Alima • Balancing Primer Powder • Primer/ Corrector

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digigirltx on 10/25/2012 2:24:00 PM more reviews by digigirltx

Age: 44-55   Skin: Very Oily, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Blue    

I have very oily skin and this primer powder helps keep that under control, as well as reduce redness in my cheeks. A light layer before foundation keeps me looking matte and shine-free all day.

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shaaralee on 9/27/2012 12:41:00 AM more reviews by shaaralee

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Hazel    

A dear friend of mine suggested the Alima range to me, hailing it as one of the best mineral ranges she has tried. I have to admit, it did not disappoint. This primer kind of stunned me. It is very fine like a delicate veil over your skin, but the results speak for themselves. I work in a timber yard (mostly doing accounts but often running around outside in the elements) and using this primer powder in conjunction with the foundation and finishing powder - it just amazes me. I have combination skin which at times gets very oily in the t-zone. This puts the oil at bay without making my skin breakout. Very impressed and have bought again many times.

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*TOP REVIEWER* zernelle on 7/17/2012 3:59:00 PM more reviews by zernelle

Age: 30-35   Skin: Sensitive, Fair, Cool   Hair: Brown, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

I was interested in mineral makeup, so I ordered a bunch of samples from Alima. Alas, I found that the eyeliners, eyeshadows, and blushes had absolutely no staying power. I also ordered a sample of the Balancing Primer Powder to use as an oil control powder (in place of my usual MAC Blot). The Balancing Primer Powder is definitely the best of the Alima products I tried. It works as well as MAC Blot at giving my face a matte, finished look over my concealer (I don't use foundation). And the light blends invisibly onto my pale skin. However, the Alima powder is any better, and I prefer MAC Blot because, as a pressed powder, it's less messy.
Ingredients: Kaolin, Mica, Zinc Oxide. May contain: Iron Oxides.

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bernb on 11/2/2011 6:42:00 PM more reviews by bernb

Age: 30-35   Skin: Oily, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Blond, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Green    

Alima Pure Balancing Primer Powder is, in my opinion, necessary for anyone who uses Alima Pure Satin Matte Foundation and has any signs of oiliness.
I never apply my Alima foundation without first applying this.
First and foremost, this primer powder keeps oiliness at bay for hours. On my greasy T zone, it keeps my makeup in check for at least four to five hours before I have to blot, and even then I sometimes only have to blot my chin and between my eyebrows a little.
Second, it acts as a kind of ‘interface’ between my Alima foundation and my sunscreen. I gently pat on this primer powder with a flocked sponge puff after I have given my sunscreen some time to ‘set’. I gently press it all over my face, so as not to disrupt my sunscreen. I then very gently use a kabuki to dust it off and blend it a little.
It applies seamlessly – despite being a powder product, it doesn’t gather anywhere on the face, there is no caking, and no real blending is needed other than to dust off any excess. You can simply pat it on, lightly dust it, and continue on with applying your makeup.
This year, I have really put Alima Pure products to the test (specifically Satin Matte Foundation, Balancing Primer Powder, and Satin Finishing Powder). I spent some time in a workshop environment, where I was often sweating and wiping my face (albeit as carefully as I could). Alima held up exceptionally well under these circumstances.
I am extremely happy with this product, and will continue to purchase.
EDIT: My skintone - equivalent to MAC N/NC-10/15 (neutral warm, pale, with surface redness). I use Alima Pure Balancing Primer Powder in Light.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Neume on 2/26/2011 6:53:00 PM more reviews by Neume

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

MY SKIN: Oily with a random dry patch around the corners of my nose.

APPLICATION: I use it over my Eucerin EveryDay Protection SPF 30 Moisturizer. I wait about 15 min. for the moisturizer to set, then apply the primer with a soft, fluffy powder brush.

RESULT: I see a very, very slight difference in my foundation (I also use Alima's Satin Matte foundation) with this. It's probably only noticeable to me. It looks just slightly more even and polished, but again, the foundation itself is already great at making this result that it's not really all that noticeable. Honestly, for the price (now $17...Alima has upped their prices unfortunately), I'd say go for the finishing powder if you want that "airbrush" look and better oil control. As for oil control, I would say this kept me shine-free for about 1 hour more, which isn't enough to get me to buy a full size (I only ever used up a sample). If you're on the drier side, this will probably work out better for you.

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Pimpinett on 11/26/2010 4:23:00 AM more reviews by Pimpinett

Age: 30-35   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Red, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

Excellent mineral primer, keeps my Alima foundation reasonably matte for three to four hours, and in place looking good for up to fifteen hours. I would say this is essential to get the most mileage out of Alima's foundation if you have oily skin.

The Light is very light, as several people have stated, but I find that it works well for my NC20-ish skin, although I could probably just as well wear Medium. Will repurchase along with the foundation.

I have acne-prone and previously irritated combination skin with an oily t-zone, for reference, and this doesn't bother my skin at all. I have worn this daily for three weeks now.

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CathySinMN on 8/22/2010 7:42:00 PM more reviews by CathySinMN

Age: 30-35   Skin: Dry, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Hazel    

This primer worked great at keeping the oil down and my face looking great all day. Not too dry, not too oily. I just ordered two full size jars in light. I am making the large sample they sent me last until they arrive this week.

June 2011 UPDATE: I have continued to re-order this product. It is Great!! Does awesome in humid hot weather! I always have it on hand!

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*TOP REVIEWER* Beaner on 7/30/2010 10:07:00 AM more reviews by Beaner

Age: 36-43   Skin: Sensitive, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

Currently, I'm using Everyday Minerals concealer for any redness caused by my rosacea. Since I was ordering sample of the Satin Matte foundation, I included samples of the Light and Medium Balancing Primer. I like the primer but I have a problem with the colors. Even the medium seems too light. I have a tan (don't flame me...it's the best thing for my rosacea and psoriasis) but it's not that dark. Other than that, the primer provides full coverage. I'm not overly oily but I do get shiny in the humid Indiana summers. It does keep the oilies at bay but sweat is a different story. Since EM isn't my favorite choice (see my reviews), this would be excellent replacement.

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*TOP REVIEWER* pocky on 12/28/2008 4:40:00 PM more reviews by pocky

Age: 30-35   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Black, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Black    

I've tried a lot of primers over the last 5 years and I've decided that powder primers work best for me. Alima's is by far my favorite and I've gone through three jars already. For me, the primer makes my mineral foundation last a little longer and look flawless. Oil control seems to be okay if that's a concern of yours although it doesn't dry out my skin either. I only have a little oil around my t-zone and for that I use MAC Blot powder on top of my foundation. I was using Pure Luxe's Eraser powder for a while and Alima's is noticeably more silky and finer while Pure Luxe is a little on the gritty side. I've tried wearing my foundation without the primer and although the difference is probably only noticeable to me, I prefer the more polished look and longer staying power with the primer. Color selection is limited to 3 shades but honestly the primer goes on so sheer that one of the 3 shades should work for you.

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ellyyang on 12/7/2008 2:49:00 PM more reviews by ellyyang

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

I love this primer (well, the first one and the only one I've ever used). I've repurchased it for three times and I believe I will buy more. After cleansing and moisturizing my skin, I squeeze some sunblock on my palm and then pour some Alima primer to the sunblock (not tinted) and mix them. Usually the sunblock makes me shiny after a couple of hours. But with this primer, my skin remains matte for a little longer. And since I don't have much to conceal on my skin, this mixture already provides enough coverage (very sheer) for my skin. After this, I just buff the finishing powder all over my face to set everything. My skin feels so good and I don't need to use any foundation. On lippie off because I have to mix two colors to fit my skin tone. Not enough color choice.

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*TOP REVIEWER* snake_hips on 8/7/2008 9:24:00 PM more reviews by snake_hips

Age: 36-43   Skin: Sensitive, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Green    

I'm so bummed out, since I'm combo and get oily in the summer, but this stuff made me ITCH like crazy. :( So sad!

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ashariel on 6/1/2008 3:54:00 PM more reviews by ashariel

Age: 30-35   Skin: Sensitive, Dark, Warm   Hair: Black, Curly, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

I can't say that I hate this product, but it isn't my HG by any stretch. My nose and brow were still shinier than I'd expect while using a primer, but the finish is nice on the skin. Perhaps I'm expecting too much from a powder primer. I ended up going back to a silicone-based primer.

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*TOP REVIEWER* LittleGnome on 4/25/2008 9:38:00 AM more reviews by LittleGnome

Age: 36-43   Skin: Oily, Olive, Warm   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

Edited 7/08: While this is a very good mineral makeup primer, and it adds a layer of coverage to your mineral makeup routine, I think it has a little less oil-control than both EM Tinted Silk Dust and MAD Minerals' Translucent Veil. I also have Fryrinnae's rice powder primer, which works very well in controlling oil, but I don't like the whitish cast it gives sometimes gives my skin or the slightly gritty texture. I thought the Fyrinnae was going to be HG status, and while it and this product are good, they are not the best I have. The Fyrinnae controls oil better than this, but is grittier and doesn't add any coverage. This does a decent job of controlling oil and adds a layer of coverage, but for very hot, oily or humid days, I need more help. I put the products on in the following order: moisturizer on clean skin, let settle; then concealer, primer, then foundation.

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*TOP REVIEWER* babydials on 2/19/2008 12:12:00 PM more reviews by babydials

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Blue    

My nose was shiney by mid-day, and this was in the winter. I love their foundation and blush, but I will pass on this. Aromaleigh and Meow Cosmetics both have better primer.

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saynotococo on 1/27/2008 3:24:00 PM more reviews by saynotococo

Age: 25-29   Skin: Oily, Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Black    

I LOVEEEE this product. I have super oily skin and I was surprised when I first tried this that I don't need to blot for like 5 hrs (and that's pretty damn good imho). It still gives me oil, but more like glowy kinda thing, instead of yucky oily. I have this in medium and it's a bit too light for me. I'm ordering deep but it hasn't come yet. Can't wait for it to come. This product is a must everytime I use my MMU.

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eoneil22 on 1/6/2008 10:05:00 AM more reviews by eoneil22

Age: 25-29   Skin: Sensitive, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I am new to using primers but I have used many already. Since I use MMU I don't like to use a liquid primer because the powder foundation never seems to come out right. I have tried the Fyrinnae Rice Primer and I was not too impressed. Plus I think it was breaking me out. So on to Alima Balancing Primer Powder. I really like it. I bought it in Medium because the swatch on the site looks really light. It is really light in person too, so I was glad I didn't go with the light color. For reference I am an NC20/NC25. I use the primer under a combination of Beige 3, Neutral 2, and Neutral 3 Alima foundations that I got as samples. I gave it five lippies even though I still get oily because I figure nothing is going to get rid of oil all day. But this is a great product.

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*TOP REVIEWER* CaliBello on 11/29/2007 5:30:00 PM more reviews by CaliBello

Age: 25-29   Skin: Sensitive, Tan, Warm   Hair: Black, Wavy, Coarse   Eyes: Brown    

I am pretty happy with OC Eight as my primer but I still need more oil control!

I got this in Deep which is way too light for me- I need to pile on some extra foundation to get my color back so that's not good.

Underneath my Alima foundation it was just OK but I found patting it on to set my makeup and then buffing away the excess works really well. I also re-pat and re-buff during lunch to keep me matte for a few more hours.

UPDATE: The color doesn't work and I'm just not using any Alima products anymore so I won't re-purchase.

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*TOP REVIEWER* silkyskin on 11/12/2007 8:37:00 AM more reviews by silkyskin

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Red, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

I had VERY high hopes for this. After reviewing the comments below, I thought this would be my HG, keeping my oily t-zone in check and my makeup flawless from application to removal. It does not. It does keep it less oily than if I didn't use it, but I still get breakthrough shine in a few hours. It is very sheer and is easy to apply, doesn't seem chalky to me, but I had hoped for more. I have it in the Light color (I'm MAC NC15-20) and it's a great match. I wish that the jar was a bit bigger. Having a bigger cap to work with would make it easier. I'll continue to use it because it is the only powder I've found that 1) actually works to some degree, and 2) is free from pore-clogging or acne producing ingredients like rice powder or corn starch. If I were able to find something that wasn't mail order that worked even slightly better, though, I'd switch.

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*TOP REVIEWER* ruqayya33 on 9/21/2007 12:47:00 AM more reviews by ruqayya33

Age: 36-43   Skin: Oily, Olive, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Curly, Fine   Eyes: Green    

I've tried this product in MEDIUM and DEEP.


Both are nice, although the DEEP seemed to be a little less obvious on my MMM/CCC complexion. (FYI: I'm currently using Alima's W5, but may switch to a mix of W5 with a little W4 in the winter.)


Medium gave me a very slight chalky look. It's probably due to the fact that these products are supposed to be for all complexion ranges and therefore have a neutral undertone. The DEEP just complimented my warm/peachy undertones better and didn't lighten the foundation. A little goes a long way! I apply a light layer with a BE Handy Buki.


It held my oil slick at bay for most of the days, I wore it. On days that I skipped using it (and before I bought my first sample jars,) I had to blot and re-powder 2-3 times a day. With the primer beneath my foundation, I may have to blot only once, toward the end of the day.)


I'll definitely repurchase.

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*TOP REVIEWER* dag4321 on 8/27/2007 4:55:00 PM more reviews by dag4321

Age: 25-29   Skin: Oily, Olive   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

This is actually my first mineral primer to ever try and I am pretty pleased with the results. Face looks much more matte during the day and my make up last a lot longer w/out the blots which is very unusual for my oily t-zone. I don't really love the packaging, but I can get over it b/c the product works so well. It is similar to most mineral make up where it is somewhat difficult to get just the right amount. It also seems as if my face is slightly dull, but it is worth the mattifying effect.

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