MAC Prep + Prime Skin Review

This was the very first primer I ever bought because it was recommended by the MAC MUA who was looking after me and so naturally I thought it was awesome back then.  After purchasing it for a second time (and having a bit more knowledge about face paint) this is not the best primer for my oily skin.

It comes in an opaque black plastic bottle with pump which I hate because I find it frustrating that I can't tell how much product I have left. The product has a thick consistency but a velvety feel once blended into the skin which I feel is typical of primers that are silicone based.  

I use to 2 pumps for my face and under good lighting you can see the reflects - not to be confused with glitter or sparkles.  I don't mind a bit of reflects in my primer as long as my face is not a substitute to light the path at night. It feels light weight and leaves me with a smooth canvas to apply my foundation - either liquid or powder - doesn't matter both types go on beautifully and they don't have to be MAC products.  

I don't notice any difference in the primer making my make up last longer but that doesn't really bother me because the primer alone provided me with the kind of canvas I wanted to achieve a flawless finish (or as close to flawless as one can get).  

The only reason I won't be repurchasing this is because it doesn't do much for oil control.  Even though the product is non-greasy it really doesn't help to keep the shine at bay.  I'm not overly oily (I don't think) so I do expect this product to give me a slight improvement.  Those with dry to combination skin would really benefit from this.

I have been using this primer for around 5 months now and I really have wanted to love it but I don't think I can... First of all I will tell you about the things I enjoy about it:

• The texture of this primer is like a thin moisturiser with a slight silicone feel - it has a scent but it is only very mild and smells like what a moisturiser would smell like

• This primer is a dream team with my MAC Studio Fix Fluid! It smooths out my skin and allows my foundation to not streak as much when using a flat top kabuki brush

Here's the reason why I DON'T Love it:

• I end up looking like Edward Cullen.. Seriously, this has glitter in it - I am all for dewy natural skin but I don't want to look like a vampire in the light/sun. It doesn't make me look oily it literally has little glitters in it and it bugs me as I think if a primer has an aspect like that to it - it should be made clear to the buyer!

• It's expensive for something you may love or hate.. If you don't mind glitter then you may love this!

You get 30mls of product I was shocked when it arrived as I thought it was going to be a lot bigger. I tend to use 1-2 pumps on my face when applying a full coverage foundation. The packaging is typical of MAC very basic but sleek - it also came in a beautiful black and glitter box (I'm guessing that's why the primer is glittery). I love MAC products but not this unfortunately... I will continue to use it but I don't think i'll re-purchase it again!

For the price you pay, I would expect a great primer that holds make up all day. As a flight attendant I'm constantly projecting n image and half on half off make up isn't the image I want to project. It worked well up to a point and then I feel like I'm constantly having to touch up, which I rarely have time for on flights. I prefer E.L.F. for satin finish and how amazing it makes my skin look.

I think this primer is one of those that works for certain skin types - just not mine. It has a light scent which didn't bother me, and I thought the packaging was nice and simple, also great as it had a pump (however you couldn't tell how much product was left in the bottle.) I small amount of this primer goes a long way and I find it did create a nice base for the rest of my makeup, everything blended well on top and there was no patchyness caused.

However, the reason this primer feels so 'silky' is because of the amount of silicone in it. In my experience, silicone is just not something you want to be putting on your skin, especially not this amount. Along with it not working well for oily skin, silicone can cause a lot of problems for people with sensitive skin, such as burning and/or rashes. Despite not having overly sensitive skin myself, this primer broke me out in not just normal acne, but also some very very painful cystic acne, and I had to stop using it immediately.

There are better primers out there for the same/lower price that don't contain ingredients like these that do nothing for your skin, be careful!

I love MAC products. The first brand that really caters to all skin tones. Naturally trusting the brand already I brought this prep+prime. It's a bit pricey. I use it only for outings. It definitly does what it's supposed to do and "keeps your face on" when your out & about. due to the price I don't think I would purchase it again as I've found other primers more in my price range doing the same thing.

I bought this from glambot a online makeup site that sells authentic cosmetics as I had heard so much about this Mac product,glambot is abit cheaper than the $50 Mac wants in stores,I placed it on my clean face before my foundation,I let it sit for 20 min,I placed my foundation on and see no real difference in the way my foundation sits,or lasts on my face,I have given it 2 weeks,and I really would rather have a elf or Maybelline primer as with this Mac product I am still on the fence with it