Review: Reviva Labs Makeup Primer!

Reviva Labs Makeup Primer

 PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: Apply over moisturizer or instead of moisturizer. Lines fill in, pores are concealed, excess oil is controlled. Skin so touchable, so silky smooth, you will find it hard to believe.

INGREDIENTS: 

I love products with such short ingredient lists! Nothing unneccesary. It's non-comedogenic and fragrance-free - so, there are less irritants for your skin.

READ MORE FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS AND MY REVIEW!

 

 Essentially, it's a base for your makeup - powder or liquid. A primer should even out your skin's surface to make it the perfect smooth base for your makeup. When applying makeup, you may notice there is more of a "slip" to your skin, so the foundation is able to move freely all over your face without caking or settling in dry areas. Depending on the particular primer, it can mattify your skin/control oil, conceal enlarged pores, keep your skin moisturized and prolong the wear of your makeup.

Directions for use: Over moisturizer or directly on clean skin, apply just a drop on your forehead, each cheek and above the jaw line. Massage in, over the entire face. Allow the product to absorb. Then apply makeup.

*You can use your fingers or any cosmetic brush. I actually like using a standard foundation brush to smooth it all over my face or a duo-fiber brush. 

The primer itself is clear and like mentioned, fragrance free. Some silicone primers are white or cloudy, but this one is crystal clear. It has that familiar silicone texture, but it also feels incredibly moisturizing. The silicone sensation isn't as strong as some primers I've tried that instantly have a very powdery feel. This primer seeps into the skin with a buttery feel and leaves the skin feeling velvety smooth - I'm talking baby soft. After about a minute, the primer has been absorbed and doesn't leave a greasy trail behind. What I really love about this primer is that it does such a good job at softening my skin's surface and giving my skin the slight slip it needs to apply my foundation. Once I apply a pump of foundation, I never have to back for more. The primer allows me to coat my face evenly and use less foundation. It also works fantastic under powder foundation. I used it with my MAC Studio Fix Powder and I get such better results than using nothing at all. I didn't really find that it concealed my pores (although, I don't have enlarged pores) and I still get a little oily in the t-zone by the end of the day.

I know it all depends on your skin type if you feel the need for a primer, but considering my skin is very "normal", I don't find primers being a huge necessity for me. I'll usually use a light moisturizer or a spritz of MAC Fix + Spray and be fine with it. I have definitely tried many primers - Laura Gellar Spackle, Bare Escentuals Skin Rever Upper, Smashbox Photo Finish, Nars Primer, MUFE HD, Monistat Gel, Rimmel Fix & Perfect, MAC Prep + Prime, Clarin's Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch, Hard Candy Sheer Envy, ELF Mineral.. the list goes on, although probably not much further than that. Although I've liked some of them, but like I said, never felt the strong "need" to continue purchasing them. Several of them actually irritated my skin, mainly the ones containing silicone. I actually really liked Smashbox Photo Finish when I would wear it a few years back, but I couldn't wear it more than a few days in a row or I'd break out. With that said, I was a little worried that I'd break out from Reviva Labs. I'm very happy to say though, that Reviva Labs Makeup Primer didn't cause any irritations (with some silicone primers, I'd feel the need to wash my face mid day because it would feel greasy, or itch!) and it didn't make me break out. For that reason, this primer is one I'd highly recommend.

Because of it's moisturizing factor and the fact that it contains silicone, I would find it best suited for dry, normal and combination skin types. The primer states that it can be used on oily skin, but I don't know if this primer would give enough oil control.

The price of this primer is $19.50 for a 1 oz bottle. It may seem high (I think primers in general are way overpriced) but in comparison to other brands - Smashbox ($32-$38 per 1oz), Nars ($32 per 1 oz), Urban Decay ($30 per 1 oz), Illamasqua ($30 per 1 oz), Laura Mercier ($30 per 1.7 oz), it's not too bad. Also, there are various online retailers, Vitacost for example that sells it for a lower cost of $11.99.

PROS: Non irritating, fragrance free, didn't cause break outs, no preservative/parabens, smooths the skins surface, velvety texture.
CONS: Didn't conceal pores or lines. 
PACKAGING: Great overall packaging. It comes in a durable, glass bottle with a pump dispenser in which you can control how much product will be dispensed. 
OVERALL: I think this is an overall great primer and worth a try if you haven't found your right one! 

 Disclaimer: This product was sent to me for free for consideration. This review is completely honest based on my individual experience in using this product.