Becca Backlight Primer Filter Review, Photos, Swatches
Becca Backlight Primer Filter
Becca Backlight Primer Filter ($38.00 for 1.0 fl. oz.) is supposed to be a “makeup primer to help blur imperfections and impart a radiant glow.” It’s a sheer, golden beige with a luminous sheen and fine pearl. Burberry Nude Radiance No. 01 (P, $48.00) is darker, warmer (95% similar). Becca Moonstone (P, $41.00) is warmer (95% similar). NARS 413 BLKR (P, $30.00) is more shimmery, warmer (85% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
I’ve been testing this for a few days under various liquid foundations, and it has worked well with light, medium, and full coverage foundations on my normal-to-dry skin. Even with medium-to-full coverage, the added luminosity of the primer comes through slightly. It can be applied to bare skin for an all-over dewy finish or used under your base of choice. For the photos in the post, I applied it on bare skin and applied a semi-matte finish foundation on top (Guerlain Parure Gold, discontinued) as well as showed it set with loose powder. It extends the wear of my foundation by an hour or so and gives the skin a soft glow while diffusing the skin’s natural texture. I also noticed it helped my foundation spread more smoothly across my face during application. I think the texture of this is thicker, more like a light cream, and less water-like compared to Becca’s Shimmering Skin Perfectors, and it does seem to do more for longevity, but the visual effect is more similar. On my skin tone, when I wear it alone over bare skin, it does noticeably lighten my overall complexion by half a shade. There is a moderately strong, soapy perfume-like scent to it when initially applied, but I don’t notice it much during wear.
Backlight
PPermanent. $38.00.
Becca Backlight Primer Filter
Becca Backlight Primer Filter
Becca Backlight Primer Filter
Becca Backlight Primer Filter
Becca Backlight Primer Filter
Becca Backlight Primer Filter
Becca Backlight Primer Filter
Becca Backlight Primer Filter on bare skin (left)
Becca Backlight Primer Filter under Guerlain Parure Gold foundation (left)
Becca Backlight Primer Filter under Guerlain Parure Gold + Urban Decay Naked Loose Powder (left)
This might be the first Becca product I don’t like
Oh no!
Awesome. I have been waiting to see more reviews of this product.
Happy to share!
Christine, in comparison to Burberry Nude Radiance 01, my impression is that the Burberry is a bit more liquid like than this Becca. Is that true?
If one did not wear foundation, which do you think is the better product for wearing alone and/or mixed with foundation?
And is Burberry less scented than the Becca?
Do you have any other insights in comparing the two? I’m currently testing the Burberry but wanted to see what you thought.
I meant to say “mixed with moisturizer” instead of “mixed with foundation.”
Burberry’s will be better for mixing, since it really mixes well, but Becca’s primer just has a thicker feel so it may be less… mixable depending on the texture of what you’re mixing it with, if that makes sense.
Yes, Burberry’s is thinner, more comparable to Becca’s Shimmering Skin Perfector (liquid). Burberry is subtler and less soap-y. This functions as a primer and an illuminator, but Burberry’s is more illuminator than primer. I would prefer Burberry’s for wearing alone, but both are comparable for mixing, just depends on the intensity + coverage you go for.
Thanks Christine!
I would love to try one of these primers but I’m so afraid they might clog my pores.
Aw 🙁
Oh I just bought this so I am excited you rate it so highly! Thanks Christine!
Let me know how you like it, Stacey!
Wow it really makes your skin glow Christine. I was not at all interested in this product until seeing it on you, now I may need to check it out.
Aw, thanks!
Hmm, this seems almost identical in looks and usage to the liquid highlighters that I have from Becca, the only difference is this is a primer, but if it’s only extending your foundation wear by 1 hour, I can’t justify buying.
Totally understand!
Love it! It does exactly what I’d hope it would do! I’ll definitely get this to pair with my Studio Fix Fluid – I like adding a liquid luminizer but sometimes I don’t want to sheer out the coverage, so it’s great that the glow shines through the semi-matte foundation. And I don’t think it would affect my skin tone.
Yep! I figured I’d try a heavier coverage + more matte finish foundation to see if you could still see it at all.
Wow, that really does light up the face. How pretty.
It does have a lot of glow!
Is this similar to LE Blanc de Chanel?
Sorry, I don’t have that!
I like this concept. But,I’m just wondering if a primer shouldn’t actually extend wear more than an hour? I have other illuminators. So,im just wondering if this is really serving the primer purpose. I love illuminating primers and my go to is Tom Ford’s which,as you know, is not cheap. So, a less expensive alternative would be a great find!
It could extend longer for sure! I don’t usually get more than 1-2 hours in my experience (for my skin type).
Hmm. Well, my skin is certainly older than yours. Sounds like I should probably get a sample before I buy l,if I do. It looks really pretty. But,and I noticed Katherine mentioned also, pretty much it would be the same as a primer and lquid illuminator which my stash is already abundant in.
Thank you for the side-by-side comparison shots, they are super helpful! Also I don’t remember your skin type, but do you think this formula would be better for dryer skin, or could slightly oil prone skin get away with it too?
I think it depends on how you wear it + how much dewiness you like! I know that one person’s dewy is another person’s oily. It doesn’t seem really shiny/greasy or anything like that, if it helps.
How does this product compare to the guerlain light diffusing primer (the pink one)? And which one would you prefer as a primer for guerlain’s lingerie de peau foundation?
This has more luminosity – I think it depends on your preference. This is too luminous for my personal tastes.
Sorry for barging in here. I have that Guerlain primer too. So, I’m trying to reason where this falls in my mind. I find the Guerlain a bit too dry for myself except in the most humid time of summer.I usually use it on my t zone with,the Gold primer on the rest of my face. So , is this one hydrating compared to the pink one ? Or can you reference or to either of those Guerlain primers as far as hydration? Is that asking too much? Of so,please say so. I won’t be offended at all.
I think Guerlain’s primers are better at extending wear, but this is more luminous!
Got it. I think I could serve the same purpose with an illuminator and the primers I have. I certainly will try this if I can get a sample. Thanks for your help!
Looks wonderful on you, but I have to wonder whether this would work on my few shades darker complexion? MAC Studio Fix Liquid foundation C4.5, or Tarte Amazonian Clay Foundation in Medium Honey?
I’m really not sure – if you still wore your foundation, I think it would be fine, but it may be lightening rather than brightening on darker complexions / may require a little more attention to ensure sheer application.
That glow is real! Looking good, Christine!
Thank you!
WHY do companies put perfume in their products? I will never understand that. It doesn’t up the luxury factor for me, it just makes it unusable. The average person might not be able to smell the scent after it’s on but my crazy sensitive nose sure will. Boooo I wanted this so bad!
Aww!
It looks like it will appeal more to people with drier skin types. Adding an overall dewy aspect like that would make my combo skin look oilier, I think. Not for me! Especially in this season when all I do is try and control shine, I don’t want to add more.
It could make oilier skin look oilier, but it’ll depend on what you layer/pair it with, too!
I am wondering whether it could make your skin look a little oiler/shinier? Otherwise it is a lovely product.
It could, depending on your skin type + what you pair it with, plus your preference. One person’s oily is another person’s dewy!
I’m so scared of using glow-y products as I think it makes my pores look like craters after meteorite impacts. This looks lovely on you.
I might have to try one of the dupes, would have to be NARS as we don’t have either Becca or Burberry in stores here, as far as I know. I honestly havent checked the Burberry store, but I think they only have clothes.
If MAC is available, you could also try Strobe Liquid!
Mac is available. I actually used MAC Strobe (cream) ages ago. I think I still have some left, I don’t think I’d want to use it, as it’s so old but I can try and wash away after seeing how it looks unless it smells, of course 🙂
Do you know if it has ‘cones in the formula? Usually if they are in the top 4 or 5 ingredients, they cause breakouts for me. Unfortunately most primers, and most of the current liquid foundations have them as their primary ingredients.
Hi Pami,
Photo of the ingredients is posted in the blog post!
OMG, how careless of me! Somehow I had scrolled past that photo to the one beneath it! Thanks so much Christine – you’re the BEST! And yay! – no ‘cones 🙂
I like the effect!
Yay!
That looks really lovely on you Christine!
Thanks, Ella!
Hi Christine 🙂
I will consider this once I’m done with Laura Mercier primer in Radiance. Can you tell me how well does it blur imperfections? I don’t know how to read ingredients, can you tell me for what skin type this is good for?
It’s probably better for normal to dry skin, since it is pretty dewy/luminous unless you wear a fair amount of powder on top! It blurs imperfections decently, but I don’t have super large pores or acne at the moment!
Can you use this if your dark skin nw 43 skin tone? It looks really pretty and i love a glow!
If you mix/layer with foundation, I think so!
Considering heading to Ulta and buying this tomorrow but before I do so, how do you think this would work on someone with combination skin I get dry on my cheeks and oily in my t-zone do you think its even worth it? Or if I maybe set it with a powder and UD All nighter spray do you think it could help accesive oil.
Hey Valerie,
I think if you set and use a spray, it should be fine – but how well does setting with powder and the spray do for you normally?
It works pretty well..but in these up and coming fall/winters months coming up where I live I do tend to be more on the dryer side of things…then again I do live in California and it just seems like summer year round lol…