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

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*TOP REVIEWER* TimeAndBlame on 5/18/2012 1:15:00 AM more reviews by TimeAndBlame

Age: 19-24   Skin: Normal, Fair, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Green    

This is another of those "I'm on the fence", sort of products.. The packaging is rather nice for being from the drugstore, but I do feel the little glass jar added to the price of a so-so item. I have been using Arbonne primer for around two years, and as a backup The Body Shop Matte It.. Despite them both working well for me, I decided to venture out and try something new. I must admit this caught my eye with it's claims of #1 primer in the world or some bologna haha!


It has the typical plain primer scent and similar texture but thicker.. on my face it didn't do much; sort of just sat there and wore off throughout the day. I can positively say my foundation/face makeup didn't apply smoothly, nor did it last longer. It didn't give my skin that extra base it truly needs to help camouflage dry spots and other minor ailments - which I do need. I was pretty disappointed by this product, but did give it 2 lippies, as it seems to work well for other girls I know, just not for my particular skin type I suppose. Would not recommend or repurchase.

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fierymermaid on 5/17/2012 2:37:00 PM more reviews by fierymermaid

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair, Cool   Hair: Red, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Green    

I had a $2 coupon and decided to use it on this, as I had been hearing great things about it for a while. I'm kind of a primer collector...whether it's high end or drugstore, I buy them all. I think primers are awesome and love seeing what different ones feel like it. I think all cosmetics lovers have that *one* type of product that they buy 8,000+ different versions of, and for me that's primer.

My skin has large pores on the cheeks and nose, some pockmarks around my chin, is combo/oily, and I have two scars on my lower lip from old lip piercings. This primer is the ONLY one I have ever used that actually fills in my pockmarks and helps fill in my old piercing scars (they're not totally gone, but much less noticeable). I switched back to a different primer for today, and was wondering why I had weird spots around my chin/mouth...turns out I actually spoiled myself with this primer and forgot that I had pockmarks and scars! I think it's the texture of this that makes it useful for filling in any kind of "hole" in your skin...it's WAY thicker than most primers. That's why I have no problem with it being in a jar; this couldn't possibly come comfortably out of a tube and there is no way it could come out of a pump.

This primer also succeeds in keeping my skin more matte than any other I have tried. This combined with Urban Decay De-slick Spray proves to be a potent oil/shine killing combo!

For the record, I've used this with both powder and liquid foundation to great success.

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ashleycaakes on 5/14/2012 10:47:00 PM more reviews by ashleycaakes

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

This is just my own experience of using this primer.
It's a very nice matte feeling on the face, it's not greasy and it doesn't make my skin oily, and I have pretty oily skin. My make up lasts longer than usual and I would recommend it to anyone. :)

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*TOP REVIEWER* SG444 on 5/14/2012 8:04:00 PM more reviews by SG444

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair, Cool   Hair: Red, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

I used this primer for about 6 weeks, and actually liked it, until I realized what it doing to my skin. After about a week, I started getting a red, bumpy, itchy, dry scaly patch around my nose. This had never happened before. I didn't suspect this primer was the cause because I was using it all over my face and the irritation was only in a small area around my nose. Normally if I have a reaction to a new product, it's usually acne, and this was not acne. Nothing I tried got rid of the irritation and I was getting ready to see a dermatologist. By chance, I read a review by another MUAer who said this primer gave her Perioral Dermatitis. I googled it and sure enough - photos of the condition looked exactly like what I was dealing with. Now, I can't say for certain that's what I had because I didn't see a dermatologist, but within 1-2 weeks of tossing this primer in the trash, my skin was completely back to normal and the condition has not returned. I have since been using Monistat anti-chafing gel as my primer and like it much, much better than any other primer I've tried. The Monistat applies much more smoothly and doesn't irritate my skin at all. And, it's very inexpensive! For anyone who has tried this primer and didn't like it (or worse, had a bad reaction like I did), I'd highly recommend trying the Monistat anti-chafing gel.

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Sierra0001 on 5/13/2012 1:54:00 PM more reviews by Sierra0001

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

It was alright... But the white product on my brown skin looks a little weird. I didn't notice any big changes in the size of my pores or how long my makeup stays on. There's very little in the bottle for the $10 I paid for it, and since it's my first primer, I think I'm going to start going in a different direction and try out other ones and see how those do.

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MichiLiebe on 5/5/2012 10:10:00 PM more reviews by MichiLiebe

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

Oh, wow, I didn't know there were so many mixed views on this product. I have never tried makeup primers before, so this has been my first one for a few months now and there's still more than half product left in the jar. I just love how nice my skin feels when I first glide this with my fingers on my face. One of the drawbacks is that I don't like that it's in a jar because you have to scoop it out with your bare fingers or in my case my long fingernails which could be a bacteria hazard. (Be careful if you're acne prone) I scoop out the primer with a q-tip. For me, it works with all foundations I have, but I'm going to use it only once in while, because as it's a primer that covers up pores and lines and is silicone based the more you use it, the more issues your skin might develop over time..

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grammarrodeoqueen on 5/5/2012 3:24:00 PM more reviews by grammarrodeoqueen

Age: 25-29   Skin: Normal, Fair   Hair: Red, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

I dumped my Smashbox Photo Finish for this. This really is matte, doesn't ball up (at least on me) and goes on really smooth. Sometimes I even wear it alone if I don't have time to put on foundation over it, just this base and some powder, blush and bronzer. My only warning would be that it would be easy to overlayer this and make your face sticky.

Gave this product only a 2 for price because in Primerland, the going rate is $30+.

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stella0r on 5/2/2012 10:24:00 PM more reviews by stella0r

Age: 25-29   Skin: Very Oily, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brown, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

I believe this is the same product as Base Magique as it is packaged here in Asia.

The packaging is not the best hygiene-wise but for the texture/formula, I don't think it would work if it's in a tube.
My favorite, favorite part about this product is how it makes the skin smooth, it feels like silk. It hides the pores so foundation goes on flawlessly.

As for the oil control, its pretty decent but it doesn't help to make foundation last throughout the day. But then again, it's probably because the humidity here is horrible and the temperature no less than 30C.

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anjamanninen on 4/28/2012 6:41:00 PM more reviews by anjamanninen

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Very Oily, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Hazel    

This primer is amazing! The mousse-like texture makes application a breeze, not to mention it leaves my skin feeling silky-smooth. I use this on my large pores around my nose, and it makes them almost disappear. I also use this everyday for an eyeshadow primer, and I literally cannot put eyeshadow on without it! It prevents creasing, it intensifies the color, and makes it last all day! It is comparable to the UD Primer Potion. It is quite cheaper than that, too. If you're willing to spend about $10-13 for a good DS primer, this is the one for you! It is my HG primer! If/When I run out, I will definitely repurchase. I got it quite cheaper by using a manufacturer's coupon, ($2 off) and an Ulta coupon ($5 off $10 or more) Great deal!

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*TOP REVIEWER* pecantan on 4/25/2012 7:14:00 PM more reviews by pecantan

Age: 36-43   Skin: Oily, Dark, Cool   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

this is actually the first primer i have ever tried. i was impressed with the way that it made my skin look really matte and even toned. also, my makeup looked fresher longer. however, it didnt make the texture of my skin look any better or stop my make up from creasing under my eyes. from what i've been reading there are much better primers available.. so im going to experiment.

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JL06451 on 4/25/2012 9:40:00 AM more reviews by JL06451

Age: 30-35   Skin: Oily, Fair, Cool   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Hazel    

It makes my skin look pretty darn awesome! Glowy and fresh... and suddenly my enormous pores are no longer as visible. I don't mind the glass jar that it's packaged in, although I do get worried about it getting broken if I carry it around in my makeup bag.

5/24/12 Ended up making me break out something fierce! Products like this typically will :(

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mmmaggie on 4/23/2012 11:48:00 PM more reviews by mmmaggie

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Green    

The secret is your face is masked in silicone! Seriously...
PROS: your face is masked in silicone? It is super smoothing. Actually the closest thing a primer will probably get to being a facelift. Forget pores, forget wrinkles...
CONS: your face is actually masked in silicone... It runs out really fast and is hard to spread on your face. It is probably because its like silicone. Also, I only use it on days I need to look perfect and that is like once every few months generously BECAUSE I am pretty sure this would damage your skin to crap, as I don't think it breaths at all under this silicone mask.

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Fashionista97 on 4/23/2012 5:43:00 AM more reviews by Fashionista97

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair   Hair: Red   Eyes: Brown    

This magical product is basically a primer that you put on under your foundation to even out your skin tone and add an extra layer of coverage. It’s also supposed to minimize pores and make your skin look airbrushed, even if you’re not wearing makeup over it. The product has a really, really light icy pink tone to it that helps perk your skin up and gives you what looks like a glow from inside. I really liked this product as it definitely met the mark on all of its claims. My favorite part about it is that it makes my skin look like it has a perfect natural glow, which I think is because of its pink tinge.

I just put it on the problem areas of my face, like on the apples of my cheeks where I have some acne scarring and a little bit on my chin where my foundation tends to splotch a bit. Another reason I am a big fan of this stuff is because you can actually use it underneath your eyes as well.

Overall, I really, really like L’Oreal Studio Secrets Magic Perfecting Base. It’s a great product, at a fairly reasonable price, and it’s great for everyday use.

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MariaLee on 4/22/2012 8:56:00 PM more reviews by MariaLee

Age: 44-55   Skin: Oily   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

This product is really bad. It is not expensive but it seals your skin in a way that the liquid foundation will not blend on your skin. I applied my liquid foundation and it became a mess. The foundation balled with this prime and couldn't stay put on my face. At the end I washed my face and reapplied the makeup without this base. It is completely useless.

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greykat on 4/22/2012 3:01:00 PM more reviews by greykat

Age: 44-55   Skin: Very Dry   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Green    

I love this primer! I actually use it in place of eye shadow, for a natural everyday look. It smoothes out the dark areas and uneven tones on my eyelid, and takes out the shine. It doesn't settle into creases over the course of the day, as eye shadow normally would, and when I wear it, my mascara doesn't leave smudges all over my eyelids. Perfect!!

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

REE43 on 4/21/2012 10:06:00 AM more reviews by REE43

Age: 44-55   Skin: Normal, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

I LOVE this! I ve tried so many primers thought the monistat was a great trick when I discovered that. I tried the Hard candy and thought I liked that but was still not getting the matte look I wanted. I was still getting oily throughout the day. The Loreal perfecting base is a different texture a little thicker and less oily. I use a moisturizer under it and only a little goes a long way. After putting on concealer and foundation , powder, my skin stays flawless looking with no oily look in a few hours. Ive only tried the sample jar at Walgreens but I will have to get the larger one. I think its a little expensive but I cant be without it. I think people need to remember a moisturized face works best before applying or it may be too dry for some.

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lehartley1203 on 4/20/2012 9:28:00 AM more reviews by lehartley1203

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Green    

I love this stuff! I only wish that for the price, it was larger than .5 ounces.

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

Jellyfish91 on 4/16/2012 5:09:00 PM more reviews by Jellyfish91

Age: 19-24   Skin: Very Dry, Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Other    

I do not have much experience with primers but this one makes my skin dry when I apply my pouder on. I was so dissapointed and I HATE using money on product that does not work for my skin. I have psoriasis spots og my face and it just made it worse when I tried to cover it up. Do NOT buy this product if you have dry skin.

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summerlady on 4/16/2012 4:21:00 PM more reviews by summerlady

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

Never used a primer before, so dont have experience with other primers. But this one, my first primer, I can say I quite like/love it.
Reading some other reviews scared me in the way it might cause breakouts. But ended up taking the risk and go for it. I have combo skin. Love the texture, shine control, make up is more longlasting than without primer. Dont need much, it didnt cause breakout, nothing. Skin feels so smooth, even without make up. Re-buy? I think so. Will try other primers as well though to check out, but Im very positive about this one by L'Oreal.

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Mparedes on 4/15/2012 4:55:00 PM more reviews by Mparedes

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Blue    

This is an average primer, it does make skin feel like silk and it is super smooth. In terms of keeping makeup on longer it does not seem to drastically extend the wearing time but it is better than no primer at all. The reason I marked yes in the repurchase box is because it does take away my skin's shine and it has not made me break out like I have experienced from other primers.

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