January 2, 2014

Garnier Skin Renew 5 Second Blur Instant Smoother Review & Swatches

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Garnier Skin Renew 5 Second Blur Instant Smoother is a newly launched facial primer that’s available at drugstores for the Spring 2014 season and will later becomes apart of Garnier’s permanent line of skincare products.

Garnier Skin Renew 5 Second Blur Instant Smoother is a take on L’Oreal Revitalift Miracle Blur Instant Skin Smoother Finishing Cream with a far nicer price tag of $16.99. Considering silicone primers are a little sparse in the drugstore world this is potentially an excellent pick up for those who love and enjoy products like Smashbox Photofinish Primer.

Take a look!

Garnier Skin Renew 5 Second Blur Instant Smoother

Garnier Skin Renew 5 Second Blur Instant Smoother is a classic take on the silicone facial primer formula. They market this as a way to blur the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and pores in as little as 5 seconds. Simply apply a small amount after moisturizer and prior to makeup to prep skin for foundation.

For a drugstore facial primer this isn’t a bad thing to go with especially if you’re just looking for something to fill and blur smaller pores. Essentially it is made up of dimethicone so not really all that much goes into the ingredients or the fanfare of the product. You get 1.0 oz of product per a squeeze tube and it should literally last you ages because a little goes a long way.

I have drier skin so it doesn’t do me any favors sadly and I think even oily skin might have a hiccup or two with it as it does have a fairly greasy feel. You definitely get that traditional mix of creamy velvet-ness versus a powdery dry down but there’s also a slickness to the formula as well. I do not have larger pores and I do have drier skin however, around my nose I do have smaller visible pores that I like to cover up with primer. This does ok blurring the look of those pores however, applied all over I feel like it sits rather unnaturally atop of my dry skin. It isn’t itchy thankfully which is a common problem I face with Smashbox’s Photofinish. It doesn’t pill either (roll off in tiny pieces) which is good but I feel like it’s a touch too heavy and on my drier areas it seems to catch and cling although not visibly if that makes sense.

I have a strong feeling those with oily skin might not love the mattifying abilities here as it seems to create a good deal of slickness going on and might potentially create shine as the day progresses rather than actually curb it.

The formula is a creamy consistency and of course, has that soft powdery silicone feel with a very light translucent pink shade. Unlike many Garnier products this does not have a fragrance so good news for those sensitive to fragrance in their skincare.

Garnier Skin Renew 5 Second Blur Instant Smoother swatches

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I’m really on the fence about Garnier Skin Renew 5 Second Blur Instant Smoother since I’ve only been able to test on my drier skin. I’d like to see how it performs when I’m a bit more oily in the Summer. In the end, I think I’m feeling like I enjoyed L’Oreal Miracle Blur a good deal more than this. It is nice to see so the drugstore facial primer world catching up the the mid-range brands though as I think the variety of facial primers are a bit sparse at the drugstore.

Do I think you need to indulge?

Maybe if it goes on sale but don’t run out the door for this one quite yet.

Tried it?

Love to hear your thoughts on it do share!

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I purchased this item.

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

  • April

    Thanks for the great review. I’m super interested in trying this out this coming Spring. Happy New Year.

  • AmberM

    Thank you for the heads up that it’s silicone based. Saves me time and money. Dimethicone in particular clogs my pores. I guess my wrinkles are gonna have to fly free for now. 😉

  • suzie

    Great Product! Tried a sample from People’s Magazine and ran out and bought the product. I have allergires to perfume and have sensitive skin-This cream was fabulous. Smoothed the skin right out!

  • suzie

    Great Product! Tried a sample from People’s Magazine and ran out and bought the product. I have allergires to perfume and have sensitive skin-This cream was fabulous. Smoothed the skin right out!

  • Janis Schmid

    I also tried the sample in the People Magazine. Still undecided about this…but it felt good going on.

  • Tamara

    I love love LOVE the Garnier 5 sec blur. It really takes my Creasy face look just like velvet and feel like velvet and the light reflectors it has in it really makes my skin glow. And it lasts me all day from 8am to 9pm at bedtime. I truly love this product!!!!!!

  • Amy K.

    I read every word of this review because I am mighty curious about this product. I have not tried any samples, but can anyone please tell me if it compares to DHC’s Clarifying Pore Cover Base? I buy that online, and it’s expensive: I’d like to find a more conveniently-available, cheaper choice. This product also offers more product per unit than the DHC one does. Thank you for providing the ingredients list: I compared the 2, and the Garnier one has a lot of the same ingredients as the DHC one does, but the DHC one has *more* ingredients. Please answer. Thanks.

  • Toni

    I obtained samples of both the L’Oreal and the Garnier products in a magazine (either Self or Women’s Health- can’t recall which). I am in my 50s – have combination skin – use MAC foundation and powder as my regular make up. I have used different pore fillers (Clinique, Tarte, etc.). I have very few lines and wrinkles (I attribute this to having worn foundation for my entire life since I’m 18 years old – that protective layer). My preference is the Garnier product. I like it better than all others that I have used and tried. It goes on smooth and it really smoothes out the pores and fine lines. I recognize it may not be for those with dry skin, but for combo skin, it’s great!

  • kellly

    I know it’s late to comment on this but sometimes I go back to earlier reviews and comments when I’m considering a product and think maybe others might do the same.
    I got some of this and am using it sort of like a primer/foundation substitute. It makes a great primer for concealer, blush and eye makeup and keeps my skin looking nice and matte all day without the extra layers of foundation and powder. It seems to look as good as the L’Oreal pore vanishing stuff (I had a sample). I haven’t used it long term yet to see how it treats my dry skin but I always prep with plenty of moisture before using cosmetics anyway.
    This is $15 for 1 oz vs $25 for 1.7 oz L’Oreal.
    I love this blog. It’s suggested things to me that I might not ordinarily try and has kept my wallet shut for some things I might have wasted money on. Thank you!

    • Isabella Muse

      it’s a facial primer jessica, it’s not a treatment for acne.

  • Amy

    Try Body Shops Instant Blur, it has more skin conditioning agents! Plus silicones, here’s the INCI:

    Isododecane (Solvent), Dimethicone (Skin Conditioning Agent), Vinyldimethyl/Trimethylsiloxysilicate Stearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer (Absorbent/Bulking Agent), Silica (Absorbent), Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer (Viscosity Increasing Agent), Isononyl Isononanoate (Emollient/Skin Conditioner), Polymethyl Methacrylate (Emollient), Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil (Skin Conditioning Agent – Emollient), Ethylene Brassylate (Masking Agent), Tocopheryl Acetate (Antioxidant), Laureth-4 (Emulsifier/Surfactant).

    IMO Garnier feels like plastic on your skin, but TBS is more sheer.