little white truths

I should kick off this review by noting two things: first, there are two versions of this primer and I've wound up with the one for oily skin (twice); and second, I don't have oily skin. Indeed, my skin is dry and dehydrated, so this definitely isn't the version for me!

But since this is my second 7ml GWP sample, I figured I may as well review it because there may be people out there with my skin type who've been interested in trying this, since it's had some good ratings and I've seen quite a few youtubers rave about it.

I must say, I'd probably think more of it if it didn't cost $78 a pop (yikes!), but more on all that below.

I feel that I need to address the price of this first, since at $78 for the full size, it's one of the most expensive primers I've come across. While you do get a large 50ml in the tube, I still think the price is too steep and I personally wouldn't pay that much for something like this. For a great foundation? Maybe. For a primer? No thanks.

Leaving cost aside, let's look at the product itself. It's a light cream/gel that smells very faintly of citrus to me (so it's not super fragranced), and a little goes a long way so you don't need much per application.

The claims say this adds radiance but also reduces shine and gives you a matte finish, which don't reconcile themselves to me (can you be matte and radiant at the same time?) and in any event, I don't think this does any of those things - at least on my dry skin. What it does is dry down to a slightly tacky finish that makes it a good product to use under makeup, but it certainly doesn't make me matte and, if anything, it leaves me looking a little shiny from the tacky film it creates.

While we're talking product claims, let's look at the other ones: I don't think this visibly reduces fine lines but it does leave my skin feeling smoother; I don't think it reduces shine (it might for oily skin, but for my dry skin it adds shine as mentioned); and it certainly doesn't reduce the appearance of pores. Nor does it colour-adjust to my skin, and I'm not sure what that claim is getting at anyway.

What it does do, however, is make a slightly sticky base that's good for makeup application because my makeup adheres to it well. My foundation does go on smoothly over this and it's something I'm happy to use on days when I don't need extra hydration from one of my heavier primers, and when I don't need something that plugs pores because this doesn't do that (some of my foundations call for that because they sit in pores around the hairline).

As for whether it makes my makeup last longer, I think it does do this just a little bit - but having dry skin, makeup tends to cling to my face anyway so I think the longevity question is best-answered by someone with oily skin, which is what this product is designed for anyway.

It's also worth noting that this primer does contain silicones and I'm not a huge fan of those because they tend to dry me out; while this doesn't dry me out (unless I'm already having a dry day to start with, in which case it adds to the problem), it doesn't hydrate my face either.

All in all, I don't recommend this primer - particularly for the price tag. It may be that it works better for oily skin, but for my dry skin it doesn't do what it claims it will do (eg give a matte finish) and at $78 a pop, it would want to be pretty amazing.

Definitely one to test before making a purchase! Do let me know if you've tried this and what you think if so.