July 10, 2012

Neutrogena Shine Control Primer Review & Swatches

This was provided to me by a brand for review but all opinions expressed are my own

As you know Neutrogena recently released a Shine Control Collection that includes foundation, powder, and primer.

I recently got my hands on the Neutrogena Shine Control Primer and was surprised that the formula wasn’t a typical silicone formula.

Take a look!

Neutrogena Shine Control Primer comes in a 1 oz squeeze tube bottle with the promise of an eight hour shine control formula that’s enriched with rice protein complex.

Korres likes to toss rice protein complex into many of their products so that might be why the ingredient caught your eye. It supposedly absorbs oil and mattifies skin.

This is a water based formula which surprised me as I expected a more powdery, velvety silicone primer.

It’s actually a one trick pony as technically it doesn’t minimize the appearance of pores or wrinkles but merely aids in keeping your face a whole heck of a lot less shiny.

Although water based some of the ingredients are iffy here as it does contain dimethicone as well as a few other silicones that might not make skin particularly happy.

It quite reminds me of NYX HD Studio Photogenic Primer on some levels as both have the same blue-ish white color as well as the same mattifying and perfecting abilities. The reason I mention perfecting abilities is because it seems to give the illusion of a smoother finish on skin in photographs. Although not marketed as an HD product I still noticed it photographed quite well under makeup so you might want to pick it up if you blog and often take photos for your site, etc…as it’ll offer a more perfected finished look in photos.

I’d recommend it for combination skin types but not super oily skin. It did well for my oily areas and kept shine at bay for at least five hours but I didn’t get the full eight hours of shine free awesomeness out of it. The formula is a soft, creamy texture that smooths and absorbs onto skin beautifully. It lends a soft, matte finish that creates a smooth surface for makeup to adhere to. I didn’t experience any itchiness with it or other sensitivities after application or during the wear. It also has a rather unusual yet pleasant fresh scent to it.

Overall, I liked this a lot but I’m skeptical it’ll keep skin matte for extremely oil skin. I think in conjunction with other products such as powder, a good mattifying foundation, etc…it’ll work to keep oil at bay however, probably not through an eight hour period. If you just aren’t comfortable with more traditional silicone primers I think this is worth checking out as the texture proves easier to work with and wear.

Neutrogena Shine Control Primer is available now at drugstores.

Have you tried it?

Do share!

This was provided to me by a brand for review but all opinions expressed are my own

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • Becca @ The Beauty Sample

    Just got this one yesterday–I have oily skin (even more so than usual because of the heat!) so I am really hoping it will work out for me.

  • Amy Amethyst

    I noticed this one when I went on a little makeup shopping spree this weekend but didn’t get it. Might be one of the ones I check out when I’m out of the primer samples I have now.

  • christmas

    I saw this today and didn’t pick it up because I was worried about silicones (I didn’t look at the ingredients, but I assumed because it’s a drugstore shine-control primer). I might check it out. I don’t really have oily skin anymore but I haven’t used a primer in months because I don’t really see a difference with or without it anymore with the primers I do have.

  • Michelle D

    I have super oily skin. I didn’t find this to mattify very well at all. I didn’t even get 2 hours, let alone 8.

  • Josh :D

    I’ll be trying this on my disgustingly oily skin, so, I’ll be sure to let you know! <3

  • Comrade Garlic

    I could never figure out why companies try to sell us on silicone to help with oil control. A slick oil like substance doesn’t help me look less oily.

  • LaLa

    I’m going to have to give this a try it sounds like it was a success! 🙂

  • Charlotte

    I much prefer Black Radiance Complexion Perfection.. as do several others I have spoken with who have a similar skin type to my own (super oily/combination). It contains clay, has a creamy texture and goes on clear so I can wear it whether or not I am wearing makeup…. and it’s only about $6. I still have to use milk of magnesia on my forehead if I want full control all day long (and between these two I get it, all day until I take it off, even in the Louisiana heat and humidity).

    I tried my Loreal skin beautifier BB as primer yesterday, and was quite pleased. It gave an extremely smooth and even appearance, and made my pores almost invisible, but not quite the oil control of my BRCP. It behaved very well under my foundation and did not interfere with blending. I adore what it does to my skin, not just when I have it on, but the lasting effects (smoother, more even skin texture and reduction of pigmentation issues) so I was glad to see I could use it under foundation for days when the coverage alone is not enough.

    • Karla

      Milk of magnesia huh?…ok…Never heard of that. I am extremely oily so I will try it though..lol.

  • Sue Lin

    Great review! This seems pretty sheer for a silicone based primer. I don’t like too much cones in my makeup either.

  • Mia D.

    I have oily cheeks & nose (nothing stays on my nose). This didn’t help any of that and I was shiny not even by midday (4-5hrs within my shift at work). I think the Revlon Photoready primers have more oil control than this :\

  • Kaitlin

    I think I may have gotten a bad batch of this! Mine feels incredibly gritty and uncomfortable to apply. (It almost feels like rubbing sand onto your face!) Did you find it had a gritty feel? I’m tempted to contact Neutrogena and tell them about my bad experience.

    (Oh, and I have incrediblyyyy oily skin and this does NADA for me. Of course, that could be because my tube of it is effed.)

    • Kaitlin

      BTW, I contacted Neutrogena about the problem and they sent me a coupon for up to $10 of product. So, I’ll be able to get another tube and HOPEFULLY it’ll be better!

  • Lulubelle

    I’m not sure anything keeps really oily skin matte beyond a few hours. Or at least I haven’t found anything that does.

  • Tiffany Martin

    Too bad that it doesn’t last long even with your normal/dry skin type, I have hella oily skin so that’s a disappointment for me as I was hoping it was a great shine reducing primer. C’est la vie.

    Thanks for the review!

  • Nadia

    Now, reading this and hearing your opinion… I am wondering what your absolute favorite primer for super oily skin is?
    Thank you!!

    • the Muse

      i don’t have super oily skin nadia so don’t really have a favorite for the problem. my skin is dry.

  • Chynna

    I wasn’t impressed. I used this on one side of my forehead with no primer on the other side. Two hours later both sides looked identical. :o(

  • Rachel

    Hi, Muse! Thank you for the review “� I have rather oily T-zone, and this primer doesn’t seem like it’ll help. I’m still searching for one that is amazing at oil control. Anyway, it’d be nice, I think, if you include ingredients in your future reviews. Have a lovely day!

  • lily

    Murad makes an incredible shine control primer that does absolute wonders for my insanely oily skin. Its amazing.

  • Katie

    You should do some reviews on the Neutrigena Naturals! I have been looking into them a bit, and want to know your opinion!