Tried & Tested Primers | Murad, Kiko and More

If you read my last post, you’ll probably know I’m really into my base products right now. While I’ve been in a bit of a routine with my foundation lately, one product I’ve been switching is up my primer. Considering it’s an essential step of my morning routine, I’m remarkably unfussy when it comes to my primer and will give anything a bash. But whether I’d ever repurchase is a WHOLE other matter.

Of the primers I’ve tried out recently, some I’m a big fan of, and some left me doing a sassy head wiggle and singing ‘that don’t impress-ah me much‘ (yes, I just referenced Shania Twain in a blog in 2016. Deal with it.) As I’m a helpful little person, I’m now going to explain which are which. Thrilling, eh?!

The Mattifying Primers

I’m a girl who likes a matte finish (except on my cheekbones; then I’m all about #DatHighlightDoe), so a mattifying primer will always get a lot of intrigue from me. I picked up the Kiko Mat Base Corrector Primer a while ago and I’m sure you can tell from the squidginess of the packaging that I’ve used it a LOT. Why? Because I like it a lot, that’s why. While I’m not sure if everyone would like the tacky base it creates once applied, I trust it because I feel like my makeup is literally going to stick to it – and I really think it does. My foundation applies flawlessly and very matte where I want it to. At £8.90 I think this is super reasonable, and I’d definitely buy again.

Another mattifying primer I’ve tried out recently is the Kiss Light Reflecting Primer, which I couldn’t resist trying when I saw it in Wilkos for a mere £3. Yes, three English pounds. I was a bit confused by how something can be mattifying and light-reflecting – and to be honest, I still am. I found this to be much more on the mattifying end of things, though it doesn’t have that strong-hold sticky feeling of the Kiko one. In formula it reminded me a bit of a Clarins mousse primer I tried once, and applied velvetty on the skin. My makeup held up quite well with this underneath, but by the end of my working day I definitely felt like the magic had wore off. This is probably one for people who wear quite light bases (unlike I, who slaps it on like I’m on Ru Paul’s Drag Race).

The Blurring Primer

A while back, I was kindly sent the Murad Invisblur Perfecting Shield*. This promises to blur imperfections, protect the skin with SPF 30, and also combat the signs of ageing. I’ve tried one or two Murad products in my time and liked them, so expected to fall head over heels in love with this. Unfortunately, that was not to be. While I think it’s groooovy that it does all of those things it claims, what I really wanted it to do is, you know, be a primer. Give me a great base for my foundation and make my makeup stay on, all that jazz. And it just did not do that for me.

On the contrary, this made my skin pretty slick to start with AND my makeup was sliding off my face by around 11am. Murad Invisiblur Perfecting Shield has won a lot of beauty awards, so obviously this must work for some people. But at £55, I’d recommend trying to get hold of a sample before trying.

The Not-Really-Primers-But-Can-Be-If-You-Want Primers

One thing I always find about primers, is how many non-primers also claim to work well as primers. I’ve seen moisturisers, highlighters and BB creams all advertised as making great primers on top of serving their main purpose – and recently I’ve been trying two such products. Firstly, the Embryolisse Emulsion Hydra-Mat* (available at Boots) is a paraben-free mattifying moisturiser that claims to absorb excess sebum and reduce shine in the process. This is supposedly used by a lot of celebrities and makeup artists, and I really do like it. It leaves my skin feeling calmed, and definitely takes away oil instantly. My makeup also stays on nicely with this, though my nose needs a powdering throughout the day.

Finally, I’ve also tried out the Clean & Clear Hint of Tint* (also available at Boots), which is a tinted moisturiser with spot-fighting ingredients. I think that if I wore a lighter base, I would really like this product as it provides additional coverage and is also oil-free. At the moment I wear enough layers of makeup to want the extra colour, but for younger skin or those who like to go quite bare, I would recommend giving this cheap and cheerful product a go.

Have any of you tried these products? Let me know in the comments!

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