You know those cans of Evian spray you pass at department store beauty counters? Ever feel they are elitist? Or just downright unnecessary? Thought so. Should you be using mineral water spray on your winter skin? Here’s the deal.

Yes, those pristine looking cans evoke a diamond-laden European woman basking in the French Riviera sun. But the benefits of facial water sprays go far beyond cooling the skin whilst sunbathing.

Mineral water spray does everything from set makeup, to give you the best facial cleansing of your life. Another perk of this beauty pick-me-up – it’s one product that works on every single skin type. Hard to go wrong.

So what, exactly, is mineral water spray? As the name implies, these cans of water are sourced from natural thermal or mineral springs. Of course, the ones with no added junky ingredients are healthiest for skin. So, green gals, read your labels prior to purchase.

Before we get started on how to use facial water mists, let’s talk about how not to use them. You know how it is a thing to pack a can of Evian in your carry on for mid-flight spritzing? Great idea, if (and only if) you are also supplying skin with some true moisture in the form of healthy oils. No moisturizing ingredients and the water will suck the life right out of your skin once it dries, so always follow up with moisturizer.

There are other benefits to mineral water sprays, too. French women have been known to use these cans of spray water to remove cleanser from skin, instead of using tap water. Sounds pretty chichi, but tap water can contain heavy metals and chlorine, which can dry out skin. Consider your cleansing game officially chic.

Ever wonder how to set your makeup? Wonder what it even means to set your makeup? You know that powdery, almost geisha look skin can have after you’ve applied skincare, foundation, and powder. A light spray of facial water (think mist, not soak) takes the edge off of the powdery finish and helps makeup to stay put.

If you like a sheer layer of foundation, facial water mists come in handy here too. Mist your sponge or beauty blender prior to applying your makeup. Foundation goes on smooth and fluid.

Facial water mist is also good for ramping up the intensity of powder makeup. Use it to turn your favorite smoky shadow into intense eyeliner.

Not just for face, mineral water spray gives hair a boost too. If your coif falls flat midday, reactivate your styling product with a spritz of water and give strands a scrunch.

Ok, now that you know how to use mineral water spray, let’s take a look at which you should get your hands on.

Just Water

Avène Thermal Spring Water

La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water

Evian Mineral Water Spray

Water + Hydrating Ingredients

Kahina Giving Beauty Toning Mist

Josh Rosebrook Hydrating Accelerator

YULI Metamorphic Elixir

*Disclaimer: Help support EcoSalon! Our site is dedicated to helping people live a conscious lifestyle. We’ve provided some affiliate links above in case you wish to purchase any of these products.

Related on EcoSalon

Are Your pH Levels Causing Acne or Wrinkles?

How to Give Up Bottled Water

3 Winter Makeup Looks Get Earthy: Taking Taupe to the Next Level

Mineral water spray image via Shutterstock

The post Mineral Water Spray: How You Should (and Shouldn’t) Use It appeared first on EcoSalon.

There is a mind-boggling array of branded waters on the market. The bottles come in all shapes and sizes, from the square Fiji option, with its dubious political connections, to the diminutive pink Evian vessel. It all adds up to a huge headache for the environment, which is why giving up bottled water should be a high priority for anyone aspiring to be green.

But not all plastic water bottles are eco-enemies. Now, a new type of container is entering the fray and it might just make tap water fashionable again. Could the so-called Water Bobble be a new superhero in the water wars?

I came across the Water Bobble via the Luxist and I must admit I’m completely smitten. It has a cute jelly-bean shape, comes in six jewel colors, and best of all, it has a carbon filter to purify the water that comes out of the tap. It launched just a few weeks ago and I can imagine it being a big hit this summer!

I’m lucky enough to live in San Francisco, where the tap water is good quality, but that’s not the case for everyone. More than 20% of the US water treatment systems have violated the Safe Drinking Water Act in the past five years, according to the New York Times. At just $9.95, the Water Bobble could be a stylish solution to satisfy both eco-concerns and fears over water quality.

These glass bottles in a colorful silicon sleeve from Lifefactory are also pretty cute, although they don’t have a nifty carbon filter attached. I’m probably less likely to carry glass around when I’m on the move but it’s an elegant solution for chilling water at home. Glass is eco-friendly and free of toxins and the wide mouth makes it easy to add ice, mint leaves or slices of lemon. Lifefactory make baby bottles as well.

Finally, if it’s fizzy water or sweet sodas that you crave, I highly recommend the Soda Stream. It is a small machine that sits on your counter top and lets you carbonate water out of the tap. There are a variety of flavors of syrup – from cola to root beer – but in our house we mainly use it for water as it’s healthier that way. It doesn’t use electricity and it comes with two reusable plastic bottles and a refillable carbon cylinder so it produces zero waste (except maybe for empty syrup containers, which can be recycled). I gave my husband one for Christmas and he declared it to be the best Christmas present he’s received since he was a kid. It’s green and definitely fun to use!

The post Bobble Up! Meet the New Eco Cutie of the Bottled Water Industry appeared first on EcoSalon.