[Under Makeup Review] : Biore UV Covering Base – Oil Control

Trial Duration : 2 Days

Day 1: Air conditioned room, tropical

Day 2: Non – AC room, tropical, humid

Current Skin Condition: Combination, with small dry patches in the chin

For the non-makeup review of this product, you may click here. This will show you how I used this sunscreen as it is, without makeup.

For the 2 days trials I took for this product, I always use a gentle cleanser (Simple Moisturizing Facial Wash), basic moisturizer (Simple Hydrating Light Moisturizer) and a small amount of eye cream (QuickFx Eye Lift Cream) beforehand. There are no known strong ingredients on these items. Once the moisturizer and eye cream have settled (after 10 minutes), that’s the time I started using this product.

For this, I was able to put around 1/2 teaspoon of this sunscreen to my face. After it settled for like 10 minutes, I started putting my liquid foundation (L’Oréal Infallible Fresh Wear 24HR Foundation) and concealer (Maybelline Instant Age Rewind) on top of it.

*** it doesn’t look like 1/2 teaspoon in the image as I added more after I blended it.

What I noticed about this base product is that it is not sticky. Hence, it did not require me to add more foundation which is just a pump usually. For some reason, I even had a small excess that I managed to put on my neck. The reason for it is because the finish of this items is very velvety (like I mentioned this is post). The finish is close to a rose petal which is very smooth and very soft – making it easy for makeup to cover my face thinly.

I personally enjoyed applying my foundation with either a brush or fingers when I tested this sunscreen. Both of which makes the application even so easily. I just think that I managed to save a small part of my foundation when I’m using a brush as I tend to have more control on it.

I felt really nice wearing this beneath my foundation. It has a hold to my makeup at the same time it felt very light and smooth to touch. To be honest, I did not feel any stickiness or too much shine hence I tried to skip putting light powder on it. However, to make it standard with the other review I had, I still did use Clean & Clear Essentials Face Powder (small taps). Regardless, the final output is very clean and light.

Another thing that I like about this product is that it did hide my pores. During the time it was starting to degrade (around 8 hours), it did not push the makeup to my pores or lines. I hardly see my makeup compounding on my pores and noes. Instead, it only disappeared slowly.

During the stress test, I noticed that regardless of my environment (room temperature, humid or air-conditioned room), both acted almost the same way. Though being in cooler environment makes it last longer. This sunscreen managed to hold my makeup longer by helping my face not to produce too much oil. However, for the record, this is not the best primer for this criteria. There are still better primers and sunscreen that can hold my makeup longer and control oil at the same time.

So you might be asking why I like this one then? The answer for that is simple. From the previous test with the other sunscreens and primers I had, this is very light and did not break me out. It still lives to its claim that it does control oil and be use to hold makeup. Also, because I can use the same amount of this sunscreen as my regular go-to sun protection (and considering that it has high protection against UVA and UVB), I’m confident enough that I can use this as my only sunscreen for that day.

Take note that there is no claim in the packaging that it is waterproof or sweat resistant. I personally do not reapply on regular (non-vigorous) days. However, if you will be sweating, reapplication is highly recommended to prevent sun damage.

Lastly, (though there is no direct claim for this) this product did not hold my dry patches together. I wouldn’t expect it from a regular sunscreen, but I do think that it should as a primer. But then again, I’m not seeing any claim for dry skin issues. So, I can’t hold this against this product.

Takeaways:

• ­It is true that it controls oil and hold makeup longer however it is not the best primer in the market for that criteria
• You can adequately protect your skin from the sun using only this (amount should be 1/2  to 1/3 teaspoon at least for the face).
• No claims for being sweat resistant
• Not the best product if you’re trying to hide your dry patches

Colorstay UV Primer SPF 40 PA +++ – Revlon

Ingredients:

Cyclopentasiloxane, Aqua, Zinc Oxide, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Glycerin, Titanium Dioxide, PEG-10 Dimethicone, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Dimethicone, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, HDI/Trimethylol, Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Hexyl Laurate, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Citrullus Lanatus Fruit Extract, Lens Esculenta Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Salicylic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Perlite, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Xantham Gum, Magnesium sulphate, Stearic Acid, Alumina, Polysilicone-11, Sodium Lactate, Sodium PCA, Tetrasodium EDTA, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Butylene Glycol, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, CI 77499

As per COSDNA, the following ingredients may cause acne:

• Zinc Oxide (1)
• Dimethicone (1)
• Stearic Acid (2)
• Ethylhexyl Palmitate (4)
• Butylene Glycol (1)

I will share my opinions regarding these ingredients as we go further.

Trial Duration: 2 Days

Price: 825 PHP (Mall Price, Lazada Mall) / around 17 USD – 30 ml

Packaging:

*** it doesn’t come with a box

Current Skin Condition: Acne Prone with dry patches

Review:

The claim of this primer is simple – Smoothen and Protects Skin with SPF 40 +++

My experience with this primer is actually pretty good. I did not expect this from a makeup-grade product as normally they are very heavy and tends to make my face a little heavy at most. Personally, I don’t use primer daily. I feel like it is too much to be added for a normal workday — of course, this is more of a personal preference and my thoughts went a little different on this product.

Let’s go it to details.

On the first day, I tried to use this alone hoping that it can work as a standalone sun protection – however, this is not that kind of product. The product itself is very thick and sticky. It is meant to hold on to something like your foundation or everyday powder but never alone.

At first when you dispense it, the texture is runny but you will feel that it has body. It is also white to pinkish in color.

On my first trial, I tried using around 1/3 teaspoon of this amount into my face. The amount I dispensed is the average amount of sunscreen I use on every day basis which is basically enough to give me proper protection all over my face.

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As you can see from the picture above, my face went very shinny and sticky after application. Also, because of its opaque white – pinkish property, my face went a little whiter. This did not settle and was been like that for minutes.

What I just noticed though is that using the same amount I used for my regular sunscreen, there were visible excess that compounded in my hairline and other corner of my face. I also noticed that the excess was more clinging on my dry patches. I tried to move those excess to my face hoping that it will find its own spot to settle but it didn’t. In the end, I have to remove those excess off my face.

After removing, I put my concealer and foundation. I did not do anything special just my regular fingers (for concealer – Maybelline Instant Age Rewind) and brush (for the liquid foundation – L’Oreal Infallible Fresh Wear 24HR):

For this experiment, I put my concealer under my eyes and one on top of my forehead to hide a dead pimple.

Apparently, this primer is a little greedy in sucking my makeup. I noticed that my usual one-pump of my liquid foundation is not enough to cover my face. I have to make another half pump to cover the remainder of my face.

I’m a little surprised with the finish though – -the result of combining this primer with my go-to liquid foundation is beautiful. It left my skin with a very dewy finish. Also, because of its slight pinkish color, some of my old hyperpigmentation somewhat disappeared (as if it colored corrected it). As you can see from the picture, my face went instantly flawless and a hint of healthy-looking glow is apparent. I did not expect this at all as this is not given as a promise.

Moving on, just to remove the remainder stickiness, I pat my face with very little powder from Clean & Clear Essential Face Powder. For finale, I added some colors using Maybelline Fit Me Blush.

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Another worth the praising is how it elegantly holds my dry patches. On a normal circumstance, my dry skin will be too obvious to the point that they are picking out. Perhaps due to its sticky nature, my dry skin adhered to my skin making them less obvious.

I checked my face after around 5 hours and I noticed that my dewiness upgraded, making it look a lot healthier and not greasy at all. Is it bad? No, I prefer to describe my makeup that time as somewhat more natural than it was when I newly applied it. Also, as time pass by, you tend to forget the presence of this primer as if you’re only wearing your concealer and foundation. It feels like it wasn’t there at all. The heaviness and stickiness disappeared as it settled together with the makeup I used. In addition, my face did not require a retouch or patting of tissue…except my nose.

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As magical it might sound to some though, this primer did not go well with my nose even from the start. I observed that this primer settled in my nose’s pores even after application. Considering my tone is in between light and medium, this primer settling in my pores is very obvious. For me, I find it difficult to cover or manifest with foundation. This is a good primer still but personally I think that you will need to use a different primer for the nose or other parts of your face where your pores is extra big.

After Application:

Few hours:

Personally, I don’t believe in less is more when it comes to sunscreen. On average, we need to use 1/2 to 1/3 teaspoon of sunscreen to get the proper amount of protection. Since that I can’t have this primer using the same amount of my sunscreen, instead I went to use an actual sunscreen then topped it with this.

For the second test (day 2), after hydrating my face with Simple Hydrating Light Moisturizer and QuickFx Eye Lift Cream (like I did on day 1),I took 1/3 teaspoon of my Biore UV Aquarich Watery Essence SPF50+ PA ++++ into my face and let is dry. After like 10 minutes, I started putting this UV primer. This time though, I tried to put less (which is just around 1/4 teaspoon) to avoid excess forming on my dry patches and face’s corners.

Then, I did my concealer and liquid foundation just like I did in the first test. The result is also the same without the excess forming at the sides.

Here’s my thought.

This is a good primer. However, I will not rely on this as a standalone sun protection. If you’re the type of person who consider sunscreen a vital part of routine, you will need to wear your go-to sunscreen first. Let it absorbed then add this primer. If you’re going to use a sunscreen beneath this product, I would recommend that you use something that is light and capable of disappearing as this primer is a little heavy at first.

I have to admit though, it takes  an extra effort removing this. I mentioned earlier that this compounded in my hairline. Removing it lightly, caused me an additional pimple in that area. Just one, but it is a lesson learned (by the way, I did not get a pimple on my second trial). You can use your favorite makeup remover just make sure though that your cotton is already clear before proceeding with an actual cleanser, just to be extra sure.

This I can’t wait to share – for some reason after cleanser, my face went plump and smooth (my clogged pores are still there though but suave in touch). I felt like face went to baby butt’s mode. It’s hard for me to say that it is just a coincidence because unofficially, I used this more than twice and the results are consistent. It is more noticeable after I cleansed my face and after I woke up. Never in any product have I felt like this. Weird.

Lastly, regarding the ingredients noted above, I personally did not have any bad reaction on them, just  one pimple in my hairline. However, I have to say that this is a malpractice on my side. Other than, I find it well for my face.

Did I mention that this primer has no scent? Yep. No scent. I love the fact that it did not contain any!

Summary:

• I will use this again and buy if needed. This is something I would put into my face if I wanted to feel a little extra or during special events (of course, this is a personal preference. You can use this as often as you please)
• Better use a different primer on areas where large pores are apparent as it will highlight them
• No bad reaction for acne prone like me
• Don’t put too much as it will compound on your corners or dry patches.
• Not sufficient sun protection but can work very well with other sunscreen (make sure to use your sunscreen first before this)
• Unscented
• Not cheap but not very expensive  either considering that it is a well known brand