Friday 29 March 2013

Review: Revlon PhotoReady Perfecting Primer and Eye Primer

I had never really been interested in trying makeup primers, even though I know they can really make a difference to how long your makeup lasts and how it looks. Perhaps it's because I don't know what primer to go for, as I only know a handful of brands which have affordable primers (I'm not willing to spend a lot on primer for some reason) or maybe it's due to laziness. However I've been lucky enough to receive these Revlon primers for free- the PhotoReady Perfecting Primer and PhotoReady Eye Primer and Brightener.


I have always considered Revlon as a higher-end "drugstore" brand, and this is also reflected in their prices. Prices for makeup here in Australia are exorbitant, ridiculous, whatever you would like to call it! The Perfecting Primer and Eye Primer and Brightener retail for $29.95 and $24.95 respectively- which to all your fellow American bloggers may find crazy! I am so jealous at the inexpensive makeup overseas. Alright that is enough rambling for now!



Revlon PhotoReady Perfecting Primer $29.95

A primer that applies on smoothly and effortlessly, this lightweight Perfecting Primer is described to create a perfect canvas for makeup, and softens the skin by reducing the appearance of pores and fine lines. Packaging wise, I like this primer- the glass bottle feels solid and of good quality, and the easy to dispense pump doesn't hurt either (as opposed to L'Oreal Paris' Base Magique Smoothing Primer which is in a jar which isn't a very hygienic way to use a primer!).

On first application I found this primer to be greasy, but only afterwards I realised it wasn't the primer itself- it was all the other products I had on; my rosehip oil, moisturiser and sunscreen! On another attempt, the primer melted into my skin which was amazing! I can't really comment on its minimising pores and fine lines capability as I don't have either of those! I couldn't really feel or see a significant difference between using it and not using it under foundation, however that isn't to say there wasn't a difference. It probably did make my foundation last longer, but I just didn't realise it. A nice product but doesn't really "wow" me, and as a result I don't use the Revlon PhotoReady Perfecting Primer very often.


Revlon PhotoReady Eye Primer and Brightener $24.95

I've been using this eye primer daily, but seeing as I haven't used any other eye primers before, I don't have anything to compare it to! Claiming to be a perfect base for the eyelids, this PhotoReady Eye Primer and Brightener can be used to prime the eyelids and under the eye, as well as brighten anywhere on the face. The brush applicator makes the product easy to apply, although dispensing it is sometimes difficult- one twist isn't enough for any primer to come out, but a couple more makes too much come out! I personally like to apply it using my fingers as I find I can get more control over its application. Instead of eyeliner pencils dragging on my eye sans primer, the PhotoReady Eye Primer and Brightener allows eyeliner to glide on smoothly and effortlessly! Any eye makeup stays on for longer too, and eyeshadows look more vibrant. As a brightener, I'm not a fan. It doesn't really do much, and when it isn't blended out properly, it looks terrible. I would rather use other products as a highlighter- even a light coloured eyeshadow would work better! However as an eye primer, this is excellent!

L-R: Revlon PhotoReady Eye Primer and Brightener, Revlon PhotoReady Perfecting Primer
L-R: Eyeshadow without primer, eyeshadow with Eye Primer, eyeshadow without primer, eyeshadow with Perfecting Primer
If you look carefully, you can tell there is a difference when applying the eyeshadow with and without primer! Both primers work amazingly under eyeshadow, and you can definitely tell that it looks more pigmented and vibrant. What I also love about these Revlon primers is that they are oil free, talc free, fragrance free and paraben free which will give you an extra peace of mind! Maybe I should give my Perfecting Primer another chance after all...

After I use up my PhotoReady Eye Primer and Brightener, I'm not sure what eye primer I will go for next. I've heard that Urban Decay has a great formulation for its primer, but I have no clue where to get it (in Australia) and how much it would cost! If anyone could help me with that it'll be much appreciated :)

Have you tried any of these Revlon primers? Do you use primers, and if so, which ones?


56 comments :

  1. Oooh didn't know Revlon has eye primer! I always use primer underneath my foundation, helps it lasts longer and provides that protective barrier between the skin and foundation. You can get the Urban Decay eye primer from Beautybay (that's where I got mine from).

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    Replies
    1. Yes they do! I might give the primer another chance- I find that the foundations I use have quite good staying power already which is probably why I don't seem to bother with primer! Thanks for the tip, I'll have a look there :)

      Delete
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      Delete
  2. I didn't know Revlon had an eye primer! Sounds pretty nice. I've personally shied away from primers and have converted to using cream shadows as a base.

    Haven't been on your blog in a while, your sidebar picture looks fierce! ;)

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    1. I would be on the look out for a great cream shadow as a base but I'm afraid that if I don't blend it well enough (especially under my eye) it'll look very obvious! And this is where the eye primer comes in :) Haha thanks :P

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  3. I have to use a primer because I have oily skin (worst). I've use the photoready primer before - there are definitely better primers out there depending on what you are looking for (minimising pores, mattifying etc etc), but in saying that this is a pretty good drugstore option. The cheaper primers are mostly terrible! I think it's a product you definitely have to invest in.

    I'd recommend Benefit, Too Faced, and Smashbox primers for those with oily skin!

    dolcebeautyx.blogspot.com.au

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    1. The primer didn't wow me at all so I guess it wasn't that great. I assumed that the cheaper primers weren't that great so lucky I never purchased any of them- I would rather invest in something that really works! Thanks for the recommendations, I'll have a look at those brands although I don't have oily skin!

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  4. I find primers make a difference in the wear of my products. If you can't find UD, Tarte & Smashbox make great eye primers as well.

    Rowena @ rolala loves

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  5. I have the foundation version of the photo ready but I guess it isn't made for me.. it is too yellow and too cakey for my liking.I've tried different ways to apply it but it just didn't work out for me.. ://
    this primer is something I have never heard before, but my bad relationship with its 'sister' ; the foundation make me want to stay away from this primer. lol
    oh and the price is unbelievable!! so expensive?? I'd rather buy high end brand with the price.. but I guess the high end brands must be even more expensive, right??

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    1. Yes high end products are super expensive here! And it's not because our dollar is weak, it is actually on par or even stronger than the American dollar! A high end mascara can cost $55+ (eg. Lancome) which is unbelievable. I wasn't really interested in the PhotoReady foundation except for the airbrush one which was quite novel!

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  6. love your blog! keep it up!

    i just did an outfit post :) what do you think about it?

    i would appreciate it if you follow my blog too!
    christie-mariee.blogspot.com

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  7. The eye primer looks brilliant, what a difference it makes!xx

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  8. wow the before and after photos of the eyeshadows are amazing! I also consider revlon as a high end drugstore brand so I'll have to save it before i get to try this out! thanks for sharing :)

    Maxie <3
    http://www.maxinemarcelino.com/

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  9. If you have oily skin you should definitely look into buying or trying Benefit's 'Porefessional' - I have oily skin and quite big pores and it is amaaaazing, honestly, my pores vanish and as for the oily skin - gone! Plus it is an amazing base for foundation and it makes the skin like silk, so soft.

    I found the same with the Revlon primer, not very good at all, especially for the price. Haven't tried the pen though, have to try that one!

    Thanks for the review :-)
    Love Jayde-Paris xxxxxx

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for the suggestion, I'll go have a try of Benefit's Porefessional the next time I'm out :)

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  10. I'm not much of a primer user either but I do think that Revlon's PhotoReady line is pretty good! I've used a few products from that collection and have been happy with all of them.
    If you're still interested in the Urban Decay primer - or just their products in general - beautybay.com stocks them and have free shipping to Australia! :)

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  11. i definitely agree with you! revlon seems to be more pricer than other brands like maybeline, max factor, rimmel london... but then revlon has pretty innovative stuff like the cute packaging of the lip butters, the kissable lip stains etc i wish australia had the same prices as america did, and retail here would be doing so much better haha

    that eye primer seems really good, it instantly brightens up the eyeshadow! i think i'll play with this one when i next visit priceline :D

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    1. Revlon definitely has much better quality makeup than those other brands you mentioned! I also wish we had the great prices that the US have :( I quite like the primer but then again, I have nothing to compare it to :P

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  12. Never even knew revlon do a eye primer, for my face im currently using the nivea primer and it's pretty good! xx

    http://beautyundressedd.blogspot.com/

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  13. Revlon is a great brand!
    http://namelessfashionblog.blogspot.it/
    http://www.facebook.com/NamelessFashionBlog

    ReplyDelete
  14. You know what? I am the same way with primers. I just don't feel like they're worth the investment but I've seen many good reasons to actually use one. I find that the older I get, the more skin imperfections I have and a primer is a good solution. I love Revlon! I find that their range of makeup is pretty good but very overpriced in Austrailia! :( It looks good underneath eyeshadows! Wow!

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    1. I know! Maybe it's because primer isn't something you can actually see, so perhaps that's why we can't justify it :) Revlon makeup is quite good! And I know, the prices are just absurd here :(

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  15. everything in australia is always expensive! :(

    My Blog: Caught in a Daze.

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  16. Very cool products! I need to learn more about makeups...

    -liv
    http://chocolivlovelaugh.blogspot.kr/

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  17. Hey dear)
    nice blog)loves it)
    would you like to follow each other?)

    xoxo Christy

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  18. I don't usually bother with face primer but eye primer is a must unless I am using cream eyeshadow. I haven't tried either of these Revlon products, but I was curious about the face primer and how it would perform. Sometimes I use Face of Australia Face Base which is okay, though to be honest I don't think it makes a huge difference. It does depend on the foundation you use with your primer as well. I like Clarins Beauty Flash Balm more for a smoothing, illuminating effect than making my foundation last longer or go on better. For eye primer I normally just use any random cream eyeshadow from Revlon :)

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  19. Hi babe! I just published a post featuring my new Oasap dress… let me know what do you think about it!
    http://namelessfashionblog.blogspot.it/2013/04/oasap-rhinestones-trimmed-dress.html

    ReplyDelete
  20. oooh, I didn;t know that photoready range have the primer...I thought they only have the foundation and concealer! Thanks for sharing ^_~

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  21. i'd love to try the revlon face primer

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  22. Great review! Oh I am so going to stock up on all the drugstore products when I go to America just for the fact that everything is 100x cheaper there! I'm glad to here that you gave the primer another go when it felt greasy. I haven't tried this primer nor the eye primer which I didn't even know they had, I really like Too Faced Shadow insurance which I buy on eBay for a reasonable price, or MAC's paintpots but for something cheaper Essence has a really good eye primer! I don't think I could ever live without primers haha.
    xx

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  23. I HAVE THIS! And freaking love it.. beats the high brand primers anyday (*Cough Laura Mercier*)

    WWW.ROXTHEFOX.COM

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  24. O: those prices! In America, those products are like $8-$12 or something like that. The prices that you paid are what I expected for brands like MAC and Urban Decay. ): If you ever come to America, make sure to stock up on Revlon! ;p

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  25. Your Blog is lovely! I have followed you... Would definitly have to try this revlon product!

    Http://channichic.blogspot.com

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  26. Wow! The price difference is crazy! Anyways, I'm an eye primer girl, def! It makes such a difference. But I'm not too into face primers. I find that my foundations last long enough on their own and I don't like adding more products to my face xx

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  27. Oh yes, primer can make all the difference! I can't live without mine. Almost $30 for the eye primer? That is crazy! I think the price here is about $7. I've never tried eye primer before, but I'll give this a try, love their nail polishes and lip sticks. xx

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    Replies
    1. Oh I wish ours would be $7, how affordable! Revlon do make great makeup products, their lipsticks and nail polishes are lovely :)

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  28. I've tried the revlon foundation primer before too and I liked it, but I have used the urban decay ones before and they are way better in my opinion! :)

    eyelashwishes-x.blogspot.co.uk

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  29. make up in australia is sooo overpriced, but the foundation is a good one!
    i never use primer because i find most too greasy and i tend to break up if i put on too much make up layers..

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    Replies
    1. I agree, it is definitely overpriced! I find it greasy too, and I agree about all those layers of makeup!

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  30. I am amazed that Revlon come up with primers already! have to try it yet:)
    A review worth the read.
    ♡,
    Riza of Pour L'Instant

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  31. I am addicted to primer :) I never saw the use of face primer until I discovered my nars pro prime, and now I can't live without it.

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  32. interesting, I have never used a primer before, maybe this is something I need to consider, what a great product! Thanks for the review! <3

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  33. nearly $30 for a drugstore product is just ridiculous >-< That is why I rarely shopped for makeup when I was living in Australia. I have never tried the Revlon primers but they look quite nice. I started using primers since I started wearing makeup and it became a habit now. I haven't found one that I am "in love with" though.

    Liz
    chewylove.blogspot.com

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    1. It is very ridiculous! I'm just worried that primers will clog up my skin and cause pimples which I hate :( I quite like the eye primer though!

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  34. Lol I agree with Liz above regarding the ridiculous Australian prices. I don't know why they want to torture us this way. Gah!

    I'm currently using the Almay smart shade primer because it resembled them Stila primer. Oh gosh was I wrong. Almay's primer is the worst ever! Seriously give it a swatch when you're at Priceline next time. It stinks, doesn't colour correct and if you rub the primer after it's dry, it rubs away kinda like rubbing away dead skin. Uugh!

    ♡ M.May

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    1. Every time I see Almay at Priceline I never take any interest in it as I'd never thought their products were that good! The Almay primer sounds pretty bad!

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  35. Oh my God so high the prices!
    Thats products here are less expensive!
    Many thanks for the review.

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  36. Thanks for this! I've never used primers before and have always wondered if they ever made a difference.

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  37. i need to try some of these products! Thanks for sharing!!

    www.indigogirl.blogspot.co.uk xxxx

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  38. The Photoready Perfecting Primer actually is one of my staples at the moment, just because it does prolong the wear of my foundation. It's also pretty decent for my oily skin. I want to try some more "expensive" primers though, just to see how they compare. Very thorough review - I actually didn't know that Revlon carried an eye primer, but I can't turn back now, now that I'm using Too Faced Shadow Insurance! lol!

    Following you on GFC xx

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    1. I really want to look for a great eye primer- I have been using the Revlon one and it is decent, although I don't really have anything to compare it to! The only qualm I have with primer is that it makes my face have layers of product which I'm afraid won't be good for it!

      Delete
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Thanks for your lovely comments, I check all of your blogs!