Spray Your Way to Gorgeous Skin

Yes, we slather, dab, dot and rub many things on our precious faces in the name of beauty. Lotions, creams, ointments and serums all require nimble fingers—or at least a solid cotton ball—for application. But when’s the last time we sprayed a product on our face?

Get ready to take aim.

A few years ago, Evian (yes, the company known for its bottled spring water) introduced the first mineral-water facial spray. Touted as a refresher and toner, the product was marketed toward jet-setting women who wanted to stay hydrated during travel. Soon enough, well-heeled women everywhere were seen tucking these cute white-and-pink spray bottles in their carry-on bags before boarding the plane.

Now, it seems like every beauty company with a pulse on the market has jumped on the trend. Those seeking instant gratification for their parched faces, during travel or otherwise, have many products from which to choose. Use one of these babies to set or refresh your makeup throughout the day, cool off on the beach (or at least when the temperatures become beach-worthy), or layer on top of your day or night cream for extra hydration. A spritz or two can help moisturize your face and hair in dry weather, or prep the skin for serums. Some sprays promise to tone uneven complexions or soothe inflamed skin. Others, laced with calming natural fragrances like lavender and rosewater, have a mood-enhancing effect. When considering the options, look for alcohol-free varieties that contain humectants such as hyaluronic acid.

So, are these facial sprays just a fleeting beauty trend? On the contrary, we think they’ll prove to have spraying—eh, staying power.

Spray misty for me. Photo above, from left: Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist, $48. Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist, $24. Avene Thermal Spring Water, $16 at Amazon.com. Mario Badescu Facial Spray, $12. Evian Mineral Water Spray, $18 at Sephora. Tata Harper Hydrating Floral Essence, $65 at Amazon.com. Caudalíe Grape Water, $18. Givency Mist Me Gently, $35. Josie Maran Calming Lavender Water, $24 at Sephora. L’Occitane Hydration Face Mist, $16. Fresh Rose Floral Toner, $38. Most prices listed are for larger (not travel) sizes.