Review of Neutrogena Shine Control Primer

Pros

Cons

Neutrogena in known as an affordable makeup and beauty line that cares about your skin while targeting your various needs. This California based company has been known for its foundation, making it one of the best foundations for drugstore brands. Now they have a new line of shine control products, which can be perfect for oily and t-zone customers, and it can also work wonder for those that live in warmer climates or even for during the hot summer months when all of our skin tends to go oilier. Their new line offers a makeup primer, foundation, and powder. To kick off the reviews of the new line we’ve decided to begin with their Shine Control Primer. So let’s find out how it worked!

To begin, I tested the product over several days with a break in-between in order to ensure there were no allergic reactions to the formula and ingredients. I did not have any reaction, so that was a big plus. So let’s move on to the smell and texture. The primer does have a scent, but it seemed light and fresh. It also went away within several minutes of application, so if you don’t like any scent to your product rest-assure that it does go away. The texture was also very nice. Initially the primer goes on white, much like a moisturizer, but blends in and turns clear. It was very creamy feeling, but did not feel heavy or oily since it is water-based. Like nearly all primers it does contain dimethicone, but this is what tends to give your makeup primer that smooth and silky feeling. Fear not, because it is not known to clog pores or agitate your skin.

So what about the wearability? Neutrogena states that it will control shine and stop makeup meltdown for 8-hours with or without makeup. So I decided to try it multiple ways; first with no makeup, then with their shine control foundation, and finally with another brand of foundation. Each time, no matter what foundation or lack thereof, the primer did control shine for 8-hours and actually it ended up being longer than 8-hours. I have to admit that I don’t have very oily skin, but I do have t-zone oil and the heat of summer tends to make it worse. The Neutrogena Shine Control Primer actually controlled all shine and oil throughout the day while inside, as well as on the days when I was outside in the heat. My foundation, concealer, and blush stayed in place all-day long without worrying about reapplying. As a bonus it didn’t turn cakey or dry, and it did not clog my pores what-so-ever. Basically the size, price, and performance easily places this new primer at the top of my favorite makeup primer list of must-haves for everyone.

Skip the high-priced department store makeup primers and reach for Neutrogena’s Shine Control Primer instead. You’ll save yourself some money and you won’t be disappointed in the end. And you can use it sans makeup, which would be a great idea for the guys!