I was not a regular primer user. However, the combination of humidity + my oily skin has been a bit much for me to bear this summer. My blush always pulled a disappearing act around lunch time. That and the fact that you can use my cheeks and forehead as a mirror have made me realize that maybe I do, in fact, need to use a primer.
I glanced at my reflection in the bathroom mirror at 5:00 pm today. We’re having another hot and humid day in Toronto. I used to dread five o’clock, or shall I say shine o’clock where my skin is concerned. But today’s different. My skin was matte and fresh 9 hours after I applied my makeup. It honestly looked like I just blotted with a Starbucks napkin and powdered my T-zone.
How could an oily-skinned lady be so fresh faced at the end of a work day? My new weapon of choice is this: Cover FX Clearprep FX Matte Foundation Primer and Anti-Acne Treatment ($39 for 30mL / 1 FL OZ).
Ingredients
It is chock-full of silicones, but is free of cruelty, parabens, oils, and fragrances. My skin usually reacts really well to silicones (hello FACE atelier foundation!), but those who are concerned may want to try a sample at Sephora first.
No Exaggeration: It Changed My Life.
I first heard about Clearprep FX when MTV Canada Makeup Artist Lucky was raving about it on Twitter. I am now a primer convert. At first I thought maybe just any ol’ primer will do, and so I switched it out one day for the popular Smashbox primer. While wearing the Smashbox, I was in shine city as usual at lunch.
Clearprep FX is the real deal, ladies and gents. Although I can’t say much about it as an anti-acne treatment as my skin is currently acne free (hallelujah!), I am 100% behind its mattifying claims. When my skin stays matte, my makeup stays on my face, not on my phone, and not on my clothes. Oh, and did I mention the gigantor pores on my nose also disappeared when I wore this primer? Clearprep FX rightfully earned a spot on our holy grail. Rating: A+.
Ooooh, I was already pretty impressed with my Hard Candy primer, but this sounds AMAZING! I probably have to try it now LOL.
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You have to try it Catherine. It’s really something.
Try to get a sample at Sephora?
this primer is fantastic! glad you liked it. I loved it!!! I used three bottles of this last summer.
Maricela
vividfusion.blogspot.com
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Oh yay!!! I’m so happy to hear that you like this too.
3 bottles? Have you been priming your entire body with this stuff? LOL j/k. 
ahhh so jealous~!
this was GREAT until we starting hitting past 30 degrees in toronto, and just couldn’t keep my face lovely long enough. but then again with this insane heat, nothing really lasts very long :S but cant wait for cooler weather when i can use this daily again~ it is quite lovely^^
Ooh too bad it doesn’t work that great for you in the summer. At least you can use it for half a year.
Have you tried using other kinds of mattifiers?
You know what primer is AMAZING? The Shu Uemura Under Base. Janine wrote about it here: http://imabeautygeek.com/2010/05/19/oil-control-lesson-shu-uemura-uv-under-base-spf-30-primer/
Although I wish it was a more “natural” product it really is the strongest oil control primer I’ve ever used. (And I’ve tested plenty.)
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Oh yes. The sales associate at Holt’s tried that on my hand one day. It felt really nice but I’m still working on my Pure + Simple SPF 30 Sunscreen that I passed. I agree though — I wish it was more natural. It would probably work excellent in the most extreme, stickiest weather though.
I have this too and I agree, it’s a good one! MUCH better than the Smashbox primer that everyone raves about. Maybe they need to change the name – I think people might assume it’s not for them if they don’t have acne.
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Oh yes, I forgot to thank you for recommending this as well!
So you think better than smashbox/smashbox light? I also have hard candy as well. I’ve tried a few, the lancome one etc it all turns shiny after a couple of hours
100x better than Smashbox original for oil control. I’ve never used Smashbox Light or Hard Candy so I don’t know.
This looks amazing! I would do anything to get rid of the shine
$39 is a bit expensive for my tastes, but if I could get a sample at sephora that would be awesome! must make sure it works before the splurge. :O