40 Days and 40 Nights of Primer Reviews
Primer Reviews Recap
Some thoughts are in order for the end of this Project Primer. I've made some wonderful discoveries, I found some surprisingly good products from many different cosmetic lines, and I have enjoyed reading the comments from Blogdorf Goodman readers.
I've been asked to make a list of my top recommendations. But as you know, there are so many products that do different things for different skin types, it would be nearly impossible to just give a blanket yes or no to each one. Someone with very oily skin would be happy with one of the mattifying primers. Women "of a certain age" may prefer a more moisturizing formula. Then there is the glowy-look lover who prefers the iridescent formulas. And on and on and etcetera. What I can say is this. There is a perfect primer out there to suit every need.
And now, for the final thoughts:
1. Smashbox PhotoFinish original clear formula remains my favorite all-purpose primer.
2. Makeup-artist lines seem to be the weakest in the primer category.
3. Luminizing formulas look very pretty on maturing skin.
4. Mattifying primers work really well at holding back the oil slicks.
5. I still do not know where the gold went (Guerlain Divinora).
6. No one took me up on my suggestion to cruise their holmes for cult-type products.
7. I am good at snagging samples. I must look like a serious consumer when I am at Nordstrom.
8. Annieytown is the best co-hort in primer crime. I am honored that she asked me to do this project. She snagged samples for me when I became distracted by sparkly things.
9. I do not want to test any more primers.
10. I have hurled my La Prairie Concealer Foundation across the street. I think someone already stopped and picked it up.
Happy Holidays to those who are celebrating this weekend! I will be at the dessert table at Quaker Steak & Lube on Sunday, in case you have any questions.
Reviews written by Cavewoman
Cool Primer Graph by Melanie Parker
Disclosure: The products featured in the primer series were purchased by the reviewer, Cavewoman.
Labels: 40 days and 40 nights of Primers, Cavewoman Reviews, Melanie Parker Reviews, Primers
posted by Annieytown @ 8:47 AM
19 Inspired Comments
19 Inspired Comments:
Thanks for the graph, Melanie!
Hi
I would like to hear what you think about the rest of the Bourjois Lovely primers.
Aweseome project by the way!
Great job! Thank you!
To Anonymous:
The Lovely Matt is more of a matte foundation and I did not care much for it. There is one other, it is a green primer, very cold green, and I did not test it on my face. I tried it on my hand and if you need a green primer, I think the tint on this is one of the best.
Thanks to all for the comments!
Mel: Huge thanks for the cool graph. I hope readers click on it and decide to print it out. We left out some very cool primers such as Shu,Caron and Armani. We could not get our hands on any of those primers. Hopefully we can score some samples the next time we visit NYC.
Annie ... As so often happens, whenever I smell something wonderful and evocative you come to mind. This week I entererd a small shop in Boston and finally found the origin of a scent I knew once and have been searching for over a number of years ... It is probably nothing new to you - it was a potpourri made by Santa Maria Novella in Florence. I bought a small 100G bag and it has now filled the apartment I am renting this month in Boston with it's wonderful prefume. If by chance you have not had the pleasure, it is available through Lafco in Manhattan.
Happy Easter!
Richard
Annie & Patti - Happy Easter, darlings! This has been fascinating and makes me want to try primer, which I haven't before. P., I am sorry about the breakup with La Prairie, perhaps absence will make the heart grow fonder.
Thank you so much for the wonderful primer project. I bought the Sephora primer after reading your review and love it!! (It's my first primer.) I thought it was too thick and cakey when applied with fingertips, but translucent and amazing when applied with a foundation brush. Thanks again for committing your time, effort and skin to this excellent endeavor. You did all us beauty enthusiasts proud!
what a fun read this has been! thank you for your heroic effort on our behalf!
Hi Melanie,
I love this project -- so helpful, and the products you have chosen are very diverse.
Can I please use the graph on my blog? I promise to give you full credit for it. All I want is to translate it so my Chinese readers can benefit from it, too.
Super job.
I think I grabbed your bottle of La Prairie. :)
berlinbound: Congrats on locating a holy grail! I am familiar with the scent. BTW: Tak and Aedes in NYC have a pretty impressive collection of SMN products. Happy belated Easter to you as well.
F: I have missed you. Where have you been?
Sandy: Of course you can use the graph! Let me know when you use it so I can see it translated. BTW: Your blog is adorable!
Hello soul girl!!! )))J(((
Mel---soul girl is jennifer. We need Maryjoyce to post here and it will be a ytown party.
Pavlina: I think Patti is going to retire La Prairie. She has impressive collection of foundations so this challenge was pretty hard for her. The first foundation she wore was Rimmel. It looked great!
It's up! ^_^ http://www.wretch.cc/blog/Octosand&article_id=2445789
I basically posted the graph and described the usual "method of investigation" -- skin type, LP foundation, judging criteria, etc.
(Oh, and big warning of "feel free to print and save, but do not claim ownership!")
Would you want something specific to be put on the entry?
Wow, what a project! I have saved your graphic picture for future reference. I have a feeling that the Smashbox Photo Finish will be mine too, perhaps in the color corrector version as well as the clear, but I am interested in several others. Your reviews really helped narrow things down, and I really appreciate all the research! This came along at a perfect time for me.
I just found another one on my own - MAC Matte, which is just a mattifying gel with silicone, etc. that I picked up when I could not find anything else. I only use it on my T-zone, but it really holds back the oil and makes my foundation last longer. I don't think it is meant for the whole face though, so I still need to find a real primer that works for me.
What amazes me is that some of the major lines still do not have a primer - Lancome gave me a blank look, and Estee Lauder mentions one on their website that sounded promising, but the ladies at the counter had no idea about it - they seemed to think it was discontinued but had no other information. This seems like a big hole in their product lines. I am a big Lancome fan and I wish they did have one. However, I will gladly jump ship for anything good, and your reviews have me looking at Dior and Chanel with great interest.
I have enjoyed stopping by for all the reviews and I will keep visiting!
Thanks for the primer list! I just discovered the BSTS. That is the Baumann Skin Type Solution. A book and skin type defining process that has allowed me to be more specific in my quest for the right skin products for my skin type. You said it earlier that what works for one won't necessarily work for another and that fact is what led me to this book and my ultimate skin type! I am thrilled to know that I can now treat my skin well without worrying about the product leaving consequences on my face! The questionnaire is quick and easy while the results will last me a lifetime! Has anyone else read this book ( Leslie Baumann, MD's Skin Type Solution )?
Thank you for a most instructive 40 primers/40 days! I learned an awful lot about a lot of things. MOst of all, having "mature" skin and living in the (moist) Pacific Northwest, I have concluded that I don't really need ANYTHING except a good cleanser, a very light moisturizer and maybe a hint of Revlon illuminating whatever to highlight things a little! Thanks for all YOUR hard work!!
Thanks to everyone for your kind comments here!
Mel, I'm not so sure if I'm always so linear, it was the products that sort of went equally across the board here!
F, my La Prairie foundation served me well.
Jane, the Sephora primers are all great! Glad you found one that is working for you!
Pavlina, do you use the La Prairie foundation, too?
Flora, I've used the tinted Smashbox, in the apricot color (it works very well for a little brightening) and the lavender (barely does any color correcting at all, and by the way, it smells weird, I don't like the smell at all!) I'm sticking now with the clear version. Lauder's Prime FX came and went from the counters very quickly. I think they were a total flop in terms of sales. I wonder if maybe they were just not good for the target Lauder customers. My Lancome SA told me that Lancome only recommends a good moisturizer under foundations. I bet it's just a matter of time before they have a primer.
Jennifer, I will be buying that book very soon!
Merci, I wish I did not need a primer!
Thanks again to everyone!!
Wow, great project!
Can you do it for foundations (and concealers!), too. I only wished the La Prairie worked for me. Any other recommendations for a good, not-too-heavy, oil-free foundation (don't say Laura Mercier)?
The book that Jennifer mentioned (The Skin Type Solution, by Dr. Leslie Baumann) is amazing!! I just bought and can't believe how much it's taught me about my skin. According to her skin typing system, there are 16 different skin types (I have dry, resistant, nonpigmented, wrinkled skin or DRNW)and she makes different product recommendations based on the various skin types. I can't believe how much of a difference this book is making for me. I'm recommending it to eveyone.
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