Review: L'Oreal Studio Secrets Smoothing Resurfacing Primer

Hi everyone :)

Welcome to my first review of 2010! I'm still not used to saying that lol. As you may notice, my review posts are now going to take this format, so hopefully you'll find them more useful. Anyway, here we go!

About the product

L'Oreal say: A Velvet Touch In Record Time. Inspired by professional make-up, this primer masks wrinkles and uneven textures in the skin, making the complexion incredibly smooth with a velvety touch. Skin feels soft as if resurfaced.

The high elastomer content in the Smoothing Primer means that it has a beautifully smooth texture and is incredibly effective at disguising wrinkles and pores. The combination of soft, light powers gives a matte look and silky finish. Silicon oil makes the Primer pleasant and easy to apply and it leaves no greasy residue. Used alone or under foundation, this primer is the perfect base for foundation.

I say: Well, I don't have wrinkles so can't comment there. However, I can verify L'Oreal's claims that the primer masks uneven textures, makes the complexion smooth and gives a velvety touch. Exactly what it says on the tin erm jar. The primer does have a smooth texture and does disguise pores. Win. It does give a beautiful matte and silky finish; my skin always feels wonderful once this is applied. As for the claims that it's easy to apply... well, yes but I find it feels a bit thick and heavy in comparison to the Avon Magix Face Perfector that has quickly become my favourite primer out of the two. When I say it feels heavy, no girls I haven't been applying it with a trowel, but if you've tried the Avon version, the formula feels a lot lighter in comparison with L'Oreal. Regardless, once it's on it does feel great and it's not greasy at all. I use my fingers to apply it and they always feel a bit, well not sticky or greasy, but you know that there's something on them. This is why I prefer Avon's primer because you don't get that. L'Oreal's primer does make a great base, but it's not my favourite. Avon's primer also prevents shine for 12 hours (although I've found it to prevent it for longer) whereas L'Oreal's doesn't.

Application

L'Oreal say: Apply the Smoothing Resurfacing Primer on shadowy areas such as under the eye, and on the least smooth areas: the forehead, the sides of the nostrils and around the mouth, to stop lipstick from running. Apply in little dabs, always smoothing the primer from the inside to the outside of the face (so as to avoid any tide-marks on the edges of the face).

I say: Well, I wish I'd thought of reading this before I started using the product. I thought the idea was to use it all over your face hahaha. Therefore I have about 1/3 of a jar left. Fail. I wondered why daisychain managed to make hers last for 5 months. Now I know :) Is this the same for all primers, i.e. just apply where needed? *Make-up newbie product fail*

Price: £12.99
Size: 15ml
Available from: Boots and boots.com

Ratings
Product: 7/10
Price: 7/10
Packaging: 10/10
Overall: 8/10
Repurchase: Possibly

So, have you tried this primer? What did you think? Do you have any other favourite primers? Whilst having a quick look at boots.com, I've found that L'Oreal do a Studio Secrets Anti-Shine Mattifying Primer for £9.99. I might try this too. After having a bit of a chat with Charlotte the other day, I've decided to try the GOSH Velvet Touch Primer as well, and do a comparison blog post to see which primers I prefer, and which I'd recommend overall :)