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Secrets of a Beauty Junkie: Product Review—L’Oreal Magic Perfecting Base

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Kellie Painter Student Contributor, Carnegie Mellon University
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Laura Stiles Student Contributor, Carnegie Mellon University
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at CMU chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

This week, I decided to try a face primer, and at a reasonable price point of $12.99, L’Oreal Magic Perfecting Base was my weapon of choice. My weapon against pores, that is. Before I get into my review, let me explain the purpose of a primer and why everyone should buy one right now.

Primers, usually silicon-based, have become prominent in the beauty industry only in the last couple of years. They are meant to form a barrier between skin and foundation, preventing the foundation from becoming cakey and drawing natural oils from the skin. They also keep makeup on the skin in hot weather and often contain nourishing ingredients to improve the health of skin. Best of all, it creates the “poreless” look we all dream of having, and evens out skin tone to some degree.

In particular, L’Oreal Magic Perfecting Base feels super-cushiony, making it unique from other primers. This is due to high elastomer content in the product. Personally, I do not wear foundation on a daily basis because I simply don’t need it. As much as I am a proponent of never leaving the house without makeup on, I typically survive with cover up in the spots where I need it. I wear the Magic Perfecting Base by itself, and let me tell you, it is amazing. My skin has never looked so perfect and poreless. Also, a little goes a long way, so the seemingly small jar will likely last longer than expected.

However, while this product will definitely help your foundation and other makeup stay put, and will also mask some imperfections, don’t expect it to work miracles. If you have more serious skin problems like acne or major redness, you will definitely still need foundation. In general, the Magic Perfecting Base will most likely help everyone in some way, but it’s really only completely effective on its own if you have very good skin to begin with.

As far as primers go, L’Oreal Magic Perfecting base is definitely one of the best on the market, especially at the lower price point. I highly recommend it for everyone, but it should be used differently for different skin types and in combination with other products. Definitely add it to your list of products to try.

I am a junior Materials Science and Engineering mjaor at Carnegie Mellon University, and I am also minoring in Professional Writing and Business. I am a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma.  I love TV and trying out new beauty products.  I follow E! on Twitter so that I can stay up-to-date on celebrity news.  I'm royal-obsessed, and I love Kate Middleton's style.  I'm kind of a Sephora addict, and I could easily spend hours there.  I also spend way too much time on Pinterest.  Finally, I love hockey and all Pittsburgh sports. 
Laura Stiles is a Creative Writing, Professional Writing double major at Carnegie Mellon University who will be graduating in May 2014. In addition to being Co-Editor-in-Chief of the Carnegie Mellon chapter of HerCampus.com, she is Co-Prose Editor of The Oakland Review, Carnegie Mellon’s literary-arts journal, a manuscript reader for Carnegie Mellon University Press, and has copy-edited for Carnegie Mellon’s newspaper, The Tartan. She was also Communications and Arts Management Intern at The Hillman Center for Performing Arts in summer 2012, and is ecstatic to be studying abroad in Sheffield, England in spring 2013. In her free time, she enjoys singing along to music on long car rides, spontaneously kicking off her shoes to explore lakes and creeks, and curling up with a soft blanket and a captivating book. She was also recently pleasantly surprised to discover that she has a taste for sushi.