I was lucky to be sent two products to try out from the new range and have been trialling them over the past three weeks to really put them through their paces before I gave my final thoughts on them.
Bobbi Brown Primer Plus Radiance SPF 35 - £24
PROS
- Contains SPF 35
- Paraben-free; phthalate-free; sulfate-free; mineral oil-free
- A really small amount goes a long way
- Feels lightweight
- No shimmer
- Is glowy ALL day long
- Not scented
- SPF does cause a bit of flashback
- This is a white pearly cream and if you use too much, can leave you looking a bit ghostly.
- Can cause makeup to 'move' slightly.
- Is a tad 'sweaty' looking when paired with a glowy foundation
The first time I used this, I applied a generous amount over my face and teamed it with a glowy foundation which was just glow overload. I also applied it under my eyes which caused my under eye makeup to 'move' slightly.
The second time I used this, I used a smaller amount with a semi matte foundation and avoided the under eye area (and round my nostrils which is where I tend to get oily) and my makeup looked glowy without being greasy. My eye makeup stayed put.
I felt like using a semi matte foundation was kind of defeating the purpose of using a radiant primer, so the third time I used it, I decided to go back to using a glowy foundation. This time however, I targeted areas of my face that I really wanted to be dewy.
My cheeks in particular are quite dry, and for me, having juicy, plump looking cheeks is part of looking 'youthful'. Imma' grab that with two hands haha! I put some of the primer onto my cheeks, my forehead and down the center of my nose. This was a WINNER!! everywhere I went people were complimenting me on how well I was looking and wanted to know what products I had been using.
If I'm heading for a night out, I'll spritz some of the other primer plus product that I was sent (I'll get to that) all over my face after I've applied the radiant primer, but before my makeup.
A small amount of this goes a really long way, so at £24 I'd say it's worth it. Available at House Of Fraser.
Onto the next product.
Bobbi Brown Primer Plus Hydrating 3 in 1 Setting Spray - £22
This claims to work in three ways, as a;-
- Primer
- Makeup refresher
- Setting Spray
Much like the radiant primer, I've been using this for three weeks and have put all three 'uses' to the test.
The product is Paraben-free, Sulfate-free, Phthalate-free, Mineral oil-free & Vegan
PRIMER
I used this as a primer before using my normal go-to base products, once I had done my normal skincare routine.
This spritzes onto the skin and is quite 'wet' on the skin initially, but does sink into the skin quite quickly (within 30 seconds). Once it has 'settled', this has a slightly tacky feeling to it, which to me is always sign of a good primer spray.
I checked in a few hours after using this and noticed I did have a slight dry patch on my cheeks but aside from that my makeup hadn't budged (even in this heat!)
The next time I used this, I actually spritzed it on top of the Primer Plus Radiance and it worked perfectly. My makeup stayed put all day and I didn't have any dry patches whatsoever.
MAKEUP REFRESHER
I'm a big fan of using Mac Fix+ for pretty much everything when it comes to applying makeup. Need to wet your beauty blender? Fix+, need to use a wet brush for eyeshadow or highlight? Fix+, need to blend your foundation a bit more? Cream blush not blending well? FIX+ IT! haha! It's my answer to everything, so I decided to switch up my Fix+ for the Bobbi Brown Primer Plus Hydrating 3 in 1 instead and just use it as I normally would use the other product.
This is slightly tackier than fix+ so using it for my beauty blender didn't really do it for me. Aside from that, it performed equally and considering I haven't found any other product that does, it's a pretty impressive claim to make.
SETTING SPRAY
Because this is quite a 'wet' product, I'd really recommend using this at a distance if you're using it as a setting spray. I used it a little too close to my face and wasn't wearing waterproof eyeliner. You can guess the outcome..
If you are a fan of doing your base makeup first, before eye makeup, then I'd really suggest using this prior to eye makeup. It really sets your base well and I just use a beauty blender once I've spritzed it, to blend in any 'wet' areas of my face.
Overall though, I prefer this as a makeup refresher and primer. Especially when it's teamed with the Primer Plus Radiance. The two together is genuinely a winning combination.
The Bobbi Brown Primer Plus Hydrating 3 in 1 Setting Spray costs £22 and is available from House Of Fraser.
Have you tried the Bobbi Brown Primer Plus collection?
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