Saturday, May 31, 2014

Priming Veil

On a recent trip to Mecca Cosmetica, I decided it was finally time to get serious about primer. In an ideal world, one's foundation would be good enough to last the whole day. But I've come to accept that sometimes, you just need a bit of help. I wasted no time heading straight for the best (or at least the one I've heard the most raves about): Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer. The full 30ml size is an eye-popping $79, so I opted for the 10ml travel size at a more modest $25.










Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer has a light, silky consistency that's easily spread over the face. With SPF 15, it's the colour of sunscreen and absolutely leaves a white cast. The first time I tried it, I was slightly taken aback at how geisha-like my reflection looked in the bathroom mirror. Perhaps I just used too much, but this product definitely interacts with your foundation and makes it lighter than usual.

Does it work in the way you'd hope a good primer would? Yes. It noticeably makes my foundation last longer and valiantly keeps the oil at bay. Examining my T-zone in the middle of the day, I saw individual microscopic beads of oil on my nose (TMI, I know) where a puddle of shine would normally be. It's almost as if the primer was working overtime to try to shut down oil production, but some of the more stubborn secretions still managed to surface. I find that when I have this on, there isn't as much need to blot with a tissue. By the end of the day, my foundation's still mostly intact, as opposed to mostly slipped off and gone. Especially important when a) my skin has been in need of higher coverage lately with a lot of spottiness from blemish scarring b) I'm more liberal with the moisturiser in the mornings due to the colder weather and spending my days in a dehydrating air-conditioned office.

The primer reminds me of NARS Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base if it were more liquid, serum-like and had SPF injected into it. It seems to work in a similar way to the NARS, in that it almost dries out the skin (sucking up excess water/oils) and makes it more of a non-slippery, matte surface upon which any product layered on top better adheres. To its credit, it doesn't leave my skin feeling or looking dry, and foundation still applies smoothly over the primer. I even ditch the powder when I use it, confident that the primer will be sufficient. It's not a product I'd incorporate into my everyday routine as it's more of an extra, skin-perfecting step that daily life doesn't really call for, but when I want my makeup to last or when an occasion calls for it, I know what I'll be reaching for. Just be mindful of the white cast.

27 comments:

  1. This primer sounds amazing! I don't normally use primer simply because I find it too much work. I know, it sounds so so bad. I only recently started experimenting with primers and currently using Tony Moly Egg silky balm to reduce the appearance of pores.

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  2. i bought this primer maybe last year(?) and i've still got a ridiculous amount left. i find i only need to use a little blob for the middle section of my face and it makes my skin soo smooth i can't help but touch it before i put on my foundation haha

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  3. Oh I am so happy you got this! :D I haven't actually experienced the white cast.. unless they may have changed some formulation! But this, from whatever I have tried, has been the best! May be you'll grow to love it more? I can see from your swatches it has done a good job of pore minimizing! :-)

    The best neutral palette.. Ever! Edward Bess Cosmic Bliss - Review | TheConscienceFund

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  4. I tried this and just couldn't get along with it. It was almost too silky for my taste. It's great that you got the travel size as it works out to be cheaper than the full sized one! xx

    Daphne | subgenre of a dream | bloglovin

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  5. I really want to try this so badly, anything that makes foundation lighter is good with me as I really struggle to find a shade light enough, and if it keeps makeup on my face longer then so much the better! It sounds like a really lovely product, shame it's so expensive but I guess you get what you pay for :)

    Jess xo

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  6. I've heard so much about this but for the moment it's too out of my price range, and I don't use primer enough/at all to justify it. I've never heard anyone mention the white cast though so that seems pretty annoying!

    Tasha // shiwashiful.

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  7. I'm glad you can buy the travel size at Mecca because having to fork out for the full size was deterring me.

    nueyork.blogspot.com

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  8. I have the sample size of this and maybe I didn't apply enough so no white cast noticed.I like this as it gives me a slightly luminous touch.

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  9. I've tried a few samples of this and I really liked it!

    RIKKI POYNTER
    // RIKKI POYNTER MAKEUP

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  10. We must be on the same wave length, because I tried to buy this exact (travel size and all) product at Mecca yesterday after an exam. Asked for it and ready to hand my money over for it, but alas it was out of stock! I'm going to have to go in a couple of weeks from now and try my luck then. It's all sorts of ridiculous that 3 x travel sizes are still slightly cheaper than the full size version... Silly Mecca. Your review is making me optimistic about this product! I've been wanting to change up my base a little bit. Thinking of picking up a mineral powder (Laura Mercier, maybe?) to try out too! xx

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  11. The price of the full-sized one makes me cringe every time I see it. It's such a great primer , though! I've purchased the smaller size one (like you did) and it actually ended up lasting me a long time.

    Connie | Sponsored by Coffee

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  12. I do slack when it comes to primers, i find that my moisturizer has such a great consistency that it already provides a good enough base for makeup. But i'm a little like yourself, if there's a special occasion then why not add that one extra step ! :)

    Lots of love, Ana

    anasofiachic.blogspot.co.uk

    x

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  13. I love how you've compared it to the eyeshadow primer, I could almost see the product transforming into this veil in my mind! Damn, the full size is pretty damn pricey and I wouldn't go straight to the full size either! I really haven't stepped into the world of primers yet, I'm satisfied with a good dusting of powder and touching up every now and then. I would like to invest in a setting spray though! I've heard so much good about urban decays!

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  14. Oh Hourglass... there are a lot of stuffs I want to try from the brand.. Unfortunately ( or fortunately? lol ) this brand is not available in Germany, and ordering online blindly doesn't sound very appealing for me especially for the price..
    I've heard a lot of good things about this primer and your description makes it sound very high tech!
    As now sephora US ships to Germany,maybe I will cave and do my 1st Sephora order, including some Hourglass stuffs!

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  15. I've wanted to try this one for so long! I wish it was easier to get my hands on here...

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  16. It sounds amazing but the price tag is so ridiculous!
    If only it was a tad cheaper!!
    alicekatex ♥

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  17. I'm really curious about this one but...the price always puts me a bit off to be sincere! (specially when I can just order it online...)
    It looks like a nice primer for special occasions :3
    take care*

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  18. I love this primer! It's my favorite and I am a primer addict (aaaah sad but true). I actually find that using less makes it work a lot better on me. :D I have dry skin but I live in humid weather so makeup needs to stay on mah face. Interesting you mention that NARS eyeshadow base. I never got on particularly well with that one!

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  19. Thank you for the review! I was on the fence about this product but since it does change the color of foundation I have decided not to purchase. I have darker skin and I do not want to appear ashy! I already have trouble finding a true match!

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  20. Great review (as always) and what is the deal with the price of $79 for this!? I think I want to dole out the $25 to try it though, I don't always use primer but for long work days I think it will be a nice thing to have

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  21. That's actually reasonable! I bought the Laura Mercier travel size primer for $25 but it's nowhere near as hyped as precious Hourglass. I'd never heard of it leaving a white cast but if it's that good that you don't need powder, I'd definitely trust it lives up to the tout and praise. :)

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  22. Every time I go to Sephora I get a sample of this primer. I want the full bottle so bad but just can't bring myself to shell out the big bucks!
    Great post!
    Meghan
    www.todaysbeautyobsession.com

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  23. I know the NARS primer is really nice, so I'm not surprised this one worked well. However, $79 is pricy. Smart of you to try the travel size first.
    Beauty Fashion Skin Care Blog -Girlie Blog Seattle | Casual Chic Style

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  24. I so so want this primer but the price always scares me off. So many bloggers have said great things about it though so maybe a sneaky purchase is in order hehe

    Chantalle x
    ceceandgrace.blogspot.com

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  25. It's funny... I never noticed a white cast and I went through multiple jars of this. I'm weaning myself off primers now, although I'm still tempted to pick this up for old time's sake. Did you notice any skin care benefits? I swear, this thing also kept my face clear and pimple-free. The second I stopped using it, breakout city.

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    Replies
    1. I don't use it with enough regularity to notice skin care benefits, but now you say it helped you, I'm intrigued. Maybe because it acts as an extra barrier which is protective between your skin and anything placed over it? My skin has been flop city in general lately though :(

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  26. I've never heard of this brand before, but it sounds like something that would work great in my current lineup. I'll have to check it out!

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