Maybelline Master Prime Primer Review & Swatches

Maybelline Master Prime Primer is a new, Spring 2015 permanent face primer formula that Maybelline is launching now at drugstores that’s available in three formulations.

I’ve been using Maybelline Master Prime Primer Blur + Smooth and Maybelline Master Prime Blur + Illuminate for the last week or so and thought I’d review and swatch both for you today and share my experience with you!

Maybelline Master Prime Primer comes in a 1 oz squeeze tube packaging. As I mentioned above this face primer comes in three variations one of which is a anti-redness formula which I didn’t purchase as I don’t have an issue with redness. I did come away with the Blur + Smooth formula as well as the Blur + Illuminate editions though and that’s what I’ll be featuring in this review.

Honestly, Maybelline Master Prime Primer surprised me. I expected a formula and texture along the lines of Smashbox Photo Finish but was pleasantly surprised these are a creamy texture with an easy to apply and absorb formula. The texture is a very lightweight cream with a subtle hand cream-like fragrance. The formula is that of a thin, lightweight moisturizer that absorbs easily into my drier skin and leaves it smoother and softer. Dry skin will love this consistency but I think if you have oily skin you might not really love it. Now these lightly hydrating and they won’t make skin shiny or oily so any skin type can easily use them. However, if you do have oily skin that might not mattifying enough for you but….Maybelline doesn’t promote them as mattifying either so there is that. Now Maybelline does say the blur…blur what? The appearance of pores? Or perhaps they are referencing creating a smoother appearance on skin which they do. After use my skin looks smoother, my foundation applies more easily, however, if you have larger pores and expect this to blur their appearance well….that’s up for debate. I don’t have larger pores however, I do have visible pores on my nose and this blurs their appearance every so slightly. I suspect this will blur the appearance of smaller pores however, if you have larger ones you might not be completely thrilled with the results and find that a silicone based primer does a better job filling and blurring the appearance of larger pores.

Maybelline Master Prime Primer Blur + Smooth Swatches

Maybelline Master Prime Primer Blur + Illuminate Swatches

For those of you with smaller pores, no pores, or drier skin this texture and formula will do the trick to lightly hydrate your skin, prep it for foundation, and create a smoother, softer appearance while offering some blurring benefits so you have a good working canvas for foundation. I liked the texture a lot. Primer of any kind is always a plus for me and anyone really and Maybelline Master Prime Primer is an excellent way to prep skin for foundation. It’ll ease the way for your foundation and give it a proper base to adhere to! I didn’t notice that this extended the wear of my foundation but it does act as an excellent base for it.

Both the Blur + Smooth and Blur + Illuminate both have the same textures and consistencies. The main difference between the two formulations is one is white and applies transparent (Blur + Smooth) where as the other has an SPF 30 and happens to have a pink pearl finish that gives skin a luminous glow. It’s really a subtle illuminating finish but I will say that if you use it on bare skin with a little blush you’ll find it creates a very beautiful, luminous finish on skin. It reminds me of a low calorie version of Benefit High Beam.

Maybelline Master Prime Primer is a great pick up for those with drier skin and less visible pores as it offers a great way to lightly hydrate skin and prep it for makeup. I liked these a lot but I can see them being iffy for those wanting to mattify skin as well as conceal the look of larger pores.

Maybelline Master Prime Primer is available now at Harmons and should be launching at mass retailers towards the end of December.

Tried it already?

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Think you’ll want to try it?

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