Marc Jacobs Re(cover) Perfecting Coconut Setting Mist Review & Photos
Marc Jacobs Re(cover) Perfecting Coconut Setting Mist ($39.00 for 3.80 fl. oz.) is supposed to be a “24-hour” setting spray that hydrates the skin and locks makeup in so it “looks fresh all day long.” (I kid you not, the copy said “formulated with freeze-frame technology.”) There’s a part of me that often feels like setting spray is a little like Emperor’s New Clothes, where I think it’s doing something but maybe it’s doing nothing at all. (For the record, setting sprays I do like and find effective are: Clarins Fix’n Spray, Cover FX Mattifying Setting Spray, Urban Decay All Nighter.) There are some that are more effective than others, but I find a lot of them feel nice going on and can help take down powderiness but don’t actually extend the wear of my makeup at all. This was one of the latter ones. I thought it would have performed better, as I am a fan of the brand’s Face Primer (also coconutty).
Unfortunately, the Perfecting Coconut Setting Mist just did not seem to improve the wear of my makeup, and there were a few instances where it seemed to cause faster breakdown of foundation along my chin and jawline. The best thing it did was give my skin a dewier finish, and it could have well been hydrating, too, but my skin did not seem to need any additional moisture (there were no signs of dryness, so it was hard to determine if it was actually hydrating my skin, but it certainly did not dry it out!).
It dried down fast enough that it did not cause any runniness of my makeup, though I tried to keep it off of my eye area. The setting spray did not feel sticky on my face, and it did have a sweet, coconutty scent that was strongest as it was sprayed but lingered for a half hour to an hour after. The brand recommended two sprays, though from their bottle (and nozzle), even when I was able to get a good misting out if it, I felt like it sprayed in a fan and did not get enough coverage with just two sprays (more like four).
The packaging was also flawed; the nozzle is incredibly inconsistent, and despite following directions to fully press down on the nozzle to spray, I often wound up with it spitting onto my face in clumps rather than anything resembling a mist. I have three of these (I purchased one, two were press samples), and all three had this issue. I took the one I purchased and put it into another bottle, which was more reliable, as when the nozzle failed, it often ruined the makeup I was wearing (imagine rubbing splotches of thin lotion over all of your base products!). I was better able to test the efficacy of the setting spray in the other bottle, since it sprayed on more evenly.
Think we all ought to have spare good spray bottles for decanting. Got the Ulta house brand brush cleaner, which is decent enough….but talk about wonkiness! Fine in another bottle. Leery of coconut products, as the meat closes my throat and allergies are on an upswing. I have a few ‘gift’ bottles of setting spray, but it’s really not part of my drill. Don’t expect design flaws in MJB products. Kind of unacceptable in H-er E lines.
Sounds like a good call to stay away from coconut products if you aren’t certain that topically wouldn’t give you an equally awful reaction!
I had that type of reaction to jackfruit once – never again!!
Thanks for your honest review as always, Christine! Although this was not an item I had my eye on, it’s always comforting to know that I’m not missing out on anything spectacular, like Marc Jacob’s “freeze-frame technology” lol. And I could not agree more that setting sprays sometimes feel like Emperor’s New Clothes!
Glad I’m not the only one who feels that way sometimes 😉
I agree – well said.
I found it to be incredibly sticky on my face (combo/oily) and the nozzle did tend to “spit” instead of spray.
Sorry to hear it did not work for you either!
Christine, have you tried the setting spray that Milani released a few months ago? I have it and would love to know what you think. I’m definitely also in the camp where I find it difficult to discern if a setting spray is making a significant difference.
I haven’t – sorry!
I have milani 2 of them love it, I did win this spray and it is on way along with the coconut primer and velvet mascara so seeing the spit review I have a glass bottle from rose water maybe use hope it don’t alter it even tho it is empty glass bottle but the spray is better I bet that this gorgeous packaging though so makes me sad to see that it has a bad nozzle ,maybe I can replace the nozzle wirh my other? does the nozzle come off
I completely agree with you on this one; this setting spray left a lot to be desired. I have bought- and returned it twice. The first time I got one with a bad nozzle so that had to go back. The second time, the nozzle was fine, but like you said, it didn’t really help my makeup last even half the day. I returned it. I have been liking the CoverFX Illuminating one and good ole NYX Mattifying Setting Spray.
Thank goodness you found alternatives, Faith!
I literally LMBO reading “freeze-frame technology”! First thought was an old, old song “Freeze Frame” (gee, I just really aged myself there!)
But seriously, though, as much as I truly wanted a coconutty setting spray, ie; MAC LE Fix+, I’m not going to get this one. It sounds like more of a pain in the rump to deal with. Plus, ineffective at “setting”.
Haha! 😉
I am not likely to try this, as I only use setting spray to get a nicer finish, but I agree with you, Christine, about the Clarins Fix +. It is beautiful I actually decant other setting sprays (I use a different one in the winter) into an empty Clarins Fix bottle as it has the best sprayer I have come across.
So glad you love Clarins’ Fix’n!
Thanks Christine for another great review. This wasn’t on my list of things to get but I definitely wouldn’t even consider it now. I use Amore Pacific moisture bound skin energy hydration delivery system a very long name for a hydration mist which I love. I don’t know if it works as a setting spray but I use it because I like it. I think if there is anything going on with my makeup that I don’t care for I do a couple of sprays & it just seems to make everything look better.
I am very tempted to try Kristofer Buckles Setting Spray.
Sounds like you found a great spray for your needs, Maria!
My feeling exactly. I had a consultant at Sephora talking me up on this product a couple weeks ago. She sprayed me and it kind of spat limply at me, and most ended up on my dress. So little ended up on my face I couldn’t judge, but seeing the way it discharged was immediately a no-go for me.
LOL! What a demo that must have been.
I was never really into this, because I’m super weary of coconut. And I need mattifying/long wearing.
I love the MUFE Mist and Fix for anyone looking at getting one! I also know the MUFE one is VERY popular among fellow Temptalia readers as well!!
Thanks for the tip, Shannon!!
Malfunctioning spray bottles aren’t fun! A good thing that you could decant it so you could try it.
I’m with you regarding the Emperors New Clothes. At least most of the ones I’ve tried have felt nice and I don’t think any of them spat at me. Honstly it’s a bad thing when a brand like MJ has a faulty nozzle. High end brands should at the very least have funtioning packaging.
Yeah, I am glad I was able to unscrew the top off!
Thanks for the review. I was curious about it. Sad the spray quality is poor for that price.
No problem, Janine!
This is not the first time that MJ has dropped the ball on their packaging. I have the Lolita palette and the front clip stopped working after a few months. Probably wouldn’t think to mention it but a Youtuber said in a video that the same thing happened to hers. The only way to travel with it is to put two rubber bands around the palette. Doesn’t do much for the beauty and sleekness of the package, lol.
Oh no, that sucks! I have not had that happen but obviously don’t use mine that often either!
Not a fan of coconut in general and setting mists in particular. You haven’t had a good experience with this one Christine.
Easy skip for you on this one!
What a bummer!
Wish it didn’t have perfume or perfume was lower on the ingredient list, but at $39, it’s not acceptable to have spray nozzle issues. MJ had similar packaging issues with their pricey Full Coverage Foundation Concentrate, I had several bottles that leaked, no matter how carefully you closed the cap, and I know many people had similar complaints. I’m actually quite enjoying the MAC Coconut spray from the Fruity Juicy collection -it doesn’t extend the wear time of makeup, but it does eliminate that powdery look, and it does add some hydration, which will be nice in winter time. Not to mention, it’s a lot cheaper, but it’s LE and OOS everywhere except on evilbay. Wish MAC would make it permanent, as there’s obviously big demand for it.
I had at least two of four bottles leak around the edges as well!
I’ve had this a few weeks now and LOVING it!! It really gives my skin a gorgeous glow and after the first few used the spray is now so fine I don’t even feel it land! I definitely notice my makeup staying flawless longer and it is also amazing for refreshing it. It definitely seems to be a love it or hate it product!!
That is great to hear, Charlotte!