Tuesday 4 February 2014

REVIEW: Dermalogica Skinperfect Primer...

This was one of my Blogstar prizes, but already a firm favourite  (bh review is here), and by far the best primer out of the multitude I've tried. Thanks to darling Hissycat Krissy (who sent me a sample), I've been using this for some time, but it wasn't till I was recently trialing a moisturizer with no sunscreen content that I used it every single day, and it really hit home to me how brilliant this primer is...


I'm not surprised though, I haven't found a Dermalogica product yet that isn't on my can't-live-without list. The Skinperfect Primer is tinted, almost like a bbcream, but where it has the edge is in its coverage, and the smooth and ultra refined almost matte surface I end up with. On days when I'm not going out, this is all I wear, and for me, that is such a bonus as I normally live in foundation every day of the week :-) Here's the back of the box so you can read all the promises, all of which are true!


The squishy tube is soft and easy to manipulate, even when you're trying to extricate the last few precious drops of product (I love it so much I cut my old tube in half and managed to squeeze out enough for 2 more days!), and the ultra-fine nozzle means there's not one molecule of waste. And the biggie - SPF30!

Here's a dollop on my arm taken in natural light to show you the colour of the product - it has quite a deep tint, but becomes invisible once massaged in. This is roughly the quantity I use for my whole face. It blends magnificently and makes the surface of my skin feel ultra smooth and soft, and any sheen from my moisturiser is instantly pacified. My foundation just glides on over the top, and I end up with an almost flawless finish that lasts throughout the day...


Anyway, enough of the raving, let's get down to the nitty gritty, and some un-retouched photos to show you why I doubt I will use any other primer except this one forever more. Here is a close up of my moisturised but bare left cheek (never before seen publicly lol) - sadly a hodge-podge of enlarged pores, spider veins, uneven skin tone, and of course, the ever present freckles... 


And here is the same left cheek (in the same lighting conditions) after I've blended in some Dermalogica Skinperfect Primer - the whole appearance is far more even, the stark contrast between the freckles and the base skin tone has been reduced, as have my enlarged pores, and the spider veins are covered enough for me to get away with not wearing any foundation if I choose not to - believe me at my age, there's an incredible sense of freedom in not having to slap on some slap just so I don't scare the postie! What's more, my skin is protected from any further sun damage, and it isn't all shiny and greasy like it normally is when I apply straight sunscreen...


This primer is $65 - frightening at first, but given that the small sample lasted over a month, I reckon the whole tube might take me through till Christmas, and even if it only lasts till October, then that would work out to be $8 per month...for almost perfect and protected skin? Bring it on!

One of the things I love about blogging is that I now take photos when doing reviews, and the above pics even surprised me. I'm often complimented on my skin (when I'm all dolled up), and even though at 58 years of age it's a bit scary showing you what's underneath all my makeup, I'm delighted to have the opportunity to compare these before and after photos - it sure confirms that I'm on the right track with certain products, and most definitely with this one. And I honestly hope that after seeing these pics you're thinking, "wow if it does that for her blotchy skin, imagine what it will do for mine!" 

This primer won a beautyheaven Glosscars last year - so well deserved, and quite frankly, is it any wonder?

Have you tried this magical primer yet? Can you see the difference it makes to my skin?

Take care of you,
kats xxx

25 comments:

  1. That's it, I need it! Thank you so much for this review and the thing that really sold me, the pictures!

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    1. Lol Hailey, I'm so relieved the pics didn't gross you out too much! My freckly skin looks dreadful in closeup and under a bright makeup light, but after THIS primer plus my foundation, it doesn't look half bad at all. I swear hon this is THE BEST primer ever xxx

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  2. Wow such a great review. Im sold !!!! I cant believe the difference just with this primer.

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    1. It's quite amazing Moonlight - I could see an instant change in the mirror each morning, but I didn't realize how dramatic it was till I took the pics :-)

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  3. Wow! I want some! Awesome review.

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    1. Hope it's helpful Rose, and that you get great results if you decide to purchase xxx

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  4. I'm impressed!!! And you're right considering how long this tube will last it is actually very affordable :-)
    Kats your results are amazing and you've got me lusting over it big time. I can see exactly why this product won the Glosscars award.
    I really love the finish it leaves on your skin. It's not shiny and just looks nice and natural.
    What a great product!

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    1. Gosh Gemma, I've tried so many primers but this is by far the best, and especially because it tones down my freckles - they're cute when you're young, but at my age, they just look like age spots and make me look years older. Thank heaven for Dermalogica!

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  5. Fab review Kat! I have been enjoying some Dermalogica skincare lately so there is no surprise that you loved this :)

    Sarah | More Than Adored

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    1. Aww thanks Sarah, I haven't tried the clay cleanser you reviewed, but boy do I want to! I just love the daily microfoliant xxx

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  6. Great photos Kat. As you know I also won the same pack as you and I love this as much as you. There are a few products that we received that I just had to trial straight away and this was one of them. I love it so much I included it in my January favourites video. I have had very similar results and love how much better my foundation looks when wearing this.

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    1. Thanks heaps Kate - I'm so glad you're loving it too, it'll sure get my vote for Best In Beauty if it gets nominated again xxx

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  7. Thanks Zara - gee I think you're my first UK follower :-)

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  8. Oh my, I'm so glad that I got this in the Glosscars pack. I've been trying to get through other primers first. Now I can't wait to try it. Great review, hun xx

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    1. Hey Indie darling - be warned, if you try it you may never finish the others! On the other hand everyone's skin is different...still I hope it works beautifully for you ♥

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  9. Kat have you ever tried Benefit Porefessional? If so, is this one similar? It looks and sounds like it could be.

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    1. Hiya Rose - yes I have the Benefit one in my kit, and I use it on my hoods to mattify the skin before I apply my matte eye shadow. In my opinion, the Dermalogica one is considerably superior as it provides far greater coverage of discolourations and redness, plus it contains the SPF30. I road tested the Benefit one for bh, my review of it is here:
      http://www.beautyheaven.com.au/make-up/foundation-primer/26850-benefit-the-porefessional/reviews/118549

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  10. Hey Kats,
    Wow what a wonderful product this sounds like!! I have been wanting to try this for AGES but was unsure on whether I would like it (I had heard it was really thick??) but by the look of the photos you have shown here......I MUST try this ASAP........hmmmm will have to see if I can find a sample from maybe a Dermalogica Salon.
    Thanks for a great Review.
    Love Flaming Beauty xxx

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    1. Hiya FB - darlin' I don't find it any thicker than some of my other primers, but it spreads so easily and blends beautifully anyway. If you contact the company they might send you some samples? So happy to see your name here hon, hugs & kisses to you (((xxx)))

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  11. Wow, I'm amazed at the difference it makes! It doesn't look like you're wearing anything on your skin and I'd say there is no need for foundation :)

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    1. I'm blissing out Sam! - my skin needs pretty solid coverage, and I love that I can hide all the yucky stuff with such a thin layer :-)

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  12. Fantastic photos, Kat, and a great review !!! This is what all of us love to see; real results !!!
    This primer is a miracle worker and it is amazing how it transforms your skin. I certainly can do with some of it myself :). Thanks for the honest review.

    Arty Girl
    bh.artygirl@gmail.com

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    1. Glad it might be helpful to you Arty - hard for me to imagine this not doing wonders for anyone's skin :-) Mind you the difference in mine is quite dramatic because of my freckles, but the fact that it looks like I'm wearing nothing at all is such a bonus, and even with foundation over the top, I'm not having to deal with a shiny t-zone later in the day :-)

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  13. I have very oily skin, and I have used a variety of cleansers that have been too harsh or too mild. I used Dermatologica, but I didnt like how many chemicals were in the product, and it was super expensive. My dermatologist said I should try Citrus Clear. I have never used a product that agreed so much with my facial skin as the Citrus Clear Sensitive Moisturizer. It has NO chemical ingredients.

    The big pores on my nose have decreased significantly. I have always had big pores on my nose and it is a surprise for me to see them so small. I was HARDCORE Dermatologica, but Im so happy i switched to Citrus Clear.

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    1. Hi Viv - thanks for the info hon. Delighted you've found a range of products that suits your skin so well :-)

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