I know that not everyone feels that primers are necessary but personally I almost always use one after my moisturiser and before I apply any makeup. I think it really depends on what your skin is like. If you have great skin with no uneven skin tone and you find that your makeup lasts for ages then you wouldn’t really need a primer. However because I have uneven skin tone on my cheeks (they get VERY rosy!) and also around my nose, I need a good base for my makeup. Basically, when I use a primer, I use less foundation/concealer which for me is a bonus because it creates a more natural look.
I use different primers for different purposes. For example, I like to use my Estee Lauder Illuminating Primer for a glowy look but Loreal Studio Secrets Smoothing Resurfacing Primer is better for a soft matte flawless look. I love the Loreal Primer but the only thing that bothers me about it is that I seem to have to use loads for each application so the jar is finished in no time.
I have combination skin and tend to get a bit oily/shiny on my T-Zone so I really need a primer that will mop up any excess shine and reduce how much I have to touch up with powder. No matter how light the powder is, re-applying it over the course of the day will clog your skin up and possibly create a cakey finish, which is NOT the look I’m going for!
Bare Minerals have a new primer called ‘Prime Time Oil Control Foundation Primer’ which has been “developed to combat flaky dryness, rough patches, fine lines, excess oil, enlarged pores, and uneven texture, this mineral-infused, satin-finish formula glides on seamlessly with no tacky feel to provide a skin-smoothing complexion prior to Bare Minerals SPF 15 Foundation application. Infused with soothing plant extracts, antioxidants, and nourishing vitamins C and E for added age-defying power”.
An important thing to note is also that this product is formulated with no Parabens, Sulfates, Synthetic Fragrances, Synthetic Dyes, Petro-Chemicals or Phthalates. This makes it a bit more accessible to people who have really sensitive skin. So, here’s a quick run down of the Pro’s and Con’s…
PRO’s
Leaves skin silky smooth
Sinks in quickly and leaves no tacky feeling or residue
Has ingredients that improve your skin as you’re wearing it
Oil Free
Goes on evenly and creates a matte base for makeup
Lightweight Formula
A little goes a long way (just one pump for the whole face)
Practical packaging
Makeup goes on more evenly and lasts longer (less requirements for touch ups)
Didn’t cause any breakouts
CON’s
It contains Silicon (which I know some people have a real problem with)
Packaging is a bit basic and not very exciting
I like the fact that this primer contains natural oil-absorbing minerals so it doesn’t irritate or clog up my skin. I think it offers good value for money since you only need one pump to cover your whole face (although I only need to apply it to my T-Zone area to stop shine). It creates a really good base for makeup (I use liquid foundation over it instead of powder foundation though). It doesn’t create any cakey-ness or residue and with soothing ingredients like liquorice, chamomile and aloe, it feels like I’m doing something good for my skin when I’m wearing it.
My makeup definitely lasts longer when I use this and I haven’t had to powder my T-Zone at all during a normal day at work (this is based on applying my makeup at 7am and getting home at 5:30pm). So in my opinion, that is really good! I can’t stand it when my forehead, nose and chin get all shiny so I’m really chuffed that I’ve found a product that can be applied on these areas to keep it under control. It also means I won’t go through my powder quite so quickly now. My makeup looks natural all day long now but I think that for more extreme conditions (say a night out dancing), I would probably still have to touch up my T-Zone with powder. Something else I noticed was that although I had a breakout of spots over last weekend, they seem to have been soothed by using this…I’m guessing it must be the Aloe in it!
Overall, this product has performed really well and I’ve been impressed by it’s mattifying properties. I will definitely continue to use this on my T-Zone from now on.
A good place to get this product from is www.feelunique.com where you get a 30 ml bottle for £15.30 including Postage & Packaging.
