Beauty Confessions: I Was Loyal to MAC Until I Discovered This $4 Drugstore Sub
I’m a self-diagnosed makeup + skincare addict, y’all, and I’ve come to accept it over the years. I remember being a little girl and literally dumping out products I’d use — at that time, it was mainly body wash, shampoo and conditioner — so that I could replace them with new ones to try (my bad, mom!). That constant desire to try new products has followed me to my adult life and, most recently, it’s helped me discover a new drugstore skincare product that’s replaced a department store makeup counter item I had been loyal to for years.
Have you ever used MAC Strobe Cream ($33)? It’s basically a pearly skin primer and makeup base that is super hydrating, gives your skin a nice glow and blurs your imperfections. MAC Strobe Cream and I had been in an on-and-off-again-but-still-committed-at-the-same-time kind of relationship since high school (aren’t those relationships the BEST?) but we recently ended it for good, because I found something better (and 8x cheaper ;).
I Was Loyal to MAC Strobe Cream Until I Discovered NYC Smooth Skin Perfecting Primer
What It Is: NYC Smooth Skin Perfecting Primer ($4, my shade is #684, with no tint) is a lightweight, radiance-boosting primer that acts as a base for your face makeup. It smoothes out fine lines, hydrates the skin and gives your face a glow-y oomph.
Where You Can Find It: Cop this product at any major drugstore. It’s so inexpensive you can stock up if you want.
Who Should Use It: This primer is for people who want a moisturizing, pearlescent primer when wearing makeup and people who want to blur their imperfections on makeup-free days. This stuff is perfect for those low-key weekends when you want to go makeup-free (like these celebs) to let your skin breathe but need a littttle something more than just bare-naked skin.
When You Should Apply: Use NYC Smooth Skin Perfecting Primer if you want your makeup to stay put all day long, hydrate + smooth your skin, hide imperfections and create a base for your makeup.
Why This Is My Beauty Confession: I love using this product because I can be liberal with my application (because of its price), I can use it when I don’t wear makeup and because it leaves my skin feeling fresh, moisturized and ready for makeup. Note that it doesn’t contain SPF, so don’t forget to get that sun protection on from head to toe before you step outside — but I have plenty of dough left to make that happen.
Furthermore, it’s pretty hard to justify using a $33 primer every single day when you get the same — if not better — results from a $4 drugstore version, amirite? MAC Strobe Cream, I love ya, but there’s officially a new primer in my life.
Do you use primers? If so, which is your fave? Share with us in the comment section below.
