Hey beauty lovers! Today we’re diving deep into one of the most talked-about setting sprays out there: the MAC Prep + Prime Fix+ Matte. As a long-time fan of MAC cosmetics, I was excited to put this mattifying mist to the test and see if it lives up to the hype. After scouring through dozens of customer reviews and giving it a go myself, I’m ready to share my honest thoughts with you all. Let’s get into it!
The Promise
MAC describes their Prep + Prime Fix+ Matte as a “lightweight mattifying mist that sets makeup, controls oil and reduces shine.” It claims to extend the wear of your makeup without disturbing it, all while giving your skin a soft matte finish. Sounds pretty dreamy, right? Especially for my fellow oily-skinned gals out there.
The mist comes in the classic Fix+ packaging – a sleek black bottle with a pump spray nozzle. One bottle contains 100ml (3.4 fl oz) of product. MAC recommends holding the bottle 12 inches away from your face and misting it in an “X” and “T” formation for even coverage.
The Reality
So, does the Fix+ Matte live up to its claims? The answer seems to be a resounding…maybe. After analyzing nearly 70 customer reviews, it’s clear that people have had very mixed experiences with this product.
The Good
Let’s start with the positives. Many reviewers raved about the mattifying power of this setting spray:
I have extremely oily skin and this is one of the few setting sprays that actually does what it claims. It controls the oil for most of the day.” – Tracy W, 35-44
“It definitely makes my makeup last longer even on those really hot days which is perfect for me.” – Marshni, 25-34
“For my oily skin it’s just amazing…In combination with mineral skin finish powder I’ll need only one retouch during the day!” – Iuliia
Several people also complimented the natural, non-cakey finish it gives to their makeup:
“It makes my makeup not only stay longer, but gives my face a glow. I can’t see myself putting on makeup without first using this to set it.” – Zee, 35-44
“It leaves my face looking so natural.” – Jackie, 25-34
When the product works as intended, it seems to be a game-changer for those struggling with excess oil and shine. Users found that it helped their makeup stay put for hours, even in hot and humid weather conditions.
The Bad
Unfortunately, not everyone had a flawless experience with the Fix+ Matte. The most common complaint by far was that the spray left unsightly white spots or dots all over people’s faces and clothing:
“This spray left tiny water drop stains all over my face…I’m not sure if the sprayer is defective, but it doesn’t give a light misty spray at all.” – Valencia, a “MAC Lover” member
“I end up with white dots after spraying it. And also on my clothes. So I searched and read it should be shaken. So I kept trying this and still I get white dots and I’ve only used it couple times and just started using it again and this time before makeup and still no results.” – Disappointed Buyer, 35-44
True to the other reviews, this product leaves a spray of white marks on the face which are then really hard to wipe off without wiping/smudging make-up.” – Shah
This seemed to be an incredibly frustrating issue, often requiring a complete re-do of one’s makeup. Some speculated that the white spots were caused by the mattifying powder in the formula settling to the bottom of the bottle.
Which brings us to the next big problem area: the nozzle. Dozens of reviewers complained about the spray nozzle becoming clogged, getting stuck, or breaking altogether after just a few uses:
“I purchased the product and really liked it however when I got halfway through the bottle it clogged up and couldn’t use it anymore. Took it back to the store and they exchanged it for me and now the second bottle is doing the same thing!” – Suzyq, 55-64
Love the way this setting spray looks and controls my oil shine. It’s absolutely worth it! I always get compliments on my makeup when using this even after dancing and sweating at a wedding for 4 hours. My makeup still looked amazing and freshly applied! The only con is that it kept clogging and now the sprayer completely broke even with me cleaning it in between uses. Please fix this!!!” – Soccerk9, 25-34
“The sprayer stops working or it leaves white spots all over your face. I’ve contacted MAC and gotten a new one, but it always does the same thing. I’ve even bought another bottle to transfer it to, but then I still end up with white spots on my face.” – Hope, 19-24
This defective packaging seems to be a huge design flaw, rendering the product completely unusable for many people. Even those who loved the formula had major gripes about the bottle. I have to agree – for a high-end, pricey product like this, I expected much better quality control.
The Ugly
Perhaps most alarmingly, a few reviewers had bad reactions to the ingredients in the Fix+ Matte:
“Not worth the investment at all. Disappointed Mac user. I suggest you recall this product. Do not defend it.” – G Edith, 35-44
“It lacks the qualities of the Prep+ Prime fix+ (without Matte). Not worth the investment at all.” – G Edith, 35-44
While allergic reactions and sensitivities are always a possibility with any cosmetic product, the fact that multiple people had issues is concerning. If you have sensitive or reactive skin, definitely proceed with caution and patch test this first.
Tips & Tricks
For those determined to make the Fix+ Matte work for them, reviewers shared some tips that seemed to help:
- Shake it like a polaroid picture. The #1 piece of advice was to shake the ever-loving daylights out of this bottle before each use. And I mean REALLY shake it, for at least 30 seconds to a minute. This seems to help mix the mattifying powder back into the solution and prevent the dreaded white spots.
- Keep your distance. Although MAC recommends spraying from 12 inches away, many people had better luck holding the bottle even further back, more like 16-18 inches from their face. This allows for a finer, more even mist and less risk of droplets.
- Watch your spray pattern. Instead of the “X” and “T” method MAC suggests, some had better results just doing a quick back-and-forth spritz. See what works for you!
- Use a different spray bottle. This was a popular hack for people fed up with the defective nozzle. Carefully transfer the product into a cleaned out bottle from another brand, or pick up some cheap plastic spray bottles from Amazon or the travel section of your local drugstore. A little annoying to have to do this, but better than battling a bum sprayer!
- Try it at different stages of your makeup routine. While most used this as the final step to lock everything in place, a few had success using it as more of a primer, before foundation. One reviewer even sprayed it on a makeup sponge and used it to blend her base. Experiment to find your ideal method!
My Experience
After reading all the reviews and gathering tips, I had to try the Fix+ Matte out for myself. I picked up a bottle during a Ulta haul and have been testing it for the past few weeks.
Honestly? I have pretty mixed feelings about it. I followed all the advice – shook it until my arm hurt, held it about 18 inches from my face, sprayed in quick passes. And while it didn’t leave me with major white spots, I did notice a few tiny speckles here and there that I had to buff out. Not cute.
As for the mattifying/oil-controlling properties, I was actually pretty impressed. It definitely helps keep my T-zone shine-free for longer than my usual setting spray. I still had to blot once or twice throughout the day, but much less than normal. It also does seem to extend the wear time of my foundation and concealer.
However, I’m not a huge fan of the finish it leaves on my skin. Even though I’m oily, I prefer more of a natural, skin-like look as opposed to a flat matte. This spray definitely takes away any dewiness or luminosity and can make my makeup look a little dry and cakey by the end of the day. Not the lewk I’m going for!
I also have some concerns about the ingredient list. It contains a lot of silicones and alcohol, which can be irritating or drying for some. Definitely not the most skin-loving formula out there.
After a few weeks of use, my spray nozzle is still going strong, but I’m a little nervous it’s going to conk out on me any day now based on others’ experiences. Fingers crossed it holds up, because I really don’t want to deal with transferring it to a new bottle.
The Bottom Line
So, is the MAC Prep + Prime Fix+ Matte worth the hype (and the price tag)? I’m gonna give it a solid “meh.” While it does have some mattifying and extending power, the inconvenient packaging and tricky application make it more of a hassle than a holy grail, in my opinion. The white spots issue is a real bummer and dealbreaker for many.
I think if you have very oily skin, don’t mind a flat matte finish, and are willing to put in the work to make it spray evenly, it could be a good option for hot summer days or special events where you need your beat to last. But for everyday use, I would probably skip this one and opt for a more user-friendly setting spray. There are other mattifying mists out there (like the Urban Decay De-Slick or Cover FX Mattifying Setting Spray) that seem to have better, more reliable results.
Of course, as with all makeup, your mileage may vary! What didn’t quite work for me could be magic for you. And if you do decide to give the Fix+ Matte a try, definitely keep your receipt…and maybe buy it directly from a MAC store or counter so you can exchange or return if needed.
At the end of the day, I’m glad I satisfied my curiosity and gave this much-discussed product a shot, but I don’t think I’ll be repurchasing. I’m still on the hunt for my perfect shine-stopping setting spray…the search continues! If you have a mattifying mist that you absolutely love, drop it in the comments below and help a girl out.
I hope this honest review was helpful and informative! Remember, just because something is hyped up or works for your favorite beauty guru doesn’t mean it’s going to be a slam dunk for you. Always do your research, read reviews from people with similar skin types/concerns, and don’t be afraid to experiment to find your ideal products. At the end of the day, makeup should be fun – not frustrating!
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xoxo,
Jess
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