The big trend for summer 2026? Hybrid mists that set makeup and protect from the sun. We tested Kiko’s.
Summer 2026 marks the arrival of a beauty gesture that many have been waiting for without really daring to believe in it. Until now, you had to choose: fix your makeup so that it lasts all day, or protect your skin from the sun at the risk of it all running from the first application. Brands have finally resolved the dilemma with a new generation of hybrid mists, both setting and with a high SPF. The product that combines mascara hold and the fight against skin aging now exists, and it comes in a spray format.
Why is this so new? Because the technical prowess is real. Bringing together, in a light mist, polymers capable of locking in makeup in heatwaves and powerful sun filters (up to SPF 50) was a formulation puzzle. Too many filters weigh down the texture and leave a white veil; too few fixatives and the makeup doesn’t last. This balance is just starting to become more popular, and that’s what makes these mists the real trend of the season.
This is where the new product from Kiko comes into play: the Urban Shield Fix & Protect Mist SPF 50, at only €16.99. We salute the brand’s initiative, which makes this cutting-edge trend accessible to everyone, without relying on luxury references. On paper, it promises everything: to hydrate thanks to hyaluronic acid, to set makeup and to offer high sun protection, all wrapped in a delicious smell of monoi.
In use, the verdict is more nuanced, and it can be read from the composition. Kiko has placed alcohol as the very first ingredient: it is this which ensures the express drying, the fresh effect and the perfect transparency of the filters, without white veil. The downside is that it can tingle sensitive skin. In terms of protection, nothing to complain about: the filters are modern, broad-spectrum and without controversial molecules. To achieve this level, the brand has focused on rich oils, hence the very luminous finish.
And that’s the whole point. On the sensory side, it’s a marvel: the monoi scent is addictive and the glow enhances normal to dry skin. This very present solar trail will be a hit with lovers of summer scents, but it is better to know it if you prefer fragrance-free facial care. On combination skin like mine, below 30°C, this glow quickly turns into a slightly oily shine, and the fixing power remains below the brand’s classic sprays.
Basically, Kiko succeeds where we least expected it: to democratize a real feat of formulation at less than 17 euros. Go for it if your priority is to reapply an SPF over makeup, you like the luminous finish and delicious solar fragrances. But skip it if you’re looking for a long-lasting mattifying effect, or if scented treatments aren’t your cup of tea.
