When it comes to male grooming for broadcast one product that I use almost without fail is a mattifying cream of gel. Whether it's used it on it's own with a little concealer or under a fuller make-up a mattifier is an essential part of a grooming kit and it took me quite a while to find one that I felt was comparable to products I was using in my pre-eco days (my weapons of choice for such a make-up was usually Supermatte Antishine by Make-up International).
First impressions are a thick, slightly opaque cream that sits on the back of your hand like a lump of cold and slightly grainy petroleum jelly. Not particularly enticing I admit, but once it warms up this gel/cream (I'm not entirely sure what to classify it as) takes on a whole new personality.
Rich and creamy it melts like butter as you work it into the skin, the texture transforms from the slightly grainy feeling firm substance into a beautifully smooth, velvety cream which blends easily and seamlessly into the skin. I have applied it both with my fingers and with a brush and although either are perfectly acceptable, the former really helps it to melt in and create the velvety finish which gives it it's name.
Designed as a pre-make-up base, Smoothing Velvet Primer helps to smooth uneven skin texture and can help to improve the appearance of the skin whilst providing a fantastic base on which to build your make-up. I have found it can help to prolong the wear of a make-up but even with nothing but a little concealer on top, hours later the skin remains smooth and velvety to the touch.
As with many primers you can technically apply them over a make-up, however I generally prefer to work a fine layer into the skin prior to other make-up products. It can be used neat or blended with a moisturiser or foundation and is suitable for all skin types and tones. The primer can also be used to erase make-up errors and retouch areas which are starting wear or feather; simply use a small brush to blend a little primer into the effected area.
Despite it's mattifying tag-line, It doesn't give a fully matte finish but it does remove excessive shine whilst maintaining a subtle, flattering glow to the skin. When working in broadcast the majority of the my work is shot in high definition and for this I personally find completely matte skin very unflattering and quite ageing, so I like to allow a certain amount of natural radiance to shine through.
It is worth noting that there is a definite herbal scent to the primer. I quite like it, it's quite a male smell but I appreciate this may be off putting for some, however it is worth remember that once it is on the skin it dissipates pretty quickly.
Have you tried Smoothing Velvet Primer? Which make-up Primers have you found most effective?
Smoothing Velvet Primer is priced at £26.00 for a 30ml tube and available from Couleur Caramel UK
Couleur Caramel was launched in France in 2003 by David Riccole and Cédric Ferreol. Based on the ethos of sustainability, Couleur Caramel was created with aim to bring cutting edge technology to organic make-up; at an affordable price! Couleur caramel has recently been introduced to the UK by Beauty Well.
Related Posts: Lavera Style & Care Brow Gel; Inika Pure Primer; Top 5 Primers
Ingredients:
(100% from natural origin, 11.75% from organic farming)
Coco-Caprylate/Carprate, Dicaprylyl Ether & Tocopherol, Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Camelina Seed Oil, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Cera Alba, Trihydroxystearin, Tocopherol, Silica, Mica, Parfum (fragrance)
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