Friday 4 July 2014

Battle of the Primers

makeup primers maybelline baby skin arbonne colour theory
Following the showdown between the BB creams, it's time for the intense battle between the PRIMERS! 
Primers are a relatively new addition to my makeup routine but is now something I can't imagine leaving out. Prior to my primer discovery, I didn't realize how much of a difference a good primer could make to the application of my foundation as well as its longevity. I even feel strange if I forget a primer and put foundation on my bare skin. I currently own three face primers to share with you today.

The first face primer that entered my life was the Arbonne Makeup Primer(AUD$51). At such a hefty price tag, I was initially skeptical I mean, how much difference could a primer really make? It's slightly thick consistency that made my skin feel buttery smooth soon blew me away. My foundation appeared less like foundation and it was super easy to blend and made my skin look flawless. 
Even if a foundation claims to be long-wearing, I find that my foundation will always inevitably fade off in areas around my mouth. With this on, I find that it extends the wear of my foundation by at least two hours and it has now become one of my everyday makeup essentials. 


After coming out in the American market and then being blown out of proportion all over the blogging community, I knew I had to get my hands on the Maybelline Baby Skin Pore Eraser (USD$7). Even if this meant hassling my mother to hunt it down on one of her overseas trips and bring it back for me at all costs. It is a silicone-based primer with a slightly tacky texture. If I'm honest, I don't think it did anything to blur out my pores, although it did provide the same soft skin feeling a primer would. In terms of wear time, it was average and I feel like my Arbonne primer does a better job. 

However, what disappointed me the most was that shortly after using it, I broke out in cystic pimples. I hardly ever get cystic pimples up till that point, and that's when I knew it was probably the Baby Skin that was the culprit. With a heavy heart, I pushed it to the back of my makeup drawers.

Recently, I had the opportunity to try out the Colour Theory Face Primer* (AUD$10). I was interested in trying out more of this brand as they are super affordable, akin to the local Ulta3 brand. I was quite wary of it at first as I noticed that some of the ingredients were the same as the Maybelline Baby Skin. But to my relief, it did not break me out. 
Out of the three primers, this one is the thinnest in consistency. It did make my skin look and feel smoother and performed decently well in keeping my makeup intact. Although I overall still prefer the Arbonne primer, I would definitely recommend checking out the Colour Theory primer (available at Amcal/Amcal Pharmacies) as an affordable option. 

SWATCHES:
makeup primers maybelline baby skin arbonne colour theory swatch

I've created a new INSTAGRAM for this blog and I'd love it if you could follow, chat with me on there and stay updated on my posts! 

Do you use a primer before your foundation? 


*This product was kindly provided for consideration. My opinions are 100% honest as always.

25 comments:

  1. That Arbonne primer sounds fantastic! I have a huge amount of primers and I'm trying to work my way through them... :/

    heytherejacquelyn.blogspot.com

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    1. Haha yeah it'll take me awhile to get through mine too. The Arbonne one has been lasting me for ages!

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  2. That's a shame about the Maybelline one... I've heard so many good things about it but I have acne-prone skin so I'll have to give it a miss as well. The Arbonne one sounds good, I might try that out (but I really want to try the Benefit one first, if only because the packaging looks gorgeous haha)
    Thanks for the review! :)

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    1. Same here I was so excited to try it but then disappointed. :(
      Everyone seems to love the Porefessional, I'll have to try it someday.

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  3. I tends to forget to use primer everytime i put my makeup on
    the Arbonne sounds good but the price is so high :(

    http://amourpixie.blogspot.com/

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    1. I freak out if I forget haha!
      Yeah it is a bit pricey but so good! The Color Theory one is really good for the price :)

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  4. Great post Sheri! I only have a couple of primers also, but I very rarely wear them. I don't think I've found one that I really love yet, so I'm okay going without one! The Arbonne on sounds really lovely though. I will be definitely skipping the Baby skin, I've heard mixed reviews and I do not want to break out!

    Tasha // shiwashiful.

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    1. I totally get you! Have you tried the Face of Australia one?

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    2. No I haven't, but I have the Napoleon Perdis Auto Pilot one which it's supposed to be a dupe of, and I didn't find it to be anything special :P

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  5. Primers are seriously becoming one of my favourite makeup items. The arbonne primer sounds so good (even though it's a little pricey) it seems to be worth it. The colour theory face primer also sounds really lovely!

    The Sunday Chapter
    Angela xo

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    1. Same here! I love the Arbonne primer, if only it wasn't pricey that it hurts my heart if I ever run out haha.

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  6. I find that certain primers work well with certain foundations and it's trial and error all the way haha. At the moment, I'm loving Napoleon Mattifying Primer for the T-zone and The Balm Time Balm for everywhere else (silicone based) with Napoleon foundations.
    xxx Kat @ Katness

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    1. Ooh I haven't heard a lot about those two primers but thanks for sharing! Yeah I agree it also depends on the foundation :)

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  7. I love the Arbonne primer. My other fave is Laura Mercier

    Lucy X
    www.skeeterandscout.com

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  8. I was able to try my friend's Arbonne primer after hearing a few of them rave about it. Unfortunately it gave me a few little spots and I hardly break out nowadays :( Happy I had the chance to try it out though coz Arbonne is expensive!!
    I try to use primer every time I wear any face products but sometimes I do forget to put it on haha. I think it depends how long I give myself to get ready; if I want to look extra nice I take my time so there's more of a chance I'll remember to wear primer.

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    1. Really? That's a shame! :( I have sensitive skin so was super happy when it didn't break me out.

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  9. Ooo..thanks for being so honest. I've never tried any face primers but I really really would love to just to try. I'm glad you've found one that works for you!

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    1. You should try one! It really makes my makeup last and glide on better. What ones are available in SG?

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  10. I just came across your blog and I'm loving it! Your blog is so nice and great! So glad to have found it!
    http://evithefashionista.blogspot.ca/

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  11. I've heard a lot that the baby skin breaks you out so I've been avoiding it! Still a big fan of porefessional though! x

    Jasmin Charlotte

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    1. The Porefessional sounds like a must-try primer! Thanks for reading x

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  12. Great review and comparison of the three primers! Tempted to try the Arbonne primer it sounds really good
    xx
    Serainie

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  13. This is one of the exciting article I have come across recently. I also have a similar blog about Massage Rockhampton

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