L'Oreal Base Magique Transforming Smoothing Primer Review

A couple of weeks ago I got a sample of the L'Oreal Base Magique Transforming Smoothing Primer. I was really excited to try it, as I'd heard some great things about it, and I'm on the hunt for a new primer.

The L'Oreal website describes it as a "transforming smoothing primer that instantly smoothes pores and creates an even surface, so that you get a more flawless make-up result that lasts. The silky, lightweight formula glides onto skin and minimises the look of pores and fine lines to transform your skin surface."

I've been using it for about a week and a half now, and I have very mixed feelings about it. I'll section this review into the different things I want in a primer, as well as the claims made by L'Oreal.

The length of wear: My foundation did not budge all day with this primer. Probably the best thing about this primer is the staying power. Usually when I get home from work my face has kinda faded and/or slid a little, even with most primers. Not with this.

Smoothing: This primer claims to mask pores and fine lines, so that foundation goes on smoothly. I have some issues with large pores and was hoping that this primer would help to stop them from showing and prevent my foundation from settling in them. It did cover some of my smaller pores really well, but seemed to do very little for the ones I actually wanted to minimise. I tried layering it thicker and thinner, applying it with a brush and my hands, stippling it in, swiping it on and patting it on, and nothing worked to stop my foundation from settling in the pores on my nose. This was a big let down, given that it was designed to help smooth over pores, and that most other concealers I have tried do it better than I felt this one did. As for fine lines, I don't really have any yet, but sort of tested it out on the back of my hand where I have some tiny just visible lines and it covered them really well. They were almost invisible even without foundation over the top.

Finish: It has a sort of matte texture when applied, with a really nice and smooth finish (over areas without pores). It feels velvety to the touch. 

Oil control: At the moment (because Winter is approaching) my skin has been normal to dry (it is quite oily in summer), so I only really need a small amount of oil control through my t-zone. Because of it's matte texture, I sort of expected this primer to be sufficient, if not good, for my oil control needs right now. I was wrong. The outside of my face, where I'm not getting oiliness right now stayed lovely, but every day by lunch time my nose was an oily, shiny mess. To check that it wasn't just my skin acting up, I followed up a couple of days using a different primer and then no primer, and I had no issues with oiliness anywhere. I went back and used the Base Magique, and it happened again. It was a bit bizarre.

Packaging: Because I was using a sample of this, I got it in a cute little squeeze tube, but the full sized product comes in a little pot. For those with concerns about hygeine, the packaging may not be ideal. 

Overall, this primer isn't for me, and I won't be buying it. That said, I don't think it's a bad primer, it just doesn't suit my skin type and needs. How long and well this made my foundation last makes me desperately wish it had worked better for me. If you have skin more toward the dry end of the spectrum, small to medium pores to cover and no tendency for oiliness, I think this primer could be amazing. 

Overall Score: 7/10