Shiseido • The Makeup Pre-Makeup Cream SPF 15 • Primer/ Corrector

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mhanchard on 8/19/2012 6:23:00 AM more reviews by mhanchard

Age: 36-43   Skin: Dry, Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Green    

I've been a big fan of primers for years and living in Australia, SPF is a must so was glad to see another primer/SPF combo out there. Despite tinting and claims that this product was non whitening, it was like applying an SPF50+ for the body, but on my face! It's white, thick and sticky and until my Nars 30+ Primer arrives, I'm using such a tiny amount i wonder if it's worth the effort. When I use more, apart from looking washed out, my Laura Mericier TM and my By Terri foundation drag over my skin, no matter how i apply it, brush or fingers. Seems to have all the worst properties of an SPF, making makeup application without pilling or feathering almost impossible. Maybe its the way I'm applying it but I just cant seem to get it right, and I've used a lot of primers. Considering primers are supposed to make your routine easier, I woud not use this again.

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*TOP REVIEWER* flybaby on 9/22/2010 3:41:00 PM more reviews by flybaby

Age: 44-55   Skin: Dry, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Other    

This is so nice because it does not have an oily silicone fee when applying. It is a cream in a tube. If there is silicone in it, it does not have that feel. No slime. Even without foundation on, it gives my skin a more luminous and even toned appearance. It makes my foundation stay put all day. It is the ONLY primer I've ever used that I felt actually helped with this, or helped me look better without makeup. Somehow my face just looks brighter (not paler or a different color, just kind of lit from within).

I've tried Smashbox's various formulations, the original, the green tint, etc.. tried Skinprep FX...Too Faced Primed and Poreless, Urban Decay... with every one of these other products, I could either not tell any difference whatsoever, or even thought my foundation performed worse when using the primer.

Because of past experiences, I would never have tried this on my own volition, but a SA put me some samples in my bag. I tried one with absolutely no expectations of liking it ~ and went back the next day to buy a full sized tube :)

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YourCoff1nOrM1ne on 8/23/2010 4:08:00 AM more reviews by YourCoff1nOrM1ne

Age: 25-29   Skin: Normal, Fair   Hair: Black   Eyes: Blue    

foundation lasts heaps longer and sits so smoothly on skin.

LOVE IT

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yunnyunn on 6/15/2010 12:31:00 PM more reviews by yunnyunn

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

Although I like it, I mostly likely would not buy the full size item. I received a few packlettes of this primer, the one without SPF, when I purchased the Sun Protection foundation. The MA told me I have to wear this primer under the foundation, and I didn't listen to her at first. I was never a big primer person since I tried BE and Smashbox and didn't receive very impressive result. Well, I did try wearing foundation with and without this primer, the result is pretty dramatic. I found at the days when I wear this primer under foundation, my foundation last longer, 12+ hours with only one touch up at oily area, and my skin looks smoother.

The reason I probably won't buy the full size item because it is expensive and I don't like the slight pink shade which it does show on my Asian yellow skin. It gives me a slight makeup look that's almost mask like. Although the pink shade does fade away within an hour or so, given the price plus I'm trying L'Oreal's Studio Sercet primer right now, which is 1/3 the price of Shiseido's, I would not be buying this premakeup cream, I don't think.

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*TOP REVIEWER* izzybella on 5/30/2010 3:08:00 PM more reviews by izzybella

Age: Unknown   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

This review is for the non-SPF version of the pre-makeup cream. It has a light consistency and absorbs quickly, but it doesn't moisturize the skin. Since it dries quickly, I think it works best with liquid or cream foundation but not powder foundation since it doesn't give it anything to adhere to. It does makes my foundation apply evenly and prevents it from "breaking" apart on my skin by the end of the day, but I wouldn't consider this to be a must-have.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

linzeluv on 4/5/2010 1:29:00 AM more reviews by linzeluv

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

I really love all of the Shiseido products I have purchased in the past and I let a salesperson talk me into trying this. I really don't see the point of it. It is incredibly drying on my skin... and I have pretty oily skin. It leaves kind of a powdery, pale residue that feels like it would clog my pores quickly. However, it does provide a soft base to apply the powder or liquid foundations. I won't buy it again.

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kerli310 on 3/19/2010 4:03:00 PM more reviews by kerli310

Age: 19-24   Skin: Dry, Fair   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Coarse   Eyes: Blue    

I went to the store to get a similar Lumene product, but bought this one because the saleslady basically gave me a speech about how a decent woman cannot possibly live without it.


This purchase was a big mistake. It is very thick and difficult to blend, makes the skin unbelievably dry (even when used after applying a good moisturizer) and I cannot see absolutely no differences in my makeup. Basically it does nothing good to my skin.


I would recommend asking for a few samples before buying - it is an expensive product, better safe than sorry.

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*TOP REVIEWER* maashi on 3/4/2010 8:51:00 PM more reviews by maashi

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Medium, Warm   Hair: Black, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

This improves ease of foundation application, and the spf in it is a nice bonus, but I don't think it has made my makeup last longer or look any better. It is not slippery like a silicone based primer, but it hasn't made anything 'better' as such. And I haven't broken out from it. A pretty meh product, but it hasn't given me woes either...

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p4percut on 1/20/2010 7:25:00 PM more reviews by p4percut

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brown, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I forgot to bring my daytime moisturizer to my dorm this week so I used this for the SPF. This is a 0.21oz sample I received. It makes makeup go on better, but it doesn't do anything else beyond that. Very basic.

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*TOP REVIEWER* lilbunnie on 8/23/2009 10:28:00 PM more reviews by lilbunnie

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I don't think mine has SPF in it, but the tube looks exactly like the one on this picture and says " the makeup pre makeup base" or something like that. I found this really expensive and the worse part is I don't really see any difference in my make up or skin when I use it! so I give it 3 lippies since It didn't cause any kind of problems to my skin, but I will not buy again, it's just not worth it at all.

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HRubin on 8/6/2009 2:56:00 AM more reviews by HRubin

Age: 19-24   Skin: Oily, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Hazel    

I wear it everyday, even without makeup on top. It doesn't really even out skin tone, but it makes my skin texture smooth and velvety, and the spf is great too. HG.

UPDATE 10/23/09: I'm on my third tube of this, and I'm still using this exclusively. I used the Perfekt stuff under my shiseido smoothing foundation and it felt/looked ok, but when my boyfriend stroked my cheek with his fingers he pulled them away and wiped them off on a tissue, b/c he said it felt slippery. I'm NEVER going to try another silicone based primer. This is the only one for me!

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

shugiena on 7/23/2009 9:48:00 PM more reviews by shugiena

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Red   Eyes: Hazel    

Doesn't seem to make a difference when I wear it under my foundation. It is expensive and is very hard to get out of the tube without squirting practically the entire contents out! I usually like Shiseido products but this is one of their products that I DON'T like and will not buy again.

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wish_es on 7/23/2009 4:47:00 PM more reviews by wish_es

Age: 19-24   Skin: Normal, Fair   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

this primer is alright. i wouldnt say it is bad, but its not the best primer out there. i have tried the smashbox primer before and i think the smashbox one makes you skin feel alot smoother. I didnt like the smashbox primer (the clear looking one) because i didnt like how oily it made my face feel. I brought this primer because im a shiseido-addict. LOL. its am alright primer, but i wouldnt buy it again. i dont think it really does alot to my skin. sometimes if u dont put it on evenly, you wil see small white lines on yoru face, but you can brush it off. once you brush it off, it turns into something like the shaving from an eraser.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Mathilda91 on 7/23/2009 9:10:00 AM more reviews by Mathilda91

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Dry, Fair, Warm   Hair: Red, Straight, Coarse   Eyes: Blue    

This is only the second primer i've ever tried, but it's soo good. I'm sticking with this forever! This primer simply makes the skin look perfekt, no pores, and if I put on my foundation (Chanel Vitalumiere) it stays on all day. This primer is my best summer friend, as I wear only this, and do not need to purchase a darker foundation for the summer. I've had my tube for 6 months maybe, and I don't think i've used even half of it. I also love the colour, a light pink.

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AndryaAndroid on 5/19/2009 9:15:00 PM more reviews by AndryaAndroid

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair, Warm   Hair: Red, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

I've been using this for about a month now. I love the silky texture that silicone primers provide, but wanted something with little to no silicone content so as to not break out my combination skin. And I've only ever heard good things about Shiseido products -- especially their skincare. All I've ever heard is that they're very gentle and nourishing and never make the skin break out.
I have combination skin; I get really oily, but I also get dry patches.
The consistency of this primer is like that of a creamy lotion. It's fairly thick and not runny like all the other primers I've tried. It has a very light, delicate scent when you smell it, very fresh and clean and not chemicaly, but it is not overpowering or very noticeable when applied.
It applies like a facial lotion, but absorbs VERY quickly.
I've never experienced it "pilling" or "balling up" on the skin as a few other reviewers have.
I just smooth it on like a lotion, only a bit more gently.
It leaves a nice soft powder feel on the skin, not at all greasy or oily, just really, really soft.
It does help my foundation (I'm using liquid currently, L'Oreal True Match, and I sometimes use MAC Studio Fix powder foundation, and I set with MAC Blot powder or MUFE HD powder) last a bit longer than it would on its own, but nothing ULTRA impressive. My foundation still separates around my nose and other areas after a few hours of wear. One of the main things I wanted this primer to do is stop foundation from settling into the fine lines around my eyes and undereye area making me look much older than I am. Again, the effect is just okay. It takes a little longer for my fine lines to reappear after doing my makeup, but 5+ hours later and sure enough, there they are, and I just want to take my finger and gently sweep the makeup out of them.
I have very pale skin (and love it!), so I love the SPF in this primer, but it would be nice if it were SPF 30+, which I would expect from Shiseido. I don't really notice too terribly much of a "soft focus" effect. I have some broken capillaries which result in some redness in my skin on my cheeks and around my nose, and I have a few blemish scars, and this primer alone doesn't do much to even my skin tone or make those less apparent.
All in all, it's not a bad primer. I really want to love it more than I do. It's not bad, but it didn't amaze me. And at about $30 for a small tube that I'm at least half way through already, I am on the fence about whether or not I should purchase again when I'm through with it.

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lorrilin on 4/17/2009 1:40:00 PM more reviews by lorrilin

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Black    

I got this as a sample about six weeks ago and ended up loving it. I love the delicate scent and soft feeling on my skin and it really helps control oil and keep my makeup in place. It's not drying to my skin and does not make me break out, like most products with sunscreen.

I use four pea-sized amounts under Chanel Mat Lumiere foundation and the combination has been working well. I can now go through an eight hour work day blotting only once, whereas before I blotted three or four times. I used to always wash my face and reapply all my makeup if I went out at night, but now I just blot and touch up my makeup from the morning.

I highly recommend this product for people with oilier skins. The sample is quite generous and would probably last a week for most people, so why not try it?

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

sundaemourng on 3/15/2009 11:31:00 PM more reviews by sundaemourng

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair   Hair: Black   Eyes: Green    

i originally bought this because i wanted a primer that would make my face more pale (no, that wasn't a mistype). My friend who is counter manager for smashbox recommended this to me and i absolutely love it!!
i do have oily skin, that does break out. i also sometimes work 11 hour days @ work and this stuff keeps my foundation looking flawless. i use bare minerals over this.
it is kinda thick and not so easily spreadable. also i tend to use more than i really should. i would expect for this product to last me for about six months but i don't think it will. i have used other primers before but by far this is my favorite!

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SamanthaKral on 3/4/2009 7:25:00 PM more reviews by SamanthaKral

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Curly, Coarse   Eyes: Hazel    

I received a sample of this and I like it alot. Its texture is the same as laura mercier's however this is a little more thick. Its hard to spread on as it drys the minute it hits the skin. I still think Im gonna stick to Lorac cause I like the feel better. But Ill finish this sample. This is a good product Aquaprime just has be spoiled. This does control oil. The only bad thing I dont like is its not spreadable.

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sullivan on 12/29/2008 6:51:00 PM more reviews by sullivan

Age: 44-55   Skin: Oily, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

So, I wore this today for the first time to my job at the hospital. It has dimethicone, silica and clay in it. I put it on at 0545 and applied Prescriptives powder foundation spf 12 and then MUFE silica powder over that. I still have it on at 1730 and my face doesn't look bad at all. I blotted once today hastily in the hospital bathroom with a paper towel. I had some shine, but not much, and for me that's close to a miracle. I applied it generously to make sure I got some SPF. It's not great UV protection, as it only contains 3% octinoxate and 4.8% titanium dioxide, but I figure with the powder foundation's SPF and the fact that's it's winter, it's not too bad. I could not see a dry skinned person using this. It would be too drying. It's the perfect product for me, as I get very oily all over, worse in my t-zone, of course. A combo gal would probably not like it on the dry areas. One must apply this smoothly and take care not to have any uneveness, or else the clay kind of sets up and looks dry and chalky in those areas. Anyway, unless I have a problem later down the road, I think this is a winner. This comes in a nice squeeze tube that is easy to use. It's only 30 ml, so at my heavy application rate, it won't last long. It has a slight fragrance that does not bother my asthma. It's rather expensive at 28 USD, but it's worth it to me, because it does the job I need it to do.

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*TOP REVIEWER* reyna on 12/7/2008 2:26:00 AM more reviews by reyna

Age: 36-43   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

I can't believe that I missed writing about this product. Been using it for years. Picked it up as an impulse buy when I bought Shiseido concealer (don't use the concealer anymore) at Sephora. It has since become a staple in my makeup box. Doesn't smell like sunscreen (biggie for me because I hate that coconut smell) and provides a smooth, semi powdery finish that helps my Estee max cover foundation go on so easily. On mornings when I put the first dot of makeup on and it just doesn't spread easily, I then realize that I forgot to put on the premakeup. And doesn't make me break out (very prone to breakout in lower cheek area).

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No