Estée Lauder Illuminating Perfecting Primer

As a professional makeup artist I do not say things like this lightly, but Estée Lauder Illuminating Perfecting Primer is the best makeup primer I have used to date. A perfect base is crucial for the perfect makeup; and a good primer means you already have half the job done. A lot of primers in the market are silicone-based, meaning that its main ingredient is silicone that provides a slippery surface for makeup application. However, I am never a fan of silicone-based primer. I found them too drying on skin because they usually lack water-based hydrating ingredients. In contrast, this primer is what I would call a “water-based” primer with silicone. Upon application, my skin feels instantly hydrated and replenished with moisture.  After pressing the primer onto my skin,I give it about 3 minutes for the product to warm up to skin temperature and to absorb properly.  My skin feels smooth and silky to touch – and there it is, the perfect base for my foundation to easily glide on. My makeup lasts all day without any worries as to shininess or blotchiness. The foundation and powder applied on top of this primer will not sink into lines, creases and pores. At the end of a long day the makeup stays in place looking like how it was 10 hours ago. Although the primer is classified as an “illuminating” primer, I found that it is suitable for use under either dewy or matte foundation. Under a dewy foundation(e.g. Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation is my favourite) it further highlights my skin’s “glowiness” without making my face looking like a shiny mirror.  Under a matte foundation (e.g. Estée Lauder’s Double Wear Stay-in-place makeup) it takes away the dullness of the “matteness” without changing the fact that it is a matte foundation, giving others the impression that it is a matte foundation applied on healthy and glowing skin. This primer has long-term beneficial ingredients such as Vitamin E and shea butter which are very nourishing on skin.  It goes beyond solely cosmetics effect that is washed off at the end of the day. I only use the tiniest amount (less than a 5 cents piece) on my whole face. Despite using it almost every day, one tube lasts more than 6 months. The packaging may look ordinary for others. However, it is worth mentioning that it is probably one of the best packaged primer I have used as well – the opening of the tube is very small, making it easy to control the amount dispensed; it has a flat-tube packaging which takes up only a small space in handbags and train cases. I usually would include some “cons” in my reviews, but there is nothing I can fault about this primer. I highly recommend this primer to anyone who wants a perfect base. It is particularly suitable if you are looking for a primer that is not silicone-heavy, or if you would like a primer to have long-term skincare benefits as well.

This primer is amazing! I have repurchased this primer twice. it makes your skin illuminate and glowy, but at the same time, doesnt make your skin sticky. It dries to a semi matte finish and can change depending on what foundation you choose to layer over it! On days where my skin feels dry, I use this primer and apply a dewy foundation, to go for a fresh plump dewy look, but on days where I need a long-lasting base, I apply a matte foundation over this product, and with this underneath my skin does not get dry or run out of hydration. I personally love the tiny pearls as it provides some shine to my face, and is very subtle and not noticeable unless a closer look is taken, but if you are looking for a complete no-shine look I would recommend the matte primer by Estee Lauder.

Amazing!! For someone with Ultra dry skin this is a saviour. I've been using it throughout winter and my makeup has been lasting around 4 hours longer than usual. If you are a fan of the dewy hydrated look this is perfect. A little bit pricey but a small amount goes along way apply with your fingers and not a brush so no extra product is absorbed.

I have always been a major fan of Estee Lauder foundations but never really knew about their primers until I was given a free sample of this illuminating perfecting primer. It was magic. I had used the Laura Mercier illuminating primer and thought that was my holy grail, but it's not, this is ! It is so beautiful, so glowing and holds my double wear foundation on for days haha. It's of a thicker consistency, but definitely blurs out imperfections and helps to minimize the pores. To me it also felt like it had a cooling sensation which was really nice on those hot sweaty days when trying to apply makeup. I honestly can't say enough good things about this product. Another win for me, thanks Estee Lauder.