For all of my adult life, I’ve dreamed of having the perfect complexion (a ‘dollface’, if you will…) without having to plaster myself in makeup every morning. Which is why, when I started reading all the buzz about Philosophy’s ‘The Present’, I just knew it must be mine.
First things first: this won’t make my dream of "perfect skin without makeup" come true, because it IS actually makeup. This much is obvious. As to what kind of makeup it IS, though, well, that one’s a little harder to answer. It’s sold as foundation, and is described as "clear makeup", which seems to suggest to me that it’s basically a primer, albeit one that could just be worn on its own, if it really is as good as the reviews I’ve been reading lately seem to suggest it is.
Most reviewers suggest that this is a little miracle worker, best used on its own for a natural-but-perfect look. Natural-but-perfect. I could totally live with that. A smaller number of people, of course, are saying that it either makes no difference, or is too glue-like for words. It’s going on my Wish List, anyway. Anyone tried it and want to tell me what to expect?
Others say that you can only use it under powder, no cream or liquid foundation!
I bought this in my last trip to Sephora (where I hoarded as many products as I could) – it’s essentially a very good primer. I wouldn’t wear it without foundation personally as it wasn’t quite the poreless perfection (ahem) I was after, my skin has a bit of uneven colouring as well. Philosophy also suggest using it as a moisturiser if you have oily skin and if you didn’t feel like wearing makeup it could be a good option as it was a decent mattifier. I personally prefer YSL’s Matt touch primer, best I’ve tried!