I have oily/combination skin and so for me, a primer is a must if I want any chance of my foundation not sliding off by mid morning. The latest primer in my beauty arsenal is the MONU Skincare Illuminating Primer SPF15, a brand that I hadn't tried or heard of before using this, despite them being based up the road from me in Cheltenham! MONU Skincare have been developing their formulations over the last 25 years, utilising the special properties of pure, natural ingredients using plants and herbs, minerals and essential oils. In their own words, they do not use damaging chemicals, artificial perfumes or synthetic colours and do not test their products on animals. As well as skincare, they have their own ranges of bodycare, tanning and makeup products.
The MONU Skincare Illuminating Primer SPF15 can be used on its own or under makeup, using light reflective and soft focus technology to reduce the appearance of imperfections and give the skin a flawless, luminous glow. At the same time, the paraben free formula contains SPF15 and the ingredients Zinc Oxide and Cassia Leaf Extract to help protect against UV damage and premature aging. Blackcurrant Seed Oils and Hyaluronic Acid make sure the skin stays hydrated, soft and supple. A note for green bloggers - this is not a 100% natural/organic product. The 50ml bottle costs £27.95 and is advertised as suitable for all skin types.
The MONU Skincare Illuminating Primer SPF15 comes in a sleek, clear tube (handy for knowing when the product is running out!) with a pump dispenser. The formula is just lovely; it looks and feels just like a moisturiser, so none of that slippery, silicone feel. It does have that SPF scent to it, but not as strong as your pure SPF product. The Illuminating Primer has a creamy, medium consistency that absorbs quickly and doesn't feel greasy or heavy on the skin. It really does give the skin a noticeable but subtle glow as soon as it is massaged in and blurs over those small and annoying imperfections, creating a fantastic base for foundation. However if you have great skin this would definitely look amazing alone. Unfortunately for me, the Illuminating Primer falls down on the wear time it gives my foundation - I found that about half way through the day my foundation started to collect around my t-zone in small patches. On my cheeks this didn't happen at all, so I just don't think this is 100% suited to oily skin.
The Verdict
The MONU Skincare Illuminating Primer SPF15 has a great moisturising, radiance boosting formula with instantly noticeable effects. However based on my experience I wouldn't recommend it for oily skins because of the foundation wear time. I do think that this could work for normal or drier skin types though as it is so hydrating.
To find out more about MONU Skincare and their range of products, please click here.
Have you tried any products by MONU Skincare? What primers are you loving right now?
Beauty Bird xx
P.S. This post contains a PR sample. This does not affect my opinion of the product.
Well I do like the sound of this Sasha - it's the radiance boosting, flawless, luminous glow and hydrating bit that gets me! Sounds like a lovely product to wear on it's own as you say - would have to wait for a decent skin day though! xx
ReplyDeleteI would absolutely love a decent skin day!! Praying for a miracle...! xx
DeleteI really like the sound of this! I am always on the hunt for a good primer, thank you!
ReplyDeletehttp://amber-allnaturallybeautiful.blogspot.ca/
So glad you found the review helpful Amber! xx
DeleteOh I had no idea they're based in Cheltenham! I think I have a little sample of this that came in a Glossybox and I think I gave it a quick try and liked the look of it, so I really should pull it out and try it. My experience with primers so far hasn't been great, so I don't usually get very excited by them :(
ReplyDeleteBecky @ The Little Blog of Beauty
You should definitely give your sample a try - there must be the right primer out there for you :-) xx
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