Philosophy • The Present Clear Makeup • Primer/ Corrector
(389 reviews)
| Average Rating. | 3.4 |
| Would buy this product again. | 55% |
| Package Quality | 3.9 |
| Price | 3.4 |
| Ingredients | |
Candace8592 on 1/27/2011 5:52:00 PM more reviews by Candace8592
Age: 19-24 Skin: Combination, Fair Hair: Blond Eyes: Blue
There isn't much to say about this product becuase it didn't do much. I wanted to love this but I guess it just wasn't meant to be.
This claims to be a primer so I used it as one. It made my makeup look worse and didn't fill in any pores or scars. But then I read that this really isn't a primer that it is a no foundation foundation. So I wore it alone. My flaws looked the same. It also broke me out after a week. this went right back to sephora.
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nrepin on 1/20/2011 5:18:00 PM more reviews by nrepin
Age: 25-29 Skin: Oily, Fair-Medium Hair: Brunette Eyes: Green
This product was awful. I have a very nice Chanel foundation that usually goes on like silk. I applied this right before my foundation, after my moisturizer and made sure to wait the two minutes. My skin seemed ok, slightly matte, which I like. When i tried to put my foundation on it caked and was streaky and impossible to blend. Throughout the day my skin had white-ish patches on it where the product had clumped together. I will not be using it again.
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liltweety on 1/3/2011 5:32:00 PM more reviews by liltweety
Age: 36-43 Skin: Acne-prone Hair: Brown Eyes: Blue
i think this primer is better for mineral makeup only because when i used with liquid it does however fill in lines and wrinkles but i think its more matte and it made me look like a powdery effect. It didn't look right on me. I am going to try it with mineral makeup. I am going to stick with my dewy finish not matte...
I will keep you updated..
Anyone had this problem??
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redhedgrl on 12/23/2010 12:50:00 AM more reviews by redhedgrl
Age: 30-35 Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium, Neutral Hair: Red, Medium Eyes: Brown
Please note that this product contains lavender oil, which, based on the research done by Paula Begoun, The Cosmetics Cop (and I checked up on it myself) can contribute to skin cell death. There is no reason to have lavender oil in a product like this other than for aromatherapy/scenting purposes, and it's unnecessary even for that, as other types of scents that are not harmful in any way to skin could be used. I find that a lot of Philosophy's products contain contradictory ingredients for what the product *claims* to do. Check out Paula Begoun's Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me, a very good resource if you don't want to waste money on skin care or makeup. Once I read in that book that The Present contains lavender oil and could be slowly ruining my skin, I figured there are MUCH better primers out there that don't contain unnecessary and damaging ingredients and are half the price of the $22 for this product.
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amandable on 12/9/2010 10:41:00 PM more reviews by amandable
Age: 19-24 Skin: Acne-prone, Fair, Cool Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium Eyes: Blue
I use this everyday after applying moisturizer and before concealer and foundation. Since I started using The Present, I've found that my makeup stays on longer and I have to do fewer touch ups throughout the day. It's also pretty moisturizing. I don't think it makes my pores that less visible, though.
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krblack11 on 12/8/2010 1:49:00 AM more reviews by krblack11
Age: 18 & Under Skin: Oily, Olive, Warm Hair: Brunette, Straight, Fine Eyes: Hazel
I absolutely love this product. I use it as a primer under makeup, or alone with spf 30 sunscreen, and it is magic! It does exactly what it advertises -- evens my texture and skin tone and diminishes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. And it does all this VERY noticeably. It even helps my under eye area to appear brighter! Also, after using this and letting it set (you HAVE to let it set for 2 minutes), I need hardly any foundation (I use BE Mineral Foundation) and very little concealer on only any blemishes I may have and my undereye circles. Although I wish it came in a pump (the tube can get a little messy), the tube has lasted me somewhere around 8-9 months as I use it over a few spritz's of rosewater which allow it to spread better... I'm on my third tube in 2 years, so I feel that I've definitely gotten my money's worth. I've tried Bare Escentuals' Prime Time and Smashbox's primers, and these can't even begin to compare to The Present. I don't think I'll ever stop using.
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mintyenn on 11/11/2010 9:23:00 PM more reviews by mintyenn
Age: 19-24 Skin: Combination, Medium Hair: Black Eyes: Brown
I loooove this stuff. My skin is stupidly dry, flaky dry but when I put this on after my moisturizer, it kind of seals in the moisture and smooths out any dry areas. It makes my skin feel really soft and smooth and keeps my Bare Minerals foundation lasting all day without any shine. And by all day I mean 16-18 hours (yes I have really long days). I have quite large pores on and around my nose and this makes them invisible as well.
I know I shouldn't, but I even exercise in this stuff. I generally work out right after work and I don't bother removing my makeup. Sweating with this stuff doesn't create clogged pores or breakouts dry, sensitive skin. Primers generally make me breakout because they're essentially blocking the pores. This is the first primer I've tried that hasn't and I love it.
I don't know what smell people are complaining about, to me it smells like lavender and there's no scent once it dries. Letting it sit for 2 minutes before makeup isn't a big deal either, I just do my eye makeup first like I normally would anyways. I really can't say enough good things about The Present, dare I say it's even making my skin better? The overall tone has evened out and there are fewer and fewer dry patches. I even wear it with just concealer on days when I'm running late and there's no time for anything else and it makes my skin look flawless.
HG primer!
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*TOP REVIEWER* ifoundlove on 11/11/2010 4:30:00 PM more reviews by ifoundlove
Age: 19-24 Skin: Normal Hair: Brown Eyes: Brown
This is a nice primer. I would say it really does cover up those wrinkles and lines on my face. A little goes a long way. I use this sparingly, it is really thick and like it says, let it sit for a bit before applying any make-up! This gives a flawless effect when you put your foundation on. I got this in a set, and I definitely like this better than the Smashbox PhotoFinish Primer! 2oz will probably last me a long while too! But I have to admit, it doesn't smell too nice :( So price wise & smell wise, I took off 2 lippies!
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*TOP REVIEWER* gorbe on 11/7/2010 12:52:00 AM more reviews by gorbe
Age: 19-24 Skin: Dry, Olive, Warm Hair: Brown, Wavy, Fine Eyes: Green
This worked decently at making skin look matte (not a huge problem for me anyway, I have dry skin), even, and smooth. It did not do anything for me to prolong foundation wear. It also smelled a bit fishy. Literally. I returned it.
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ookiecrisp on 10/28/2010 10:05:00 PM more reviews by ookiecrisp
Age: 25-29 Skin: Sensitive, Olive Hair: Black, Straight, Fine Eyes: Brown
I'm currenlty using this as a primer. It makes my skin looker super smooth and matte! It even looks great with out any foundation.. especially on days when I go to work with little make up... just a tab of blush and my skin looks healthy! The 2oz tube for $25 sold me on this product too! I don't mind that it take 2 minutes for the primer to set, because I put it on toward the end while I am blowing drying my hair.
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flawlessbackflip on 10/26/2010 3:31:00 AM more reviews by flawlessbackflip
Age: 19-24 Skin: Very Oily, Fair, Cool Hair: Black, Wavy, Fine Eyes: Blue
i'm still not exactly sure what this is supposed to do, but the general consensus says that it's a primer.
i use it on the days that i go to school because i wear no makeup at all. i put it on and my skin feels super smooth and stays matte for hours (4+). i love it because it doubles up as a moisturizer, too. it's a pretty thick cream so using it instead of a moisturizer for my very oily skin is enough. i put on my acne cream, the present, and i'm out the door.
it doesn't ball up, and blends in well.
under makeup, however, doesn't keep me as matte for some reason. i use powder foundation, and i still have to blot.
the only complaint is the smell - it doesn't have a particularly good smell, but you can't smell anything once it has set into the skin.
the price is also fantastic. $25 for 2 ounces instead of the usual 1 ounce.
i don't know if i'll buy this again because the time that i want to be matte is when i have makeup on. and it doesn't do that. so i don't know if i would pay another $25 for it. i would rather find a primer that keeps me matte regardless.
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*TOP REVIEWER* sweetshiningstar on 9/25/2010 7:44:00 AM more reviews by sweetshiningstar
Age: 19-24 Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm Hair: Black, Straight, Medium Eyes: Brown
I'm not sure if I'd buy this again. It's 2 oz instead of the typically 1 oz for a portion of Smashbox's price. That's good. I love the primer itself, but I'm trying to get away from parabens in my makeup.
The Supernatural doesn't seem to have parabens in it.
However, the Present is a matte texture, Supernatural is more slippery because of the silicone content.
I don't find that the Present "smells like glue" or balls up. It's thick but spreads well, you just need to use it sparingly and blend well. I've never had it clump up on me.
I use an "eraser size amount"- think top of a wooden school pencil. Squeeze that on my forefinger, dab that on different areas of my face, use middle three fingers to blend out. Instructions say to wait 2 minutes for it to dry, but I've started applying makeup at 1 min with no problems.
I don't find that the formula erases fine lines (then again I'm 22) or any of that advertising stuff it claims, but I love the texture, and as a primer it works very, very well....
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Celynnda on 9/23/2010 1:32:00 PM more reviews by Celynnda
Age: 44-55 Skin: Dry, Fair-Medium Hair: Blond Eyes: Green
I had been a die hard user of Dr. Perricone Ceramic Skin Smoother but it has been recently discontinuted. I have been on a 2 month search for a replacement primer and so far this one is the best. I read the other reviews and the biggest complaint seems to be the waiting of 2 minutes for the product to completely dry/set. I found a VERY easy trick that works even better than waiting the 2 minutes...just use the COOL setting on your blowdryer for about 30 seconds and waaalaaa!!!! You are SET! The primer definitely gives you a smoother affect..you can see the difference immediately after you blowdry your face. I do not wear foundation during the day but I find this gives my skin and pores a smoother more even appearance. I have noticed that by the end of the day it is a little more moist not matte on my skin but at my age I need that so it is not a problem. Overall I would highly reccomend this product.
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Silrayan on 9/19/2010 11:21:00 PM more reviews by Silrayan
Age: 25-29 Skin: Combination, Fair Hair: Blond Eyes: Green
I had this as a sample that gave me about a weeks worth. I wasn't impressed. I always waited the full 2 minutes (usually a bit longer), but I didn't feel like it filled in my pores very much. I did seem to help with oil control a bit better than my normal primers, but I suspect it was the cause of a breakout.
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*TOP REVIEWER* Roxxy6341 on 8/15/2010 5:15:00 PM more reviews by Roxxy6341
Age: 19-24 Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium, Neutral Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium Eyes: Green
For my 100th review I wanted to review a product that has made a big difference in my life. The Present is a clear primer that claims to give you an airbrushed look. It applys smoothly, and a little goes a long way. I usually put this on before I brush my teeth in the morning, so that when i'm done the product has had its 2 min setting time. The Present smells just like the Hope in a Jar (lavender scented), but doesn't have the burning effect some Philosophy products tend to have on my skin.
The final result with this primer, is smooth, flawless, pore free skin. I really like this, and I will continue to buy. :)
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ssaarraahh on 7/13/2010 6:49:00 PM more reviews by ssaarraahh
Age: 19-24 Skin: Normal, Fair, Neutral Hair: Red, Wavy, Medium Eyes: Hazel
this is one of my favorite primers..it is a little thick which means you do not need a lot of it and yes it really does help fill in pores and gives you the flawless face once you put foundation on...i like that this product is oil free..there is a light smell, but that does not bother me that much...the prices is not bad either: 2 oz for $25..and that 2 oz will last a long time since again, you do not need that much...not really anything bad to say...you do have to wait 2 mins before you can apply foundation because if you do not (which i have done), it leaves your foundation cakey, and of course, no one wants that
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powlie on 6/30/2010 4:27:00 PM more reviews by powlie
Age: 30-35 Skin: Dry, Olive Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Fine Eyes: Brown
i only tried a sample and i got a pimple the next day and i never break out...so i'm scared to try it again. it did make my skin very soft and covered pores well so it wasn't bad while it was on..i think it's a fair price too since you don't need all that much
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Rachierach0000 on 6/24/2010 9:46:00 AM more reviews by Rachierach0000
Age: 19-24 Skin: Combination, Fair Hair: Blond Eyes: Blue
Ok, so i bought this product from ebay, about £10 with p & p if i remember correctly. So i liked the smell, the thickness wasn't too much of a problem for me because it still went on quite easily. I never really had problems with streakiness because i reviewed it on here first and made sure i left it to sink in for at least 2 minutes. I didnt notice any (good) difference while wearing this product. However, like other people have said, i had been wearing about 3 weeks when i started to notice i was getting alot of spots, i mean i usually get 2-3 p/ month so when i got about 9 in the space of a few days, i just put it down to stress. Then i stopped using it for a few days because i really didnt see it working and i realised this is the only new product i have been using so its this that has broken me out. I was getting spots around my chin which is normal when i get them, but also my my nose, on my forehead, which NEVER happens! Gutted. So im trying to treat my very red sore looking face right now. Also it caused alot of tiny little white heads. That aside, even if i didnt break out, by around lunchtime i would notice my makeup looking cakey around my nose going onto my cheeks, and i started to get quite oily which doesnt normally happen. So i would not get this agin and i am now stuck with 3/4 of a tube :(
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Annaxxx on 6/13/2010 10:09:00 AM more reviews by Annaxxx
Age: 30-35 Skin: Combination, Fair, Cool Hair: Blond, Straight, Medium Eyes: Blue
I really like this, like everyone says, it takes time to get used to you really do need to wait the 2 minutes before putting makeup on. It's a really good primer and actually works with my BE mineral makeup. It doesn't make your skin good enough to go makeupless though!
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Bonnerka on 5/25/2010 8:30:00 AM more reviews by Bonnerka
Age: 30-35 Skin: Combination, Fair Hair: Brunette Eyes: Brown
One of the worst primers I've ever tried. I couldn't see much difference to my skin after I put it on and trying to put a foundation over it proved a nightmare, it wouldn't blend, it streaked and wouldn't stay on. It also clogged my pores like hell. I am normally quite a stingy person and try to use up the product, but this went onto the bin 2/3 full.