I thought face mists were a joke — now they're my beauty staple

It's weird how vividly I remember one particular moment from when I was a teen. I was walking through the beauty department of my local Shoppers Drug Mart, likely headed to check out the on-sale Calgon scents, when I spotted a bottle of Evian Facial Spray. "Evian? Like the bottled water?" I wondered. "Seriously, why would you need to spritz fancy-ass water on your face? What a money grab! Who would buy that?"

Fast forward 11 years and guess who has not one but five varieties of face mists on her desk? Yep, that'd be me. Every day, around 3 p.m., I take a spritz break at my desk: three to four pumps of hydrating mist settles over my face, neck and décolletage. Sometimes, on really sticky days when my morning bike commute leaves me dripping, I spritz upon arrival. (To my 16-year-old self in the Calgary Shoppers, I say: "Ohhh, just wait until you live in humid Toronto.") Sometimes, if I'm headed to an event after work, I end the day with another shower of spritz. The takeaway? I love me a good face mist.

And while I realize these products are not essentials, they've been a truly excellent addition to my cubicle life. Here's why:

• They provide that 3 p.m. jolt sans caffeine or sugar. Of course I sometimes still go for the latter option (I'm not a monster), but the combo of  moisture and uplifting fragrance is often enough to perk me up when the afternoon drags.
• They're like a 30-second trip to the spa. Especially the mists with essential oils like rosemary and rose.
• They refresh your face. Headed into an afternoon meeting? Spritz 10 minutes prior and you'll have that fresh, dewy glow (warning: spritz immediately before and you'll just look clammy).
• They hydrate. I have extremely dry skin, which is only aggravated by an air conditioned office. Anything that provides a surge of moisture and doesn't require slathering on messy cream is a godsend.
• They just feel great. I don't feel like I need to justify it anymore (talking to you, 16-year-old me).

Here's my current lineup:

1. Vichy Mineralizing Thermal Water. A fine but steady stream of mineral water from Vichy, France. I like to use this one post-sweaty commute or any old time I need an instant cool down. Bonus: It's scentless, so it won't bother your cubiclemates. $13, Vichy.
2. Farmacy Skin Dew Hydrating Essence Mist & Setting Spray. This one falls in the "micro spa" category — it smells of rosemary, bergamot and peppermint. And don't worry about the green colour: it comes from the brand's star ingredient, Echinacea GreenEnvy, and it won't stain your clothes. $57, Sephora.
3. Caudalie Beauty Elixir. This too is like a little trip to the spa, especially if you close your eyes and really breathe in the orange blossom, rose, organic balm mint and rosemary essences. From $22, Caudalie.
4. Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist. The spray is precise, so it doesn't land anywhere you don't want it to. The subtle rose fragrance definitely travels, but I suspect your neighbours won't mind (mine don't!).  From $22, Sephora.
5. Ole Henriksen Truth Facial Water. A new addition to my lineup, and great for that pre-meeting glow—it's all about "energizing and hydrating" with a combo of mandarin, white tea and pomegranate. $28, Sephora.

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