June 7, 2018

Revlon Colorstay Prep & Protect Primer Review & Swatches

Affiliate / Purchased
I purchased this item and I receive a small commission if you shop using the links in this post.
4 stars out of 5

Revlon Colorstay Prep & Protect Primer ($13.99) is a new 3-in-1 formula that acts as a moisturizer, makeup primer and SPF all in one. Everywhere I look lately it seems like the beauty world is being influenced by Japanese makeup and skincare. Earlier today I spoke about Benefit’s new Hello Happy Soft Blur Foundation and after that the new Maybelline Color Sensational Shine Compulsion Lipsticks. We’ve had plenty of Korean beauty moments in the past two years in the beauty world but nowadays it seems like beauty brands are taking on some of Japan’s more popular trends.

I’m mentioning this because Revlon Colorstay Prep & Protect Primer reminds me a lot of Shiseido Anessa Perfect UV Sunscreen SPF 50 and many other fluid SPFs that are so readily available at Japanese drugstores.

Revlon Colorstay Prep & Protect Primer arrives in a 0.9 oz squeeze bottle with a needle nose applicator which allows the formula to flow easily from the tube. This has all the makings of an excellent formula but truly believe its a one trick pony that they could have done a bit differently.

If I were Revlon I’d have marketed it as an SPF only and instead of SPF 34 I’d have made it SPF 50. Forget primer, forget moisturizer, forget all the multitasking bells and whistles. Just market it as an SPF which is what I believe it excels out.

Here’s the thing.

I think they really wanted to appeal more to the masses and they marketed it solely as a sunscreen they might have gotten some backlash on the size versus the price. In order to make up for that they likely decided to put together how it would work to prep and prime and hydrate skin which somehow would seem more appealing to consumers.

Anyway, enough rant and on with the good stuff.

This is your standard fluid SPF that has a runny, thin liquid texture. It’s apparently supposed to have a beige tint but in reality it’s a stark while and will leave a white cast behind on medium or darker skin tones but it won’t be noticeable once foundation is applied. It absorbs fairly quickly but it has a sort of scratchy silicone feel to it initially. You might be familiar with the texture and consistency if you’ve used to Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Sunscreen. The finish is matte but isn’t a soul sucking texture that will dry you out if you already have drier skin. It feels a little odd (what SPF doesn’t at first right!?) when you first apply it sort of heavy and dare I say greasy but it pretty much absorbs quickly and sets to a smooth finish that’s barely noticeable. It contains no fragrance but I have to admit I could swear it smelled like corn chips.

As for acting as a moisturizer and a primer….mmmm, I don’t really think it excels at either function. For me, it’s an SPF product that will protect skin from harmful sun rays but doesn’t actually replace my moisturizer nor my facial primer.

Overall, Revlon Colorstay Prep & Protect Primer turned out pretty well for me although I have to admit I’d have preferred a much higher SPF. But it does apply well and wears nicely under makeup. If the basics are ok with you in the sunscreen department you might just love it!

Where to buy

Ulta

Revlon Colorstay Prep & Protect Primer is $13.99 and 0.9 oz in size that’s marked as a 3-in-1 formula which acts to protect skin while hydrating and priming it for makeup. I thought it excelled at protecting skin but did lack any real hydrating or priming properties. The formula is lightweight but the initial application is heavier but once absorbs it’s barely noticable and wears well under makeup while offering broad-spectrum protection.

Active: Titanium Dioxide 3.6%, Zinc Oxide 9%, Octinoxate 7.5%.

Inactive: Cyclopentasiloxane, Water, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Glycerin, PEG-10 Dimethicone, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Dimethicone, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, HDI/Trimethoyl Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Hexyl Laurate, Alumina, Citrullus Lanatus (Watermelon) Fruit Extract, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Lens Esculenta (Lentil) Fruit Extract, Magnesium Sulfate, Perlite, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Polysilicone-11, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Sodium Lactate, Sodium PCA, Stearic Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Acetate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Xanthan Gum, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Iron Oxides.

Pros

  • Anyone looking for a lightweight, quick absorbing SPF that wears well under makeup.

Cons

  • Anyone seeking in all-in-one wonder that preps, primers, hydrates, and protects.
  • Anyone seeking long-wearing SPF protection (this isn’t a top pick if you’re spending most of the day in the sun as you will need to reapply often).

Who

Revlon Colorstay Prep & Protect Primer will go over big with someone looking for a daily SPF that will offer basic protection. It’s best used if you aren’t spending a ton of time outdoors but still want a sunscreen that will protect you head in and out of doors.

Affiliate / Purchased
I purchased this item and I receive a small commission if you shop using the links in this post.

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

  • kjh

    This sounds too ‘coney for you. My rant is, why spoil a good physical sunscreen by adding Octinoxate?

  • Carol G

    I am very skeptical about a product claiming to be a primer and a sunscreen. For me anyway, sunscreen is very important and I take the time to put the proper amount on. I think if you try to combine a sunscreen and a primer in one product you get a mess. In other words I don’t need that much primer in order for my makeup to stay on. On the other hand, you need a fair amount of sunscreen to be protected so I know that I would want to slather this on like a sunscreen, so why not just put on sunscreen first then use your usual primer. Yes, you are correct this is just a comfortable sunscreen to wear under makeup because it is a fluid. I’d be curious to see what the staying power of a foundation is while using this “primer”�.

    • Isabella Muse

      It doesn’t work as a moisturizer and doesn’t extend your foundation wear nor will it blur pores or imperfections the way a primer would.

      • Brandy Brodeur

        I really liked your article, but I would have to disagree with most of it. I have had oily skin my whole life and continue to at the age of 49. I have tried over 100 primers that will help my makeup go on smoother and give me a slight glow, while protecting me from the harsh rays of the sun. This is by far the best…. including drug store brands and high end brands. The white cast some people are referring to, I don’t get that and I have medium skin, but in the light side of medium. What i get is a soft luminous glow from the slight summer that the product noticeably has, from the moment you put some in your hand before applying to the face. And as far as marketing it as a sole SPF product, I definitely would have never bought it for the first time. I initially tried because it said primer… and I liked that it also had spf. I’m not sure if it’s bring discontinued or not, but no had it in stick in stores. You can get it on Amazon, but it takes 3wks to be delivered. Anyways, I appreciate your honesty, and what you do! Thank you!

        • Isabella Muse

          Hi Brandy! I’m glad it works for you! That’s really all that matters 🙂 Things like primer are def a “you gotta try it for yourself” type of thing as it may not work for me but will work fab for others. I dunno. Revlon is having a lot of issues and are close to bankruptcy so hopefully we don’t see it gone completely from shelves 🙁 Drugstore favorites tend to come and go so fast! It’s hard to find a holy grail product because said product disappears so fast. Thank you! I appreciate you!

  • Eraser

    I agree – no way is this a moisturizer. In fact, it dried out my skin and didn’t apply well at all over the Revlon foundation it was sold with (the new Full Coverage).

    • Isabella Muse

      I actually did a review on the Revlon foundation recently and said that it applies horribly over silicone! You def have to beware what you use that foundation over as it will pill and look patchy! Try applying this, waiting a few minutes (do your hair or something else as it sets), and follow up with foundation. 🙂

  • kimkats

    I may jump on this just for the sunscreen aspect of it. I noticed that the bottle isn’t even a full ounce!!! C’mon….. what the what??!! DS products are getting pricier and pricier, and it’s making me tend to avoid them over higher end things, but if I can find this on sale (revlon occassionally does 25% or sometimes 30% off sales) then I think I might pounce, but for full price, newp… Ain’t gonna hap’n, cap’n.

    Thanks for another honest review Muse!! Sounds like a decent sunscreen – and that’s ALL. 🙂

    • Isabella Muse

      I guess because they market it as a 3-in-1 they are justifying the size as it isn’t a sunscreen only or at least they are claiming that it isn’t ;-D My pleasure ;-D

  • CarrieAnne

    I’ll skip this, thank you for the review! Milani’s Prime + Protect SPF 30 has been working out really well for me. Finally something without fragrance. Lightweight but on the dewier side. For me not a problem. I even still wear moisturizer underneath on my driest areas and it doesn’t pill. I don’t even care that it is 1oz for about $12.99; I have spent so much bloody $$ on SPF that irritates, makes me itchy or dry, feels godawful on my skin, or just plain doesn’t work under makeup. That’s for under full-makeup use. When I wear no/minimal makeup, I slather on Paula’s Choice Calm SPF30 moisturizer or their Skin Recovery version, which use mineral sunscreens but for me do not play well with my makeup. And then I don’t need a layer of moisturizer underneath. It’s very complicated skin. LOL!

    • Isabella Muse

      My pleasure Carrie! 😉 Glad you found something that works for you ;-D I know what you mean about mineral sunscreens not playing well with makeup :-/

  • Brandy

    I snorted when you said it smells like corn chips. I just have an odd feeling my dry skin won’t like this. I do love Revlon’s newish eye primer though.

    • Isabella Muse

      haha that’s kind of a good thing right? 😀 I like the eye primer too!