Happy December everyone! Where did 2016 go? Time passes so fast, I’m always like…okay stop, I do not want to grow any older! Unfortunately, time still ticks away and although I know I should use my time wisely, its definitely easier said that done. Anyway, today I would like to talk about face primers and discuss two products [+ small drabble on a third] that I have been trying out recently.
I like to think as face primers as a product that sucks all of your makeup on top of that together [i.e. foundation, blush, contour, highlighter etc] and prevent any unnecessary smudging. It is like how eye primers are used to make sure all that eyeshadow and eyeliner stay in place and prevent any panda eye situations from happening [me all the time]. Different primers have different ‘extra’ benefits like reducing the size of pores, moisturising, brightening and more.
The first primer that I will be talking about today is the Innisfree No-Sebum Blur Primer. Priced at USD9.58 on Jolse, Innisfree’s No-sebum line is well talked about and well loved. I have actually talked about their No-Sebum Mineral Powder here. Naturally, like its name, this product aims to conceal your pores and save your foundation from having to do that as well. The second primer is the A’Pieu Base Maker Glow SPF 15+. Honestly, I do not really hear much about A’Pieu’s primers and the only reason I bought this was because I was looking for a primer that provides the Korean ‘glow’ effect that I am currently so obsessed with. Priced at USD5.51 on Jolse, it is a very budget friendly option.
Left: A’Pieu; R: Innisfree
Consistency wise, I have to admit that Innisfree’s gave me quite a huge shock secondary to its thickness and difficulty in spreading to create a thin layer, which led to the need to use a bigger amount to cover the entire face. A’Pieu had a more watery consistency, which meant 1/2 of a teaspoon of the product was enough for every usage.
Both primers aim to perform a completely different function. Innisfree does what it promotes extremely well. I know it is quite hard to see a difference in the picture above [my dslr refuses to focus for this shot so I had to use my phone instead], but you can roughly see the lack of hair & pores on the section of my arm where I blended it in. Innisfree’s primer works so well on my face that on a lazy day I don’t even wear foundation out. A’Pieu, on the other hand, does a relatively okay job lightening and creating a subtle glow. I feel that some disappointment was present probably because I expected a bit more out of the product.
In short, every primer has a different function and there is always a product that does the best in that certain area. I feel that Innisfree’s No-Sebum Blur Primer is at the top of the ladder when it comes to concealing pores, its is relatively cheap as well. The only downside, in my opinion, is the consistency which would take some getting used to. It took me a few uses and didn’t bother me anymore after I got the hang of it. A’Pieu’s primer is cheap, and does its job as it says, but I feel that there would be better primers out there that would create a more defined glow. If anyone has a good recommendation, feel free to leave them in the comment section below! I’m quite keen to try the VDL Lumilayer Primer next, so if anyone has some comments about that as well, please do not hesitate to share some wisdom 🙂
This both cleanses and smooths out uneven pores and bumps, creating a clear skin texture prior to makeup application.
Long-lasting softness
Natural mint and minerals manage the oil and moisture balance of the skin, allowing skin to remain soft and smooth for long periods.
-Clean and comfortable skin using ingredients from Jeju This product allows skin to remain supple and clear by tightening wide pores with Jeju green persimmon extracts, while the Jeju green complex creates healthier skin.
CYCLOPENTASILOXANE, DIMETHICONE, DIMETHICONE/VINYL DIMETHICONE CROSSPOLYMER, CYCLOHEXASILOXANE, SILICA, POLYMETHYLSILSESQUIOXANE, MICA [CI 77019], DIMETHICONE/PEG-10/15 CROSSPOLYMER, TITANIUM DIOXIDE [CI 77891], POLYMETHYL METHACRYLATE, IRON OXIDES [CI 77492], IRON OXIDES [CI 77491], MINERAL SALTS, MENTHA ARVENSIS LEAF EXTRACT, IRON OXIDES [CI 77499], WATER, TRIETHOXYCAPRYLYLSILANE, PROPANEDIOL, CAMELLIA SINENSIS LEAF EXTRACT, CITRUS UNSHIU PEEL EXTRACT, OPUNTIA COCCINELLIFERA FRUIT EXTRACT, ORCHID EXTRACT, CAMELLIA JAPONICA LEAF EXTRACT, DIOSPYROS KAKI FRUIT EXTRACT, 1,2-HEXANEDIOL, FRAGRANCE, Phenoxyethanol "[1]
I love that innisfree has great recyclable packaging, it does make me feel a little bit better for my rampant consumerism.
This product has simple, cute packaging that is very functional. It's nothing miraculous, but it works.
This primer has a light yellowish colour that blends out to be translucent on my skin. This is a silicone based primer, so it does have that slippery feeling when it's being blended out.
This primer definitely smooths out the skin on my hands nicely!
On my face I do have some large pores around my nose. I found that this primer blurred them beautifully by itself, but in combination with a foundation it almost negates the primer.
In comparison to the side that I haven't primed, I can only see a minute difference. My skin actually looked better without the foundation!
This does mattify my skin really nicely, so I've been using it with some of my shinier sunscreens to dull down the shine when I don't want to wear a foundation.
I tried it out with a dewy foundation too and saw very little difference.
In terms of longevity for make up, I didn't find that this primer helped my make up last any longer, or helped control sebum.
What I Love
- Cute, functional packaging - Smooths out pores and mattifies skin - Inexpensive at $9USD
What I Don't Love
- Doesn't blur pores when used with a foundation - Doesn't help foundation last longer, or stay oil free longer
Final Thoughts
I prefer to use this primer on days that I don't wear foundation, which is slightly strange, but it is a legitimate use of the product. It definitely does help blur my pores and mattify my skin on its own and since it does contain Dimethicone it should help skin retain moisture throughout the day which makes it quite a nice skincare product. I don't think this works well in conjunction with any type of foundation, BB Cream or CC Cream that I own, and since it is a silicone based primer it should work best with Silicone based foundations, of which I own none of. I like this product as a stand alone skincare product, but not so much as a foundation primer.
I would recommend the Innisfree No Sebum Blur Primer to any Princesses who are looking for a pore smoothing and mattifying primer to be used a skincare product rather than a make up product.
How do you use Innisfree no sebum primer?
After your skincare routine, squeeze some primer onto your fingertip and spread a thin layer on pores. Gently pat for even coverage.
Is Innisfree no sebum primer silicone based?
Its ingredients list is non-comedogenic. It all boils down to the user and how your individual skin feels, of course. Some skin types just don't like silicone [the ingredient which helps give it that 'blurring' finish] and find that it doesn't let their skin breathe while others find it doesn't irritate them at all.
What is Innisfree no sebum mineral powder used for?
DETAILS. Silky pressed powder controls excess oil for a soft, natural-looking matte finish. Formulated with Jeju minerals and mint to refresh the skin while maintaining the oil and moisture balance. Corrects clumped up makeup and dull skintones caused by sebum and oil, leaving the skin bright all day long.
Is there talc in Innisfree powder?
Keeps balance between oil and moisture to create healthy skin. Absorbs dead skin cells and sebum, provides silky smooth texture and protects the skin. 6 Free: No parabens, artificial pigment, animal ingredients, mineral oil, artificial fragrances, talc.