It was last year when I started using primer before applying my foundation cause I thought "Hey I don't need to put on primer, cause I felt like the foundation was going on my face smoothly anyway." That was also the time when I was getting into youtube gurus and I noticed how much they spoke about putting on primer before your foundation will make a huge difference. Finally, I was convinced enough to go to Sephora in Starhill Mall beside Pavillion Mall (in KL) to check out their primers since I remember seeing them everywhere from Make Up Forevers to Lancomes and I finally decided I wanted to start off with a small bottle from the Sephora itself.
This is the first primer I've ever used and when I first tried it, it was good but like every first user I felt unsure about applying it on my face because of its silicon texture which I've never applied on my face before. Still I tried it, to understand the commotion about it and also since I paid for it. The texture of my face was a bit odd because I literally felt that fine layer of primer on my face. I guess that's what they meant by "the primer is the base under your make up so it doesn't clog your pores." It wasn't on the pricey side it either since it was around 60 to 80 MYR ($19.8 - $26.36)
The Pros of this primer is that it does give a nice smooth texture so both your foundation and concealer go on smoother and it's also transparent so it wouldn't mix with the colour of your foundation and make a weird colour afterwards on your face.
The Cons are; please please if you're an oily skinned person like me reconsider this primer because it'll make your face oilier at the end of the day and you'll need to blot your face a lot. Fortunately for the ones who have dry skin are blessed! Since your face is matte, you wouldn't have oily skin problems and so it's perfect for you.
When I finished my Sephora primer, I didn't have the urge to go back and buy it because to me; it wasn't excellent or anything. I then thought about MAC cosmetics, since all of the cosmetics I use are from MAC. I was looking around and finally I decided to ask one of the workers for MAC primers. The lady showed me different varieties of primers and honestly I didn't know what was good, so I asked her for the best one. She then showed me "PREP + PRIME" primer and it was in a black tube (picture below), she told me that it was the bestseller and she decided to apply it on the back of my hand, I then noticed that there was a sparkly or glittery mixture with the primer and I asked her about it and she said "Yes Mrs. the reason is so when you apply it before your foundation you'd have that glowy effect afterwards." She convinced me enough to purchase it and try it when I get home. When I got home, I immediately applied the primer and proceeded to do my usual routine with my foundation and honestly, I was impressed the foundation did stay on the whole day without looking cakey. However, I did get oily but not as much as when I used the Sephora product.
Did I mention the beauty of the MAC PREP + PRIME product? the reason why it really sold me?
Well the lady told me when I do purchase a new PREP + PRIME I should bring the previous bottle of the same product and they'd give me a free MAC lipstick of any shade I like. I mean really? wouldn't that get you to buy the primer as well? I don't know if that deal applies to all the other countries but here in Malaysia it does. And what can I say, I'm a sucker for MAC lipsticks. Are you?
