Benefit Stay Flawless 15 Hour Primer Review

I haven’t done a beauty review in what has felt like ages (and checking my blog it appears it really is ages!) I think this is because I felt I was doing so many that I was loosing the reason why I started my blog in the first place. I’ve had a ton of half written reviews in my blog folder on my desktop and I decided that I should really start making my way through them. I’m currently on a product spending ban at the moment so I can get some money behind me for Paris and of course Christmas (sorry, I used the C word AGAIN) and I really do have so many products for basically everything to use up. Then maybe I can finally justify some Bumble & Bumble hair care!

Anyway, today I’m reviewing a product I wanted since I very first read the press release back in May (I think) I didn’t actually get my hands on it until the start of July due to the mad dash to buy the last of the things I needed for my house. As anyone who has followed my blog & twitter for a while now will know, I love Benefit Cosmetics. Most of the products I use every day on my face are by Benefit, so when I saw they were bringing out a primer to go along with their Flawless range, I just had to have it. I already own the powder and the foundation.

Stay Flawless 15 Hour Primer RRP £24.50

“Flawless works overtime! Our instant PRO-long primer acts like a magnet to lock on your foundation for 15 fresh & flawless hours. This invisible stick primer glides directly onto skin for optimal wear and a natural-looking finish. Go longer. Stay flawless!“

94% said it helps foundation last longer*

 

97% saw an improvement in the look of skin/complexion*

 

94% said it increased foundation coverage*

 

97% said it enhanced foundation’s performance*

*Results observed in a consumer panel survey when worn with hello flawless liquid foundation & powder.” – All taken from the Benefit website

But what did I think of the primer? Do I believe in make up magnets? Well, whether or not there is such thing as a primer being able to act like a magnet, it does increase the longevity while wearing foundation. I tested this on both a night out back in July and an all day trip shopping and seeing sweaty comedy gigs last week in Edinburgh and both times my make up looked as good when I first applied it as when I was taking it off in the evening. As you can see it also comes in the usual Benefit cute packaging, I adore the black with white polka dots and I do beam with pride should anyone peek into my make up bag. I also find this primer so easy to apply and very much mess free, you simply glide the stick over your face in circles then immediately blend in your foundation. Simple.

HOWEVER this review is very two sided. As much as I love Benefit and most of their products, this is one that I both love and hate. I didn’t think it improved the look of my skin, no more anyway than when I didn’t wear a primer. I certainly didn’t think it increased my foundation coverage, in fact I found myself applying more foundation than usual when I used Stay Flawless. But my biggest gripe of all is how sticky I find this primer. Perhaps I’m so used to how smooth and silky my skin feels after applying The Porefessional, another of Benefit’s primers and one that I’m firmly attached to. I have tried applying my foundation over Stay Flawless exactly as Benefit recommends in circles using your fingers, I’ve tried a beauty blender, a brush.. but however I apply it, my skin feels horribly sticking afterwards and even when I apply the primer it feels heavy on my skin which isn’t something I like due to having horribly dry and sensitive skin.

Will I buy Stay Flawless 15 Hour Primer again? Well, I’ll see how long this one lasts first! I will continue to use it on long days when I’ll be unable to reapply make up, and especially for nights out when I’m probably too drunk to be trusted to reapply make up. I’m not going to lie, it works and it works bloody well.. but is it worth the £24.50 price tag? No.. I’d much rather spend my money on replacing my tube of The Porefessional when it runs out.. that’s my clear winner in the Benefit primer stakes!

Have you tried Benefit’s Stay Flawless yet? What did you think?