Review: Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Primer

Skin Transformer. Instant Age Rewind. Instantly vanish wrinkles, pores and imperfections. Subtle pink tint for youthful glow. Don’t they all sound enticing? That’s what the packaging says about Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Primer Skin Transformer so without batting an eyelash, I hurriedly put it in my shopping basket ($8.99, Target).

This primer comes in .85 fl. oz (25 ml) plastic tube. The tint is nowhere near subtle pink but rather opaque white. The consistency is quite thick but it dissolves evenly onto skin. It has a silky soft finish. To make this product work best as a primer, my technique is to let it sit on my face for about two minutes before I apply liquid foundation. This makes the foundation stick to it like glue, hence a creaseless makeup for a good eight hours on me. 

Is this subtle pink to you? Not to moi.

Dimethicone is a key ingredient in this product. It is a silicon-based compound commonly found in makeups, especially primers. In medicine, dimethicone is used to treat and prevent dry and rough skin, including diaper rashes because it preserves the skin’s natural moisture level. In cosmetics, silicone acts a barrier between the makeup and skin,  covers up minor imperfections, and helps foundation stay longer than usual. However, if you have sensitive or acne- prone skin type, you should use this with caution as silicone is one of the listed cosmetic ingredients that have comedogenic properties.

My two cents worth:  It is what it is. A face primer that made my foundation last whole day, with obvious meltdown on the 9th hour. Surprisingly, I didn’t experience breakouts, which is always a bonus point. It is economical because you only need a pea-sized amount to cover your face. As to the promise of youthful glow and the like, consider it another marketing claim a.k.a product positioning to lure a beauty junkie in her buying decision. All silicone based products create an illusion of wrinkle-free or minimized pores because they fill in the spaces. If you had good experience with Smashbox Photo Finish primer, this could be your cheaper alternative as both are dimethicone or silicon-based.

Over-all rating : 4/5 Must try. It delivers as to what a primer should be but don’t expect fountain of youth.