Make Up For Ever Step 1 Skin Equalizer Mattifying Primer & Smoothing Primer Review

Priming is something I’ve been sleeping on lately. I tend to forget to apply them as they’re not a color product & find them so much harder to distinguish as something that works well as there isn’t any sort of instant gratification like there is with a shimmery highlight or bold lip color. But, I’ve been using the Make Up For Ever Step 1 Skin Equalizer ($37) in both the Mattifying & Smoothing Primers in tandem and I’ve really seen a difference. In my opinion, using these in combination is essential as they go together like peanut butter & jelly. If you have combination/oily skin, keep on reading to find out why these 2 primers are going to be your new best friends:

I like to start off my face with the Smoothing Primer which has that silicone-y feel that is essential for disguising fine lines & pores. I put this all over my face as it acts as a smooth base for what I’ll be doing next. Occasionally I prime with this after applying a light moisturizer, but sometimes I don’t because I do have oily skin & sometimes prefer to have a completely matte look. I like this primer because it’s just a no-fuss, no problem primer- I know it won’t fail me.

Then, I follow up with the Mattifying Primer which has the same feel as the BECCA Ever-Matte Powerless Priming Perfector. It’s a kind of an interesting wet consistency which dries down to be extremely matte. You really have to spread & warm the product between your hands before applying because of the different formula. On a completely bare face it can tend to bunch up on your face and make it appear like you have flaky or patchy skin, but when you use it atop another primer it lessens that effect. So, using this on top of the other primer has been my secret trick for the past month or so- as they’re better together than on their own.

Another thing I’ve attempted recently is using to to mattify shiny lipsticks- it really works! Just apply your lipstick as normal, and then warm a small amount between your fingers and tap on your lips for instant matte lips.

I really love these primers- I’m curious about the other variations including the Nourishing one, which I think would work well with the matte primer as well! So, if you have terribly oily skin like I do, try this combo out & let me know what you think!