Rave or Reject?

Seeing as i've tried a couple other No7 products that I adore, I thought i'd pick up this mattifying base from Target. Something about the No7 packaging gets me every time. After purchasing, l did some research and found that there were very mixed reviews on this product. While I find that it does help to control my oil, like many others, I just can't get past the insanely bizarre texture. Pore refining and mattifying products tend to be thicker to create a smooth base, but this primer is sticky and chalky on top of it.


It has a luminous glow when swatched, but once applied to the face it disappears into a matte powdery finish. It took me a few applications to figure out how to apply this the best way...here's what I found: If you apply this on top of your moisturizer (even after waiting 5-10 mins to set), the results are disastrous. Even patting the product into your skin causes it to peel and flake. Because my Proactive moisturizer every morning is a must for me, Day 2 I decided to use a Beauty Blender to apply the primer on top of the moisturizer. Results were the same. Finally, Day 3 I bailed on the moisturizer and applied the primer with my fingers to a clean face. The product dries super fast so you need to work in areas. It has a glue-like consistency which dries to a chalky finish. You have literally about 2 seconds to work the product into your skin (if you continue to rub it'll start to flake). While this was the best application method I found, I think the primer is much too difficult to work with, and I hate the fact that if I wear this, I can't wear a moisturizer underneath.


Things i'm a fan of:

• The packaging: clean and simple, the only thing that could be better is if there was a pump
• The price, for $8-$9.99 you get 40ml of product or 1.3oz
• It contains Salicylic Acid, perfect for oily acne-prone skin
• Foundation applied decently on top of it