Primers: Save or Splurge

primers save splurge

If you had asked me about primers before last year, I would have said that Smashbox was the way to go and nothing else should even exist as far as I am concerned.  Smashbox works for me and I snubbed all other brands as being as inferior as cheap toilet paper!  Then I found NYX.

I was looking to save money, the harsh winter means that our construction business suffers.  I went to Shoppers Drug Mart and Rexall in the hopes of something cheaper.  I mean, primer goes under your makeup, it should be the first thing that gives right?  You can see foundation/powder so I am not going to compromise on those.

NYC Smooth Skin Perfecting Primer

At one, they recommended NYC Smooth Skin Perfecting Primer.  It was cheap but not for me, Smashbox has a smooth but thick and velvety texture and goes on invisible filling all the cracks and no grease or sparkle.  NYC was more like a cream but full of sparkle I could see even through my foundation.  Others were more expensive and close enough in price that I wasn’t giving up my Smashbox primer given the difference in quality.

NYX Photo Loving Primer

Then I thought of NYX, I already use their HD studio primer alongside Smashbox to get rid of redness (it has a slight blue/green tint and light diffusing properties that make it look great with Smashbox but wasn’t smoothing enough alone).

At $15, NYX’s Photo Loving Primer is a steal compared to Smashbox at over $40.  It isn’t quite as rich and velvety feeling but goes on smooth and does the same job as Smashbox.  My makeup stays put and I don’t look like my 3 year old niece did my makeup with sparkles.

For those in need of the purple or green primers – I am not a huge fan of them with Smashbox but NYX has them too.

I recently redeemed my points, since Shoppers Drug Mart does not stock NYX, I treated myself to Smashbox and now have both.  I keep Smashbox for special occasions and days when I need my makeup to last a long time.  For daily wear, a decent primer doesn’t feel like an extravagance with NYX and my makeup looks better for it!

Buy NYX: Rexall or Target (selection varies by store)

Buy Smashbox: Sephora or Shoppers Drug Mart (check locations, not all SDM stores carry Smashbox)

5 Replies to “Primers: Save or Splurge”

  1. I just use ELF primer, its really cheap!

    1. Tea & Nail Polish says: Reply

      I have heard it is good but last time I ordered from them it took forever to come and then I paid a ridiculous fee/taxes because they overvalued the product

  2. I do believe in some cases of make up (like primers) you get what you pay for 🙂

  3. I love the Smashbox primer too and haven’t tried other brands since I fell in love.

  4. I actually really don’t like the formula of the Smashbox primer! I love Korres and Rimmel

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