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Tag Archives: primer
Dollface Reviews: GOSH Velvet Touch Foundation Primer
My beloved Smashbox Photo Finish Primer has got to that stage where there’s so little left that it only gets to come out on special occasions, and rather than pony up the cash for a new tube, I decided to try out the GOSH Velvet Touch Foundation Primer I wrote about a few weeks ago.
This cost me £12.99 compared to the £23.50, plus shipping, I’d have paid to replace the Smashbox product, so it was a reasonable saving. Was it a reasonable primer, though? Well, to be honest, I was in two minds about buying it: when I last mentioned it here, a few you of mentioned that you’d found it very greasy, and obviously that’s one of the last things I wanted from a primer! However, the tester in Superdrug reassured me a little: the product looked and felt very similar to the Smashbox primer, so I decided to take a chance on it, and so far I haven’t been disappointed.
While this definitely isn’t of the same kind of quality as Smashbox (it’s £10 cheaper for a reason), it does have similar qualities: the clear gel goes on smoothly, and has a lovely, silky feel to it, which transfers to my skin, leaving it smooth and soft, ready for foundation. So far I haven’t had any issues with greasiness – in fact, I actually find it makes my t-zone less shiny, which is a big point in its favour. I do think it’s one of those “little goes a long way” kind of products, though – I use just a very small dollop of it to cover my entire face, and I think if I used any more than that I may run unto problems, as it doesn’t absorb as well, or as quickly, as Photo Finish.
Overall, though, I’m pretty pleased with this, and although it isn’t going to take over from Smashbox on my Holy Grail list, it does make a good budget alternative for now.
Click here to buy it from Superdrug.
Smashbox release Photo Finish Luminizing Foundation Primer
I know, I know: I talk about Smashbox’s Photo Finish Primer A LOT here (and, just to give you fair warning, I have a version of this en route to me as I type this, which I’ll be reviewing soon), but in my defence:
1. It’s awesome.
2. They’ve just released this new “Luminizing” version.
Now, Sephora don’t give a whole lot of information about this product. From the description, I can see that the formula itself is the same as the other Photo Finish Primers, so we can expect it to feel like skin, and make our faces smooth, soft and ready for foundation. What’s different about this formula, however, is that it’s a colour described as “sheer golden beige”, which will apparently give skin a “beautiful luminous glow.”
I’m all for the beautiful luminous glow, but I suspect the “golden beige” bit will be a problem for my not-even-remotely-golden-or-beige skin, so this sounds like it’ll be much better on those of you who have that kind of skin tone naturally (or get it from a bottle). Either way, it’s always great to see new incarnations of my favourite primer: the more, the merrier, right?
This is $38 at Sephora.
Dollface Reviews: Sephora Smoothing Primer – a good alternative to Smashbox Photo Finish
This was actually one of the samples I was given in Sephora last month, but I liked it enough to use it up, and wish I’d purchased the full-size bottle, because this is a really nice primer, and while it’s not exactly cheap at $15, it’s still cheaper than what I’ve been paying (about $36) for my usual Smashbox Photo Finish.
For me, comparisons to that Holy Grail of primers are always inevitable, but in this case there are even more similarities: like the Smashbox product, this is a clear gel, and like Smashbox, as soon as it hits your skin, it transforms into a gorgeous, silky finish which makes your skin feel super-smooth and velvety, making an excellent base for makeup, and holding it in place all day without any difficulty.
To continue the comparison, I’d say this isn’t quite as good as the Smashbox product at controlling oiliness: it does have a mattifying effect, but it’s not quite as long-lasting as the other product. It also feels a little greasier/heavier on the skin, and doesn’t absorb quite as easily, although I’ve found that leaving it to sink in for a couple of minutes before applying the rest of my makeup resolves that issue. With that said, the difference in price and similarity in texture and quality will probably make me reach for this next time I’m in Sephora, purely because it seems like better value, and does exactly what I need it to.
Benefit Stay Don’t Stray primer for concealer and eyeshadow
Another new release from Benefit!
This is called ‘Stay Don’t Stray’ (you’ve no idea how many times I’ve gotten that the wrong way round in my head, and thought of it as “Stray Don’t Stay’, which obviously has the exact opposite meaning!), and it’s what Benefit describe as a ’360 degree primer’ for the eye area. What this means is that you basically spray it in a circle covering your entire eye (you’ll want to close ‘em first, obviously), and the product will prime the area ready for the application of under-eye concealer and eye shadows.
The shade is said to be “universally flattering” (I never quite trust claims like that, but the proof is in the wearing…), and it will also brighten the eye area and minimise the appearance of fine lines. Once it’s on, it claims to keep your concealer crease-free: ditto for your eyeshadow, which should also stay put and retain the vibrancy of its colour.
Want to try it? I do, but of course you knew I’d say that.
It’s $24 from Sephora.
Smashbox Super-size Photo Finish Foundation Primer
Smashbox’s Photo Finish Foundation Primer is one of my Holy Grail beauty products, and I know I’m not alone in that. The only problem with this product for me is that, as it’s not particularly cheap, I tend to use it sparingly, because I don’t want to suddenly find myself with an important event to attend (because THAT happens a lot – not) and – gasp! – no Photo Finish Primer! I know, it’s stupid: I should just use it and enjoy it, for tomorrow we may die! And I somehow doubt that as I lie on my deathbed I’ll be thinking, “Well, I’m glad I didn’t finish up that bottle of Smashbox Foundation Primer!”
Anyway, I’ve found something that will allow me to use my primer with gay abandon. Well, something like that, anyway. It’s this super-sized version which is available from QVC. It’s exactly the same product, just in a different tube, and with twice the amount in it, so 2 oz rather than the 1 oz you usually get. The regular sized bottle is $36 at Sephora, but QVC are selling twice the amount for $49, which seems like a good deal to me, especially for a product I know I’d get a lot of use out of. You can get the same deal at Amazon.com. If you’re in the UK it’s called Jumbo Primer and it’s currently sold out at QVC but you can join the waiting list here.
New Product: Benefits’ ‘That Gal’ brightening face primer
I heard about this via Jen’s blog, Glossing Over It, this weekend, and was so excited I almost wet myself. Sorry, am I over-sharing here?
As you all know, I lovelovelove Benefit, so a new product launch from them is always good news. This one is particularly good news, though, because, well, it sounds like a particularly good product. It’s a face primer, but unlike Benefit’s currently available primer, Doctor Feelgood, this one will also brighten your skin, rather than just preparing it for makeup. According to Benefit, "It’s a silky pink primer that makes skin appear smoother &
brighter. Wear alone for clear complexion radiance or apply before
makeup for smooth, effortless application. Re-brighten during the day
with "that gal."
It’s $27 and currently only available in the US, but no doubt coming soon to an eBay auction near you.
Buy it: Benefit
