I kinda, sorta have a primer problem. I love to try new ones and my collection currently overfloweth. That being said, I’m going to share reviews on the primers in my collection as a way to help myself declutter and only keep what I really love. Some of these I got samples of to try before buying so I don’t actually have the full size product.
There’s a lot to talk about here so brace yourself! Also, if I’ve reviewed it before, I’ll include the link to the original post.
NYX ANGEL VEIL
Claims–Creates a smooth, uniform canvas :: makes makeup last with a satin smooth finish
Price–$16 at Ulta :: $11.99 at Walgreens :: $11.29 at Target :: $16 nyxcosmetics.com
Pros–Cruelty free :: easily accessible :: all over smoothing :: so soft, love the texture :: lives up to its claims :: creates a smooth canvas for makeup application :: packaging
Cons–Expensive for drugstore
Final Thoughts–I usually reach for something more hydrating, but I LOVE this. It makes my skin so smooth and makeup blends like a dream on top. It doesn’t blur or fill in my pores, but it doesn’t claim to so I just use a different primer for that. I use this with foundations that are more dewy and hydrating, I can’t use with my matte foundations because it’s too much on my dry skin. It’s very similar to the Hourglass Mineral Veil and that one is SUPER expensive.
Keeping // Approve // Recommend
MAKEUP FOREVER STEP 1 HYDRATING (sample)
Claims–Preps normal skin and restores balance :: leave a more evenly-toned appearance, and increases foundation’s hold
Price–$37 at Sephora and makeupforever.com
Pros–Hyaluronic acid :: smooth texture :: hydrating :: easy to blend in :: packaging
Cons–Expensive :: not cruelty free :: Sephora stores or online only
Final Thoughts–I liked this and it was hydrating, but it’s expensive. There are other, cheaper options that do the same thing i.e. NYX Hydra Touch.
Not buying // Approve // Recommend
LOREAL VISIBLE LIFT RADIANCE BOOSTER
Claims–24 hour hydration :: lightweight :: non-greasy :: never settles into lines and wrinkles :: instantly brightens, smooths, and evens skin with a radiant finish
Price–$12.99 at Ulta :: $10.99 at Target :: $11.99 at Walgreens :: $10.97 at Wal Mart
Pros–Added immediate radiance and hydration :: helps matte foundations work on my dry skin :: packaging :: smoothing :: looks great alone on no makeup days :: skin looks healthy
Cons–Not cruelty free :: contains talc :: expensive for drugstore
Final Thoughts–This is a thicker formula than I usually care for, but I make it work by warming it up between my fingers before applying and that helps. I LOVE the glow/radiance it gives my skin. The thickness is my only hang up, but that might not bother others.
Decluttering // Approve // Recommend
MILANI PRIMER PERFECTION HYDRATING + PORE-MINIMIZING PRIMER
Claims–Hydrating, oil-free formula :: soften the look of fine lines :: adds a radiant, healthy-looking glow :: minimize the look of pores
Price–$9.99 at Ulta :: $7.49 at Target :: $9.99 at Walgreens :: $8.97 at Wal Mart
Pros–Packaging :: smells good :: smooths :: cruelty free :: affordable :: easily accessible
Cons–Too thick for me :: didn’t fill in pores :: didn’t notice any radiance/hydration :: felt heavy
Final Thoughts–This was way too thick and heavy for me. I might could over look that if it helped my large pores, but it did nothing. Total bust for me.
Decluttering // Don’t approve // Don’t recommend
MAYBELLINE MASTER PRIME HYDRATE + SMOOTH
Claims–Refine the look and feel of skin and keep makeup in place from AM to PM :: non-oily :: weightless :: wear lone or underneath :: smooth and even out skin tone
Price–$9.99 at Ulta :: $7.99 at Target :: $9.49 at Walgreens :: $7.94 at Wal Mart
Pros–Affordable :: packaging :: smooths :: easily accessible
Cons–Not cruelty free :: didn’t feel/notice any hydration :: too thick for me
Final Thoughts–This created a smooth base, but didn’t hydrate. It was too thick and my dry skin needs more hydration than this gave. It definitely smooths, but I’m looking for more than that from a primer.
Decluttering // Don’t approve // Don’t recommend
TOUCH IN SOL NO PORE-BLEM
Claims–Blurs the look of pores and wrinkles :: light, silky texture :: preps for flawless makeup application
Price–$18 at Sephora and Ulta :: $12.98 on Amazon
Pros–Cruelty free :: vegan :: hypoallergenic :: no parabens, sulfates, phthalates :: light texture :: blurs pores :: works for my dry skin :: smooths for a flawless makeup application :: fair price
Cons–Only at specialty stores or online
Final Thoughts–I got this in a Boxycharm and I love it. The texture is perfect! It’s SO lightweight and almost feels like water. I didn’t think this would work as an all over primer for my dry skin, I was planning to just use it where my large pores are, but it totally works! It blurs pores and smooths everything out for makeup application. Only decluttering because I love my elf Blur Stick and I don’t need both.
Decluttering // Approve // Recommend
PHYSICIANS FORMULA ROSE ALL DAY SERUM
Claims–Tighten & brighten skin for a radiant glow :: enriched with rose water to help soothe, calm, & hydrate the skin
Price (Full Size)–$12.99 at Ulta :: $14.95 at Walgreens :: $7.89 at Wal Mart :: $7.89 at Target
Price (Mini)–$6.99 at Target
Pros–Affordable :: hypoallergenic :: paraben-free :: oil-free :: cruelty free :: vegan :: gluten free :: gives a radiant look/finish to the skin :: smells good :: easily accessible :: will be buying the full size
Cons–Expensive :: packaging is a pain in the mini size
Final Thoughts–I’ve tried several radiant primers, but this is by far my favorite. I purchased the full size because the mini was on my nerves. With the mini, it’s super hard to get any product out, but I don’t have that problem with the full size. If you like a radiant finish and/or have dry skin, you will love this.
Keeping // Approve // Recommend
MAYBELLINE MASTER PRIME BLUR + PORE MINIMIZE
Claims–Smooth & even out skintone :: blur lines :: boost glow :: disguise redness :: weightless :: non-oily :: prolong the wear of makeup
Price–$9.99 at Ulta :: $7.99 at Target :: $7.94 at Wal Mart :: $9.49 at Walgreens
Pros–Affordable :: easily accessible :: smoothing
Cons–Not cruelty free :: didn’t blur or fill enough for me :: very silicone & slippery
Final Thoughts–This was big flop for me. I think the elf Blur Stick does a better job at minimizing my pores. I don’t like the super silicone-y and slippery feel of this primer. It reminds me of the original Smashbox Photo Finish Primer and I don’t love that one either.
Decluttered // Not Approved // Do not recommend
Other primers currently in my collection that I’ve already reviewed
—Colour Pop All Star
—elf Blur Stick
—elf Poreless Putty
—Catrice Prime & Fine Smoothing Refiner
Keeping
–Catrice Prime & Fine Smoothing Refiner
–elf Blur Stick
–NYX Angel Veil
–Physicians Formula Rose All Day Serum
Decluttering
–Colour Pop All Star
–elf Poreless Putty
–LOreal Visible Lift Radiance Booster
–Milani Prime Perfection Hydrating + Pore-Minimizing Primer
–Maybelline Master Prime Hydrate + Smooth
–Touch In Sol No-Poreblem
–Maybelline Master Prime Blur + Pore Minimize
I went from 11 full size primers to 4. I’m going to call this a win! I still love trying new primers, but I want to be conscious about keeping a tighter reign on what’s in my drawer.
the Hannah Hardy 
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