We’ve all bought at least one product everyone raved about, only to be underwhelmed with the results.
“Does this product really work?”
This is a frustrating question we’ve all asked ourselves at some point or another, so let’s get right down to it: just because a product doesn’t work for you, doesn’t mean it’s not effective for other people!
We all have different skin types, which means our needs are different when it comes to beauty purchases. Instead of dissing these fan-frenzied products, we’re here to crack the code and explain who these products are really meant for and why.
Facial Sprays and Primers
Facial sprays and primers are both used before applying makeup, so what’s the difference? Facial sprays, such as a misting spray, focus on hydrating dry skin, while primers are generally used for creating a uniform base for your makeup.
The big takeaway? Both aren’t for everyone.
Facial Sprays - Misting Sprays with a focus on hydration
Best For Hydrating dry skin.
How To Use: Facial Sprays should be applied before makeup to keep skin from drying out or looking cakey during application.
Bonus Tip: Get that “dewy” look by spritzing your facial spray AFTER your makeup application.
Facial Primers - Base for your makeup application
Best For All skin types –
- Oily Skin: primers help absorb excess oil from the skin to protect your makeup from “melting” throughout the day.
- Dry skin: primers can protect your skin from any drying properties found in your cosmetics. Primers can also help you "fake" a dewy complexion if you use one with a light shimmer.
How To Use: Apply after your SPF and before your makeup.
Bonus Tip: For oily skin, use a Shine Control Powder throughout the day to maintain that shine and keep your skin looking flawless!
Facial Serum and Oils
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know that facial serums and oils are all the rage right now, but do you know the difference between the two? Here’s what you should know:
Facial Serums - Lightweight and traditionally water-based.
Best For all skin types but the type of oil will depend on your specific skin concerns, such as brightening, oil control, and acne reduction
How To Use: Should be used after cleansing and toning your skin, but before moisturizing
Facial Oils - Contains a blend of skin-friendly oils to moisturize, balance, protect, and hydrate the skin.
Best For all Skin types, but the type of oil will depend on your skin concerns.
How To Use: Facial Oils should be used before applying makeup, or at night after cleansing your face.
Bonus Tip: Read our skincare 101 blog to learn more about your skin’s pH balance and what your skin might need from an oil or serum.
Setting Sprays and Setting Powders
Setting sprays and setting powders essentially have the same goal: to keep your makeup game one hundred throughout the day!
However, there are important differences between setting powder and setting spray that you should know as well.
Here's the short version –
Setting Sprays - Liquid-based makeup control
Best For all skin types looking to lock in their makeup*
How To Use: Can be applied all over the skin and face, including your lip!
Setting Powders - Powder-based makeup control
Best For oily-combination skin
How To Use
- After your makeup has been applied, brush over the areas where liquid or cream-based makeup products are applied.
- If your skin tends to get oily throughout the day you'll want to opt for a good quality translucent powder that you can keep in your purse for those last-minute touch ups.
Bonus tip: Excessive oil can cause breakouts throughout the day. If you're prone to breakouts we recommend keeping a buildable cream concealer in your makeup kit for any blemish touch-ups.
You can follow that with your pressed powder to lock it in place.
Day Creams, Night Creams, and Eye Creams, oh my!
Even the best of us get confused by day, night, and eye creams. Ever wonder if your creams can be interchangeable? I think the real question here is should they be? and the answer is no.
That’s right - night cream differs from day cream, and eye cream is, you guessed it, specific for under eye treatment. Still confused? We’ll break it down for you.
Day Creams
- Lightweight, and usually water-based
- Contain SPF to protect your skin throughout the day
- Exclude active ingredients like retinol and hyaluronic acid which can cause photosensitivity during the day
- Thicker in consistency, so using them as a day cream will make your skin feel greasy, and won’t protect your skin from harmful UV rays
- Helps to hydrate your skin to prevent water-loss while you sleep
- Contain active ingredients such as retinol and hyaluronic acid, because your skin works hardest at night to restore, replenish, and revitalize!
- Targets the under eye area because this skin is thinner, sensitive, and more fragile than the rest of your face - other creams can damage it!
- Helps to rehydrate your under-eye area, which dries out quicker than the rest of your skin
- Contain active ingredients such as collagen and vitamin C to brighten dark circles, and reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles
Bonus tip: Try these at-home face masks and under-eye treatments to give your skin some extra love!
It can be hard to figure out which products are right for you which is why we do our best to break them down for you. Speaking of "trendy" products, have you tried CBD beauty yet? Here's what people are saying.