(This post was written for The Glosse Posse)

Two weeks ago, I updated my Benefit Stay Flawless post and asked if anyone had any recommendations for a primer. Well, since Shoppers’ BeautyBoutique (a national drugstore company in Canada) was having a special promotion, I decided to try out some primers. I already knew that Lancome’s La Base Pro Primer would be the best but I didn’t want to splurge $46 CAD if other drugstore brands would work just as well. So I went around testing the texture of various primers (on my hand) whilst reading beauty blogger reviews on my smartphone to see how well these primers worked on combination skin, etc. I thought I had found the perfect primer when I tried GOSH Velvet Touch Line Perfector (on sale for $22.50 CAD). My skin felt velvety soft and many bloggers commented on how it was their best drugstore primer. Unfortunately, the mousse-like primer had become cakey in the container when I opened it at home so I had no choice but to return it. Rather than risk buying another dried-up primer, I decided that I might have to splurge to get a better long-lasting primer. I was about to settle for La Base when I spotted Cover FX. I had heard that Cargo and Cover FX are often used in the film industry because they provide excellent coverage. Cover FX products are also mineral-based and vegan. It’s free from gluten, mineral oil, fragrance, parabens and talc. Makes you feel better, doesn’t it?

There are 4 primers to choose from but I decided to go with SPF 30 Protection Primer because of its velvety texture. It reminded me a lot of the GOSH Velvet Touch Line Perfector Primer (tester) but comes out as a jelly but ‘melts’ quite quickly into your skin. You don’t need to squeeze out a lot but you’ll know how much you need just by the texture.

At $38 CAD, it is just between GOSH and Lancome and, funny enough, is really a mix of the two primers. This primer contains antioxidants (incl. tomato and pink grapefruit extracts), as well as vitamins C, E, and F to protect the skin and reduce redness. Your skin will be hydrated and your make-up will last longer. Like La Base, Cover FX SPF 30 will blur the appearance of fine lines and pores though I couldn’t tell on my skin because I don’t really have those issues. This primer is good for those with dry, normal, or oily skin (so, of course, that includes combination skin). I have not had any major problems with the primer but I know that it’s not a mattifying primer, meaning I will have to blot the T-zone later in the day if it gets oily. Some combination skin commenters have said that they love it and others have said that their T-zones became oilier. Do test it out on your skin to see how it reacts. Everyone is different after all, even those with the same skin type. One thing I did notice is that I can’t use several facial products underneath the primer. I’m not sure how La Base works over serum, dark skin corrector, and moisturiser, but so far, Cover FX SPF 30 prefers to keep it simple. I put on a serum and moisturiser first, then the primer, then the foundation. I suppose it’s all chemistry and you’ll just have to play around with your skin care and beauty products.

If you haven’t found a primer yet, why not give this one a try?