PR Sample
If you're a makeup lover and also a diligent sunscreen user, you've probably had the same problem I've been desperate to solve for years: how the hell are we supposed to reapply sunscreen every 2 hours, as we should when spending the day outside, ON TOP OF MAKEUP?
Until now, we had 2 options: wearing no makeup to pool parties and fun BBQs, and that made us sad, or layering the sunscreen in the morning and wearing a hat, hoping that would be enough to avoid sunburns and skin aging... Because seriously, removing makeup, applying sunscreen, and reapplying makeup every 2 hours is just not going to happen.
Rejoice, fellow makeup addict, because this inextricable problem has been solved! Enter my new summer life-saver, Coola Makeup Setting Spray SPF30. The lovely Alana from Skincare by Alana sent it to me for review, and I already don't know how I lived without it for all those years!
Coola Makeup Setting Spray is SPF30, as you'd guess, a spray that sets makeup, paired with an SPF30 sunscreen. It's 70% certified organic, cruelty-free and contains the chemical sunscreens avobenzone, homosalate, octinoxate and octisalate for a broad spectrum protection. The formula is also enriched with anti-oxidant ingredients such as aloe, algae, orange fruit water, cucumber, and it contains moisture boosting hyaluronic acid.
It comes in a really beautiful clear plastic spray bottle with a turquoise inner container. You can hear a shaker ball in there, and Coola advises to shake well before application. The very first time I used this spray, I was surprised by a rather strong smell of alcohol - of course, that's because I hadn't read the ingredients list (on that subject, note that the ingredients are listed alphabetically, and not by order of amount in the formula, because this is an SPF product and therefore considered over-the-counter medication in the US). The alcohol smell dissipates quickly, and it didn't disturb me the next times I used it. I would typically avoid putting anything that contains alcohol on my face, however this is sprayed on top of several layers of products (serum, moisturizer, foundation, powder), meaning that it's less likely to cause dryness or irritation - and I have experienced neither with this product. Once set, the Makeup Setting Spray actually leaves a very light floral scent.
The spray itself doesn't deliver a super fine mist, but more regular-sized droplets that you'd expect from this type of spray pump. They absolutely don't disturb my makeup or make my mascara run though. I need about 4 spritzes to feel like I've fully covered my entire face. You really want to close your eyes and keep them shut for a few seconds, otherwise it will burn a little!
Within seconds, the product dries to a completely matte finish, leaving no visible residue. Yes, I said COMPLETELY MATTE, and I mean it, just take a look at this picture!
 |
| Top: just after spraying heavily Bottom: about 30 seconds later |
It also doesn't feel greasy or sticky, in fact you really can't tell that you've just sprayed a liquid on your skin, it feels totally weightless, as if it was... gone. That's where the alcohol is necessary to this formula I guess: it brings the SPF and anti-oxidant ingredients to your face, then it evaporates and poof, magic, you can't see or feel anything!
Not only does Coola Makeup Setting Spray have a true matte finish, it also has a durable mattifying effect on me. The center of my face gets less oily, less fast than without the spray, so it does make my makeup last a lot longer and controls the shiny mess I can otherwise turn into on a hot day.
And, of course, you can spray on top of your makeup anytime during the day to re-apply your SPF! I don't have any build-up if I spray every few hours, it just keeps looking matte and fresh. That's a big breakthrough here and I'm really happy that such a product now exists!
A word about Skincare by Alana: Alana is a licensed esthetician who owns a spa in Dana Point, California. She also has an online store, Skincare by Alana, that carries many different beauty brands, some of them hard to find. In terms of French brands (of course that's what I look for first!), she offers Sothys, Phytocéane, Matis. Alana also has a beauty blog where she shares skincare advice, tips and future trends (like double masking or glycolic acid in hair care!). From my contacts with her I can tell that she's just as nice as she's professional, and she takes the beauty concerns of her clients very seriously.
Overall: Coola Makeup Setting Spray SPF30 fills a void that had left us makeup lovers unable to protect our skin the way we should. It answers my need to reapply SPF throughout the day when wearing a full face of makeup, and it does it beautifully, keeping my look fresh and matte longer. I recommend this product 100% to anyone who runs into the same problem!
Where to buy: Skincare by Alana, free shipping on all US orders.
Other purchasing options:
The product featured in this review was sent by Skincare by Alana for review. I received no compensation other than a free sample to write this post, which only reflects my personal opinion. This post contains affiliate links.
That sounds like just the product I need. I was reapplying, but it disturbed my makeup and made me unhappy...
ReplyDeleteLinda, Libra, Loca: Beauty, Baby and Backpacking
Oh I didn't even try reapplying a classic spray sunscreen with makeup on. I can only imagine the mess!
DeleteHey Lulle, thank you for the review! I was tipped off about this one and I am curious, but I don't think it's available on UK-based online retailers yet, and I just ordered the new Bioderma one (still waiting impatiently for it to arrive) online. Reapplying sunscreen on top of makeup is tricky. I am glad some companies have come up with a way to make it possible!
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure where Coola is available outside the USA but I hope you can get your hands on it! The Bioderma mist sounds great too, but it's not a makeup setting spray, is it? Does it dry completely matte too?
DeleteDude that first product photo is perfection! I still haven't tried the sample I got with my Birchbox. I'm going to break it in tomorrow since I'm going hiking. I'm pretty excited now. It sounds just as awesome as I had hoped it would be.
ReplyDeleteHaha, I like to take my products to the beach :p
DeleteI think you'll love it, the matte finish is just perfection!
I just wish it didn't have so much alcohol in it. Then it would be perfect. But I'm sticking with my new Bioderma mist for now.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure how much alcohol the formula contains, since the ingredients list here is alphabetical and not by order of quantity, but yeah in a perfect world it wouldn't have alcohol in it.
DeleteI love your post dear! Have a nice day:)
ReplyDeletewww.bloglovin.com/blogs/printed-sea-3880191
Oh, this is so good, Lulle! I didn't even know that you could do that! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteSending you much love, and I hope your weekend is as fabulous as you are!
xoxo, Vanessa
www.whatwouldvwear.net
Ooooh! After trying out the Supergoop SPF setting spray I am all about this trend! It makes it so easy to reapply sunscreen throughout the day without me having to carry a bunch of product around with me.
ReplyDeleteAnd Canada will get this stuff in 2040. Ugh, I should have ordered it through Sephora before they herded off away from all the nice things.
ReplyDelete