In case you haven’t been to my stomping grounds of Ulta the past three weeks, let me fill you in. Ulta has been doing their 21 Days of Beauty where they bless us with deals and steals. Ulta selects specific products each day and you get to purchase them up to 50% off.

What’s on the books for today? You can get MAC Fix + for $13 [50% off], Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara [with its claim to fame as the BEST-selling mascara in the world] for 50% off at $11.50. If you’re in the mood to get your brows done, you can also get a free brow wax at the Benefit BrowBar.

But before you run to your car, let’s talk about Mac Prep + Prime Fix+. She’s misunderstood, y’all. For years we have put her in this box of what she can and can’t do, but that ends today. If you’re going to be lucky enough to purchase a beauty product for 50% off, you’re going to use it right and use it well.

If you’ve ever been in a wedding and had your makeup done or sat in an artists’ chair before a school dance, you’ve probably had this fairy mist dusted on your face. And you probably thought you were just setting your makeup. Wrong. I mean, it *can* set your makeup, but that is like saying drinking water just makes you less thirsty. It does so much more than that.

How to Use MAC Fix +

1. Primes Face: It’s called Prep + Prime Fix + for a reason! While most girls think you just spritz this on after makeup, you can also spray it before. This product enhances your complexion and works as a great base for makeup application. I wouldn’t necessarily call it a “primer” {although you can use it for that}. Fix + acts as a bonding agent, so it will allow your makeup to apply so much better and smoother.
2. Enhances Shadows: Spray your eyeshadow brush with a bit of Fix + {I show you how in this Ulta eyeshadow post!} and your colors will intensify and last far longer! I like to do this for special events.
3. Hydrate Skin: Fix + is really known to provide a boost of hydration. This is wonderful to take on vacation because if you’re at the pool all day and want to head to dinner quickly, just spritz this on your face, throw your hair in a braid and you are good to go.
4. Sheers Out Foundation: We’ve all experienced the horror of applying making without thought, looking in the mirror and thinking, “This looks like pancake batter.” Or is that just me?! Fix + can sheer out your foundation really well and give your skin a glow, even if you want a matte look! Sometimes matte foundations can make your skin look drier, but if you are oily how do you get the best of both worlds?! Spray your makeup sponge or foundation brush with Fix + before you apply your foundation. This is going to sheer out your foundation without removing the type of coverage, give you a glow and keep the formulation intact. Meaning, you can still get the matte look but have a *little* bit of dew!
5. Improves Wear of Makeup: If you watch Youtube videos on Fix + or talk to makeup artists backstage at fashion week, there are mixed reviews. Some swear this is NOT a makeup setting spray, some say this is a fabulous one. MAC does say this sets makeup, but ultimately it is a hydrating mist. What does that mean? Apply this after you finish your makeup and it will prolong the wear of your look. However, if you hug your boyfriend, be careful as he could still get a mark on his collar.
6. Soothes Skin: This is a water mist that is packed with vitamins, minerals, green tea, and cucumber. So if you wake up and are dealing with redness thanks to allergies or exhaustion, just spray your face and it will gently soothe.
7. Bronze Legs: One of my favorite hacks for MAC Fix + may just be this trick! I’ll be honest I’m not the best at consistently self-tanning. My intent is there but my actions are not. When I’m wearing a skirt, dress or shorts and want a glow I use this trick. First, I apply
   L’Oreal Glumi Lotion on my legs, then I spray MAC Fix + on the center of my leg. This gives the “glow” you get from a spray tan.
8. Refresh Eyeliner Pencil: We all know the dreaded effect when an eyeliner or lipliner has dried out. But you don’t have to rub your skin raw to apply it. Spray the pencil with MAC Fix + and your product will glide on so much easier.
9. Highlight Décolletage: You know my leg trick? I do the same with my décolletage. I will dust a bit of highlighter where needed, then spray with MAC Fix +. This gives a natural highlight to the skin and lasts all day in the sun.
10. Makes Cream Products Easy to Work With: In theory, I love a good cream blusher. However, I hate when you have to rub the product so hard that it messes up the rest of your face. I will spray my makeup sponge or blush brush with Fix +, lightly dip in the product and it applies like a dream to the skin.

So as you make your list to stock up on the last day of sale goodness, here’s a little haul of the rest of my purchases! The LORAC Pro Contour Palette was on sale earlier last month, so I grabbed one of those. This has great cool tones for us girls that are fairer. I also purchased a Buxom Full-On Lip Cream in the shade: Peach Daquiri. This has such a pretty pigment to it, that I leave it in Maxi’s diaper bag so I’m not having to carry a lipstick and gloss. And of course, I had to get the mascara! Let’s talk about the mascara.

Once your foundation is looking like a goddess thanks to MAC Fix +, you want to add some lashes. I think every girl has played with this Too Faced mascara over the years, no?! You get the look of false lashes with NO clumps. Zero! I wore this last week on my trip to New York and as we were sitting around the fire my girlfriends go, “What false lashes are you wearing?”

THAT right there is why this mascara is a best seller.

Okay, I must go get ready for a wedding now! Did you shop Ulta’s 21 Days of Beauty?! What did you buy?

MAC Prep + Prime Fix + | Lorac Pro Contour Palette | Better Than Sex Mascara | Buxom Full-On Lip Cream

Photography by: Madison Katlin

In collaboration with Ulta. All purchases and opinions are my own.