L'Oreal • Studio Secrets Magic Perfecting Base • Primer/ Corrector

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mulhollanddrive on 3/17/2010 7:19:00 PM more reviews by mulhollanddrive

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

I second the review which said that this does nothing to make your foundation stay longer. It will go on smoother but that's it. I bought it based on the reviews here and had hoped to find a cheap alternative to Shiseido's Mattifying Veil (I use it in the summer and when my skin gets oily) or Lancome Le Base Pro (I use this when my skin is dry). No, I should have saved the $$$, after 4 hours my makeup looked horrible - partly slid off, caked around my nose. I get the same look when I skip primer. So not worth the money. BTW this is my 4th or 5th attempt with this product, bad results overall. If this works for you, great. Mine is up for swapping.

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tjauregui7 on 3/17/2010 4:08:00 PM more reviews by tjauregui7

Age: 25-29   Skin: Very Oily, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

This is my HG for my foundation base/primer. whether its a liquid foundation or powder foundation, this primer is amazing! I have very oily skin, to the point where i get shiny in about 1-2 hr after applying my foundation.With this primer/base i do not get oily at all and i dont have to touch up during the day! This is my new love! I recommend this to all the girlies that suffer from oily skin! Now i cant live without this stuff.

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

*TOP REVIEWER* brittbrat118820 on 3/16/2010 2:27:00 PM more reviews by brittbrat118820

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

I was excited to try this after the good reviews I read on here, but I have to admit its just ok. It did make my foundation go on smoother, but it didn't do anything for staying power which is the reason I wanted a primer in the first place. It also made my face feel greasy towards the end of the day. You don't need a lot to cover your whole face so the little jar will last you awhile, which is good because its expensive for how much you get. I don't like that it comes in a jar and I have to dip my fingers in there to get it out. I prefer primers in a pump or in a tube because its more sanitary. This may work for dry skin types but not for normal/oily skin. I'll use up what I have but I wouldn't repurchase.

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*TOP REVIEWER* trisheee on 3/16/2010 1:14:00 PM more reviews by trisheee

Age: 44-55   Skin: Dry, Medium, Cool   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I can't sing the praises about this fabulous primer enough! WOW!, am I impressed! After reading the reviews I was kind of nervous about trying it...but soooo glad I did! I've tried countless primers and this is by far the best I've ever used. It's not slippery like a lot of others. Just a tiny bit and my skin feels and looks like velvet. Hides everything! And my foundation stays on until I take it off...typically 12 hours later. No touch ups needed. My foundation and blush blend seemlessly and have that flawless airbrushed look.
I was loving the Maybelline age rewind primer, too, but have to say this beats it hands down. I've lost count on the compliments I've gotten on my skin since using this stuff. SO glad I found it! LOVE THIS PRIMER and will continue to re-purchase....forever!

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

StarlightChaser on 3/16/2010 12:55:00 PM more reviews by StarlightChaser

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

I like this primer! I get rather oily during the way if I don't wear a good primer, and this helps me to keep the greasiness at bay. The consistency is a bit thicker than the primers I've used before, but in this case it's not a bad thing. The fact that it comes in a jar is not that hygienic, but I guess I can live with that. It hasn't made me break out yet either, so so far so good. I don't really know what more to say, it does what it says on the tin and for me it's a primer well worth the money!

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MissMisfit on 3/15/2010 2:56:00 PM more reviews by MissMisfit

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

I'm generally impressed with this primer. I've noticed a huge difference in the way my foundation looks by the end of the day. Its definitley cut down on my mega-oiliness and crater size pores. I like the whipped consistency. I barely need to use any for a day's use. This should last me quite a while, when I run out I will repurchase for sure.

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barbaramaine on 3/14/2010 7:46:00 PM more reviews by barbaramaine

Age: 44-55   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Curly, Medium   Eyes: Green    

I'm 48 and blessed with good skin (mom's genetics and sun avoidance to thank!). However, in the last two years I've noticed the pores on my nose, which used to be invisible, appearing slightly larger. I'm also developing fine lines around my eyes. Now I've never used a primer (assumed they were waste of money), but tried a magazine sample of this stuff and it seemed too good to be true -- minimized and, in some cases, literally seemed to erase lines, and pores vanished in my t-zone. I went out and bought a jar next day. My only complaint is that the jar is so small. Not much product and I'd prefer to see this twice the size.

Since L'oreal is the only brand of primer I've tried, I would be interested to hear from other women around age 50 who have tried other brands - particularly if they yielded similar results. If this drugstore brand can produce these results - then I'd be interested in knowing if there an even better primer out there. Thoughts?

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

princessxhx on 3/14/2010 12:49:00 PM more reviews by princessxhx

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Dry, Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

i LOVE this primer! i have no complaints about the product itself, it makes my face feel perfect before i apply my foundation, its not at all oily or greasy like other primers, it makes my small pores completely unnoticable, its amazing.
ive gave it a 4 for price, the product itself is cheap but for what you get its ridiculous, the tub is TINY! if you use it everyday, one tub will last you approx 3 weeks depending on how much you use.
but its worth it!

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butterflybones on 3/14/2010 12:51:00 AM more reviews by butterflybones

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Combination, Fair, Warm   Hair: Black, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

Let me start off with a disclaimer: I didn't buy this product, rather, I was using a sample of it I got in Vogue. That sample lasted me quite a while though, so I thought it would be okay to write a review for it.
First, some things about my skin. It's combination, so the only places I have EVER broken out in are usually around my T-zone. Never have I gotten any zits or clogged pores in my cheeks or undereyes. Another thing - my skin is HARDY. I could exfoliate with gravel or wear mud for foundation and it wouldn't matter.
When I got this sample, I thought it would be fun to try out. It was a tiny little sachet, so I didn't expect it to last me so long - over two weeks! So a little goes a long way, that's nice. I smoothed little bits of it over my undereyes and around my nose to fill pores, and my concealer glided on over those areas, so that was good. I didn't notice it actually making my concealer last longer, but then again I was using a concealer that didn't fade off in five minutes ahem L'Oreal True Match, so I wasn't having issues with lasting power.
However, this product broke me out. I know, I was surprised too. Nothing ever breaks me out, so to find clogged pores and zits in the areas I used this was saddening. I was considering buying it too, the sample I had came with a coupon for $2 off. Ah well. I was doing fine without it anyway.
Is it a necessity? Not for me. But if you have large pores and uneven skin, you may like this - if it doesn't break you out.

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*TOP REVIEWER* dawn65 on 3/13/2010 10:11:00 AM more reviews by dawn65

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination, Olive, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Curly, Coarse   Eyes: Brown    

I learned about this product quite awhile ago when watching a YouTube video by "Lollipop26". She always had very good things to say about this product and I was always a bit disappointed that although she had easy access to it in the UK, it was not available here in the US. I was so excited that day in the beginning of February that I was strolling the cosmetic aisles at Walgreens and found this little gem. This is hands-down, the best face primer/base that I have ever used. It has an almost-whipped consistency to it and for me, never feels oily or greasy. It does reduce the appearance of my pores, makes my face feel as smooth as a baby's bottom and once set (which only takes a couple of minutes), ready for makeup application. After using this every day for a little over a month now, I have not had any problem with it settling into fine lines nor have I had any problems with breakouts. I wasn't very fond of the jar/pot at first because it was a little hard to get your fingers in there without wasting product and getting it under your fingernails, but I have solved that problem by designating a concealer brush for removing the primer from the jar. I just dip the brush into the jar, dot it on my face and then smooth it onto my skin with my fingers. I also think that putting this into a squeeze tube or pump would change the texture of the product and the thicker, mousse-like feel is one of the things I like most about it. The mattifying effect it has lasts a few hours and I still do have to blot a couple of times a day, but I think that if you have oily skin as I do, that kind of comes with the territory - I have not found a product yet that will control the oilies all day. "Lollipop26" did offer a tip - she says that she uses this product over her makeup to mattify and reduce shine during the day. I have tried this method and I have to agree with her. Just place a couple of dots on the areas where your face is shiny and pat (don't rub) it in with your fingertips. If you use the product this way, the jar/pot is very convenient to throw in your bag - no need to worry about leakage. The price is a little higher (I've found it anywhere between $10-$13) than what you would normally pay for a drugstore brand, but a little goes a long way and it is much cheaper than what you would pay for a high-end, department store base/primer. All in all, I am very pleased and will continue to repurchase.

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

*TOP REVIEWER* RazorBladeKiss on 3/9/2010 7:58:00 PM more reviews by RazorBladeKiss

Age: 19-24   Skin: Normal, Tan, Warm   Hair: Black, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I kind of like this primer. I do notice when I apply it on my face I get a blurring effect. It makes my foundation look smoother. Not sure if it does anything for pores because I do not have large pores. It does control oil on my forehead and nose throughout the day. I'm not sure if I would purchase this again because I prefer my MUFE primer to this,

EDIT: So I realized a wrote a review almost 2 years ago and I have finally finished this jar. I started using it again and really do like it. It causes a blurring effect to the face and my makeup does apply smoothly than it does without it. I find that it does fill in pores as well and you only need a small amount. Just bought my 2nd jar.

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qualitytime on 3/9/2010 11:24:00 AM more reviews by qualitytime

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

i've been using the smashbox photofinish light for the past couple of years but i never thought it was worthy enough for HG status since i had to powder my face every couple of hours to keep the shine away.

i bought this primer based on the reviews (was rated 4.4 at the time) and i must say, i was shocked at how long my face stayed shine-free. i didn't even have to use my powder at all for the entire day which is very rare for me. this is probably the only good thing about this product and the only reason why i didn't give it the lowest rating possible.

i feel like i'm putting a greasy thick film over my face. i wear mineral makeup and it made my makeup look really uneven, really heavy in some parts and close to nothing in other parts of my face. it also made my makeup look extremely cakey even though i don't even apply much. my face felt like a greaseball the entire day. i thought maybe i applied too much so i put on a tiny amount the next day, but same result. also, i started getting bumps everywhere on my face that i never had.

definitely will not repurchase. i'm going back to my smashbox primer. i'd rather have my makeup look good even though i have to powder down every couple of hours, than feel like a greaseball with chunky/cakey makeup but shine-free.

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hawkeyegirl2003 on 3/8/2010 11:57:00 PM more reviews by hawkeyegirl2003

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

So far I've used this for two weeks and not had a lot of trouble with it. The packaging is kind of difficult to deal with. I'd rather not deal with the pot-style product for primer. However, I really like the smoothness of this product. A little goes a very long way. So far so good. I'd love to try a more expensive product for foundation priming, but for now it is working okay. Would like to get a little more product for the $.

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wendyjay on 3/8/2010 6:56:00 PM more reviews by wendyjay

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

This product looked great. I rubbed some on my hand in the store and it felt nice and smooth. Well, I have since tried to use it six times. Ultimately washing it off every time. It smooths on great and seems fine. A minute later when it sinks in, my face looks completely blotchy and down right disgusting! I really don't think I have a sensitivity to it, my skin is a bit dry sometimes but not that sensitive. I find this product to be absolutely awful. Don't waste your money. I recently purchased some Arbonne primer samples on ebay (super cheap) that works fantastic. I'm sticking to it!

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*TOP REVIEWER* jamie11210 on 3/8/2010 4:16:00 PM more reviews by jamie11210

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

I was on the hunt for this stuff. It is extremely hard to find in the states. I happen to stumble across it at Target, but only because they had just got a shipment in. Anyways, about the product itself, it reminds me very much of Clinique Instant Pore Minimizer. The consistency, the coverage, the feel, everything reminds me of Clinique. I was able to get the for $8.99 (I had a $2 coupon). I think it is well worth the money. Every few months I would have to place an order with Clinique to get more of their $19 IPM, now I am so happy to say that I have found a duplicate in a cheaper version. I did not give this a five star for two reasons. #1, it is in a tub...ughhhh!!! #2, I have larger pores and although this made my skin look so much smoother, you can still see my pores if you look close enough....but that is my complaint with Clinique, too. So, hopefully it will work for you as well as it did for me.

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*TOP REVIEWER* oscarnabby on 3/7/2010 11:11:00 AM more reviews by oscarnabby

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Hazel    

While I don't think this primer is "the bomb", I've been pretty happy with it so far. I had been exclusively using Revlon's Beyond Natural primer, but since I've been experimenting with this one, I think it has all the advantages of the BN primer, such as smoothing out crepey areas and large pores, and extending the wear of my makeup, but additionally, it seems to control oil much better than the BN. I can especially notice the difference in my oily t-zone. Whereas I'm usually oily there by noon, there is no oil breakthrough by noon with the L'Oreal primer. Of course, this is winter....I'll have to see how this performs as the weather warms up. I have noticed one negative aspect to the L'Oreal primer that I have not noticed with any other primer I've tried (the other one being Maybelline's new Instant Age Rewind primer), and that is that the L'Oreal primer will ball up on your skin if you try to apply too much. It actually has to be applied very, very sparingly for the best results. And because of this, it seems a bit more difficult to blend over your face. I bought this a few weeks ago when Rite Aid had 40% off L'Oreal, so I paid under 8 dollars for it. At that price I think it's a pretty good value, because it will last me for quite a while with the very small amount that is needed to get a desireable effect. The small jar packaging doesn't bother me....I've always just washed my face and hands when I apply my makeup; additionally I'm not sure that the texture of this primer lends itself well to other packaging.....I guess a tube would work. It's not a deal breaker for me, though. I marked that I would repurchase, but I'm really anxious to try the mattifying primer that L'Oreal supposedly hasn't released from the Studio Secrets line in the States yet. Lastly, I tried it alone as an eye primer, and wasn't nearly as effective as my Too Faced Shadow Insurance, which was a bummer because I thought I might be able to cut out one step in my makeup routine:(

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

julidan0203 on 3/7/2010 9:17:00 AM more reviews by julidan0203

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Medium Brown, Warm   Hair: Other, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

Many "no's" for this product. I usually only write reviews for those products that I like..I'm not fond of writing bad reviews, but......I bought it thinking that most of the L'oreal's products I've tried has given me good results and (being the product junkie I am) I'm always trying to find a good primer even though Avon's Magix works really good on me. First of all..a jar..no more comments about it. Second, the price is steep for a tiny amount ($12...are you kidding me???). Third, and worst of all, it makes my (already big) pores look HUGE..and dries out my skin making me look unhealthy. Trust me, after all the time, effort and $$ I put on buying the right MU and treatments, using this is an insult. Obviously, I would not buy this again or any of the "Studio Secret" products from L'oreal.

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*TOP REVIEWER* treyscrap on 3/7/2010 8:35:00 AM more reviews by treyscrap

Age: 30-35   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Green    

I bought this based on the excellent reviews here (they were 100% repurchase at the time) and was very disappointed with it. I do use a primer on a daily basis (TF Primed and Poreless) so I'm aware of the difference a GOOD primer can make. This stuff made my CS foundation look worse than if I never had primer on at all. It made my foundation uneven, made my pores stand out, and highlighted fine lines that PnP usually smooths over. My foundation looked like I had slept in it only a couple hours after applying. After several attempts this went right back to Walgreens =(

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

*TOP REVIEWER* 1017 on 3/7/2010 7:36:00 AM more reviews by 1017

Age: 30-35   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

I had the exact same experience as marmalade two reviews down. I kept waiting for the wow factor (once I did get it to sink in) and it never came...just another (IMO useless) layer. When I do use foundation, I use FACE Atelier Ultra Foundation...that is like a foundation and primer all in one. I don't need to spend all this additional $ on a useless L'Oreal primer. Not excited about this at all...wish I could find the receipt and try to return.

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dawncampbell on 3/7/2010 7:17:00 AM more reviews by dawncampbell

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

Update: I'm writing from the UK and have tried the other Studio Secrets Primer (mattifying) absolute rubbish - don't bother.



I work as a MUA with brides and am always on the look out for great new products. I always test new products on myself first so I bought this a few days ago. I've used it 4 days and now have the start of a few breakouts down my T-Zone. Also it made my larger pores look even larger as it seemed to trap my foundation in them. It's not briliant.

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