I got the mini size of this primer/skin glowing gel, and I say both because it’s a product that is kind of a combination between a primer and a hydrating gel. I was excited for this because I love Illamasqua products and although I can’t say that this is a hit in my book it’s also not a miss, it’s just an ok product that I will use but I can’t say that it’s a must have in my makeup collection.

Packaging:

The packaging is a little bit fancy, whit the black jar and the holographic writing on it and I think it’s pretty cool. I like their slick and simple packaging on general.

Texture:

The texture is very interesting. It’s a gel texture, but not a liquidy one, it’s more like a jelly. It feels nice to the touch and it’s fun to apply it, but you need to dig your fingers in the jar to get the product out, which may be a problem if you have long nails (or you can use an applicator). The product looks shimmery but it doesn’t have glitter or something like that in it.

Ingredients:

Aqua (Water, Eau), Alcohol Denat., Butylene Glycol, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Polyacrylamide, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polysorbate 60, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Methylparaben, Carbomer, Sodium Hydroxide, Laureth-7, Parfum (Fragrance), Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycerin, Sodium Citrate, Xanthan Gum, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491, Ci 77492).

The key ingredients listed on the brand’s website are gardenia florida fruit extract, haematococcus pluvais extract , sodium hyaluronate and Vitamin C. The formula is cruelty free and vegan.

The first ingredients listed here are water, alcohol denat (not crazy about that one), butylene glycol (a texture enhancer), aluminium starch octenylsuccinate (texture enhancer and absorbent) and polyacrylamide (film-former, binding agent and fixative). The only thing I don’t really like is the alcohol, but the primer does feel hydrating on the skin so, make of that what you will.

Price and accessibility:

Illamasqua products are available mainly in Douglas stores and in a few online shops. Some of them are expensive, some are mid-range. This mini primer for example retails for 13 euros on the brand’s website and it contains. only 6 ml, so it is quite expensive.

My overall opinion:

Since I don’t have dry skin, I avoid glowing products applied all over the face. However, the way I use this primer is to put it in the undereye area. It doesn’t do anything because it’s not a concealer of course, but I think it makes my eyes look brighter and it illuminates the skin. It can also be used on the cheekbones for that extra glow in that area.

While I do like the effect it gives, it’s not necessarily a product that I need in my makeup collection and I wouldn’t purchase it on my own. However, I do think it’s worth checking this out if you have dry, dull skin or if you are into that all-over-glow look.