Becca Mattifying Primer Review

DISCUSSION:

34 comments so far...

• 1 mouse // Aug 28, 2007 at 12:03 pm

  Hi Jazmin!

  Question for you–what is the right way (and right amount) to use primer? I’ve tried using Smashbox photofinish, but it doesn’t seem to work that great under mineral make-up. Could I be using too much–or too little? Should I wait for a while after I apply it before I apply my make-up?

  THANKS!

• 2 Jazmin // Aug 28, 2007 at 7:15 pm

  Hi mouse!! How’s it going?

  I understand what you mean about Smashbox Photo Finish…it can be a little sticky if you apply your mineral makeup too soon after applying the primer.

  Here’s how I use it:

  1. I apply my moisturizer *before* applying about a dime-sized amount of the primer (or more if I’m skipping the foundation altogether and wearing the primer by itself).

  2. Give the primer some time to “set”…this is when I’ll apply eyecream, blowdry hair, do eye-makeup.

  3. By now the primer should have created a smooth, non-sticky surface on your skin and you’re ready to apply your foundation.

  If you still have problems with the Photo Finish, Becca Primer Base and Laura Mercier primer both offer good, non-silicone based primers (it’s that silicone which can cause the “stickiness”).

  Good luck!

• 3 mouse // Sep 7, 2007 at 12:19 am

  Thanks for the step-by-step directions, Jazmin! Truly helpful! BTW, I tried the Becca and I LOVE it!! The stuff really makes my skin look flawless, but what I really love is how it keeps the shine-ies away–even in 100+ degree weather. Keep up your immensely helpful reviews! The only way I would even consider buying a product is with your thumbs-up. Thanks again!

• 4 amber // Jan 28, 2008 at 5:25 pm

  i havent tried any of these brands but i have tried a mary kay version, it worked great but the shine came back within an hour or two. is there anything else i can do other than a mattifier? everytime i go shopping for new makeup, trying to find something that wont get so shiny so quickly, i end up with a bunch of stuff that dosent work. most of the people selling makeup think i am just over reacting when i say that i have OILY skin. they put on foundation and then powder, maybe put some eyeshadow on and BAM…my face is that wet shiny look(looks bad). My face gets oily without makeup but never like that wet shiny. i dont know what to do. ive tried i think all the clinique brands, some of the lancome brands…i dont know what to do. any tips would help.

• 5 Jazmin // Jan 29, 2008 at 1:25 pm

  Hi Amber! Thanks so much for your question!

  You said that you don’t want to use a mattifier (though that can certainly help), but some other options are to use a primer that absorbs oil. The BECCA primer that I wrote about above works really well for me. There are a number of other primers that will also help get rid of shine. These include Clean Slate by Tarte and Smashbox Photo Finish Lite.

  When it comes to foundations, choose one that’s oil-free and be sure to avoid any formulas that say that they’re intended for dry or aging skin.

  Powder foundations are a great option for oily skin types and you may even want to try a mineral foundation like Bare Escentuals or Pur.

  If you prefer liquid foundation, go for something that’s specifically formulated for controlling oil like Bourjois Matt Lovely Mattifying Liquid or Makeup Forever Mat Velvet + Mattifying Foundation.

  Finish off with a loose powder and keep some face blotting tissues handy for touch-ups.

  I hope that helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions ; )

• 6 Jordan // Feb 12, 2008 at 4:10 pm

  Hey,
  Do you know of any primers that are not too expensive that can be found in Canada?

• 7 Jazmin // Feb 12, 2008 at 4:38 pm

  Hi Jordon, thanks for the question! What kind of price range are you looking for?

  There aren’t too many inexpensive “drugstore” primers out there. The one that comes to mind is Maybelline Superstay Silky Foundation, which combines both a foundation and primer in one bottle ($10.99 USD). And, unfortunately, I don’t know if it’s available in your area (but hopefully it is, if you want to try it!).

  Another option for you could be to shop from sites like Amazon.com, which will ship to Canada.

  I hope that helps!

• 8 Leah // Feb 25, 2008 at 11:00 am

  Thanks for this write-up! How much do you get in this tube? Which do you like better, Becca or the new Cargo one? I have oily skin with some dry patches, and visible pores. I also have acne. I was just told by a Sephora saleswoman to use primer so my foundation won’t clog my pores. She tried to pitch Smashbox, but it’s so expensive!

• 9 Jazmin // Feb 25, 2008 at 11:29 am

  Hi Leah! You’re so welcome. It’s my pleasure!

  With the Becca primer, you get 1.7 oz for $35 vs. 1 oz of the Smashbox Photo Finish Light for about the same price.

  If you’re talking about the new Cargo blu_ray mattifier ($24 for 0.94 oz), I’m really loving it. If you’d like, you can check out my review of it.

  I think it makes an excellent primer and, if I had to pick only one, I think I would choose it over Becca, which up until now has been my favorite.

  The problem with the Cargo mattifier is that it can be too drying…you’d definitely want to avoid putting it on your dry areas.

  I hope that helps!

  And P.S. — I agree that primers can be pricey. And it’s annoying that the mass retail brands (like L’Oreal, Covergirl, etc) haven’t taken a stab at creating more affordable primers! Hopefully they will in the future ; )

• 10 Jazmin // Feb 25, 2008 at 1:33 pm

  Oh, and something I forgot to add…I also prefer the Cargo primer over the Smashbox Photo Finish primers that I’ve tried (the original formula and the anti-aging formula).

  However, I’m still yet to try the Photo Finish Light, which is formulated specifically for oily skin (and would be the appropriate one to compare with these other oil-absorbing primers ;)

• 11 Leah // Feb 26, 2008 at 9:10 am

  Thanks for the answer. I read the review on the Cargo mattifier, that’s what brought me to this review. I should’ve left my comment over there. So I should try the Cargo one? I’m taking your word for it ;-) You really make it sound magical. And I agree! Why haven’t any of the drugstore brands made something like this? Hopefully they’ll join soon! I’ll try to keep you posted once I buy the Cargo mattifier and try it out.

• 12 Jazmin // Feb 26, 2008 at 4:54 pm

  No problem! lol, I love how you describe reviews and packaging as making the product sound “magical.”

  I definitely recommend the Cargo one. But while it’s the most “magical” primer I’ve tried, it has its shortcomings. It can be a bit drying and it won’t make your pores and imperfections totally disappear…though out of all the primers I’ve tried, it has certainly done the best job of minimizing imperfections.

  And thanks for taking my word for it! I absolutely do stand behind my reviews, but I also realize that what may work for one may not work for another, so I always welcome everyone’s opinions.

  I think having a number of opinions in the comments always makes for a better product review, so definitely try to share yours whenever you can!

• 13 Leah // Feb 27, 2008 at 9:46 am

  Lol, I realized after putting up both comments, that I used the word “magical” in both of them. :-) I’ll have to expand my vocabulary!

  Of course, everyone’s skin is different and what works for you may not work for me. So don’t worry, I won’t hold it against you if it’s worthless!

  I agree with that, so I’ll try to post my review (after I buy it and try it; hopefully sometime within the next week or two) on the Cargo review page.

  Next question: Can a primer be used just when you want to look better, or does it need to be worn every day in order to get results?

• 14 Jazmin // Feb 27, 2008 at 2:25 pm

  lol, no! Your vocabulary is great…and I just love the idea of “magical” makeup : )

  And thanks for cutting me some slack! But I really do hope that the Cargo primer ends up working for you ; )

  Yes, the main purposes of primer are 1) to create a surface that makes your skin and your foundation appear more smooth; (2) it helps preserve your makeup by giving it a better surface to “grab” onto and (3) if it’s an oil-absorbing primer, it also contains ingredients that will absorb excess oil (less oil = fresher-looker, longer-lasting foundation).

  And your primer is supposed to do this every time you use it (i.e. it doesn’t required continued use to do all these things).

  There are, however, primers that, in addition to what I described above, are also supposed to offer skin benefits through the use of anti-aging or moisturizing ingredients. However, as with any skin care product, it would require daily use to see any results from those ingredients.

  I’m not fully caffeinated right now, so I hope that makes sense, lol

• 15 Leah // Feb 28, 2008 at 12:52 pm

  Yes, it made sense. I’ll let you know how it works for me once I try it!

• 16 Jazmin // Feb 28, 2008 at 1:21 pm

  Sounds great! Have fun!

• 17 Gaby // Mar 8, 2008 at 11:40 am

  I just have to say that horchata isn’t Mexican it’s a Latino drink period.

• 18 Jazmin // Mar 8, 2008 at 1:39 pm

  Thanks Gaby! I made the correction above ; )

• 19 Linda // Mar 14, 2008 at 11:22 am

  Hi!

  Monistat Soothing Care Anti-Chafing Gel, Boot No.7 Under make up base, and Loreal are some drugstore primers that I have heard about.

  I know it sounds wierd putting Monistat on your face, but it’s for chafing. I have been using it for a week now and it makes my skin look smoother and feel velvety. There’s so many articles about it. You gotta try it, if your on a budget!

  Maybe you can do a comparison on the best drugstore primer? :)

• 20 Jazmin // Mar 14, 2008 at 11:30 am

  Hi Linda! Wow, Monistat?? I haven’t heard of that. Thanks for such an interesting tip!

  I’ve also been been looking around and came up with Revlon’s face primer and one of our fellow makeup moxies had commented that Sally Hansen has one as well ; )

  And that’s a fantastic idea to do a “best drugstore primer” feature! Thanks so much for suggesting it ; )

• 21 Sara // Mar 16, 2008 at 11:08 am

  Hi, great review…but I wanted to know if this Becca Primer was clear, or if it had any color to it? I have dark skin (african-american), and some primers have a slight milky color to them that can appear chalky or ashy on darker skin. Thanks!

• 22 Jazmin // Mar 16, 2008 at 11:23 pm

  Thanks, Sara! This primer has a milky color, but similar to most lotions, it’s colorless once you blend it in.

  As a point of reference, I’ve used this primer even when my skin is at its darkest (which is a very deep tan that’s similar to light/light-medium African American complexions) and it’s never looked chalky.

  I hope that helps! If you end up trying it, I’d love to know what you think of it ; )

• 23 Gaberilla // May 14, 2008 at 8:13 am

  Can you tell me how to use a primer? I read your review and am thinking about trying it. Does it go on after moisturizer? Before foundation? Thanks!

• 24 Jennifer // May 17, 2008 at 11:47 am

  I have tried Smashbox, Bare Minerals, a drugstore one (I’m thinking Loreal but can’t remember) and Proactiv primers but they all make me break out. Any suggestions?

• 25 Jazmin // May 19, 2008 at 6:50 am

  Hi Gaberilla! Yes, that’s right. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Moisturizer - and give it a few minutes to fully sink in.

  2. Apply a pea-sized amount of primer (or a little more or less depending on how much of your face you’re applying it to). If you have oily skin, go ahead and blend it all over your face. If you have combo skin and are just using the primer to help prevent shine and absorb oil, just apply it to your oily areas.

  3. Give your primer a few minutes to “set.” Your skin should feel smooth and not sticky.

  4. Apply your foundation.

  Hope that helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions!

• 26 Jazmin // May 19, 2008 at 7:03 am

  Hi there, Jennifer! Thanks for your question.

  Sorry to hear that the primers that you’ve tried are causing skin problems for you. I wish I could recommend a really good one for you, but unfortunately it’s hard to do since we don’t know what, exactly, is causing your skin to break out (though a good dermatologist will be able to pinpoint that for you).

  At first I thought that it might be the silicone that’s causing the reaction (the clear primers like Smashbox and BE are silicone-based). However it sounds like you’ve tried other, non-silicone-based primers that have also made you break out.

  You might want to try a light, lotion-like primer like the one from Becca that I reviewed above or this one from Laura Mercier.

  Obviously, I’m not sure how well they’ll work for you, but they may be worth a try.

  I hope that helps somewhat!

• 27 Honey // Jun 22, 2008 at 4:16 pm

  Hi Jazmin,
  Looks like you are the queen of this blog :)
  This blog Rocks… Very helpful for people like me..
  I am from India and i have not yet used to any makeup stuff here, USA. Could you please help me out with some makeup brands you suggest ( like moisturizer, foundation, eye makeup, powdered make up, lip stick) which last for a longtime.
  Thanks in advance
  Waiting for your reply.

• 28 Jellybean // Jul 22, 2008 at 5:42 am

  Hi there,

  Is there another mattifying primer you can recommend for oily skin? This one is out of stock on Amazon (”…we don’t know when or IF this product will be re-stocked”), and I can’t find it on Sephora.com either. Is it discontinued?

  Thanks! I’m loving your blogs, btw. Lots of great info!
  :) Jellybean

• 29 Hazel // Dec 31, 2008 at 8:37 am

  Hi, saw your review about this becca primer. You said that it can conceal minor pores.
  What about hmmm, say visible pores/ quite large pores? i’m torn between the smashbox (light) and becca. What do you suggest for oily skin, and quite large pores?! thanks!

• 30 Jazmin // Dec 31, 2008 at 2:38 pm

  Hi, Hazel! Between Smashbox Light and Becca, I’d go with Becca, but a great one that you might want to try is Cargo Blu Ray Mattifier. It does a very good job with both pores and absorbing oil.

  Another product that’s great for hiding larger pores (but not as strong when it comes to absorbing oil) is Freeze 24/7 Freeze and Go Instant Smoother. The Freeze and Go is pricey at $65, so I’d highly recommend trying the Cargo first to see how it goes for you ; )

  Hope that helps!

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