Review: Make Up For Ever STEP 1 Skin Equalizer Primers

For quite sometime I had stopped applying make up primer and used my sunblock to act as a one before I put on any foundation and when I received the relatively new Make Up For Ever Step 1 Skin Equalizer (primer), I'd been using them since.

Here are the primers which I had received:

- Make Up For Ever STEP 1 Skin Equalizer Soothing Primer

- Make Up For Ever STEP 1 Skin Equalizer Radiant Primer

- Make Up For Ever STEP 1 Skin Equalizer Hydrating Primer

It's really awesome to receive these 3 primers  because my current skin condition really need them the most! ^,^

About Make Up For Ever STEP 1 Skin Equalizer

Discover the first step of your complexion routine for a perfect result: STEP1 Skin EQUALIZER. Like a makeup booster, the new primers prepare the skin for a perfect complexion just like a painter prepares his canvas with a basecoat. STEP1 Skin EQUALIZER is an equalizer that can balance out every skin to provide perfect texture and the best possible base to apply foundation.
The new generation primer improves the skin texture with a lighting or transparency effect, without changing the carnation; it acts like a brightness modulator. The 6 formulas answer to 6 issues: shining, dehydration, dryness, redness, dilated pores and fine line, lack of radiance.
STEP1 Skin EQUALIZER is an entire range which allows tailor-made primers for each woman.

Easy application, optimized result, improved hold. Triple the power of your foundation.

[From left-right] Make Up For Ever STEP 1 Skin Equalizer Soothing Primer, Hydrating Primer and Radiant Primer. Thanks to Make Up For Ever, there's also a cute thumbdrive included. ^_^

There's number and colour printed on the box packaging which also stands for the primer type.

Back of the primer. The primer has 12 months of shelf life from the time it is opened.

The outlet of the primer is pretty tiny. However it dispenses an adequent amount when I pressed it lightly. Not too much nor not too little, that's what I like best about the packaging besides the material used - somewhat like silicone plastic which has a smooth matte surface, easy to grasp and not slippery in my hands.

Swatches

[From left-right] Make Up For Ever STEP 1 Skin Equalizer Hydrating Primer, Radiant Primer and Soothing Primer.

[From left-right] The shade of the primers is light bluish-white, pale pink & beige. (Taken without flash)

Below shows the primers taken with flash. Hydrating primer appears pretty watery-gel like and is translucent. Radiant primer shade is like lotion, appears opaque, reflects light and has a natural shine to it. Soothing primer is silicon-gel type, doesn't appear as watery as the hydrating primer but the beige looks rather light and translucent.

Review

Make Up For Ever STEP 1 Skin Equalizer Soothing Primer (For enlarged pores/ wrinkles)

- feels really lightweight

- has a very light beige tint to it (looks almost transparent on skin after spreading it out)

- glides on my skin really easily

- sometimes may tend to form little residues or particles if used ontop of non-complementing skincare/ sunblock

- fills up all of my dilated pores, fine lines and wrinkles

- skin immediately look soft, matte and has a soft focus effect

- foundation applied ontop of the primer look even and pretty matte

- makes my foundation last slightly longer
- primer sometimes shifts when in contact with my oily skin
- when I smile/ laugh, my laugh lines traps in the foundation

I have pretty large pores on my nose and cheeks as well as medium deep folds along my laugh lines and these are really hard to conceal. Soothing primer helps to sooth out those flaws but only for a period of time before it kind of wears out on me. Also, I find that such base doesn't work that great on my skin type, it shifts when my skin starts producing sebum and/or after few hours my skin turns dry due to the surrounding environment (or lack of hydration internally). Silicon primers work on me best when I'm not using too much skincare and/or makeup but I love piling both when I go out thus I choose to only use soothing primer when I am on minimum skincare and makeup.

Make Up For Ever STEP 1 Skin Equalizer Radiant Primer (For lifeless fair skin)

- colour is pretty obvious even after blending it out (looks pretty whitish but no white cast)

- takes a while to blend it out on my skin as it feels very sticky and a little thick

- skin looks alittle matte and smooth after applying without any sticky afterfeel (surprisingly, since it does feel sticky when I try blending it out initially)

- makes my dull skin immediately appear lighter and brighter immediately
- able to fill & even up my large pores

- stays on my skin and grabs hold of my foundation pretty well

- after applying foundation on top, my skin looks slightly radiant (look natural like as if it's radiance from within)
- makes my foundation look even and appears a little thick as if I layered my foundation

- foundation traps at my laugh lines too (same issue as like soothing primer)

- slight lack of hydrating properties

On some days I use this on areas where my skin looks dull or where I want my skin to appear brighter, like T-zone and cheeks. Overall, it is a pretty nice primer that makes my skin look less dull and could make my foundation look even and last a little longer.

Make Up For Ever STEP 1 Skin Equalizer Hydrating Primer (For dehydrated skin & fine lines)

- very hydrating & ultra absorbing

- the watery gel primer glides on easily onto my skin (feels like I'm applying on a skincare gel lotion)

- totally transparent after spreading it out on my skin

- feels a little bit cooling, comforting and leaves no sticky or oily feel (feels like there's a tiny bit of silicon texture to it)

- skin immediately appear moisturised & dewy and feels soft too

- a couple of times it forms little particles as it's used ontop of non-complementing skincare/ sunblock (can be removed by lightly sweeping them off with my fingers)

- prevent the lines around my eyes and laugh lines from trapping foundation when there's excessive facial expression going on (Very good! Love it! ^^)

- makes my skin less dry and keeps it hydrated when I'm in air-conditioned room whole day

- keeps my T-zone hydrated so it will produce less sebum which usually caused by overly dry skin surface

I had to say, out of the 3 primers that I received, I love this the most! ^o^/~

Due to the environment, my lifestyle and my age, my skin starts to turn dry and saggy thus I need something that can provide intense hydration to kill the dull look, reduce the appearance of wrinkles and keep the oil at bay. Therefore, this hydrating primer to me, is a must before I put on any makeup. ^_^v

Other STEP 1 Skin Equalizer Primers

Color Correcting Primers

Texture Correcting Primers

Where to buy?

Sephora Stores

MAKE UP FOR EVER Academy & Pro Loft

Links

MAKE UP FOR EVER Singapore Website

MAKE UP FOR EVER Singapore Facebook
MAKE UP FOR EVER Singapore Twitter