Clinique Discolorations Superprimer review

When Clinique launched their new range of Superprimers I was super excited. I adore Clinique skincare so I wasn't sceptical at all with trying them. Released in six variations, each primer is targeted towards a specific skin concern. From covering redness to brightening the skin there is a primer for every skin need.

In all honesty, I could have bought any of the variations (perhaps not the one for deeper skin tones!) and they would have helped. However for trial purpose, I opted for the Discolouration version. It is designed to even out the skin tone whilst helping cover up any blemish or acne scars. And so far I am really happy. I find this primer does help cover up any current spots or old acne scarring marks by evening the skins overall colour. It also makes the skin feel extremely soft making foundation application much quicker and smoother. The product is a bright orange, yet doesn't transfer orange onto the skin. It quickly blends and feels super lightweight. 

My only criticism…it contains a lot of silicone ingredients. My skin is extremely sensitive to silicones, yet I wanted to try the product as I read many reviews of people with a similar skin tone as myself having found no problems. But, for me, I'm not so sure. I have broken out recently but this could be due to hormones, so I will report back. 

If you are lucky enough to be okay with silicones, then this primer is absoultely amazing. If you are sensitive to silica properties, I would suggest you stay clear.

Full Coverage, Luminous Foundation Routine

In foundations I tend to look for ones with medium to full coverage. But the problem I find is that I normally hate the finish of majority of them; way too matte, normally cling to dry areas and just don't look as nice as a lighter coverage, dewy finish foundation. And that's where specially formulated primers come into action.

Pairing a matte foundation with a dewy skin primer will give you the coverage of the foundation yet the appearance of luminous and fresh skin. My favourite for this is the L'Oreal Lumi Magique Pure Light primer. It's a white lotion with small light reflecting particles that instantly make the skin appear more awake. It absorbs really quickly and feels so lightweight and cooling on the skin, I love it. I do prefer it to the Laura Mercier Radiance Primer - this L'Oreal dupe is cheaper and just as effective.

The foundation that I love to pair the primer with is Esteé Lauder Double Wear. It is medium coverage that can be built up to a full coverage. The reason why I particularly love this pairing is because the Esteé Lauder foundation can be a little drying and, especially if you have dry skin, a radiant primer will help make any foundation in fact more comfortable to wear.

I suggest you give this primer a go, in particular if you love the Laura Mercier one and may want a cheaper alternative that's equally as good. You can pick it up for £9.99 at most stores x x x

Max Factor All Day Flawless 3-in-1 Foundation

Max Factor All Day Flawless 3-in-1 Foundation, £11.99

Apologies for the picture and the ever-so-slightly obvious foundation marks on the front. I use it a lot, okay?!

Max Factor's new foundation has been designed with a primer and concealer built in. The primer gives a smooth even base, the concealer corrects any flaws and the foundation gives a light finish - thus, in hindsight, creating the perfect beauty product. But is it worth it?

Quite simply, yes. The formula with SPF20 gives a medium to full coverage with a matte finish. The whole "primer" aspect of the product works well in my opinion as it stays on all day. I wore it for school (I applied it at 7.30) and it lasted the whole day before taking it off before bed. I've mentioned before that I have a habit of leaving makeup on for around 16 hours on a weekday. I guess one of my new years resolutions is to stop that.

I love everything about this product, except the colour range. Like most drugstore foundations, the colour selection is very limited with only six shades. I have the shade beige 55 which is the third darkest and I'm not exactly the tannest of people - therefore I can assume people with darker skin tones might find it difficult to find a match. Those with lighter skin tones on the other hand will find it much easier. Additionally, the foundation is very drying. I have combination skin and even I found it a little too much - using a setting spray helped greatly. Overall, this foundation would suit those with pale to tan skin who have combination/oily skin.

For £11.99 (plus it's always on various discounts/offers), it's totally worth it.

Suzanna xo

The POREfessional Pro Balm by Benefit

I have never been a fan of face primers. Eye primers? Sure. But never face primers. To me, it just seems like a pointless, time-consuming step every morning. Recently, however, I decided to try out Benefit's the POREfessional primer that claims to do wonders for the skin.

Retailed at £23.50, it says the pro balm helps minimise the appearance of pores.

I was excited to try it out.

Does it do what it claims?

Yes, in theory. It makes a smooth base and feels really lightweight and silky (like it says). I do find however, that if I use it regularly it breaks me out so I only use it when I need my make-up to stay on that extra bit longer. Normally, I don't wear a primer. It does do what it says though; minimise pores. It conceals them in a way so that they are less noticeable. All in all, it's a good primer. 

Yet, is it worth the money?

No. I feel that there are so many primers out their that do a better job and are at least - if not more than - half the price. £23.50 is pretty expensive for any make-up product let alone a primer! The benefit of this primer however is that it does minimise pores as well as making a translucent base for foundation. 

It's definitely one to consider if you are in the market of a new face primer.

Would I repurchase it?

I don't think so. Like I said before, I've never been a fan of face primers and, if I was, I don't think I'd fork out another £23.50 on this one. I would definitely find a more affordable alternative.

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Have you tried it? Let me know what you think in the comments!

Suzanna

XOXO

PS. I'm going to Westfield mall tomorrow so expect a major haul-type post on the weekend! And I had my hair cut to today and I'm super pleased with the results :)