The Holy Grail Primer For Oily Skin That Zahra Swears By
So just to put a disclaimer: I’ve never been one for extra steps in my daily beauty routine. As much as possible, I like to keep things simple and fuss-free mostly because I’m super lazy. So the idea of putting on primer before doing my foundation or concealer was one additional step I wasn’t willing to invest time in. Moreover, I once tried a drugstore primer meant specifically for oily skin and wasn’t impressed. For the most part, I figured primers were overrated — especially for oily-skinned girls.
This was before I was introduced to Hourglass Veil. I’d seen some of my favourite beauty vloggers raving about it on YouTube but I still wasn’t convinced it was a necessary addition to my arsenal. Especially when I discovered how pricey the product actually is. But considering Hourglass is a luxury beauty brand, it wasn’t surprising at all. So when I was in Sephora in Bangkok recently and chanced upon the Hourglass section, I decided to try it on out of sheer curiosity. And boy, was I wrong or was I wrong!
This oil-free, weightless, and multipurpose primer not only kept my skin shine-free for over 5 hours — which is a miracle for my super-oily face — but also kept my makeup intact for the most part. What’s more, cream formulas usually separate on my oily skin, but my Chanel cream bronzer stayed intact and wore really well all through the day. I immediately went back and bought myself a jumbo tube of the goodness because I knew it would be hard to find back home in India.
Now, just to let you know how this works: the brand claims that the mineral-based primer not only helps keep your makeup intact all day, but also minimises the appearance of pores and fine lines. Which is all fine and good. But what really got me excited was how Hourglass Veil really did help minimise the redness on my skin and gave me an even complexion to work the base on. What’s more, it’s got mineral-derived broad spectrum SPF 15, which means I don’t have to wear more sunscreen (yay!). And it repels water, so Mumbai’s sweltering heat and sweat has finally met its match!
The primer is a white and runny fluid, which had me concerned in the beginning, but it goes on velvety smooth (that’s the silicones in the product), absorbs quickly, and completely disappears on your skin. It works for all skin types, even sensitive ones, but is especially great for combination/oily skin. It’s got a flattering matte finish and is fragrance-free, which is a must for oily, sensitive skin.
I love the fact that this not only performs well, but also has a beneficial factor, which is the in-built sunscreen. After the initial sticker shock wears off, you’ll really wonder how you’ve been living without a product like this for so long. It delivers on so many levels that it has now rightfully earned its place in my daily routine!
SHOP NOW: Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer (Rs 3,600 approx)
(Hourglass ships to India. Shipping charges will be extra.)
