The Smashbox primer was my first ever, I bought the mini version (0.5 oz or 14g) on eBay for something like £12, which, in my opinion, it's reaallllly not worth, but more of that later!
In the bottle it's white and when applied it's clear (obviously!) and scentless. My biggest pore problem on my face is either side of my nose, and I've always struggled to get my makeup to stay on for long enough- like, the whole day please!- even though I've not got oily skin. I don't think it really does anything for either of those problems and this annoys me hugely having paid so much for it (compared to the other two anyway!) and after using it a few times I really didn't see why people raved about it so much, and I still don't by the way! and why anyone bothered using primer at all. I'd definitely not repurchase this, or encourage anyone to buy it, I was tempted by watching QVC (I like the make up shows ok?! :P) and was hugely disappointed.
Enter ELF's studio line!
Priced at £6 for 14g- half the price of the Smashbox primer- this was the one that changed my view on primers, smooth and silky- yummm, silicone!- on my face it leaves my pores looking much much smaller and my make up looks more flawless, stays on longer, and doesn't cling to any dry patches that I may have on my face.
I used this everyday almost without fail though the pump annoyed me as the primer was a little too thick to get through and the way the bottle is shaped means that when you're getting near the bottom it doesn't reach the primer so you have to unscrew it and use it off the pump "straw"- what do you call it!?- that goes into the bottle. Not a huge deal but niggly!
I bought Avon's MagiX face perfector because I wanted something with SPF in for the summer, having it in a primer was ideal and this is SPF 20 rather than a rubbishy 12 or 15.
It retails at £10 on Avon's website (though it's currently included in a 2 for £12 deal!) but I bought it on ebay postage free for £7. There's 30ml in the bottle, which I can't seem to convert, sorry!
My biggest problem with it is it's scent. It's really, really strong when you first get it out of the tube and it's very offputting, especially first thing in the morning.The smell disappears not too long after it comes out of the tube though and I imagine it's connected somehow to the sun protection.
The consistency of this is slightly different to both ELF's and Smashbox's primers, it's a little thicker and harder to spread over your face, but not too difficult that it's a problem, and you probably wouldn't notice it if you'd not just been using silky smooth ELF's one!
The Avon one still makes my face feel smoother, but it doesn't do anything for dry patches on my face. My face isn't dry overall but I get little bits (forehead & nose for example) that get flaky and no amount of moisturiser or exfoliator completely fixes this. This primer, unlike the ELF one doesn't help my makeup go on smoothly over these patches and I don't feel that my make up goes on as well over it, it gets a little patchy for some reason. Basically, I'm actually quite unimpressed with this, it's meant to be £4 more than the ELF one and in my opinion it really underperforms. Definitely wouldn't repurchase and probably won't even continue to use it!
Overally I'd really, really recommend ELF's studio mineral infused primer out of all of them, and they currently have free shipping for today (when ELF get a certain number of fans on their facebook page they often have free shipping, become a fan/"like" it-I still don't get that- to keep up to date with that!) when you use the code 39KLIKEELFUK.
What primer do you use?
I also wanted to say a huge thank you to all my wonderful followers, I've reached 30 today!
Rachel xx
6 comments:
Thanks, youve just saved me £12! I was going to buy 2 things from this months Avon (I only really wanted the Magix though!).. It sounds rubbish!
I have the same Smashbox one too, although mine isn't white, its more clear looking? I didn't noticed much of a difference with it, and like you - I paid so much (and on Ebay as well!) I ended up thinking Id save it for special occasions.. Then I lost it! lol
I might give the ELF one a go soon though, thanks :)
You're welcome lovely! I'd really encourage you to go for it.. Maybe you'll get some more use out of that MAHOOSIVE foundation collection of yours with a decent primer underneath!
I think mine's white because it's the "light" oil free one :) xx
I really like the MagiX. Apart from the weird smell I think it suits me quite well, but then again, I dont have overly dry patches on my face. I may take a look at the ELF one, I love their studio line stuff!
x
Louisa, I think I'd have got on with it fine had it not been for the fact that the studio line just worked so well, so I expected at least that level from it! x
Great post, I've been wanting to try some new primers... will look into ELF's! Have you tried GOSH? that's nice too but it's absorbed reeeeeally fast! hxx
I've not tried the GOSH primer, though I use their eyeshadow base which I like. May have a look at that! I want to try just the normal ELF eye primer too though, bargain at like £1.50! xx
Post a Comment