been using it to its full potential !
I’ve always had difficulty with baked eye shadows, thanks for the tips!
I have this mist and use it regularly. I also have the elf brush cleaner which unfortunately looks very similar. One day I grabbed the wrong bottle and…ooops! Hopefully that was the first and last time. 😛
I LOVE this mist! I use it for my eyeshadow too. I can never justify s[ending 10 times as much money for something like a mist!
Scientific research has shown again and again that parabens are safe for your skin. What is really irritates one’s skin is alcohol and fragrance and so I would say this spray is especially safe for the skin because it doesn’t contain either of those like a lot of setting sprays do
I agree with you on the ELF mist, parabens are a major setback. Also that they’re made in Chinese factories, which have poor to no health regulations.
You know, all this time I’ve had Elf sitting on my shelf, I never thought to use it with pigments, & it seems so obvious now lol. I generally use it all over after I do my makeup-I’m not sure that it makes it last any longer, but I use it to sort of get rid of any ‘powdery-ness’ after setting my makeup & it works well for that. I’ve recently tried making my own version with glycerin & water, but I don’t like it that much & the Elf is cheap enough at $3. That MUG pigment is gorgeous-in fact I nearly bought it today when I was ordering off her site, but the only reason I passed over it is because it looks like an identical dupe of L’oreal HIP lose pigment in Intrepid, which is discontinued, but still can be found on Amazon. Off topic, but the MUG pigment I decided on was Utopia-you don’t happen to have any reviews/tutorials with that pigment, do you?
I don’t have any tips for I have never used but this sounds great. I would love at times to keep my makeup on for longer periods. I didn’t know about this product or ever looked for it.
GREAT Tips!! XOXO
awesome! I didn’t even know elf had one of these, I might have to check it out!
I learnt some very handy things here, I bought the product months ago but haven’t used it yet. Seems like it’s time to start playing!
Wow, I didn’t think this was that good that I put mine away, I only thought it was great to wet my baked eye shadows nothing more, I really have to venture more with and try it with other products.
Omg, it’s like the perfect type of make up acessory for us, no? Haha, i’m very curious about elf products, i think the i’m gonna buy this and fell the magic happen.
Love your blog, new fan.
It’s insanely useful! happy to have you 🙂
I’ve been intending to try this Elf Mist & fix but never got around to it. I’ll have to go ahead & give it a try. I have the MUFE Mist & Fix & i like it. Haven’t purchased Fix+ in yrs. I usually just use Rose Water. Great review! 🙂
So glad you like it 🙂
Glad I read this- I bought it on a whim and didn’t realize all the options I had! Thanks for all the tips!
You’re welcome. Please don’t leave links to your blog in comments. It’s not allowed.
I’m so sorry, first time on your blog! Noted! 😀
I had no idea you could do all this with a mist/set fix. Wow.
Great post, you’ve given me a few new ideas of how to use mine (ie. dry gel liners & thick concealers).
I’ve used the ELF M&S for a few years and think it works just fine for what I need it but couldn’t agree more that the spray nozzle needs work. I always change mine out for an empty bottle of something or other with a finer misting nozzle.
C’mon ELF, if only you could fix this, it could be a REALLY good product 😀
I put mine into my old MAC Fix+ bottle and it works well with that mister. I definitely agree that e.l.f. could make it better!
have you tried the UD all nighter as an intensifier for eyeshadows? was wondering if it also worked? thanks!
I’ve never tried UD like that, but I would think it would work ok, not great. All Nighter is great for holding your makeup in place, not sure how it would work to intensify shadows.
Hi! i Have extremely sensitive and combination skin. I usually get pretty dry on my cheeks, nose and chin areas. I was just curious if this would irritate or breakout my skin? I have a bottle, but I’m scared to use it! Wasn’t sure if it would break up my make up as well through out the day.
Hi Hannah! I have sensitive, rosacea skin. This product has not caused me to break out, nor has it irritated my skin. You could give it a try to see how it works on your dry spots, or you could consult with a dermatologist.
I still have a brand new bottle of this that I received in my stocking last Christmas but really wasn’t sure how to use it. (although thought I might try it for my Halloween makeup this year). Thanks so much for the tips! 🙂
Yay! You’re welcome 🙂 I really really like it for thicker foundations to make them apply better.
Nothing better than a mutli-tasking product and when it’s this inexpensive, well, all the better!! 😀
Elf always seems to be able to make pretty great products with incredibly low prices. I just started trying their $1 eye primer, and it makes it really difficult to justify dropping $20 on a Primer Potion. Your tips for how to use the spray are really helpful, thanks!
Looking forward to reading this!
I never thought to use a product like this in these ways. It’s too bad I threw away so many gel liners. Between you and 15 Minute Beauty I see an ELF order coming my way.
That’s such a useful post! I will def give it a try!
I am glad to hear about this. The MAC one is great but not cruelty-free so I no longer like it.
Wow, never ever thought about mixing it with thick concealers. That will be a great thing to try on my face tomorrow! I have to have my Bye Bye Undereye and this will make it less thick! Thank you so much, your blog rocks!
Great review! I, too, love Fix+ but I personally can’t justify the cost. I’ll definitely have to give this one a try!
I loooooove this mist – and especially the price tag!
es divina la bace yo la utilizo en mi trabajo
logicalharmony Yay! I’m really happy to hear it!
lumay1966 Yeah, I wish I had liked the All Natural Face’s product better, but it seemed to show wear after 3 or 4 hours on Primer, which does not work for me.
Kat Dinges The It Cosmetics is extremely full coverage! OCC’s concealer is nice, too.
Cindy, that’s a great way to use it!
Great tips! I love that spray but I’ve only ever used it to make dry patches less flaky in winter.
Francine, it’s definitely worth giving it a try for $3.
Sarah, I know! I looked for a long time
Shae-anne, wow, that’s a good sign!
I also just picked up Lush Breath of Fresh Air to see how it compares and if it can be used the same as MAC Fix+
This is great for the ways you showcased it being used. As far as setting makeup, I stear clear of fix + as it does nothing for me. If this is like that i wouldn’t use it for that purpose. Great review
Mine didn’t smell, and I had expected there to be a bad smell, Cecilia.
BeautyByKrystal Yay I’m glad you like it!
bcrueltyfree I’m pretty happy with it, since I’m using it to replace Fix+, which I missed terribly!
SlashedBeauty You’re welcome 🙂 It still doesn’t beat Pixie Epoxy, but sometimes it all depends on my mood 🙂
kissmysparkle The Kat Von D foundation, which I really like but it can be hard to blend out properly, applies so much better with a spray like this spritzed on it.
I have never thought of using a setting mist to help apply concealer or foundation. I’m definitely trying that tomorrow morning! I’ve also never used e.l.f. setting spray, so I’ll have to pick it up one of these days if I see it when I’m at Target.
Another win from elf! Love it, will have to try it and never thought of using sprays to intensify shadow! Great idea!
Finally a setting spray without fragrance, I’ll have to pick this up!
the one I got smelled a bit like puke, so i threw it in the bin 🙁 using the MUA one instead now…
Yay thanks for sharing this, Phyrra! I’ve been meaning to try this and see if it could work in place of Fix + and Clinique’s setting spray, which is very similar to Fix +. I’m going to add it to The Cruelty-Free Dupe list on my site.
Ive been looking for a replacement for MAC Fix +!!
It’s always sold out on the Aus site or Aus sites that sell elf.
I have been using the elf mist for a couple years now and I really love it! It’s so versatile and it actually SETS my makeup unlike the MAC Fix+ which just acts like water in my honest opinion (can you tell I hate that I wasted money on that?? lol!). Great post girl, and I love that you included so many examples! oxo
WOW! This is truly helpful. Now all I have to do is go get me some of tha awesome full coverage concealer! =)
I have to try this! I nearly ordered similar from The All Natural Face, but ELF products are easier to access.
I love this spray! I use it daily and have for a couple of years now. Thanks for all the new tips on how to use it. I never thought of mixing it with products directly. I’ll have to try it!