I have been on the hunt for a good primer especially with the hottest and most humid months of the year fastly approaching. I've used Benefit's
POREfessional and
Stay Flawless in the past, and while both worked nicely, neither gave me the all day coverage I was looking for. I would say the Stay Flawless worked better than the POREfessional, but no where near the 15 hours they claim for it to work. I'd say more like 4-5 hours before I'm reaching for the oil blotting papers.
After a recommendation from the fabulous
Deborah, I purchased the Too Faced
Hangover Replenishing Face Primer during Sephora's Spring VIB Sale. I must say this primer is fabulous for illuminating my skin and hydration, however I still find myself reaching for oil blotting papers by lunchtime. It definitely works better than other primers I've tried in the past few years, but I still haven't found "the one".
I've also tried Maybelline's Baby Skin Instant Pore
Eraser recently when I picked it up from Target *of course*. I will say it's definitely not a primer, and unfortunately I didn't see a difference in it minimizing my pores at all. I was hoping that it would compare to Benefit's POREfessional, and it definitely fell short. So much for wishing for a cheaper dupe.
I will say that it was great in smoothing out my skin before applying primer and then my regular makeup. But it just felt like an unnecessary extra step in my skin care routine, and I was disappointed that it did nothing to minimize my pores or control oil.
What primers have you tried out lately? Any fails or total wins?
Oh no I'm sad that one didn't work for you! I rarely wear a primer - only when I'm doing my makeup for something fancy but my mom actually swears by one from L'Oreal...she picked up her 2nd one this past weekend! When I do wear mine I used Makeup Forever...it's what I used for my wedding too! xo, Biana -BlovedBoston
ReplyDeleteUgh, it's never fun when beauty products don't work out. I use the Mary Kay primer and find it does it's job and doesn't make my face oily. But I only wear it for special occasions.
ReplyDeleteI still havent found a truly great oil contol primer or moisturizer but I have heard great things about the Hangover one! Like B said, Ive heard great things about Makeup Forever too! My friend swears by it!
ReplyDelete<3, Pamela
Sequins & Sea Breezes
I am a BIG believer in a great primer, sometimes I mix a drop of mine with tinted moisturizer when I don't want to wear foundation. I have heard amazing things about Makeup Forever and my personal favorite that I just discovered (it's newer) is Kiehl's Micro-Blur Skin Perfector. I am a BIG fan, and they will give a sample to try before you buy at any Kiehl's counter!
ReplyDeletei wish i could help you but i've never used a primer. i think i've tried pore minimizers but then again i don't even wash my face. TERRIBLE. i should get on that since i'm all old. anyway - sorry the dupe didn't work out! back to the drawing board! xo
ReplyDeletecheshirekatblog.com
No primers but I tried the Tarte BB cream and it made my face break out in cystic acne. And this is why I don't wear face makeup. LOL
ReplyDeletei hardly ever wear primer - but with all the weddings and such i have coming up, it seems to really kick up your look a lot. thanks for the good and honest review!
ReplyDeleteI've been meaning to get a primer for so long, I never use it, and I think you just inspired me to finally get that errand done this weekend!
ReplyDeleteI use Laura Mercier oil-free primer. At Sephora, you can usually find a small tube in the bins near the register.
ReplyDeleteTraci
waltzmetoheaven.com
I've been using the Smashbox photo finish primer and a CoTz one that I love for the summer - it's sold as a sunscreen but is basically a tinted primer. I think what makes a big difference in how you use a primer is if you use a moisturizer before wait at least 5 mins before applying the primer, that gives time for the moisturizer to melt into your skin and not make the primer slip around. Also I think what kind of foundation you use over it can make a difference too! I used the Tarte primer with a Garnier liquid bb creme and it was a disaster! But when I used it with a power foundation it looked great! It's all trial and error!
ReplyDeleteThe Smashbox Photo Finish Primer is AMAZING! I would definitely recommend that one. It is very lightweight, too.
ReplyDeletePrimers are so dang difficult. I need to find the "one" as well
ReplyDeleteI have been using Rimmel BB cream the last month instead of primer. I got the matte one and it is only $4.99 at Target!!! The combination of that and their matte press powder of my Urban Decay foundation has been lasting most of the day. Not allllll day. But my face is always super oily so it works better than most expensive brands that I tried and fell short. The best thing is, on Sundays? All I wear is the BB cream and it has enough coverage and evens out my skin on its own without needing heavy foundation for just running errands, And it has SPF in it!
ReplyDeleteSuch a bummer it didn't work well for you. It must be hard too because it's hotter there so you are more likely to sweat it off. Hope you find "the one" soon.
ReplyDeleteSo since neither of these worked out for you...what's your favorite primer? I always forget to apply primer before my makeup in the morning. It's more of a special occasion product for me.
ReplyDeletetoo bad it didn't work out very well; i hate getting products and they don't work. i don't do primer; hell, i don't even wear much makeup but i have heard good things about Korres primers.
ReplyDeleteI actually haven't used primer before haha do you have a favorite since these 2 weren't so great? I want to try a good primer but I never know which one to buy!
ReplyDeletexo, Candace | Lovely Little Rants
I wasn't too impressed with the Baby Skin, but I've never used the Porefessional to compare it to. Everyone seems to love that one though!
ReplyDeleteBummer you can't find the perfect one for your skin! I've been using the MUFE since they re-formulated it and loving it!
ReplyDeleteTarte!!! Best one I have found by far.
ReplyDeleteI don't have primer....but I do have the same seashell votive holder that you do. lol. I never use primer but I totally should. I'm not a big makeup person. I'm too lazy. haha. Happy Weekend!!
ReplyDeleteHave you tried using a matte finishing spray? I typically prime my face with the smashbox oil free photo finish primer ( a bit pricy) then once I am done applying all of my face make up and before i start my eye makeup, I spray my face with the nyx matte finishing spray-does the trick for me! I have also heard that l'oreal makes a new matte finishing spray I have yet to try it though!
ReplyDelete