I'm new to the world of primers. I've read a lot on the subject but I'm not convinced it's necessary given the cost. However, when I went to the Laura Mercier counter to purchase tinted moisturizer, I ended buying their primer. I like the cream-like consistency of LM primer but it made my face a bit oily by mid-day.. I then tried a sample of Smashbox light. My face felt less oily but my tinted moisturizer didn't seem to apply as easily. I was thinking of eliminating primers altogether when I read all of the reviews about Monistat. I bought a tube and tried it with both the LM primer and Smashbox primer. My tinted moisturizer applied easily and my face didn't feel oily with the Monistat. Seems like the best of both worlds...

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I saw this recently as a featured review and remembered I had an old tube of this which I never used for it's original intented purpose.
I tried it out this morning as a primer, underneath my Studio Fix and Studio Sculpt foundations. I was amazed at my makeup's staying power! I have combination skin which tends to be more oily in the warmer months, accentuating my pores and usually end in my makeup sliding off.
I was in and out of the humidity today and my face held up quite well! I will update this review once I spend more time in the humidity.

i wanted to try this so badly but cant find it in any stores! i dont like to buy online though, so i searched for an alternative and i found cvs aloe vera gel, i tried it as my primer and i was really amazed and happy! when i use that my liquid concealer, my blush, my powder and my eyeshadows really stays all day that never happened to me before and my application of my makeup is more smoothly and doesnt caused flakes or anything.. i think it does the same as this but cheaper!

So far so good after using for two weeks. I've also changed my foundation from BE to Mac, so the jury is still out. I've tried EVERYTHING; with the last being Philosophy's The Present (Yuck). Will update again......

This has revived my MAC studio fix fluid foundation. Before that I had stopped using the SFF because although it looked good when I initially put it on, it would oxidize and disappear within a few hours. I just thought it was crappy product and ventured onto other foundations. Recently I decided to try it again with this gel, and both problems disappeared! The foundation stayed true to its colour, and the coverage did not melt or disappear into my oily T-zone. I find that it's best to use a smaller amount rather than more. Heavy use can give my face a grayish cast. I usually use a pea-sized amount on my T-zone where I get oily only.

For around $10 Canadian, you can't go wrong for such an effective product. I have not tried the Smashbox primer or any other ones, but the Monistat really hasn't given me a reason to want to try other brands. I have not broken out from this, not even in my T-zone.

I'd give this a 4.5. I has other famous primers beaten by a mile. No, make that 5 miles. I finished off a small tube of Smashbox and wonder now why I even bothered instead of just tossing it.

I put the Monistat on this morning and my skin looked flawless under my concealer. If I break out or something, I'll ammend my review, but so far, so good. Well worth the $.

Added:
I'm not sure when I reviewed this. But it's too heavy for hot weather.

I have been looking for a good primer for a while. Being fairly new to the idea of wearing makeup, I had never thought of wearing a primer. Then one day my friend recommended Smashbox Photo finish. I was about to buy it, when I realized it was $36. I couldn't bring myself to spend that much money.

So I tried milk of magnesia. I hated it. It was a lot of work trying not to get white streaks on my face. Then one day, while reading reviews, I saw monistat mentioned. I went out and bought some. It was difficult to find but really cheap.

Ever since then, I have been using it after my ss before my foundation. It has helped keep my make up on my face and the oilies away. I think it works well but it is not a miracle. It helps with my pores, but they are still noticeable. And it keeps oil at bay until at least lunch time. That is a really long time for me.

I didn't break out from using this, but it is a little heavy so I could see how that could happen.

EDIT: Since I started using retin a I haven't needed this as a primer. So I found another use... I rub this on my toes and feet when I wear high heels and this keeps blisters at bay. If you hated this on your face, at least you can use it to keep your feet looking great.

This is a pretty good, affordable multi-purpose gel. My face tends to break out from moderate amounts of silicone, so I don't use this as a primer for makeup. However, as an anti-chaffing cream, it is effective. It has a subtle rubbery odor, but this smell will disappear when the gel dries to a silky, colorless finish.


Other than to prevent chaffing between your thighs, you can use this gel to....
1. reduce red marks from bras: Apply a liberal amount to the problem areas around your breasts. At the end of the day, I usually get some redness at the base of my breast tissue because I have a high stomach, and the gel lessens redness/ uncomfortableness from my bra.
2. prevent blisters on your feet: I couldn't find my anti-blister stick, so I decided to apply a pea-size amount to my little toe in desperation. I found that the relief gel lasts a little longer than my anti-blister stick and is more effective, since my little toe felt better and looked less pink, so I probably won't be using my anti-blister stick anytime soon. The gel is also good around the heels and on areas beneath sandal straps. Try this trick out at home first--the effectiveness of the gel can depend on the anatomy of your feet vs. the construction of the shoe.


Just make sure to follow the instructions on the container, avoid applying the gel on broken skin, and be mindful about how the gel might affect any vulnerable fabrics. It *is* somewhat difficult to find in stores, so your best bet is to purchase it online. Amazon has some good deals.

Wow. At first I thought, who in the hell came up with this idea, now, I want to shake their hand. I was reluctant not only to buy this stuff let alone put it on my face. However, being plagued with oily skin, I have very few options for primers that actually work. I tried this on the muggiest day we have had so far this spring/summer. I can honestly say it did everything everyone said it would My makeup actually stayed on my face instead of sliding off into my lap by lunchtime. It goes on smooth, minimizes pores AND does not irritate my skin. It also helps with keeping the flakies less obvious on my face ( am on an acne treatment right now, so they are enevitible. As long as my face does not break out, I will continue to use. I will update if it does.

This is an ok primer. I have very oily skin in the summer, this doesn't help with those at all, but it does make my pores look a little smaller.
In the winter my skin is dead, dry and flakey. This makes it look so bad I'm not even kidding if I put this on my skin looks 10 years older. so I think it's o.k. if I find something better I won't repurchase, go ahead and give it a try, since its totally dirt cheap, try it!
Just doesn't do what a primer is supposed to do for ME.might for you.