Review: Urban Decay Complexion Primer Potion -Brightening Makeup Base

For those who are not genetically blessed with flawless skin or skin that needs very prepping for makeup, essentially people like me. I can't help but be thankful for the invention of makeup base whenever i need my makeup to be natural and to look as good as possible.

Although i firmly believe in taking good care of my skin, on good days my skin behave themselves and all is good, but what about days when i need that something extra to hold my foundation or makeup better?

I have been using RMK's makeup base for quite a while and i don't really have any plans to stray away from it, but i was intrigued when Sephora introduces Urban Decay's Brightening Makeup base awhile ago.

Urban Decay's Complexion Primer Potion comes in 2 types, namely Brightening and Pore Perfecting. I did swatches for both Primer Potions in the store and of the 2, Pore Perfecting Complexion Primer Potion is heavier in texture and its coverage is better than the Brightening Complexion Primer Potion, since i felt that it covers fine lines and pores better and it can be worn alone without foundation. Personally, i felt its a tad too heavy for me, thus i went with the Brightening Primer Potion which is lighter for me.

I am interested to find out if it will work out for me as i am rather satisfied with the feel of the texture and the result of the swatch at the counter and so i came home with it- the Brightening Primer Potion.

A possible replacement for RMK's Makeup base?

Urban Decay's signature Lavender-Lilac packaging.

Packagingwise, the Primer Potion comes in a tube which a twist-and-squeeze dispenser. I like the way that i am able to dispense the appropriate amount of primer that i need without wastage but the cons is that i won't be able to know how much product is left except by feeling the weight of the tube. I guess i will have to roll up the tube like toothpaste to extract the very last bits of the primer or even to cut the tube to scoop the remaining. So far so good until then.

Complexion Primer Potion- Brightening.

Transulscent gel-like texture.

Upon appliation of the Primer Potion (with Flash).

Upon application of the Primer Potion (without flash).

Scentwise, the Primer Potion smells of alcohol and something rather chemical quite strongly, of what exactly, i can't really put a finger to it, except that i hated it, luckily it dissipated as soon as the product is absorbed by the skin.

Now, i was lured by the claim that it is free from Parabens, oil-free, lightweight and it contains Matrixyl 3000 (known for its ability to minimise the appearance of wrinkles) and Hyaluronic Filling Spheres (to lessen appearance of fine lines and to moisturise skin effectively).

The rational me decided to ignore its claim and test drive its capability myself (afterall the result says everything).

For application, i don't really need much, perhaps the amount the size of those disposable tea spatula that people use to stir their tea with sugar. The primer spreads easily and is absorbed into the skin faster than you can say "Urban Decay Complexion Primer Potion- Brighening", so work it fast, otherwise you may find yourself having to get more product to cover the entire face.

Upon application, yes i do find my face brightening just that wee bit and true enough i do feel the tightening of the skin (or lifting of the skin with a little tingling effect) and the texture of my skin is really matte and smoother. Its like doing something subtle to the skin without people realising what it is exactly. I like that to be honest.

It wears almost as long as my RMK makeup base with foundation, this gives smoother texture but with weaker brightening effect (could be largely due to the fact that my RMK makeup base is tinted). If you have uneven skin colouring, this primer is not made for that purpose, better stick to a tinted makeup base.

Love it? Hate it?

I see it a Primer Potion for usage of different purpose here. It will not be a replacement for the current RMK makeup base that i am using. This is 2 different things here. I would use it on days when i want to have that slight brightening look without putting on foundation, just a puff of loose powder or press powder will that kind of day.

It is a good to have but not at the current retail price in Singapore. Its retailing at USD30.00 online on http://www.urbandecay.com/.

If you are really keen on the product, i say go for a Online spree with your BFFs or a group of like-minded friends or wait for a Sephora Urban Decay promotion if there is any.

Priced at S$55.00 for 30ml or 1.0fl oz, available at Sephora or Urban Decay Online.

Main Ingredients: Aqua(Water), Litchi Chinensis Pericarp Extract, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Glycerin, Polyacrylamide, Algae Extract, Thermus Thermophillus Ferment, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Butylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Pullulan, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Laureth-7, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Hexylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol and Phenoxyethanol.

Interesting facts: You can read more about the much raved about substance Matrixyl 300 on this website: http://www.smartskin.com/treatments/topical/palmitoyl-oligopeptide-palmitoyl-tetrapeptide-7-matrixyl-3000.html

Haul and Review: Benefit Some Beauty to Love Limited Edition Set

Nothing can hold a beauty addict back especially when you know that you are going to get more bangs for your bucks and since it is that time of the year again.... yeah Christmas season...

Cosmetic brands and companies will launch all the makeup and skincare goodies that proves to be too good too resist.

I am a easy prey when it comes to value for money sets (which include items that i am using and things that i really want to try for the longest time) as well as exclusive Limited Edition releases (regretfully......sigh......).

In this case, it didn't take me too long to decide on taking the plunge to order the Benefit Some Beauty to Love makeup set (My most gracious BFF compiled the orders and send it as soon as all things are in ).

This makeup set comprise of some of Benefit's bestselling items, the That Gal Brightening Face Primer, Eye Bright Instant Eye Brightener, Bad Gal Lash mascara and lastly....... the star of the deal for me..... Coralista Blusher.

Without further delay, i present Some Beauty to Love......

Benefit's Some Beauty to Love (exclusive to Sephora Online)

The set is presented in a cardboard box that resembles a handbag completed with 2 black ropes on top as handles. The sturdy box housed the goodies nicely and safely : ) Kudos for the design, but if the postman or delivery company is not careful in the handling of the item (imagine droping hard on the floor (+ _+), items such as the blusher might break in the box....

Perhaps they should consider those sponge cut-out moulded according to the shape and size of the items or even just 2 pieces of foam (they don't weight much) to keep the items snug and safe.

Nevertheless, it's a cute box that i can use to house some of my knick knacks. : )

The cute bag-like box that holds the loot nicely.

Items from L-R, T-B: Eye Bright (full size), That Gal (deluxe sample size), Bad Gal Lash (deluxe sample size) and Coralista (full size).


Eye Bright Instant Eye Brightener.


Pencil with soft pink "lead".


Swatches: Left- Eye Bright unblended, Right- Eye Bright blended.

The Eye Bright is like a pink coloured crayon pencil and according to Benefit, simply apply it in the inner and outer corner of the eye and it will instantly brighten them.

In terms of texture, it resembles those very soft eyeliner that glides without too much effort. I didn't use it the way that was recommended by Benefit, what i did was to draw a small circle at the brow bone (the area just below the arch), blend it in properly.

Yes, it did brighten my eyes, but not a must-die in my book given the price tag and what it solely does.

If only the price is not marked up that ridiculously high in Singapore, i would say it is a good to have as i have nothing really bad to say about it, except that one have to be careful to make sure that proper blending is done to avoid the "what's that patch of pink on your eyes?" situation (it did happened to me the first time round and yes, i was in a morning rush).

Not much scent detected, although its a mere 1.4g or 0.06oz, i figure it will take me quite some time to finish it with everyday usage.

That Gal Brightening Face Primer.

Swatches: Left- That Gal blended, Right-That Gal unblend.

The That Gal brightening Face Primer is something that i really wanted to try ever since it was launched but i can't simply find the chance (the fact that i have not finished my tube of RMK Face polish tells me that i shan't attempt to buy it).

The face primer is a light pink thin paste that spreads easily and evenly across the skin, it gives my face a very nice and very very subtle brightening effort, i figure it would work better on someone with lighter skin tone (perhaps a shade or two). Nice scent too, a little fruitly though.

My only gripe for this product - 11.00ml or 0.37oz for S$58.00 ?

Nah, its way too much... considering that a tube can last like what.. 2 months worth of daily usage?

Bad Gal Lash Mascara.

A closer look at the applicator.

Swatch of the mascara.

The Bad Gal lash is one of Benefit's award-winning bestseller, honestly i am not a mascara kind of gal, so it holds no magic on me. The applicator is a those of traditional mascara bristles which is cone-shaped with wide gaps in between the bristles which is supposed to volumise eyelashes.

As my eyelashes are quite thick, the volumising effect is not that apparent on me, on my sister on the otherhand, the effect is quite obvious but it doesn't lengthen the eyelashes as well. Pity.

Coralista Blusher with brush.

A closer at the pan.

Swatch of the blush.

The concluding factor that seals the deal for me would be the much-raved about Coralista Blusher. It is a warm peachy pink tone blusher with a hint of sheen that is versatile enough to be used on almost all skintones.

It is also considered by many to be the dupe for Nars' Orgasm. Although i do not own Nars' Orgasm, personally i felt that Orgasm leans towards warm whereas Coralista leans a little towards cool.

In the pan itself, Coralista might even look very pigmented and very bright, in actual application the colour is a little sheer and easily buildable to your desired intensity plus it didn't accenturate my pores at all, just a nice pop of colour.

The box packaging is neat too, considering that you don't get loose blush powder all over the place and you save quite a fair bit too as all the powder are nicely contained within the box.

Scentwise, i do detect a whiff of subtle sweet scent here and there, kind of like it. : )

Is it worth a peek?

Nah.... just buy it!

Eye Bright Instant Eye Brightener (full size): Priced at S$41.00 for 1.4g or 0.06oz.

That Gal Brightening Face Primer (deluxe sample size), estimated at S$36.90 for 7.5ml or 0.25oz. Priced at S$58.00 for 11.00ml or 0.37oz (full size).

Bad Gal Lash (deluxe sample size), estimated at S$19.00 for 4.0g or 0.14oz. Priced at S$41.00 for 8.50g or 0.30oz.

Coralista Blusher (full size): Priced at S$58.00 for 12.00g or 0.42oz.

Total Value: Priced at S$ 65.00 for a value of S$154.00 (Almost 60% off retail price).

Priced at S$65.00 for the set, available at Takashimaya and Sephora Online (Limited Edition).