Saturday, September 5, 2009

Review: Face Primers


I have been trying out a few different face primers lately. During the summer time i always use a primer because i feel that my foundation and powder will last all day. It is very hot where i live 9 months out of the year. However, in the summer months the heat index is usually 105 or higher with 90% humidity..it's horrible in South Texas. You can only imagine what my face looks like on a hot day..well just a big ol hot mess.

First i tried out Laura Geller's Welcome Matte and loved the outcome. It is gel based and only need a small amount applied to the face. It does what it is intended to do. Reduces shine and gives me a nice matte finish. The primer left my face shine free for well
l over 10 hours. I really only concentrated the use of this product on my T Zone area where i tend to be the oiliest. On days that i didn't feel like wearing a liquid foundation i would use Welcome Matte and set it with MAC MSF Natural and it was lovely. Another great part about this product is that is actually reduced the look of my pores on my cheeks. Which is always nice because the pores on my cheeks are slightly more pronounced than any where else on my face. I am very happy with this product and it's ability to keep my face looking matte and shine free. Laura Geller's Welcome Matte is $23.50 for .05 oz and can be purchased at Sephora or www.laurageller.com

The second primer i tested out was Smashbox's Photo Finish Primer in Light. I have never tried out the original version of this primer, but have read other reviews saying it was not good for people with oily skin. I think this is a great primer for ladies with oily skin. It goes on light and feels weightless. It doesn't leave your skin feeling like an oil slick like some other primers might. A little goes a long way with this product when applying to the face. I applied all over my face after i moisturized and my skin was smooth and ready to apply my foundation. This primer made my liquid foundation go on so smoothly and effortlessly. Smashbox claims that the vitamins and antioxidants will smooth and perfect skin over time. I have noticed a significant amount of change in my complexion when using the primer. I feel this is a great primer to use any time of the year and will work for just about every skin type. Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Light cost $36 and can be purchased at Sephora or www.smashbox.com.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I tried the original Smashbox, and I didn't like it after awhile. I have combination skin (though I've more dry lately) and it didn't keep the oil from forming on my t-zone. I also felt like my skin was sort of filmy. It's like I could feel the primer sitting on my skin under my makeup. I think it may have blocked my pores as well, because I remember breaking out while using it. I think you're right that the light would be better for oily/combo skin than the original.

Kalmo said...

Thanks for these great face primers reviews Jen! Enjoy your weekend. :)

Anonymous said...

Ohhhhh I cannot imagine that kind of heat! I would be a puddle on the floor!

Great review, I agree with you about the original Smashbox Primer. I found it a little heavy for my oily skin so I may just have to look into the light one!

Sara (The Makeup Snob.com) said...

both of these sound fabulous. I used the smashbox primer before but didnt love it. SO I moved on to other things. The LG one sounds fab!

Shop N' Chomp said...

Thank you for the reviews! I need to look into the Laura Geller one as I have some enlarged pores on my cheeks too.