MAC Prep + Prime Face Protect SPF 50 Review

MAC Prep + Prime Face Protect SPF 50 (Rs 1800) at MAC storesMAC Prep + Prime Face Protect SPF 50 - Review (1)I have extremely oily skin and find that it does not hold foundation for a long time.  I finally decided to jump on the primer bandwagon some time back.  I have tried out quite a few silicone based primers that make your foundation go on really well, but didn’t like them much.  Enter MAC Prep + Prime.

Packaging – MAC Prep + Prime comes in a glittery black tube, that looks rigid but is pretty flexible.  The cap screws on and is rubberized.  I quite like this packaging, its handy, small and travel friendly.  There is no risk or leakage. MAC Prep + Prime Face Protect SPF 50 - Review (3)The Product – The MAC Prep + Prime (whew, that’s a long name – I’m just going to call it primer from now on J ) is a creamy primer.  It needs a lot of shaking before use.  If you just squeeze it out of the tube without shaking the oil and cream components come out separately.  In fact just the liquidy colourless oil comes out first.

The great part about this primer is the SPF factor, whilst using this you don’t need another sun block so you actually save a step.  The primer settles in quite well, you need to massage this a bit longer than you would a silicone based primer.  Once this has settled on your face, you don’t see a whitish cast like that of a traditional sun block.

Foundation goes on pretty smoothly on MAC Prep + Prime and then stays put for well over 8 to 10 hours.  That is an absolute amazing time frame for someone with oily skin.  It does its primer duties really well.

I don’t actually feel it enhances the colour of make up at all.  I know, some primers make the colour cosmetics pop quite a bit. Not so in this case.MAC Prep + Prime Face Protect SPF 50 - Review (2)Texture – The only downside is that MAC Prep + Prime is a little heavier than a normal primer.  I sometimes get lazy and avoid this step if I don’t really need my makeup to last more than a couple of hours.  I can feel this on my skin during the humid summers and that does make it a little uncomfortable.  I am happy using this in cooler weather.

I also find that I can’t use this daily.  Repeated use tends to block my pores – this happens over a few days though and not within a day or two of use.

Overall Thoughts

A really nice primer – one of the best I have tried so far, but I would hesitate to call MAC Prep + Prime my holy grail.  You see, I’m still looking for my holy grail, but for now this does the job of being the primer workhorse.  This is my second tube and I’m sure I’ll be getting more in the future.

Rating 4.5/5

*Written By Dela

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