I have to admit here I'm a sucker for advertising – I will buy a product (whether I need it or not) based on a good ad. I'm also a sucker for a sale – so 25% off something is a great saving – no matter what it is.
My love of primer knows no bounds – so when faced with wanting to try the new L'Oreal Base Magique primer, and Myer offering L'Oreal products at 25% off – I knew this was a product that was going to make it onto my face between my moisturiser and my foundation! Now – I have to tell you up front that it took me 3 trips to Myer in the Queen Street Mall to purchase this product. Anyone who knows me knows that I have neither time nor patience to put up with bad customer service, and if Myer does only one thing well it is bad customer service. On 2 lunchtimes in a single week I picked up the Base Magique and the lipstick (see below) and stood at the counter waiting…waiting…waiting. I then returned both products to the shelf and walked out. You'd love to hear me say third time lucky wouldn't you? But no – even on the third attempt I waited for ages to be served, but Myer were lucky that I was in a great mood that day and my patience seemed to stretch endlessly.
So - L'Oreal Base Magique. It's not like my usual Napoleon primer. It's also not like the Maybelline or Revlon silicone-type primers. This is a very different velvet-like product, very much like Avon's only primer, Magix Face Perfector. Base Magique claims to make lines and pores invisible, but on my 50-something skin L'Oreal is really talking up a miracle that isn't going to happen. The packaging urges you to warm it between your fingers before rubbing onto your face, which does work very well. It says you can wear it with or without makeup, but the effect without makeup is really only dull, matt skin. So I'm seeing Katherine next week and I'm going to pass this onto her to get a younger opinion.
I'm wearing this with my Clinique Even Better foundation on top, and I have to say it gives a nice soft effect. I've also given up putting loose powder over my foundation, as it really doesn't need it with the Base Magique, so I suppose it's saving me time in my morning routine as well. And it still gives my make up it's staying power during the day. So, as a primer, it's doing a good job.
At full retail Base Magique is $29.95 for 15ml. As I say, it's very similar to the Avon product, which at full price is $39.99 for 30ml, but in the catalogue on special it's only ever $29.99. You weigh up the difference.
But let me tell you about the lipstick. Ever since Samantha Smith blogged about L'Oreal Colour Riche Nutri Shine lipsticks that "nourishes like a balm and shines like a gloss with a royal jelly and Shea butter enriched formula" I was lusting after one. So with Myer's aforementioned 25% off, one of those babies was going home with me. I chose Sheer Papaya, full retail $22.95.
It is so gorgeous that I have nearly worn it out. Can't go anywhere without it – love it for formal or on the week end. Have to agree with Samantha – I'm using it more than the Revlon Lip Butters. Gorgeous product – gorgeous packaging – really great to wear. It's my current favourite. And with winter lips always feeling dry, the royal jelly and shea butter are a life saver. Beautiful….beautiful….
