PRE-WARNING: AN AWFULLY LONG AND TO SOME, BORING, POST. SO IF YOU DON'T LIKE READING CHUNKS OF TEXT, I WOULD SKIP THIS...APOLOGIES IN ADVANCE! :)
now, i'm not one to instantly hate a product, i like to try it out and if i still don't like it, i will shove it to the back of my make-up draw and forget that i even have it. however, this product is an exception and i have just got to warn you guys NEVER TO BUY IT!
before i start this minor slagging match, i have to state that i don't dislike no7 as a brand, infact i love their concealer and radiance boosting hot cloth cleanser. furthermore, it is possible that i could have bought a dodgy tube and that the product is actually relatively okay. finally, my skin is combination to dry, as i do get an oily t-zone, therefore, getting a matifying make-up base probably wasn't the smartest idea, so if you are very oily, this make work wonders for you :)
No7 Shine Free Make-up Base (around £10)
1) the feeling: it is the complete opposite to gosh's primer, as this is a lotion. you need a pea sized amount to cover your entire face. my first reaction to this product was the feeling. if you rub it between your fingers, it sort of disintergrates and provides absolutely no moisture, just a harsh texture. as you apply it to your face, it pulls against your skin and makes it feel extremely tight and not in a good way! now i know this is meant to be mattifying but this is taking things a step to far!
2) "i'm peeling": the effects of this product is very similar to when you've been on holiday, got extremely burnt and started to peel...i'm not even kidding you! when you apply foundation over this base, it starts rubbing off, leaving unattractive patches all over your face. the foundation does not apply smoothly as it gets stuck to certain areas on your face and if you even dare to apply powder, it will get stuck on your nose and chin, leaving a horrible, powdery mess. the only thing i can compare this to, is if you smothered urban decay's primer potion (but a stickier version) all over your face...not nice!
3) "eurgh, have you got toothpaste on your face?": now, i'm relatively fair, so i hate to imagine the effects this product would have on darker skintones. this lotion is whiter than white and once applied to the face, makes no effort to blend into your skintone unless you rub and rub and rub. throughout the day, i would keep noticing the product stuck in my hairline, under my jawline, in my eyebrows and around my nose... it was horrible! it's not even like you can disguise it because it is basically impossible to remove without warm water and the bright white colour makes it look as if you've somehow managed to get toothpaste all over your face, not very attractive!
now, i really don't like a moan, okay i lied...it felt quite good to get this off my chest. however, i just think for the price of this product, there are so many better things on the market. i mean invest in an oil free moisturiser and it will probably provide a better base than this product and for half the price! it doesn't include an spf and states: "smooth on alone or under foundation for satiny soft, shine-free skin." what a load of rubbish! you don't get satin skin, you get extremely matte, patchy and peeling skin...not a good look!
so sorry no7, but you completely missed the boat with this product! i know they do a colour correcting base, so i would be intrigued to know if that was any better, but at that price, i would rather just stay clear of the whole range to be honest!
Let me know if any of you guys have had good or bad experiences with this product or any other makeup base from this brand?
Apologies for the huge ramble but congratulations if you have got this far, i'd have probably got lost after the first paragraph!
Take care and love always,
Char ♥
