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Estee Lauder The Illuminator Primer + Finisher REVIEW

A sheer waste of money because neither this product holds my make up in place nor my expectations.



I love buying high-end products. So, imagine my reaction when I entered Sephora in flesh and body for the first time! I was confused and wanted to buy so many things, but I didn't even know where to start. 
The special assistant came to my rescue and suggested me some products and one of them was this Estee Lauder primer. I ended up spending about 10k INR that day and trust me when I say this: not even a single product was worth spending money on, which I discovered later when I became a consumer as well as the ever evolving hoarder of the makeup products. 

How to use: Apply over clean, moisturized skin, Smooth evenly all over face, Wear alone, underneath makeup or to touch up and highlight as desired. 

MRP: 2950 INR for 30 ml 
Shelf Life: 24 months after opening

Now listening to its functions, it does seem like MAC strobe cream which costs 3400 INR for 50 ml and is a cult favorite for all the right reasons. 

But back then, I believed the counter specialists blindly, so instead of spending money on MAC, I spent money on Estee Lauder's illuminator. 

My Experience:

I bought it for two reasons: dewy finish and primer under makeup. Although it does provide dewiness owing to the shining particles in the cream, it doesn't do its job as a primer. It is like a medium thick cream in consistency, so I do find it too shiny and heavy on summer days, but in winter it is okay. Point is as an illuminator, we are flooded with so many affordable and better options now that I would never even spare a thought to this primer. Primer wise, since I have combination skin, I look for a primer that blurs my pores, holds my make up well and keeps my skin well matte. This primer is absolutely a wrong choice for all these requirements. I would recommend Smashbox primer any day if your requirements are same as mine. But this primer is absolutely a no-no. 

The only way I can use it is mix it with my moisturiser, but somehow I feel that it makes my face super shiny, so I don't reach out for it often. Overall, I have hardly used one third of the tube since I bought it and it goes in to my list of bad purchases forever. 



Pros:
1. Makes skin dewy
2. Glides easily on skin 
3. Can be mixed with moisturizer for added dewiness

Cons: 
1. Doesn't work well as a primer

Will I recommend it?
Never

Overall Verdict
If you are looking for a good illuminator, buy Nykaa Strobe and glow liquid highlighter or MAC strobe cream. If you are looking for a good primer, buy Smashbox for oily to combination skin and Embryolisse cream for dry skin. But take my advise and don't spend on Estee Lauder's this illuminator. 


Lots of love, Neha

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