Review: Reviva Labs Makeup Primer!

Reviva Labs Makeup Primer

 PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: Apply over moisturizer or instead of moisturizer. Lines fill in, pores are concealed, excess oil is controlled. Skin so touchable, so silky smooth, you will find it hard to believe.

INGREDIENTS: 

I love products with such short ingredient lists! Nothing unneccesary. It's non-comedogenic and fragrance-free - so, there are less irritants for your skin.

READ MORE FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS AND MY REVIEW!

 

 Essentially, it's a base for your makeup - powder or liquid. A primer should even out your skin's surface to make it the perfect smooth base for your makeup. When applying makeup, you may notice there is more of a "slip" to your skin, so the foundation is able to move freely all over your face without caking or settling in dry areas. Depending on the particular primer, it can mattify your skin/control oil, conceal enlarged pores, keep your skin moisturized and prolong the wear of your makeup.

Directions for use: Over moisturizer or directly on clean skin, apply just a drop on your forehead, each cheek and above the jaw line. Massage in, over the entire face. Allow the product to absorb. Then apply makeup.

*You can use your fingers or any cosmetic brush. I actually like using a standard foundation brush to smooth it all over my face or a duo-fiber brush. 

The primer itself is clear and like mentioned, fragrance free. Some silicone primers are white or cloudy, but this one is crystal clear. It has that familiar silicone texture, but it also feels incredibly moisturizing. The silicone sensation isn't as strong as some primers I've tried that instantly have a very powdery feel. This primer seeps into the skin with a buttery feel and leaves the skin feeling velvety smooth - I'm talking baby soft. After about a minute, the primer has been absorbed and doesn't leave a greasy trail behind. What I really love about this primer is that it does such a good job at softening my skin's surface and giving my skin the slight slip it needs to apply my foundation. Once I apply a pump of foundation, I never have to back for more. The primer allows me to coat my face evenly and use less foundation. It also works fantastic under powder foundation. I used it with my MAC Studio Fix Powder and I get such better results than using nothing at all. I didn't really find that it concealed my pores (although, I don't have enlarged pores) and I still get a little oily in the t-zone by the end of the day.

I know it all depends on your skin type if you feel the need for a primer, but considering my skin is very "normal", I don't find primers being a huge necessity for me. I'll usually use a light moisturizer or a spritz of MAC Fix + Spray and be fine with it. I have definitely tried many primers - Laura Gellar Spackle, Bare Escentuals Skin Rever Upper, Smashbox Photo Finish, Nars Primer, MUFE HD, Monistat Gel, Rimmel Fix & Perfect, MAC Prep + Prime, Clarin's Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch, Hard Candy Sheer Envy, ELF Mineral.. the list goes on, although probably not much further than that. Although I've liked some of them, but like I said, never felt the strong "need" to continue purchasing them. Several of them actually irritated my skin, mainly the ones containing silicone. I actually really liked Smashbox Photo Finish when I would wear it a few years back, but I couldn't wear it more than a few days in a row or I'd break out. With that said, I was a little worried that I'd break out from Reviva Labs. I'm very happy to say though, that Reviva Labs Makeup Primer didn't cause any irritations (with some silicone primers, I'd feel the need to wash my face mid day because it would feel greasy, or itch!) and it didn't make me break out. For that reason, this primer is one I'd highly recommend.

Because of it's moisturizing factor and the fact that it contains silicone, I would find it best suited for dry, normal and combination skin types. The primer states that it can be used on oily skin, but I don't know if this primer would give enough oil control.

The price of this primer is $19.50 for a 1 oz bottle. It may seem high (I think primers in general are way overpriced) but in comparison to other brands - Smashbox ($32-$38 per 1oz), Nars ($32 per 1 oz), Urban Decay ($30 per 1 oz), Illamasqua ($30 per 1 oz), Laura Mercier ($30 per 1.7 oz), it's not too bad. Also, there are various online retailers, Vitacost for example that sells it for a lower cost of $11.99.

PROS: Non irritating, fragrance free, didn't cause break outs, no preservative/parabens, smooths the skins surface, velvety texture.
CONS: Didn't conceal pores or lines. 
PACKAGING: Great overall packaging. It comes in a durable, glass bottle with a pump dispenser in which you can control how much product will be dispensed. 
OVERALL: I think this is an overall great primer and worth a try if you haven't found your right one! 

 Disclaimer: This product was sent to me for free for consideration. This review is completely honest based on my individual experience in using this product.

Review: Hard Candy Sheer Envy Primer

Product Description: Sheer Envy Primer helps to even out the skin while reducing shine. Improves foundation application while minimizing skin imperfections. Make-up lasts longer and skin is left velvety smooth. (Source: http://www.hardcandy.com)

The back of the tube reads "A lightweight formula that enhances the skin's texture and primes the skin for makeup application".

Instructions for use: Apply a small amount for an even layer all over your face to create a skin-smoothing finish. Once dry, follow with foundation.

The tube is 1.6 oz or 45g and can be purchased at Wal-mart for $8.

Hard Candy Sheer Envy Primer is silicone based and shares a lot of the same ingredients as Smashbox Photo Finish, ELF Mineral Face Primer, Etc. The product itself is white and a little chunky (sounds lovely, right?).. but once applied to the skin, it blends in very easily and seamlessly. The outcome is skin that is soft to the touch and slightly more matte complexion.

You can see from the photo at the end that it does mattify the skin and fill in the small cracks.

My thoughts: Although I'm not very "big" on silicone primers - or primers in general for that matter.. I actually do enjoy using this one. I reviewed ELF's Mineral Primer maybe a month or so ago (click here for reference) and although they are very similar, I prefer Hard Candy Sheer Envy. I think it has something to do with the texture. Hard Candy's primer is a little more lightweight and has less of a thick "silicone" feel to it. I really like the way it makes my skin feel velvety soft and creates a great, even canvas for my foundation. What I especially noticed is when using my Cinema Secrets (cream/cake) foundation, this primer really allowed me to use less product - as it helped the product move around my face better. I also think the end result of my foundation looked much better and even. I will make sure to use this primer on days where I'll be wearing Cinema Secrets. As for my liquid foundations, I was again able to use less product & my outcome would be a very good, even foundation application. I didn't notice though, that it pro-longed the wear of my foundation, kept shine away or camouflaged my pores like other silicone primers may do. I find it a little difficult to rate primers on their performance because I change my products all of the time (moisturizers, foundations, etc) Otherwise, I'd probably be able to rate it better. But I do overall like this product and will continue using it for certain foundations. I also think it would work fabulous with powder foundation. So, if you like silicone primers, this is a great one to look into. :)

Have you tried this product? Post your thoughts below!

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with Hard Candy.

ELF Studio Mineral Infused Facial Primer!

Product Description: "Transform your face into a flawless and smooth canvas with the Mineral Infused Face Primer. Developed to combat against excess oil, flaky dryness, enlarged pores and fine lines. This clear multipurpose skin primer will prepare your skin so makeup goes on evenly for a long lasting satin finish." 

(Source: eyeslipsface.com) 

Left: Smoothed Out, Right: Blended

Directions: Apply to clear skin prior to makeup application. Use a small amount and blend evenly all over the face for a smooth and flawless base.

Ingredients: Cyclomethicone, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Silica, Penoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben.

Ingredients in Smashbox Photofinish Primer (to compare): Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone, Trisiloxane, Silica, Dimethicone/ Vinyldimethicone Crosspolymer, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Extract, Propylene Glycol, Water (Aqua, Eau), Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract, Cola Acuminata Seed Extract, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract. 

What do these ingredients mean?  
Cyclomethicone is a clear, odorless silicone with a non-greasy feel that dries quickly and leaves no oily residue. It is widely used in personal care products such as deodorant, skin care, hair products and cosmetics. Its molecules are too large to enter the skin cells. Because it stays on the surface of the skin, it gives the skin a silky texture and creates a film on the skin that locks in moisture (ideal for primers)
Dimethicone Crosspolymer is also a silicone and is used to give the product a thicker and smoother texture.
 Dimethicone A silicone oil that is used to create a protective (breathable) barrier for the skin. It is widely used as a skin protectant, emollient, and moisturizer.
Silica is a white powder which is slightly soluble in water, occurs abundantly in nature and is an absorbent material for skin creams
 Penoxyethanol is a parben-free preservative used to protect against bacteria.
(Sources: Thenaturalstore.com, wikipedia.org & cosmedicine.com)


As you can see, the top ingredients are similar to Smashbox Photofinish Primer. But, Smashbox has a larger list of ingredients. ELF Mineral Primer only contains silicones and a few preservatives. Smashbox has different oils, extracts, etc. Since it's a Silicone based primer, if you tend to break out from silicones, you may want to steer clear of this product. I personally haven't had any problems with using this product & I think it's a great alternative to the higher end silicone primers. A lot of people use Monistat Chafing Relief Powder Gel as a cheaper alternative (which can range from around the same price as ELF Mineral Primer or a couple dollars more - BUT, you receive a .5 oz more product). I really like the primer. It seems to help my makeup apply more evenly and it does slightly mattify or "blur" my pores. I can't say for sure.. but I don't think it actually "helps" my makeup stay on longer. In fact, I don't think any primer really does. Or least I haven't noticed any do so. The regular price of this primer is $6, and I got it for only $3 - I think it's a great bargain for a primer. Also, I love that it comes with a pump.. and the bottle is very sturdy!

Have you tried this primer? What primer is your favorite? 
Do you feel that they are a waste of money and a reg moisturizer will work the same?