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