Looking for a silicone-free primer? Look no further!
Korres Face Primer ($28.00 for 1.01 oz. or $10.00 for 0.34 oz.) is exactly that. After my debacle Smashbox Photofinish Primer, I really wanted to steer clear of silicone-based primers. I couldn’t tell you if that really causes breakouts for me or not, but I do think my skin is sensitive to high levels of silicone in products. So when I fell in love with Korres’ tinted moisturizer, I had high hopes for their face primer.
Korres touts it as a 99% natural, antioxidant-rich face primer that’s silicone free. It is formulated without silicone, parabens, sulfates, synthetic dyes/fragrances, mineral oils, petrochemicals, phthalates, and GMOs. It is Ecocert certified as well. This primer seems best for those with dry to normal skin. I’m not sure if it is “thick” enough in its primer-ness to work as well on oily skin types. I’m hoping some of you who have tried this can chime in and confirm/deny!
I found it worked well on me by making my skin tone seem smoother (not necessarily as a line-filler, though), a bit more even, and it kept my makeup looking fresh throughout the day. What I liked was that it felt like an extremely lightweight moisturizer. It doesn’t feel like a silicone primer at all – it doesn’t have the gel-y feel. It also has a very, very faint citrus scent, which is pleasing, but it’s so subtle I hardly notice it. I might never have noticed if not for wanting to determine if it had a scent at all!
The packaging is simple but effective. The tube makes it easy to get what you need out, and there’s no light damage nor dipping fingers into it either. I feel like a little goes a long way, so this tube should last me six months or longer of regular usage. Even if it only lasts two or three months, I still feel you get good bang for your buck relative to some other primers.
For me, it did what it was designed to – enhanced the way my skin looked, kept my makeup looking good even into the wee hours of the night, AND it did not break me out. In fact, my skin seemed to look and feel better after wearing this regularly for a couple of weeks.
I’m pretty eager to check out some more Korres products — anyone have any recommendations?
Michelle
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Oh Yay! I’m glad you found a primer you like! I am still trying to find a good primer that mattifies oily skin, yet doesn’t make me break out! If anyone has any suggestions, I would love it :)
Christine
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Me too, Michelle!! :)
Good luck on the hunt! MAC has a mattifying product that works well, though it’s not necessarily a primer!
Millie
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Napoleon Perdis autopilot primer feels like a lightweight moisturizer too and it’s my fave. I have to try Korres. And I want to try Eve Pearl’s too! How do you compare Eve’s and Korres?
Christine
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Thanks for the suggestion!
They’re very different in texture and feel. I like Eve Pearl’s, because it feels so moisturizing. I’m just completely incapable of staying loyal to any product for very long. I am always after the next thing!
Pri Rezende
Thursday, June 4, 2009
In Brazil they use silicone for damage hair as a primer!
Christine
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Interesting factoid!
Sofia
Thursday, June 4, 2009
I love their body butters, lip butters, wild rose foundation and powder, eyeshadows, wild rose mask and pomegranate moisturizer (great for my oily skin), and pomegranate face wipes. Really good brand overall!
Meagan Elizabeth
Thursday, June 4, 2009
I agree, the pomegranate moisturizer is wonderful! Moisturizing, but not greasy or heavy at all!
Christine
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Sounds like you are a Korres fan, Sofia!
Jenn
Thursday, June 4, 2009
The korres eye shadows and lip glosses are pretty good as well as the lip butter.
I first used korres for their showgel and body lotion/butter-they smell so good.
Christine
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Nice! I was wondering how their makeup would be, since I’ve only known them as a skincare line.
evo
Thursday, June 4, 2009
i’ve been using this for a while now and love it more than laura gellar spackle and both mac primers.
the smashbox photofinish primer made me break out badly.
Christine
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Awesome! I love it when I find out others are using the same products as me :)
Meagan Elizabeth
Thursday, June 4, 2009
The Smashbox Photofinish Primer Light works well for me but the other Photofinish Primers make me break out :(
I’m a big fan of Other Korres products too, like the Pomegranate Moisturizer and their Deep Colour Mascara. I’ll have to try this primer!
Christine
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Light is supposed to be the non-breaker-outer if you react to the regular version. I am just, you know, terrified of a repeat performance. :(
Looks like I gotta try the Pomegranate Moisturizer!
Leigh
Thursday, June 4, 2009
I have this. I think it’s pretty good. I have really dry skin that tends to flake and this primer prevents that pretty well, but unfortunately it also leaves my face a bit shiny. It keeps my makeup looking good, but as far as I can tell it doesn’t fill in pores and whatnot. Smells yummy and doesn’t make me break out. I don’t know if I would buy it again, but I’ll definitely use it while I have it.
Christine, I really love the Honey Thyme Mask and the Milk Proteins 3 in 1 Cleanser so I’d recommend trying those :) I liked the Yogurt Cream at first but that broke me out.
Christine
Saturday, June 6, 2009
I’m surprised this makes your face look shiny! It’s so… dry on me!
Thanks for the product suggestions!
Luv J
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Hi Christine.. I must have tried EVERY single primer out there but the one that worked the best for my finicky uber-sensitive skin is the Hourglass Veil Primer. It’s a bit costly but it’s the only one that didn’t clog my pores or make me breakout so it’s worth it for me. Give it a try and ask for a generous sampling from Sephora :)
Christine
Saturday, June 6, 2009
This one is working pretty well for me, so I’m not sure if I’m going to venture into any other primers quite yet! I am happy to hear you’ve found one that works with your skin, though! I’ll keep Hourglass’ Veil Primer in mind next time I’m looking to try another primer.
Mikki
Thursday, June 4, 2009
This sounds nice! Although I don’t use foundation and therefore no primer.
Christine
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Lucky you!
Pinky
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Thanks for the review! MUFE’s primer broke me out so bad I didn’t even want to leave the house. I might have to try this.
Christine
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Oh no!! That was how it was with Smashbox :(
I have MUFE’s, but it didn’t quite seem to break me out… but I didn’t use it for very long.
v
Thursday, June 4, 2009
I use monistat as a primer and works great. Everytime i walk into sephora, i gravitate towards korres but yet i never buy anything from their line hehe
Christine
Saturday, June 6, 2009
I don’t think I could ever use Monistat as a primer. Especially since it’s supposed to be just like Photofinish, which made me break out terribly!
Nicole15
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Christine – I have dabbled more with Korres’ skincare & their stuff is absolutely amazing. I use & love their Yogurt Mask, Yogurt Cream, Wild Rose Brightening Serum, Wild Rose Mask & Pomegranate Lip Butter. It’s very hard not to love their stuff.
Christine
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Thanks so much for all of the suggestions, Nicole :D
lapeaudouce
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Korres body butters are the most unbelievable moisturisers!
Christine
Saturday, June 6, 2009
I put ‘em on the list of Korres products I’d like to try!
Audrey
Thursday, June 4, 2009
I am a huge Korres fan and I am so glad to see another positive review! I am in love with their new moisturizers/lip butters/glosses and blushes(heart. Such a great product line! I love that they have a wonderful mix of great skincare and high quality cosmetics!
Christine
Saturday, June 6, 2009
I’m becoming a fan so far! :)
It’s great to hear good things about their makeup side, too!
Drée
Thursday, June 4, 2009
the wild rose foundation worked really well for me.
thanks for the review since I was interested in the primer.
Christine
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Awesome! I am curious about that foundation! What kind of coverage is it for you?
Christina
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Hey Christine!
I usually need medium to heavy coverage for my fair, dry, sensitive, ruddy skin. I literally had to apply 4 coats of the Korres Wild Rose foundation before it was heavy enough for me. On the plus side, each layer set quickly, it looked completely natural, gave me a glow that most foundations in general mask, and was just a smidgen too dark for me to use everyday. :( But it was a great product! Just maybe for someone who’s looking for lighter coverage. I hope they do come out with more colors, I’m right in between two.
Christine
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Thanks for the heads up, Christina! :) At least you were able to build it up, right?
I hate being between shades! It’s like being between pants’ sizes.
aradhana
Thursday, June 4, 2009
the wild rose lip butter is really good…i sometimes use it for blush as well.
body butters are awesome, their acacia hair conditioner is really good too….well, actually pretty much everything i’ve tried from them is great!
Christine
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Nice! Sounds like Korres is a really great brand :)
Lina
Thursday, June 4, 2009
I’ve got their Yogurt cream and mask and am very happy with both! I also have a body spray and a body sunscreen. I’ll definitely try this primer, thanks for the rec!
Christine
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Nice! I think I will put the Yogurt mask on my list for sure.
littlemissmagic
Thursday, June 4, 2009
i really wanted to try this but alcohol is listed as one of the ingredients (even if its near the end) and i try to avoid products w/ alcohol like the plague.. it’d have to be a miracle product before i both trying it..
Christine
Saturday, June 6, 2009
I know alcohol isn’t a great ingredient, but I haven’t had any issues with the product yet. My skin isn’t super, super sensitive, so I can get away with a little bit of no-no ingredients so long as they are at the end.
Carol
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Korres lip butters are amazing! Smoothest tinted balm Ive tried! Korres body milk and butters too are good, especially in guava and bitter almond… the eyeliners are also very smooth with great color payoff and selection, especially for a natural line!
Christine
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Okay, will definitely check out the lip butters and body butters… so much to try!
Wiggs (The Beholder)
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Oh my lord, apologies if I’m repeating something that’s already been said (I couldn’t wait to read the comments to say this) but you MUST try their Cherry Full Color Gloss. It has changed my life. It’s so smooth, so moisturizing, so creamy and wonderful. I would die without it. Die! It doesn’t pack a glassy sparkle like some lip lacquers out there, but I find that those only stay shiny for about five minutes before my hair gets stuck to my kisser. I use Korres lip gloss every day. (Can you tell I’m passionate about it?) *pant pant*
Christine
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Looks like I better check this one out :) Thank you!
lisa
Friday, June 5, 2009
Will have to try it the only korres product i own is there yogurt cream which i love!
Christine
Saturday, June 6, 2009
More votes for Yogurt Cream, ah!
Jenna
Friday, June 5, 2009
I like this primer but much prefer the Napoleon Perdis autopilot one – it feels a lot nicer, is also silicon free and organic and the tube is twice as big as Korres and just a little more expensive, which actually gives me more product for less. Its by far my favorite primer – I recommend it…but the Korres one is good too.
Christine
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Thanks for the rec, Jenna! :)
Caroline @ Salescoop
Friday, June 5, 2009
Great to know about this product. A friend of mine recently had a horrible reaction to silicone based makeup! Love to see products that are made with natural ingredients. Also, we all know that we need a good primer once the heat and humidity sets in!
Christine
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Yep! With summer nearing, I had to find a good primer!
Christine
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Thanks for the recs, Sandy!!
Caz
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Great review!
I’m thinking of getting a Korres moisturizer for my combination/spot-prone skin, torn between their Pomegranate and Cinnamon-Echinacea products.
The Korres line looks so lovely and tempting!
Christine
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Thanks, Caz! Sounds like a lot of people love the Pomegranate line – from what readers have been saying!
Christina
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
I used their pomegranate moisturizer for a while (I had a sample) and LOVED IT. It’s probably a little too light for me in the winter, but it’s great in the summer, and somehow balances out the oiliness and dryness of my cheeks. I skipped foundation after a week of that stuff!
Christine
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Arghh, have to try it!
Krisna
Friday, August 14, 2009
Korres is the only Face Primer that I have found that did not break me out.It’s worth the $28.00.
Christine
Monday, August 17, 2009
YAY!
Alex
Thursday, September 24, 2009
where can you buy korres products? can you get them at a regular drug store? cuz i work atone and i get a discount…so i dont want to buy it from somewhere else. im cheap lol!
Christine
Friday, September 25, 2009
I buy mine from http://www.korresusa.com or at Sephora!
JEN
Thursday, December 31, 2009
i love their eye pencils because they haven’t smudged on me when i put it on my lower lash line. i don’t recommend them on the water line because they don’t stay put but they surly do on the lower lash line!
Misty
Friday, January 22, 2010
Hi Christine! I have not used a primer so I am definitely going to get this! Do you apply it before/after moisturizer or do you skip moisturizer altogether since you said it’s like a light moisturizer?
Thanks!
P.S. I LOVE your blog soso much :)
Christine
Friday, January 22, 2010
I typically use a moisturizer in addition to a primer. If you do, though, moisturize first, let it sink in for 10-15 minutes, then primer :)