It's Monday and that means new review day,
Today is about complexion and how we can address the concerns for shine, enlarged pores and overall skin tone. I received the new Step 1. Skin Equalizer mattifying primer and I am going to give you the low down on this next generation of primers.

The new Step 1 line of primers is here to transform your skin while addressing specific concerns such as dullness, redness, dryness, large pores and shine, all in their own unique formula. Now I don't have all of them to share, but more specifically the mattifying primer, which is part of 5 primers that target texture concerns. The other 5 primers available are formulated to correct the tone of your skin, but no worries you can mix and match to customize and create your perfect canvas.
What is the promise of the SKIN EQUALIZER line, lets see what MUFE has to say
" the promise to triple the power of foundation by improving application, enhancing colour, finish and boosting hold. This is because of the new and exclusive EQUALIZER COMPLEX which is a triple dose of active ingredients"
- Acti-tensor 3D, blurs imperfections and creates a lifting effect
- regeactive, a vegetal sugar that boosts cellular renewal for a more unified texture
- Hyaluronic acid, hydrates the skin, while protecting against water loss
STEP 1. SKIN EQUALIZER MATTIFYING PRIMER
30ML/1. FL OZ $43 CAD
I find this primer applies a little different then ones I have tried in the past. The feel of this primer is a firmer gel like consistency and is best tapped on to the skin and less rubbing it over the face. It has a clean fresh scent to it and seems mildly tacky when first applying, but dries down to a soft, almost powdery finish, in a good way. It's a silent partner in your makeup application with bigger results as you will see now.
Yes this is my nose, the photo on the left I have nothing on, you can see my enlarged pores and probably blackheads, but hey! what can ya do except blur it. However the pic on the right is with a small bit of the mattifying primer, already looking better.
Now this time the shot is with the primer, my Maybelline matte + poreless foundation, set with the matte + poreless pressed powder and finished with a spritz of make up for ever mist & fix setting spray. WOW! big difference and these photos were shot in normal light and no retouching of any kind, what you see here, is what you get. What do you think?
I have used this several times now since receiving it and find that if I do a full face of makeup, use the Equalizer and then follow up with Make Up For Ever's setting spray my face is pretty much indestructible. I can rush around all day and even sweat and I am still good.A day for me starts at 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. but I take my makeup off around 7 p.m. Only then would I say I see any signs of makeup break down and a very small t-zone shine. That to me is amazing considering I have super oily skin, but this clearly is a very good combo for me.
Also you don't need a lot of this product so a tube should last you quite a while depending on how you prefer to apply it.
One last thing I really like about this primer is that it does not leave that oily gross feeling on the skin, like you have just primed your face with bicycle lubricant, which can often be the case with primers that the first ingredient is silicone or a silicone derivative. Which can also contribute to breakouts for those of us with oily/acne prone skin.
I am happy with the results of this new mattifying primer, I hope for those of you out there that also deal with oily skin, you too will give this product a try. Have you tried any of the new Step 1 primers yet?
You can check out all the Step 1. Equalizers HERE
STEP 1. SKIN EQUALIZER IS AVAILABLE NOW AT
SEPHORA, SEPHORA.CA AND MAKE UP FOR EVER BOUTIQUES
BE ON THE LOOK OUT AS I WILL HAVE ANOTHER MUFE POST COMING SOON
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT HERE AT MAKEUP'ASYLUM AND HAVE AN AMAZING DAY :)
Pr Sample provided by MUFE
Pr Sample provided by MUFE
Wow you can definitely see the difference in the three pictures!
ReplyDeleteI know right! it's pretty crazy. I like it:) thanks for reading Tanya and have a great day.
DeleteI definitely need to check this out! It sounds like we have similar skin types and I struggle which huge pores on my nose and cheeks. :/
ReplyDeleteYou will really like it then, it's made a big difference for me as you can tell from the pics. The consistency as I mentioned takes a little getting use to, but it works and that's what matters.:) Have a Happy Easter and thanks for reading
ReplyDeleteWould you recommend using this in conjunction with the Makeup Forever Mat Velvet Foundation? Or do you think it'd be a matte overload and end up looking chalky? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI have not tried mat velvet plus, but I have been using the Equalizer with the Maybelline matte + poreless and I do find when I first apply it it's fine but can seem thick as the day progresses. So I think in this case use one or the other but not both. As the Mat velvet already has the built in mattifier. However if you still want to test them together just do your nose area and that way you can see how it holds up without covering your whole face. Hope this helps. Thanks for reading :)
DeleteI apply serum and moisturizer and let those completely dry before applying my Mattifying Primer. Once I apply my primer I work quickly with my beauty blender to tap my liquid foundation into the skin. The problem I'm having is "bald" spots, for lack of a better word. Areas are seemingly resistant to coverage. When I apply more foundation to those spots it only makes it worse. This morning I had to completely wash my face after applying foundation and start over with a different primer. This does not happen with I use my Smashbox Photofinish or Primer Water. And this happens with both my L'Oreal Matte & Poreless and my Laura Mercier liquid Matte. Is this happening to anyone else? Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated!
ReplyDeleteHave you tried moisturizing and serum the night before and then try the primer in the morning on bare skin without any other products on the face first. Even if we let product dry there is always some residual sitting on the surface of the skin, so maybe one of the products is interfering with the primers adhesion to the skin which in return is making the foundation patchy in essence. Hope this helps.
DeleteThanks Betti. I will try this tomorrow and post the results in case anyone else is having this issue.
DeleteOkay, I used serum and moisturizer last night and after washing my face this morning did not use any products before the Matte primer. I still had the balding issue around my nose and on my chin. Maybe I'm not working quickly enough or maybe I don't need to use a beauty blender?
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