Boots • No7 Shine Free Make-Up Base • Primer/ Corrector

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daniellealexandra on 11/29/2011 6:18:00 PM more reviews by daniellealexandra

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

I have a love/hate relationship with this primer, in the sense that I'm not overly keen on it but I have no idea what other primer to try.

It says to use with moisturiser but my face gets really shiny so I try not to moisturise my face too often.

Putting it on without moisturiser however is difficult -- it's quite difficult to spread and sometimes leaves streaks which are hard to blend.

It's a great eyelid primer though, and the colour really shows up.

I always buy this one because it's the only one I know and I'm looking to try a new one that's probably cheaper.

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cariad on 9/25/2011 12:55:00 PM more reviews by cariad

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

I'd have to echo previous reviews and say that this is useless as a face primer. It's thick, difficult to spread around the face and makes foundation application difficult, if not impossible.

However, I've found that it is useful as an eyeshadow primer if I use it without applying moisturiser/foundation to my eyelids first.

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TurtleMoon on 9/25/2011 12:30:00 PM more reviews by TurtleMoon

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brown, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

I don't really understand what others have said here - I've experienced absolutely no problems with this product at all. It doesn't 'ball up' when applied and as far as my face is concerned, is really easy to apply. I put this on after I've applied my moisturiser, but perhaps this is where I differ. I usually apply my moisturiser straight after my shower and then apply this when I do my makeup, which is usually at least 30 minutes later. Perhaps that's the secret?! Either way, I LOVE this product. A little goes a long way, and although I wouldn't say my face stays shine-free all day, it's definitely not as shiney as it would be without it. I would definitely recommend this and will be buying again.

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LilLexy100 on 9/12/2011 7:25:00 AM more reviews by LilLexy100

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Green    

I have to agree with many of the comments below, try as I might, I just can't get this product to stop balling up on my face. I've tried a light moisturiser, a heavy moisturiser (and defeating the object!), dabbing it on after my makeup, letting it set before my make up....all to no avail. It still goes on patchy, makes my skin look flaky and chalky no matter how little of the primer I use. I'm just glad I had a Boots No7 £5 off voucher otherwise I'd be unhappy at paying the full price for this! I'll keep using it for my oily forehead as I have a fringe so need little makeup there, but I wont be repurchasing. I've never had am amazing experience with any No7 product - they're very good at hype and marketing sub-par products.

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saoirsealainn on 8/29/2011 8:35:00 PM more reviews by saoirsealainn

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

Although I read a few fairly damning reviews of this product a while ago, I did want to try a mattifying primer that wasn't too expensive, and so I decided to give it a try anyway.
I experienced many of the same issues that lots of people have - the primer can be patchy, takes mattifying to the point of drying/flaking, the product balling up if you touch it too much, etc. I was very patient, and tried applying it in every way possible. The best way, as far as I found, was to take TINY amounts, and pat it gently into the skin, only rubbing the smallest amount possible to prevent any problems with the texture. The matte effect can be felt immediately, with the primer almost sticking to the fingers because of its dryness. This results in a very patchy effect (no matter how careful I am!) if I use any powder foundation over it - my MAC Studio Fix powder turned into a cakey, flakey horror!
It is a bit better with liquid foundation, but even then, I didn't find that it had a lasting matte effect throughout the day. To be honest, my Revlon ColourStay foundation (without anything underneath it) has a much better mattifying effect than this primer + any of my other foundation. Unless I were to apply loads of it (in which case it would be sticky and ball up), it is not hugely effective; and it is SO difficult to get the hang of application that I just cannot say that it's worth it.
I try to use it occasionally, when I feel a primer urge! But I wouldn't purchase again.

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*TOP REVIEWER* harls321 on 7/27/2011 3:50:00 PM more reviews by harls321

Age: 30-35   Skin: Acne-prone, Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Coarse   Eyes: Brown    

It is all in the application for this product. I use it on top of my sunscreen and dab it into my skin using very little doing each part of my face one at a time. I have very oily skin and it did okay with control. I like that the texture was somewhat dry and not like the usual silicone-y slickness of other primers. I wouldn't suggest this primer to anyone who has dry skin.

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beccabuns on 4/12/2011 12:56:00 AM more reviews by beccabuns

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Hazel    

I found this very hard to apply when using your fingers. It cakes up and does not blend well. But when using it with a foundation brush it spreads evenly without drying on the skin to quickly. It is much easier to apply and distribute on the face when using a brush. I apply a small dap to my foundation brush and do one area of my face at a time. when done like this, the primer is very effective. it really does help control the shine

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*TOP REVIEWER* summerrain1994 on 1/27/2011 6:57:00 PM more reviews by summerrain1994

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Coarse   Eyes: Brown    

I was really turned off primers after using Smashbox Photofinish... luckily, I decided to give it one more go when I ordered No7 Primer off drugstore.com. I was pleasantly surprised - my skin gets very oily during the day, but this almost completely cleared that up! I can literally go eight hours with this underneath my foundation and my face is just a tiny bit oily.
The only thing I don't like after this product is how it leaves your skin feeling after putting it on (not "silky") - it's got an odd texture and if you put it right on top of your moisturizer (without waiting for it to dry) it almost balls up.
Luckily, the weird texture goes away after you put on foundation.

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Catkins on 1/21/2011 3:06:00 PM more reviews by Catkins

Age: 30-35   Skin: Acne-prone   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

I brought this with my £5 off voucher at boots. I did not expect much from it tbh.
Anyhow I am quite suprised - I used it for the first time today and although it is not the greatest in applying it did keep me quite matte and kept my makeup in place all day.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Bindi7 on 8/23/2010 7:50:00 AM more reviews by Bindi7

Age: 25-29   Skin: Oily, Olive, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

I used to use this many years ago but not anymore as i have found better alternatives! I found that it did help to control shine but i didn't like the texture and once applied it was quite difficult to apply powder foundation on top without it looking patchy. It may work for you if you use liquid foundation but still then i don't think it primes skin well at all for foundation. I much prefer a sliky smooth base like Avon magix perfector or Estee lauder Matte Base - they are so much better and worth paying a little more for. Hope this helps sonme of you oily/combination skin lasdies who are looking for a great primer x

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kat55546 on 8/9/2010 5:22:00 PM more reviews by kat55546

Age: 25-29   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

Ok, so it takes a little time to get the hang of using this primer, but it's definitely worth it.
For £10 I think it's just as good as some of the more high end primers.
I've found it's best to apply moisturiser and then immediately put on the primer - it's a thick consistency and unusual to say the least, but I've found it to be a real good little bargain.
Although I'm a fan and would buy it again, I think Smashbox oil-free primer is the best one in existence! Though this is a good everyday product.

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Laurac7 on 7/7/2010 8:11:00 PM more reviews by Laurac7

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

This is def in my top five all time must haves..but it took me a while to get the application right..
i don't like it under my foundation and powder or concealer as find it makes it go cloggy. So after applying all my makeup i dab/pat it gently OVER the top with a clean finger. Not too little and not too much. Takes away most of the shine. I just use where needed..nose and chin in my case. Too much and you look like you've got dry white bits! (if you do this, just dampen that area slightly to remove..gently and then you won't disturb makeup)
Use less and you can at least layer it up when applying.
Also good for eyeshadow base. My tip to avoid the greasy crease bit of eyelids (if you're like me) is to swipe a cotton bud in Shine Free and just gently drag it along the crease line, a few times a day. Works wonders!

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loulibria on 5/10/2010 11:15:00 AM more reviews by loulibria

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

I really don't like this product, it's arkward to apply and if you've accidently used a little to much it turns White and bitty, I ended up washing it off and starting again.
I like a product that is easily applied for those days I am running late and this was a real let down.

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chuichi on 4/12/2010 9:53:00 AM more reviews by chuichi

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Black, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

This is my very first review on MUA so please bear with me :)

Like all the other reviewers have said, this primer is not the easiest to apply. You have to apply in very small amounts and do not rub it in, but rather smooth it in very thinly. I have once made the mistake of smoothing it quite thickly and that does not give an even complexion.

Smoothing it thinly on the T-zone area does give a nice complexion and it keeps my face matte and shine free all day! I prefer not to apply any foundation that requires rubbing as I don't want to risk rubbing the primer away. Rather, I use a sponge to dab on my compact foundation and they stay on the whole day.

This primer gives good effects but not very easy to apply. It is also the first primer I've ever used so I will not buy this again and would rather try some other products.

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princessxhx on 3/14/2010 12:39:00 PM more reviews by princessxhx

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

DO NOT BUY THIS PRODUCT. i tried putting it on numerous ways, with a brush, sponge, fingers, i tried applying before moisturising, after moisturising.. everything! and every time it would dry before id had chance to finish rubbing it in, drying white like tooth paste on my face! if i tried to continue to rubb it in it would go bitty on my face and i'd have to wash it off! even when i though i'd finnally masterd the aplication, i put my foundation on and it caused my foundation to clump all over my face, causing me to look like i had very dry flakey skin! i thought maybe i had a faulty product but i no others who have had similar problems! don't waste your money!

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Florettaxx on 2/7/2010 9:54:00 AM more reviews by Florettaxx

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Cool   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

For this product to work you absoloutly must follow the instructions exactly. For me the product works brilliantly and gives a lovely matte finish to areas which are usually very greasy.

What to do:
- Moisturise evenly all over face. Don't worry about 'am I going to end up greasy??' bc that is this products job to sort out for you.
- Gently smooth in (resist urge to rub in) problem areas of your face eg forehead, chin, nose etc. Don't apply on 'normal' or dry areas. If you have trouble blending it out (and it does disappear very quick) then use a bit at a time, and dont dollop a load on at once.
- The primer should blend clear not white, and then apply foundation, powder, whatever you normally do.

I hope this helps :)

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*TOP REVIEWER* tealeafdoll on 1/26/2010 2:53:00 PM more reviews by tealeafdoll

Age: 19-24   Skin: Sensitive, Fair, Warm   Hair: Black, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

I was hesitant about trying this product, as the reviews seem to be that you either love it or hate it.
But, I must say that overall I really like this primer. I haven't used many other primers in the past, but I have been really impressed with this one.

Like other previous reviewers have mentioned, I can see how you might experience difficulties with application, but after a few uses I think that the main things to consider are: firstly I didn't rub the product on my face, just gently tapped and pressed it onto the skin, secondly only apply it onto oily areas, as otherwise it could create a dry texture. I also make sure that my face is well exfoliated and moisturised before hand. I found that my foundation was easy to apply over the top and the primer didn't effect the colour or texture of it in any way.

Usually my make-up lasts for about 6-7hrs maximum, but with this under I found that my foundation still appeared smooth and oil free even after 10hrs +, which considering the trouble I have had trying to control the oil on my face, is a small miracle!
(for reference I used it with mineral foundation and then topped with Ben Nye neutral set powder, which is another must have for oil control)

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LAT1979 on 10/29/2009 6:48:00 AM more reviews by LAT1979

Age: 30-35   Skin: Dry, Fair   Hair: Red   Eyes: Blue    

This product really DID NOT work on my skin. I have slightly dry sensitive skin and was looking for a primer to smooth out the appearance of my skin. No matter how much I moisutrised before application it still flaked and turned into little sticky balls on my skin. Perhaps it works better on very oily skin.

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louiej785 on 7/3/2009 6:12:00 PM more reviews by louiej785

Age: 19-24   Skin: Oily, Dark   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

This product is SO BAD, thank goodness i had vouchers so i didnt have to pay much for it. The product goes on white and has a chalky and thick consistancy. Not good on black skins at all. It does the opposite of what a make up base is supposed to do as my skin was left uneven and also made my foundation very difficult to apply. On top of that it did NOTHING to keep my skin shine free. The hunt goes on......

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*TOP REVIEWER* Superbeckyy on 7/1/2009 8:40:00 AM more reviews by Superbeckyy

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Sensitive, Fair, Warm   Hair: Red, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

Mixed feelings about this product. The positives: the squeezy tube is excellent, it seems to last a long time and it makes foundation smoother and easier to apply. Due to this, I'd repurchase it as it is more effective in giving skin a smoother finish than when applied onto an unprimed face, especially when having exfoliated the day before.

However one thing which truly irritates me about it is the smell! It smells like sour milk to me, something I hope No. 7 will change. It does give a satisfyingly matte finish for most of the day, though skin still becomes greasy towards the end of a long day without reapplication. You MUST use a light moisturiser before applying, otherwise the product will ball up (though this can be removed with a soft powder brush if it happens) and become a big, disgusting gooey mess!

If I can find a better primer I'd be willing to try it. This one works fine for now but I'm sure there are better primers out there.

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