Is this best-selling No7 primer worth £17.95? We tested it out
It smooths texture and blurs pores to help your make-up apply flawlessly and last longer.
⏰ Tested for: Five days
⭐ Our rating: 4/5
🛍️ Reasons to buy: I love how it smooths texture and blurs pores, a little goes a long way and it made my make-up last longer before needing touch-ups
✋ Reasons to avoid: Ringing in at nearly £20, it's a pricy addition to your make-up routine and it comes in a small 30ml tube - I'd love to see a bigger size
💰 Best deal we've found: Currently at Boots there's a 3 for 2 offer running across No7 products, so you can get the cheapest free
Make-up primers come in all shapes, formulas and sizes, and their main raison d'être is to help create the perfect base to apply you make-up and ensure it lasts longer without fading or going patchy.
One that's recently caught my eye is the No7 Instant Illusions Airbrush Away Primer, a small tube that promises to leave your skin "perfectly smooth and even all day".
Online at Boots, there's plenty of five-star reviews from shoppers who have "used it for years", describe it as "easy to use" and "the best primer I have ever used".
When any product comes with bold performance claims and is top-rated by customers, I'm always keen to put it to the test and see how it measures up.
I have combination skin, AKA an oily forehead, nose and chin, with dryness on my cheeks, hormonal acne and rosacea, so much of make-up routine is about concealing areas of redness, smoothing texture and lasting all day.
🛍️ Reasons to buy
Firstly, the texture is every but as smooth as it promises. A pea-sized amount is plenty and it glides onto skin, doesn't feel sticky, greasy or heavy and absorbs quickly to leave skin feeling even all over.
I was immediately impressed with how a little went a long way - the second time I tried this I used a huge dollop by mistake and it was too much, so keep your applications small.
Once rubbed in it's invisible, but it makes a very smooth base for blending liquid and cream foundations.
It didn't sink into fine lines around my mouth, nor did it cling to dry patches around my nose or on my cheeks.
I especially liked how well it pared with my foundation, needing minimal touch-ups across an entire day of wear.
Best of all, it evens out texture, something I'm always keen to combat.
✋ Reasons to avoid
I only wish it came in a larger tube. Costing nearly £20, the 30ml size does feel small. I've got my fingers crossed it will make an appearance in Boots' £10 Tuesday offers.
💰 Best deal we've found
While there isn't money off this specific product currently, Boots is running a 3-for-2 offer across the entire No7 range, meaning if you buy three other skincare or make-up products from the range, the cheapest will be free.
I recently tested the new No7 Future Renewal range as was left impressed with the No7 Future Renew Damage Reversal Serum, so I'd recommend adding it to your basket.
It's a gel texture that's fast-absorbing and has thin nozzle that meant it's basically impossible to apply too much or make a mess. In just a week, it improved texture and didn't irritate my reactive, sensitive skin.
