Tried and tested: This month's new primers, concealers and face powders
From primers to concealers to face powders, puts this month’s launches to the test.
PORE-ERASING PRIMERS
Primers are packed with silicones that settle across your face. Their most common flaw, I find, is that those oily types who need to hide large pores most benefit from them for only a few hours. La Base Pro Pore Eraser is aptly named, especially if you have normal or dry skin, as it combines several silicones with Vitamin E to create a flawless base.
This brand’s Total Control Drop Foundation is such a fine option for oily types. Unfortunately this cannot be relied upon for oil control, which may affect how long the natural-matte finish lasts. It is mainly silicone, so will break down after a few hours if you have excess oil issues. It also has a milky tint that will not suit all complexions. On the plus side, it is irritant-free, quick-drying and creates a smooth canvas for makeup.
This is a budget buy that does not budge, provided you have normal-to-dry skin. It does a good job of smoothing pores and lines but, unlike most modern primers, does not contain any flaw-blurring pigment, so you will need as much help from concealer or a medium-to-high coverage foundation to hide shadows and blemishes as you would otherwise. It contains no skincare ingredients but is also irritant-free and does not leave skin dehydrated by day’s end. On balance it is a good no-frills primer for a great price.
Primer Plus Protection is exactly what it says on the tube. UV damage accelerates skin-aging, including pore expansion. Pores stretch as skin loses elasticity, which UV rays support by breaking down the natural substances – collagen, hyaluronic acid that keeps things firm and plump. This formula not only protects these natural assets but hydrates skin with kukui seed oil and hyaluronic acid. You must apply generously to take full advantage of the SPF50 but it feels comfortable after setting and does help makeup hold up well. Fragrant essential oils, most noticeably and geranium and lavender, smell pleasant but sensitise skin with daily use and are of no benefit care-wise.
UNDER-EYE CONCEALERS
This is a water-based, super-light concealer that still manages to hold enough pigment for full coverage. The 12-shade range has wonderful matches for even very fair skin, so it is a bit of a shame that it works for under-eyes only. It is far too brightening not to highlight blemishes but gives the eyes a wonderfully healthy glow. The formula is fragrance-free and, though long-wearing, comfortable around sensitive eyes.
This is one of those unicorn concealers that hides blemishes just as well as under-eye circles. The rich texture suggests it may crease but it is very flexible and sets to a natural-matte finish. Born This Way Foundation best suits normal-to-dry types best but this camouflage is truly universal, lightweight and available in twenty shades.
This is a full-coverage concealer with radiant pigment, developed to both hide and override under-eye shadows. The formula contains a couple of anti-ageing ingredients and is quite thick but does not cake or crease. The finish is a little tacky, possibly due to the waterproofing polymer. This may cause pilling if you apply concealer before foundation.
This concealer is a star buy, providing perfect camouflage with very little product. The formula is light but high-coverage and available in both flesh tones and colour-correcting green, yellow and lavender (the green looks a little odd, redness is best corrected with a shade that matches your complexion).
MATTIFYING FACE POWDERS
This powder is a great option for the acne-prone as it is talc-free with kaolin clay and other gentle oil-control ingredients. There is a slight tint but the ‘light’ shade blends with the brand’s forty lightest foundation shades so it can safely be chosen to finish any fair makeup. The jar is quite messy to work with and not ideal for carrying around. Luckily it is quite long-wearing and maintains a flawless, opaque look.
This is an excellent budget powder. It keeps makeup set and matte without a chalky finish. It is absorbent and best suits oily types. It has a light tint, available in nine natural-look shades. It contains a little flaw-blurring, light-reflective pigment but not enough to be luminous. You will need to touch up but at this price you can go to town with a large brush and still feel you aren’t wasting money.
This is the powder that will see your makeup through a heatwave, no matter your skin-type. It is water, shine and sweat-proof but does not leave skin dry or looking chalky. It obscures flaws without creating a mask-like finish. The fibres are super-soft and require next-to-no blending.
This is expensive for a translucent powder, possibly because of the number of anti-ageing ingredients in the formula. Powders cannot deliver these to skin as well as creams or serums, especially as you would not want your powder to penetrate the skin. The silky feel and fine texture are similar to those of the Urban Decay powder and does give makeup a lovely radiant-matte look.
