Illamasqua • Matt Primer • Primer/ Corrector

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katieeholliday on 5/19/2013 7:18:00 PM more reviews by katieeholliday

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

I use this to mix with my skin base foundation to thin it out, and it's okay. Not the best primer I have tried, I have oily skin around my t zone and this primer feels quite greasy on my face and doesnt seem to dry at all. The bottle is great though because it's squeezy, but it coems out more like a liquid so you've got to be careful not to squeeze too much! I'm 50/50, sometimes I like it sometimes I don't! although it smells like caramel, lovely!

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*TOP REVIEWER* Brid1 on 4/5/2013 5:42:00 AM more reviews by Brid1

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

I was impressed overall with the the SA at Selfridges in Birmingham and very impressed with her make up and her overall knowledge about the products. I am a primer junkie - having tried so many and always on the look out for the HG product. The first problem I noticed was that my foundation changed to an orange colour and took about 5 minutes to tone down again! Very odd and slightly disconcerting as it changed the overall colour without a doubt. I noticed that one other reviewer mentions the same problem! This is not a problem I have ever noticed before with other primers such as MAC, Urban Decay, Lancome, Daniel Sandler, Estee Lauder etc.

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jlbre5 on 10/2/2012 3:42:00 AM more reviews by jlbre5

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair, Warm   Hair: Blond, Curly   Eyes: Blue    

So far my favourite primer. No silicone, non-slick, non-greasy. I use it under Skin Base.
Pros: Says Matt finish, but has a nice subtle sheen to it still. Makes make-up last ALL day. Smells lovely (vanilla), doesnt break me out. Great container that will allow you to use up all the product. Made in Germany.
Cons: Its got the consistency of glu (-1 lippie)
VERDICT: Love it, holding out the title of HG (just in case) but will definitely buy again

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COCO792 on 8/30/2012 11:19:00 AM more reviews by COCO792

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair, Warm   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Green    

I was looking for a new primer after my Urban Decay pore perfecting one ran out. and since I knew Illamasqua is a great brand with great products, I decided to give this a try.

I chose the matte primer because I want my primer to make my makeup last longer, rather than look luminous (plus I have slightly oily skin).

this feels quite light and runny when you apply it, but if you put too much on it can feel heavy. it also doesn't spread too great either so you have to be careful and try to make it spread as far as you can with as little product as you can get away with.

this primer makes my foundation (Illamasqua skin base) last the whole day when teamed with Illamasqua's matte loose powder. it also makes makeup go on smoother. it doesn't give you an absolute no shine matte finish, which I love, you still have your natural glow, even with matte powder on top. but then again, skin base has a semi-matte finish so that might be why. but if you wear this on its own, it will give you a no shine matte finish.

it also has a nice vanilla scent, like all Illamasqua products. though the scent in the primer is stronger than other products, but I don't mind because I like the smell :)

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mskittynoir on 8/7/2012 12:06:00 AM more reviews by mskittynoir

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

Love illamasqua! hate this primer... The texture/ the results... Greasy for my skin. Yuck

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KaziaV on 7/28/2012 8:17:00 AM more reviews by KaziaV

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair, Cool   Hair: Blond, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

I am very disappointed with this product.
.
The worst thing about it though is that it makes my makeup oxidize within seconds.
I tried this under my MAC Studio Fix Fluid NW20. Normally this is the perfect shade for me but when I apply this makeup over the Illamasqua primer it oxidizes almost immediately and changes from fresh and flawless looking to muddy and orange. It seems to highlight any areas of pigmentation too.

It does, however, maintain a matte finish throughout the day and really helps control oil. This would be ok if you don't mind being orange.

I might try this one more time under my Illamasqua Skinbase foundation, which is a bit light for me, before chucking it in the bin!

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samology on 7/26/2012 10:42:00 PM more reviews by samology

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

For the amount I paid (that's like about S$40, much more than the amount I paid for POP Beauty), I expected it to work like a dream. However, it didn't.

The texture is alright - it does make my skin smoother but it doesn't really do much to cover my enlarged pores. I also really dislike the overwhelming scent that it emitted - it smells like some sickeningly sweet vanilla.

I do like the packaging though - it's simple, & I love its angular shape. But I'll not purchase again. Will continue using POP Beauty's Face Magnet until I find a better face primer.

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x0livia on 3/11/2012 5:37:00 AM more reviews by x0livia

Age: 19-24   Skin: Oily, Fair-Medium, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Green    

I really like this product. Reeeeeally like it.
I apply it on my t zone and the part of my cheeks near my nose, and there is a serious improvement to the level of shine. Without primer, I often have no make up by the end of the day. With this, there's still an awful lot left on my make up wipes when I take it off. I use with MAC studio fix fluid or Revlon colorstay.
Obviously, there is still some shine that appears, mainly on my nose which is super oily, but I would definitely recommend this product.

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theinflightradio on 9/12/2011 12:57:00 AM more reviews by theinflightradio

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone, Tan, Warm   Hair: Brown, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

Meh. So far, I've had this product for only a few days so it's only been through a couple of uses... but in those uses, it hasn't really wowed me. Let me start with a description on the physical traits of the product: it is white and has a texture like glue, with a pretty powerful honey/vanilla scent. As you can imagine, rubbing something on my acne-prone, oily face with that description is not what I would normally do. However, the Sephora sales lady claimed it would keep me matte all day. Obviously, I know that nothing can keep my face matt all day. But this just kind of makes it feel chalky because it goes on pretty heavy. Honestly, I don't think it has really done anything in terms of mattifying my skin... and it does absolutely nothing for my pores or redness.

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*TOP REVIEWER* sexysylvia1211 on 3/24/2011 10:17:00 AM more reviews by sexysylvia1211

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brown, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

I have combination skin with a super oily nose and while this primer is not a miracle product, but I like it. I apply it over my LP moisturiser and then my usual HG foundation LM silk creme. I like a slight 'glow' I hate too matte skin, but i feel after lunchtime at the latest, my subtle glow i get from my foundation and light chanel powder, is more of a total shine!! This primer goes on so smoothly, it makes my make up look so much better, and minimises my shine id say by about 50%. It doesnt give me a totally matte t zone but i get the 'slightly glowy' look for a lot longer, way into late afternoon, rather than the usual full on shine id usually get! EDIT: However, as its getting warmer now in the UK 20c this is really not doing much at all. Im oily within a few hours- but I still continue to use it because it does make my foundation look much more smooth and flawless overall and i will continue to use it until i have found an amazing mattifying primer! I would not rec this for ladies with very oily skin/t zones.

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ad0 on 1/5/2011 4:33:00 AM more reviews by ad0

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

This primer smells SOOOO yummy. It smells like honey or something really sweet... other than that, it does it's job keeps my makeup on and stops it from running. Mind you reviewers this is the first primer I have ever used so I'm not sure whether this is THE greatest or not but so far, it is to me =]
Happy reviewing guys

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speedbumpmeatpuppet on 10/15/2010 12:16:00 PM more reviews by speedbumpmeatpuppet

Age: 25-29   Skin: Sensitive, Fair   Hair: Other   Eyes: Blue    

I have super-oily AND super-sensitive skin (dubba-whammy!). Plus, my acne-prone skin can't tolerate sillicones (that alone knocks out half the primers out there!). So I need something that will keep oil at bay, not irritate my skin, and not break me out; truly, a tall order. But this primer stands up to the challenge AND it has SPF, wooooo!
I let my moisturizer sink in for a bit, then I apply this primer gently with my fingers and let it sink in for a few minutes (while you're waiting, brush your teeth or pick out your outfit or do a shakey-shakey dance or something). My skin feels sooooo soft afterward! Then I apply my Buff'd mineral makeup, and off I go.
Price: Not dirt-cheap~ $30 USD. But it lasts foreeeever, even with daily use.
Packaging: I don't care about packaging unless I love it or hate it. And I LOVE this packaging. It looks nice, it's plastic so it won't break when I drop it, it keeps the rest of the product sanitary, and you can really shake the product down into the tip to get every last drop.
This is one of the few things that passed my "Would I re-purchase?" test. I'm terribly fickle about cosmetics; one day I'm in love, and the next day we've broken up (have you ever dumped an eyeliner? Heart-breaking). So when I actually use something up and go buy another, it's a keeper!
My only complaint: I still need a good setting powder to completely control oil; this primer alone won't do it. Of course, to be fair, my MMU (5 ingredients- "light" formula) doesn't do much for oil, while other foundations have junk in there to help with oilies. BUT, even with a mediocre setting powder (still searching for my HG powder), and my no-help MMU, my makeup STILL lasts for 10-11 hours before it's just beyond all hope and I need to wash it off and re-apply. Oh yeah, and that's WITHOUT blotting or mid-day touch-ups (I'm lazy; that's just how I roll, baby). Daaaaang.
Final thoughts: If you have sensitive skin, give this a try (you can always return it!). I'm sure I'll keep trying other primers (omg cheating!), but it's nice to know I can always count on Illamasqua Matt Primer to soothe my skin after the other primers have wrecked up the place.
P.S. Seriously, SHAKE WELL before use!

7 out of 7 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

itsjustme on 5/21/2010 4:31:00 PM more reviews by itsjustme

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Dark, Warm   Hair: Black, Kinky, Coarse   Eyes: Brown    

Spot on jenrowe, I felt this was good at first but realised soon after it was just because I mixed it with my illamasqua foundation. (it was the omly primer that could thin it effectively as opposed to a moisturiser which would make my skin feel greasy) . This does seem to be breaking me out. I had 5 spots on each cheek and I was itching like a ferret. When I used it on its own...I hated it, to be fair it seems to be okay used with the rich liquid foundation but on its own it is just dry and does not even mattify that well (lasts bout 5 hours) and does nothing for the pores or the laydown of the fondation. It also made my skin paler even though I used not that much, did make my skin feel softer though. O do not get me wrong, illamasqua is a great range but this for £21 is just called stealing. It is a smaller amount and not as effective as Smashbox anti shine, MAC PREP& Prime, Smasbox photo finish which by the way are all at least 3 quid cheaper and in bigger tubes/ bottles.

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

jennrowe on 5/9/2010 9:11:00 AM more reviews by jennrowe

Age: 30-35   Skin: Oily, Tan, Neutral   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Green    

Overall just ok as a concealer. I do find that it is breaking me out more than other primers previously used. The consistency is more like a spot treatment for oily areas than a primer. I really had high hopes after reading all the great reviews. But I am not impressed and plan on going back to my smashbox photo finish primer in light. I have oily skin and with this primer after approx. 7 hours on my makeup is melting off my skin. Hope this helps.

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

*TOP REVIEWER* Gizzyxx on 5/7/2010 10:00:00 AM more reviews by Gizzyxx

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

I like this primer a lot, in summary:

*Face less shiny with this during the course of the day
*Foundation lasted a longer period of time than with my GOSH primer
*White so you can see where you have put it.....dries clear
*Makes skin feel amazingly smooth
*Fills in fine lines, pores
*Doesnt clog my pores

CONS:
*Cheapy looking/feeling packaging (I think all of thier range's packaging looks cheapy....they need to improve it big time)
*Will be hard to get the last bits of out the bottle when its running out - WASTE
*A bit pricey for a primer - 30ml for £19

I think that I will not continue to use this everyday, but keep it for night make-up and special occasions as its a bit pricey and my GOSH one does a good job for less money. I still love the Illamasqua one though!

Would I recommend: Yes
Would I repurchase: Yes

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thatgirlwho on 3/7/2010 12:34:00 PM more reviews by thatgirlwho

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

Despite the fact my skin has gone pretty dry recently, I still like to look really matte, and this seems to be the answer to my prayers, a real HG. I really didn't know if I'd like it when I bought it but now I'm so glad I did! I use this under my foundation and it keeps me matte for hours. I've also noticed that my foundation lasts a lot longer too. I'd definately recommend this!

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MelissaH35 on 2/8/2010 12:16:00 PM more reviews by MelissaH35

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

Bought this product after reading the reviews on here as my skin is quite oily so i needed something that made my foundation last all day. Although it doesnt really make my foundation last much longer than it used to i would definatly recommend this as it makes my foundation glide on so easily! It makes my skin look flawless ones my foundation is on! so even! I like the way its a white cream so you can see where your putting it. The only thing that would make me think twice is the price! its such a small bottle i was shocked when they told me how much this was! Overall a good product

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*TOP REVIEWER* firework_girl on 1/19/2010 8:55:00 AM more reviews by firework_girl

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Black, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

Illamasqua have won me over yet again!
Although I quite like a glowy primer for my cheeks, I need something matte for my t-zone (nose & chin in particular). I've lost count of how many primers I've tried to date, but most of the mattifying ones haven't won me over completely. Enter Illamasqua.
I love their Rich Liquid & Cream foundations so I thought I'd give this a try & I'm so glad I did.
It's a creamy, white primer that blends in really well. It doesn't feel sticky or ball up. The most fantastic thing is that whilst it makes your skin matte, it doesn't leave it feeling dry at all. I get a bit of a glow after a few hours, but never an oily look or feel. It does help my foundation wear a little longer too. I've found I only need to blot once or twice at the absolute maximum throughout the day. That's good going for me.
The packaging is very simple but sleek looking; a clear plastic tube with Illamasqua's signature shiny black cap. Since it's a tube, it dispenses really well & you can get as much of the product out as you need without any mess or waste.
At £18, it's a bargain since it actually works & you need to use very little at a time. This should last me quite a while but I will definitely repurchase once I run out.

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looweehse on 11/29/2009 11:20:00 AM more reviews by looweehse

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair, Cool   Hair: Red, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Green    

Quite like this product.
I've tried many so called 'mattifying' primers that haven't worked, this is the only one that actually does stop me from looking shiny.
The product is white in colour, which some people don't like, but I do as you can see exactly where you are spreading it so as not to miss any places. Once spread over the skin it's invisible though.
My foundation does stay on much longer with this, and settles into my pores and lines less than it used to, but it's not a miracle worker.
My only real gripe with this is the smell. Like most other Illamasqua products it has that lovely vanilla scent, except this also has a weird undescribable scent mixed in with it. I can smell it quite strongly when I first apply it, but then it wears off and it's fine. Still, not too nice.
I will repurchase this once I run out, as the smell is only a small sacrifice for a decent, not too expensive primer.

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titty1113 on 10/18/2009 9:03:00 AM more reviews by titty1113

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Other   Eyes: Green    

Best primer I found sofar.
Pros: silicon-free so it does not clog my pores and feels light on my skin, glides on easily, smells great, mattifies very effectively
Cons: have to saw the container open to get the last drops out :) but I guess it is the same with all these plastic bottle thingies. I am not a huge fan of them.
Also, Illamasqua should do something similar to MAC's Back To MAC, I don't like wasting the containers!

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