Make Up Primer Recommendation

Asha

Hi all
i was wondering if anyone uses a good primer. I find it hard to get products to suit my skin.
I suffer from mild acne & have scarring from it also. I need a product that wont clog my pores but will help smooth out my skin before I put foundation on.
All suggestions welcome
Thanks:)

dcfc

I use the smashbox photo finish one. It feels great going on, leaves your skin all silky and it is lightweight as well. Keeps my make up on great, it is expensive but I think it's worth it.

convert

I use smashbox too, and I'm still undecided about it. I find it goes well with some types of make up, but I've recently changed my foundation and don't think it blends as well with smashbox as my previous one. I think it's a case of 'when it is good, it's very, very good', but if it doesn't work well with your foundation you're better off looking elsewhere.

Does anyone know if you can get samples of primers to bring home and test?

The Lovely Muffin

Copied from another thread lol:o

I use Gosh Velvet Touch Foundation Primer and think it's fab.

I think its about €18 though for the facial foundation, so not exactly cheap, sorry. I also use the Gosh Velvet Touch Eye Primer and find it good. But, tbph, eye facial primer does just as good job as the eye primer, the only real difference is the price. I also have the Gosh Eyeshadow Base and found it good tbh.

It might be cheaper if you buy online.

These threads may also be of some help.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=66835308
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=66015927
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=64162086

Asha

Hi all
thanks for your suggestions.
Purple bobbin thanks for the links. I had a look at them & there are loads of recommendations!

I'll have to check which is best for my skin.
Acne is such a pain:mad:

asha

angelxx

+1 for gosh velvet touch primer, really good product. One of the best I've used.

Storminateacup

At the moment I've got a MAC primer, Smashbox photofinsh and GOSH Velvet touch in my kit, and I'd recommend GOSH.

It feels fantastic on and wears extremely well.

hootietootie

Primark/Penneys primer has gotten loads and loads of great reviews in magazines and on tv-I bought it about 8 weeks ago, but havent worn makeup since so not sure if its good or not, but for 3e where would you be going!!

The Big Red Button

Smashbox is fantastic, I love it, but I find that the pump often breaks (I drop things a lot ) and it's impossible to get it out after that. I said it to a girl at the Smashbox counter before when I was buying it, she said that they're always getting complaints about that.

I tried a Lancome one and it's just as good as Smashbox and a little bit cheaper - but I found that it didn't last anywhere near as long, so not good value for money.

I've heard great things about the Gosh one and am definitely going to try it when I run out.

lainey316

I'm currently trying the Loreal studio secrets ones, the one in the pot is good. The normal one is just like smashbox.

The Laura Mercier is definitely NOT worth the money.

Madame Razz

Wasn't a huge fan of the Laura Mercier either; quite over rated I thought. I used MAC prep n prime for a bit also but I found it quite clogging tbph.

The Smashbox one is brilliant. I love it. Buy the small tubes of it tho as the full size bottle's design is terrible and you end up wasting loads.

I do like the Benefit one; it smells nice and I like how you can control the amount you need. There isn't much of it per tube tho so you use it up quite quickly tho. Dior did a lovely one as part of their summer collection but it can't be got any more:(

Both Shiseido and Chanel do luminizing bases which are lovely also, which work well as primers and are great if you are tired looking. Clarins Beauty flash balm is not a primer, but definately improves the texture and appearance of your skin prior to wearing make up and generally boosts all round radiance; it's bloody brilliant when you're hungover

dudara

I've been using Clarin's Beauty Flash Balm lately as well as the L'Oreal Studio Secrets version (in the little pot). TBH, I like the feel from the L'Oreal, but I don't notice any major difference from either brand.

The Big Red Button

FUtoo wrote: »

The Smashbox one is brilliant. I love it. Buy the small tubes of it tho as the full size bottle's design is terrible and you end up wasting loads.

Where can you get the small tubes on their own? I've only ever seen them on sale as part of a special offer with the full size one.

Asphyxia

Smashbox photo finish, MAC prep and prime and for my eyes Urban Decay primer potion

Madame Razz

chatterpillar wrote: »

Where can you get the small tubes on their own? I've only ever seen them on sale as part of a special offer with the full size one.

Most places that sell Smashbox sell the smaller tubes; I know the three places in Galway (Briarhill, Leo Walsh, and the large Matt o Falherty)that do it sell them, and you can get them in Shannon and Dublin airport.

On the Clarins Beauty flash balm, It's not as effective for some people as others, when it works it really works tho; see if you can get a sample of it to try before you purchase, and see if it works for you, it's something most Clarins counters nearly always have a sample of as it's a best seller; I swear by it and get comments on how well my skin is looking anytime I wear it, and I have friends with similar experiences of it also. It's very good value at the Irish airports too

Luno

Smashbox if you're willing to spend that bit extra but the Gosh one is quite good too for something a bit cheaper!

kat151283

I bought this primer recently from elf and i thought it was quite good heres the link http://www.eyeslipsface.co.uk/product~prodID~176.htm

The Lovely Muffin

Asha wrote: »

Hi all
thanks for your suggestions.
Purple bobbin thanks for the links. I had a look at them & there are loads of recommendations!

I'll have to check which is best for my skin.
Acne is such a pain:mad:

asha

I also have Acne and find the Gosh primer brilliant.

I haven't used other primers so I cannot say what they are like or compare the Gosh one for you, sorry.

What you could do it, get little sample tubs (boots sell them or the pound shop might have them cheaper) and ask for samples of each primer and then try them out and see which works best for your skin.

I don't know if shops will give you any to test, but it's worth asking them.:)

HTH.

Asha

Purple_Bobbin wrote: »

I also have Acne and find the Gosh primer brilliant.

I haven't used other primers so I cannot say what they are like or compare the Gosh one for you, sorry.

What you could do it, get little sample tubs (boots sell them or the pound shop might have them cheaper) and ask for samples of each primer and then try them out and see which works best for your skin.

I don't know if shops will give you any to test, but it's worth asking them.:)

HTH.

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions. I think I'll get some samples like you & others have said PB. it's the only way to see for sure it it suits.

I'll defo know by the following morning whether it's good for me.

Thanks again:)

Boxoffrogs

I'd highly recommend Smashbox Photofinish Light.

I got railroaded into buying the regular one last time. It came in a tube, there was double the amount and it worked out considerably cheaper, but as soon as it is finished, I'm going back to the Light version. Although the one I have is supposedly oil-free, I do have to wait a fair while before applying my foundation as my skin feels a little greasy until it soaks in.

I too can suffer from a little acne around my chin when menstrual, and using a primer definitely helps. If I don't my foundation can actually accentuate any blemishes and look very clumpy near any spots.

shezza

Avon do a good one its currently on offer for 10.50 in the latest catalogue its called Magix something I find it great under my foundation I just couldn't justify the smashbox price tag even though I thought it was good

Shmatter

angelxx wrote: »

+1 for gosh velvet touch primer, really good product. One of the best I've used.

Bought it today after reading all these reviews!!

leahyl

shezza wrote: »

Avon do a good one its currently on offer for 10.50 in the latest catalogue its called Magix something I find it great under my foundation I just couldn't justify the smashbox price tag even though I thought it was good

That's great - i used that before!! It makes your skin really smooth before you put on foundation! Can you buy Avon stuff online or do you have to buy from door to door person?

shezza

leahyl wrote: »

That's great - i used that before!! It makes your skin really smooth before you put on foundation! Can you buy Avon stuff online or do you have to buy from door to door person?

I notice your from Cork so I'm not sure how you would order as I have a rep here in South Dublin
www.facebook.com/AvonSouthDublin so I place all orders through her I'm nearly sure you can order through www.avon.ie though. They have a foundation similar to the primer called velvet magix but I haven't tried it.

leahyl

shezza wrote: »

I notice your from Cork so I'm not sure how you would order as I have a rep here in South Dublin
www.facebook.com/AvonSouthDublin so I place all orders through her I'm nearly sure you can order through www.avon.ie though. They have a foundation similar to the primer called velvet magix but I haven't tried it.

Yes i got it from a rep before so might be able to get it again but it would be easier to get it online - just checked though and you can't buy on avon.ie just avon.com and they don't deliver internationally:(

Michellenman

I *think* there's an Avon shop on Ebay, you could try there

ABajaninCork

You can't beat Smashbox or MAC...

8BlueBubbles

I quite like the green no7 primer... The green colour helps to calm redness. It doesn't produce amazing results but it does help somewhat. Also a little goes a long way, I find it easier to pat the primer into my skin rather than rubbing it in. I hope you find one that works for you:)

Asha

Hi guys

thanks for all your advice.

I bought the GOSH primer today so I'll let you know how I get on! Can't wait to try it out.

I went with this as it's a reasonable price & a good starting point:)

Thanks a mill

Asha

Romka

convert wrote: »

I use smashbox too, and I'm still undecided about it. I find it goes well with some types of make up, but I've recently changed my foundation and don't think it blends as well with smashbox as my previous one. I think it's a case of 'when it is good, it's very, very good', but if it doesn't work well with your foundation you're better off looking elsewhere.

Does anyone know if you can get samples of primers to bring home and test?

Convert, I know the company who gives their products for people for couple of days to try them out. Skin care and make-up as well. PM me if you would like more info

convert

Can anyone tell me where's the best place in Dublin to buy Gosh primer? Thanks

Shmatter

I got mine for about 18e in a chemist (in DCU, but they're in loads of chemists) and haven't seen any cheaper than that yet?

PurplePrincess

They sell GOSH in A-Wear and the primer is around €18.

I used to use the smashbox green and white ones but it was never 100% right on me. I got the avon one last week and I'm impressed, I've quite oily skin but my makeup stayed in place.

lucylu

I have tried a few of of these over the years .. I dont wear makeup everyday but when I do, it seems to vanish off my face! I do use a 25 SPF moisturiser daily and this seems to be the cause. My routine was cleanse, tone, moisturise with Spf 25 and apply foundation and powder..I was advised not to moisturise with spf 25 before applying my makeup and moisturise 2 hours before hand.
Here is how I would rate what I have used.

1 .Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base there is a fantastic feel to this on the skin. Now I cleanse tone apply face base and apply foundation and apply powder. Its approx 54 euro but it goes along way.
2.Smashbox Photo finish primer. great coverage only drawback is getting the primer out of the bottle
3.Mac Primer - thick and you need a lot of it to get good coverage.
4.Esteé Lauder Spotlight.. very runny.. makes my skin shiny and oily.
5.No 7 Primer. This was the 1st one I used as a teen, this used to dry, and dry out my skin.. i remember going out one night and there was a patch of dry green primer coming out through my makeup

Shmatter

lucylu wrote: »

I was advised not to moisturise with spf 25 before applying my makeup and moisturise 2 hours before hand.

2 hours before? That's insane!

PatsyStone

I got the Armani primer, it's really good but dear - so I use it sparingly! I put it on and my make-up stayed put for ages, the only off putting thing is the price.

convert

Is the Smashbox primer with SPF worth the extra few euro?

Clare Bear

convert wrote: »

Can anyone tell me where's the best place in Dublin to buy Gosh primer? Thanks

McCabes often do discounts on Gosh primer. Not constant but quite regularly.