I’m always on the hunt for a good drugstore primer to smooth my skin and keep my makeup on longer and the Nivea 2-In-1 Moisturizing Primer seemed like a great option – but did it work?
What Does The Nivea Moisturizing Primer Claim To Do?
Nivea tells me that this 2-in-1 Moisturizing Primer is a lightweight, non-greasy makeup base that will moisturize and refresh my skin. This gel-cream is supposed to absorb quickly into the skin and is enriched with vitamin E and natural lotus extract.
First Impressions = Not Good
I can remember over a year ago watching countless beauty gurus singing the praises of Nivea’s Sensitive Skin After Shave Balm (for men) because of it’s ability to prolong makeup wear, so I figured Nivea’s 2-in-1 Moisturizing Primer would have a similar, non-cologne scented formula.
I like to apply this primer with a flat foundation brush on top of cleansed, exfoliated and moisturized skin. Like Nivea’s claim, it has a light gel-cream texture (love) and absorbs quickly without any greasiness or tackiness. It’s surprisingly quite matte!
While I’ll agree that it does feel weightless on the skin, I can’t say that my skin felt any more refreshed or hydrated than it did before. This moisturizing primer does have a fragrance to it, which is I find a bit strong but bearable. The fragrance fades away shortly after you apply your foundation.
Did Nivea Deliver?
The first time I wore this moisturizing primer under makeup, I honestly didn’t see much of a difference in how my makeup looked. I’ve tried it again on several occasions on only one half of my face for comparative purposes and still didn’t see any difference in how my makeup looked or lasted throughout the day against the non-primed side.
Nivea’s 2-In-1 Moisturizing primer didn’t add any moisture to the dry patches on my chin and nose and really doesn’t feel like a moisturizer at all! Something I find exceptionally strange for a self-proclaimed moisturizing product.
Just trying it on the back of my hand, my skin did feel a bit smoother, but I don’t really feel like this smoothness translated into anything noticeable on my face.
It might be a good choice for people with 20-something smooth skin, but it wasn’t smoothing enough for craggily old me who will be 37 next month and hasn’t been able to use retinol in over a year.
Who should Nivea have marketed this primer to? Oily skin types, that’s who!
It has such a matte finish that I might have really enjoyed it when I was struggling with heaps of oil. Maybe I’ll whip it out for those hot summer months when my makeup starts to melt off my face…maybe.
Overall, Nivea’s 2-In-1 Moisturizing Primer didn’t impress. I wanted to love it, but some things just aren’t meant to be.
RELATED READING: This Primer Oil Is Giving Me Glowing Skin
What’s your favourite moisturizing primer (because I really need one and Nivea isn’t doing it for me!).
