The Hydra-Mist Set & Refresh Powder is one of my current favourite powders and, even though it’s been quite a while since its release, I just really want to share my experiences with this product. It was released earlier in the year by BECCA, and it actually sparked a lot of curiosity over on YouTube because it had such an interesting formula – one that, to be honest, you have to touch in person to understand.
I bought this a Sephora in the States when it first launched, as it took a while to reach Australia, and I’ve been using it almost everyday since. I’ve been really into loose powders lately, as I feel like they help me to better mattify my skin, but a lot of them seem to be quite drying – which is good for my T-zone, as that has the tendency to get really oily in the afternoon, but can make the rest of my face feel like literal paper.
This Hydra-Mist Powder, however, is a saviour if you have trouble with that. For people with dry to combination skin, you’ll be wanting to check this out – it’s selling for AUD$58 in Sephora Australia, or any international readers can check out the official BECCA website which it is selling for USD$38 (and you can get 20% off by signing up to their newsletter too).
So, read on for this (probably short but detailed) review!
Product Description
The Hydra-Mist Powder is marketed as a face mist in powder form – though I would consider it a hybrid of both. It “is infused with 50% water and skin hydrators to give all skin types… a perfected look without caking, creasing or settling.” It claims to cool and hydrate your skin, while also helping to set make up. The product can also be used to retouch during the day, since it is a very lightweight powder, but I generally won’t use it for that since it is in a loose powder form (and is difficult to carry around). This product is translucent and claims to diffuse light “for a naturally poreless, portrait-mode finish” (quotes from BECCA website)
The three main ingredients in this product is as follows:
- Water-infused powder: to hydrate, sooth and cool the skin
- Silica: to absorb oil and blur impections
- Glycerin: to help moisturise and maintain skin’s natural moisture levels so that skin never feels tight or dry
Essentially, Sephora Australia states that it is “a translucent setting powder to set makeup while revitalising skin with a mist-like feel.”
Packaging
I usually don’t care too much about the packaging of loose powders, as I find that they’re all generally the same, but I really love the packaging of this Hydra-Mist Powder and I hope that more brands will do this too because it’s so easy to use and completely mess free.
The product comes in a 10g tub which, I don’t know how much I use in a single application, but it is surprisingly small. I’ve been using it since I got back from America, which was maybe six months ago or a bit less, and I think I’m halfway through the tub already. Shame.
Anyway, the tub has two features that makes the product really easy to use – first is the lid (see above) which closes over the product to keep it from spilling. In other loose powders, they will generally give you a puff (which this one doesn’t come with) and that applicator also doubles as a stopper to prevent the powder from flying everywhere. I much prefer this because I don’t like to use those puffs anyway and I don’t like having to keep replacing it just for the sake of not messing up my product.
The second feature is a flexible, fabric mesh (see below) which dispenses the product when you want to use it. Since the mesh is super flexible, you can dip into the product directly – there is no need to tip it out onto a lid. If you do want to though, you can just give the tub a light shake while it’s closed and a good amount of powder will surface to be used.
Personal Experiences
This powder is really finely milled and blends almost seamlessly into the skin – it feels and looks like nothing. I love this product because it helps to smooth out my foundation application, cool my skin (especially in the morning when I feel a little puffy) and also keeps it hydrated. That all being said, while it does set make up to an extent it gives you more of a semi-matte finish than a full, industrial strength matte finish. I feel like this falls somewhere between a setting powder and a finishing powder – in that it will lightly mattify make up and give you a beautiful, satin finish but will not completely prevent it from moving.
The product has a light beige shade in the tub but applies completely translucent on my skin. It doesn’t look powdery or heavy at all, which is why I love to use it for my daily make up. Some have commented that this oxidizes and makes their skin look dark, but I find that it doesn’t change colour on my skin at all – I wonder if this is a chemical reaction or an application method? I like to apply mine all over with a fluffy powder brush – one or two light layers only and I don’t bake at all (though I am doubtful about using this to bake).
Overall, this is a powder that I often recommend to people with dry or combination skin. It works really well for me because it mattifies my T-zone but also hydrates the areas that I need to keep hydrated – I like light foundation and powder applications, so the satin finish of this (as opposed to a super matte finish) is also perfect for me. Although this is a pretty expensive product, it is one that I really enjoy and will probably repurchase as soon as I run out. So far, this has been the first of its kind and I haven’t seen any other brands release something like this yet!
And so, here’s the verdict!
SO WHAT IS IT?
A loose setting powder with 5o% water and glycerin
THE GOOD
- Very unique concept
- Hydrates skin while also mattifying
- Lightweight and does not cake up
- Blends it to give a beautiful finish
- Satin finish, not powdery
- Finely milled and translucent (no flash back)
- A+ packaging – easy to use and no mess
THE BAD
- Expensive for a relatively small tub
- Does not fully set make up
- Apparently can oxidize on some people
RATINGS
- PACKAGING | 5/5
- PRICE POINT | 2/5
- HYDRATION | 5/5
- MATTIFY | 4/5
- SETTING | 3/5
OVERALL RATING? 7.6/10
WOULD I RECOMMEND?
I love this powder and I would highly recommend for people to check it out. This is one of those purchases that I absolutely don’t regret. Even though it isn’t as flashy or exciting as colour make up, this powder just works so well for my skin and I feel like it was worth the money. That being said, I am on the look out for a cheaper alternative though!
I would especially recommend this powder for people who like light, natural foundation/base looks and for those with dry to combination skin. Oily skin types might find this powder too lightweight.
WHERE TO GET IT FROM
Australians can get this at Sephora Australia, but if you’re from any other part of the world, check out the official BECCA website.
