The Spa Spies try face mists

Face mists are all the rage during the summer months but are they worth the splurge? We put the Spa Spies to the test…
 

Biossance Hyaluronic Toning Mist
(75ml, £25)

Key ingredients:
Hyaluronic acid and plant-derived squalene.

First impressions:
The facial mist comes in a dark green and gold plastic bottle with a pump action top. Despite being plastic, it still feels plush and solid. The mist has lots of eco-friendly, natural beauty ticks: it’s vegan and cruelty-free; it’s also paraben-, alcohol- and fragrance free.

What’s it like?
The lightweight mist has a very slightly floral scent that isn’t overpowering. It’s cool when it sprays onto the skin and feels beautifully hydrating when I smooth it over my face. There’s no residue or a tacky feeling to the skin afterwards.

Does it work?
My skin definitely feels happier when I use this mist – calm and plump but not weighed down by products. Although I only use this as part of skincare routine, others use it during the day as a hydration top-up as it’s a godsend for dry skin.

Verdict:
This facial mist has been part of my skincare routine for about six months now, and I love it. I put it on post-cleanse to hydrate before applying my serum and moisturiser. It leaves my skin feeling hydrated without any irritation.  
 

Natura Bisse Diamond Extreme Mist
(200ml, £90)

Key ingredients: 
Artemia salina to reactivate the skin’s energy, lavender.

First impressions: 
Part of the Diamond Extreme range (which we love), Natura Bissé’s mist comes in a tall plastic, see-through bottle with a large silver top with the brand’s logo embossed twice around the rim. The liquid inside has a subtle pink hue.

What's it like? 
Remove the silver lid and use the white pump to deliver a spritz directly to your face (closing your eyes first). The dense liquid is more of a spray than a mist, with two pumps necessary to cover my entire face; my skin felt instantly silky.

Does it work? 
If this was a ‘how-quickly-can-you-make-my-skin-feel-like-silk’ contest, this product would win hands down – it stayed soft for hours afterwards, too. It’s also gluten-free, alcohol-free and oil-free.

Verdict: 
The Natura Bissé Diamond Extreme Mist is more like a moisturising spray than a cooling spritz but - as the bottle I tried is large – I'm happy to leave it at home and use it instead of a serum until it runs out (circa. 2026 perhaps). The subtle lavender scent makes it the perfect bed-time buddy, too.

Esse Hydrating Mist
(100ml, £30)

Key ingredients: 
Rose flower water, Rooibos leaf extract, olive leaf extract.

First impressions: 
The Esse Hydrating Mist comes in a white box with an olive-green band around the bottom and on one side making it look smart - and more expensive than its reasonable price tag. Open the lid to reveal an amber tinted glass bottle with a removable cap and plastic pump.

What's it like? 
This mist is lightweight with a musky rose aroma. Use it as part of your morning routine (after cleansing) or as a pick-me-up during the day.

Does it work? 
The website claims this to be “a refreshing mist to complete the cleansing process, with actives that revitalise and improve skin condition, and ingredients rich in PH-balanced, non-drying antioxidants.”  It certainly refreshes and nourishes the skin without leaving any dryness. It’s also vegan and organic.

Verdict: 
With its vegan and organic credentials and £30 for 100mls price point, it gets the thumbs up from me.
 

Omorovicza Queen of Hungary Mist
(100ml, £62)

Key ingredients: 
Neroli, rose and sage water, orange Blossom, Hungarian thermal water, apple pectin.

First impressions: 
This cult beauty classic comes in a frosted glass bottle with signature silver Omorovicza logo; it looks and feels expensive, and will add a little glam to any bathroom cabinet.

What's it like? 
The delicate rose and neroli-scented mist smells fresh and uplifting; a few swift spritz’ – whenever you feel the need – will leave the skin feeling hydrated. It’s so fine you can use it on top of make-up. It’s also vegan-friendly, and free of alcohol, synthetic fragrance and parabens.

Does it work? 
When used as a post-cleanse toner, the mist is really hydrating and settles into the skin quickly; pop it in your handbag/ on your desk for a midday pick-me-up, or in your beach bag for a cooling holiday mist.

Verdict: 
At £62, it’s definitely a splurge but I’m a little obsessed with my new refreshing elixir. The fact it was inspired by the world's first recorded perfume, created in the 14^th century for Queen Elizabeth of Hungary, makes me love it even more. Mist away, Queen.

Elemis Pro-Collagen Rose Mist
(50ml, £46)

Key ingredients:
Coastal micro-algae, organic English rose hydrolat.

First impressions:
Elemis’ Pro-Collagen Rose Mist comes in a petite see-through plastic bottle with a silver pump top and plastic cap. The liquid inside is an attractive sugarplum pink.

What’s it like?
One pump is sufficient to release enough of this light spray to cover your face (you might need more for your forehead) without making it sticky; the heady rose scent instantly transported me to an English country garden.

Does it work?
It does, particularly when it comes to that post lunch working-day lull (where you want to reach for a cold can of Diet Coke but know you shouldn’t). One spritz of this bad boy and I was jolted back into work-mode.

Verdict:
As with all the mists we tested, this one can be used as a serum, a make-up setter and a way to cool down, but the pro-collagen ingredient also makes it anti-ageing. At 50ml’s, it’s small enough to spritz on the go, too. As for the smell…