Before I’m swept up by the whirlwind that is my busy Saturday, I had to share this literally lil’ makeup indulgence I found at Sephora. It’s a tiny tube of Korres Face Primer (.34 oz) on sale now at Sephora for $10.
Love the tiny tube!
Sephora also sells a larger tube, which is — you guessed it — bigger (1.01 oz), but at $28 it also costs almost three times as much.
I’m closing my eyes now and trying to send a message across the cosmos into the brains of Sephora’s top execs with words encouraging the sale of more sample-sized products like this. They’re a great way to test normally expensive products, and I’m a big fan.
You hear that, Korres and Sephora? 🙂
What’s a face primer?
So, face primers prep skin for foundation and powder application, and this one comes loaded with good-for-your-skin stuff like antioxidants and vitamins (Korres claims 99% natural ingredients). On top of that it’s silicone-free.
That’s the main reason why I wanted to give the product a try. Silicones appear in a lot of face primers because of how slick they make the skin, which in turn leads to smoother makeup application, but some ladies aren’t crazy about the ingredient and feel it causes breakouts or just don’t want to use products packed with synthetic compounds.
Even though I have acne-prone skin, silicones don’t tend to give me breakouts, but I couldn’t resist the $10 tube (again, cheap and small = good idea, guys!).
And Korres Face Primer is kinda awesome. After three weeks with it, I’m convinced it works just as well as primers that contain silicones.
It keeps foundation and powder from settling into my fine lines and even makes my pores appear smaller. That, and I haven’t been having to reapply the concealer I’ve been using to cover up a few wayward pimples (boo) as often as usual. With Face Primer my concealer barely budges, not even after hours of wear.
The texture feels appropriate for its intended purpose (just a lotion), and the product sinks right into my skin versus feeling like it’s just sitting on the top layers. All that and I like the light lemon scent, too. 🙂
And it’s really easy to use. I just squeeze out a blueberry-sized dollop, spreading that into my skin before applying my makeup.
The tube may be tiny, but I think it’ll last me about two months. Not bad, considering that’s about the same as the cost of a couple of Orange Dream Machines from Jamba Juice (Mmmmmm…).
Korres Face Primer
Price: $10 for a .34 oz tube; $28 for 1 oz
Use: A silicone-free face primer to create a smooth canvas for foundation and powder and to extend the wear time of makeup
Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A
You might like Korres Face Primer if…
- you like environmentally green makeup products,
- you’re searching for a silicone-free makeup primer, or
- you like lemony scented beauty products.
Here comes the weekend!
Seriously, girls, this weekend couldn’t have come soon enough for me! El Hub works Mon-Fri, so I’m looking forward to being able to spend some extra time with him. No plans yet, though, just to finish my coffee and catch up on news.
What do you have going on this weekend?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. THANK YOU! I really appreciate the time you’ve all taken to respond to the marketing survey. Some of you left brilliant comments on the last question, and those responses are going to come in really handy as I think about how to enhance the blog over the next few months. 🙂
Tali says
June 27th, 2009 at 8:22 amI love Korres products..it almost like health food for the skin!!
.-= Tali’s last blog post… NYX haul & details of Garnier event! =-.
Karen says
June 27th, 2009 at 9:17 pmHi Tali,
I’m pretty new to the line… what are your faves?
Sonja says
June 27th, 2009 at 9:11 amNever had any Korres products- usually I just put moisturizer and spf cream and then liquid foundation.
My weekend- boring as hell. It’s raining here all the time, AND I have to study for exams. So I’m just concentrated on doing anything but studying (cleaning all the shoes. Talking to my cat. Cleaning the keyboard on my laptop. Making coffee. Internet. *Sigh*)
Hope you and El Hub have a great weekend!
Karen says
June 27th, 2009 at 9:20 pmHi Sonja,
I’m pretty new to the line, too. So far I like this and their Lip Butters. 🙂
LOL, I remember that same feeling… you know you have to study, but all of the sudden something like organizing your shoes becomes a pressing issue that must be addressed immediately!
You have a great rest of your weekend, and good luck with the studying.
Marisol says
June 27th, 2009 at 9:29 amI have heard great things about this primer but never seen to remember to purchase it. What a great way to try a product. I do hope that Sephora execs listen to you.
My go to primer is MAC Prep + Prime but when I placed a Shu Uemura haul last week I ordered their UV Under Base Mousse. I have tried it once so I can’t tell you just yet how I feel about it. It is SPF10 and it comes in a mousse form.
Have a great weekend!
Karen says
June 27th, 2009 at 9:24 pmHi Marisol,
I’ve used that before in the past and I like it. Here’s a link to the review.
What else did you get in your Shu haul?
Caitlin says
June 27th, 2009 at 10:32 amThis was a great review, especially since I fall into the category of wanting to try a primer, but not wanting to shell out major moola if it’s something I won’t like. But I think I can spend $10, especially since I’ve wanted to try some Korres products for a while. Thanks for the excuse!
I’m just doing chores around the house, some hw, and hopefully chilling with everyone. Oh! And I’m planning on making an apricot cobbler tonight. Hopefully it’ll turn out well…Have a great weekend!
Karen says
June 27th, 2009 at 9:25 pmHi Caitlin,
Apricot cobbler sounds delish! I bet it’s sooo yummy served with ice cream on top. Save a slice for me and Tabs, LOL!
MMT says
June 27th, 2009 at 11:08 amI just bought this a few days ago… but I’m scared to try it b/c last time I tried a primer (Smashbox Photo Finish), I broke out 🙁
Karen says
June 27th, 2009 at 9:25 pmHi MMT,
You could always just spot test it on a section of your face — maybe a patch on on your chin? That way if something makes you break out it’ll be confined to a small area.
Maggie says
June 27th, 2009 at 12:44 pmthanks for the awesome review!
I passed by this at Sephora. I thought, a face primer for only 10 BUCKEROOS!? I guess I should look into this now. 🙂
.-= Maggie’s last blog post… Mermaids Under the Sea + Japan? =-.
Karen says
June 27th, 2009 at 9:26 pmHi Maggie,
You’re welcome! Ten bucks is a total steal — you gotta try it. 🙂
Nicole15 says
June 27th, 2009 at 1:40 pmWhat an awesome deal Karen! Thanks for the heads up. I was at sephora last week & had the Korres primer in my hand (the big tube) & put it back after convincing myself to use up the primers I had at home before purchasing more. (I was quite proud of myself) 🙂 However, for 10 bucks I may have to go back for the little guy.
During my sephora visit though, I walked away with Korres Watermelon Tinted Moisturizer & Kat Von D tattoo concealer. Still testing the TM out to decide if its good for me or not but I LOVE the Kat Von D concealer. I’m using it on my face though not to cover a tattoo. I typically use Studio Finish Concealer in NC 20 for my red blemishes, but I didn’t care for how the color covered other imperfections on my face. The girl at MAC just couldn’t find the right NW concealer to work with my skintone. So I’ve been using the Kat Von D ones for everything else & its amazing. Not too thick at all which I thought it would be since its meant to cover tattoos. Very blendable, very lightweight & breathable. It’s oil-free too! Covers like a mo’fo 🙂
Whoa, sorry for the rambling there. Beauty products will do that to ya….LOL
Karen says
June 27th, 2009 at 9:11 pmHi Nicole15,
Wow, that sounds like a great concealer! I am always looking for new ones so I’ll have to play with this when I go to Sephora next.
I am having a Korres kinda weekend too… I have been rockin’ the Lip Butter in Plum all day long. 🙂
Hope you’re having a very nice Saturday so far! Anything exciting happening tonight?
jojoba says
June 27th, 2009 at 2:39 pmThis was the first time I saw Korres has something so cheap. LOL. its Guava Lipsticks are so tiny with a very big price tag. but at $10 bucks, I’d give it a try too!
ps: your reader Nicole’s reply is making me itchy about Kat Von D’s concealer! I have been dying to try that!
.-= jojoba’s last blog post… Review/Swatch/FOTD/Comparison: Make Up For Ever High Definition Invisible Cover Foundation #125 Sand vs. Liquid Lift #2 Ivory =-.
Karen says
June 27th, 2009 at 9:05 pmHi Jojoba,
Yah, Korres is really pricy! I guess you pay for the quality of the ingredients.
Nicole15 says
June 27th, 2009 at 5:42 pmJojoba – give the Kat Von D concealer a go if you can. I was presently surprised. Works better then DermaBlend in my opinion & love that it’s not cakey. Color choices are only light, medium, dark but the light one worked for me & usually I go for medium in concealers. If you are very fair toned than the light may be a little dark for you or maybe not.
Good luck 🙂
Catherine says
June 27th, 2009 at 6:12 pmAh, I tried this one but it didn’t seem to do very much for me. I’m looking for a primer to help with oil control since I get much oilier in the summertime (it’s really irritating because I’m almost normal-dry in the winter) and since my sunscreen does a down pat job of keeping my makeup in place I didn’t notice any improvements by using this primer. Still looking for the perfect one and so far Dr. Brandt’s Pores No More primer looks the best. So expensive though!! I wish this little guy worked for me, lol….
.-= Catherine’s last blog post… FOTD – Fresh Purple and Pink (3 days in a row!) =-.
Karen says
June 27th, 2009 at 9:04 pmHi Catherine,
Gah, don’t you hate it when you find a great product that is so pricy? Maybe you can wait for the Sephora sale and just stock up then. That’s what I do with a lot of basics. 🙂
Rani says
June 27th, 2009 at 7:08 pmAmazing deal (score!!)..I have heard a lot about this primer, but haven’t tried it yet. Karen, does it keep the oilies at bay? I have combo skin and need some help with looking like a greaseball. Right now, I’m using Smashbox light..which so far, so good..But I like that Korres is au naturel…always an A++ to go with something actually good for your skin..
Karen says
June 27th, 2009 at 8:45 pmHi Rani,
I think it does. My forehead gets pretty greasy and this does a decent job of keeping the grease under control.
Martha says
June 27th, 2009 at 7:24 pmI want to go to there.
Karen says
June 27th, 2009 at 8:43 pmHi Martha,
LOL, Liz Lemon in the house!
Now where’s my slanket?
Stephie says
June 27th, 2009 at 11:17 pmOh cool. I love it when Sephora sells minis like these. I bought a small Philosophy Purity cleanser for $10 a couple months ago. It’s so nice to be able to try stuff out for so cheap. I hope to see this when I stop by Sephora tomorrow.
And I totally feel you on the Mon-Fri thing except I’m the one that has been working. It was so nice to see my special guy tonight. I swear weekends never felt so wonderful until I started pulling 40 hrs. a week 😛
Karen says
June 28th, 2009 at 8:34 amHi Stephie,
Weekends become extra special when you’re doing the Monday through Friday/9-to-5 thing! Two days never seems like it’s enough, though. I could use a four day weekend. 🙂
Marisol says
June 28th, 2009 at 12:05 amThanks for the link.
You are going to laugh but the only reason I hauled at Shu was because I got an email letting me know that if I spent $50, I would get their lip gloss and tint duo for free because of my birthday. I ended up buying one of the cleansing oils and the under base primer. Got the gloss & tint duo and got a sample of the deepsea moisturizer.
.-= Marisol’s last blog post… Just breathe… =-.
Karen says
June 28th, 2009 at 8:30 amHi Marisol,
Oh, nice. That’s a really nice haul! 🙂 I have a sample of the cleansing oil and it works great. It takes off *everything* so quickly!
Erin says
June 29th, 2009 at 8:05 amYay! Silicone and Dimethicone make me break out! I will definitely try this for $10!!!
Cassandra Rae Ferguson says
July 4th, 2009 at 6:04 amJust might have to try this one…I’m all for using natural whenever possible & I like the idea of silicone-free. Thank you so much Karen!
.-= Cassandra Rae Ferguson’s last blog post… Popping Peepers: Make Your Eyes A Feature =-.
Karen says
July 4th, 2009 at 9:43 amHi Cassandra,
Sure thing. I hope you like it.:)