There are a few factors I like to think about when selecting a makeup primer. First off, is this going to help my foundation application to the point I can use less foundation or concealer?! Or is it going to be an added layer of texture that can cause powders to catch and in turn, creating makeup that isn’t blended? Second, is this going to help my skin or cause me to break out or get an irritating rash?! Third, is this a primer that will work with any type of foundation and skin type? Do I just use it seasonally? Will it conform to my skin type of my skin is leaning more combination than dry or oily?
Basically, if you can’t tell if a primer is helping, well, it’s probably not helping. But there are some magical primers we test and try that make our foundation go on smoother, our pores appear non-existent, and our application to look freshly applied come 8 p.m.
Two years ago at a dinner at Stampede 66, I sat next to a few members of the TULA team testing products in clear jars. I was just swatching and giving my feedback. As I swatched one product on the back of my hand I said, “Y’all have got to make a makeup primer. This would be amazing.” They smiled in a, “We’ll tell you more soon.” kind of way. Each visit with them after resulted in me begging for a makeup primer.
TULA thought of those issues and more in their new primer launching this week. And COF readers are some of the most faithful TULA girls, so they are letting YOU ALL SHOP IT EARLY today with this link. Use code KATEYFILTER to shop it early with my 20% discount.
So what is this face filter product?! Essentially, this is a primer that adapts to your skin tone and type, smoothing imperfections, and reducing redness. Over time, it helps heal inflammation issues, so you can wear less foundation in the future if you like!
This product is made with:
Chia seeds: increase the appearance of luminosity
Licorice: evens the look of skin tone
Turmeric: decreases appearance of redness and inflammation
Probiotics: help skin retain moisture
This product is made WITHOUT:
100% free of Phthalates, Parabens, Toxins, Carcinogens, Mineral Oil, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Formaldehyde Releasing Agents. TULA is also cruelty-free!
Another thing that’s really neat about this primer is that it transforms as you massage and melt it into your face. When you use, hold the product upright {I have it to the side to photograph} and start out with one pump. This is buildable so you’ll notice a “bronze” effect- which is the color-correcting properties. It’s also meant to add a nice touch of warmth to your face. Blend it all in and then watch how it transforms to your skin and will smooth out redness. At first, you’ll think, “Hmm… is this going to look like self-tanner?!” But keep massaging, let it do its magic, and in 30 seconds or so you’ll start to notice your skin tone even out really nicely. Once you gauge your skin best, you can do between one or three pumps. This is the transformation in hand just with one pump and rubbing it in!
What do I notice in using this product?
I notice I use less concealer! I’ve been using this product for a little over a month, and boy, did I pick a great month to test it. I’ve actually been testing a slew of night creams for the blog as of late, and MANY broke me out. {I did find one that worked well!} As frustrating as it was, it was the perfect time to test a primer, because what’s the point of testing a primer if you aren’t dealing with skin issues to conceal?! 😉
When I don’t use this primer, I naturally end up applying foundation, concealer, and powder. When I’ve used this primer, I notice I use little to no concealer on blemishes. In conjunction with foundation or BB cream, I find that this evens my skin tone so much and reduces so much redness, concealer would just be an excessive step that isn’t warranted. I’ll share a photo below as an example.
Here I just applied the face filter primer and a BB cream. A BB CREAM. Then did my usual contour, blush, and highlight. There is no filter or preset on this photo so you can still see the texture due to the bad break out, but it LOOKS filtered due to the primer. I felt this was a really good representation in natural light to show you how not only helps you filter any blemishes or skin concerns but also allows you to get ready a bit more quickly without spending 3 extra minutes focusing on concealer.
How is this different than other primers?
Well, first off, the goal in this primer is more of a skincare-forward goal, as opposed to a makeup goal. The probiotics, turmeric, chia seeds, and licorice smooth and balance your skin so that over time, you can use less foundation as shown. But for an immediate effect these three ingredients when combined, give your skin this instant glow. The primer also has encapsulated skin-blurring properties which specifically fight redness {*cough* BLEMISHES *cough*} so you get this filter-like effect. It’s also non-comedogenic!
So what’s the difference between this and a tinted moisturizer? Well, this isn’t a standalone complexion product. Face Filter works to even out and blur uneven skin tone, and provide warmth under your makeup so you have an added glow. This is the first step of your foundation routine. So after you apply your moisturizer and sunscreen, you apply this! You’re also getting long-term benefits of reduction in redness and uneven ton over time. The probiotics will also help with inflammation while giving your skin’s moisturizer barrier a boost the longer you use this product. Lastly, don’t forget to apply this with your fingers. The massage of your fingers and warmth from your skin will help the encapsulated blurring properties to blend in your skin!
This launches to the general public on June 13th, but y’all get to shop it early today so you don’t worry about it selling out!
If you try this primer, let me know how you like the blurring-effect! I’m thrilled to add this to my makeup primer tool kit and hope you are, too.
I don’t actually use foundation, just 1. Tula moisturiser, 2. SPF, 3. under-eye concealer for redness, then just a little setting powder. Would this be good for just smoothing out the concealer to bare skin line?
Hi Katherine! I haven’t actually tried that, but I think it you use setting powder it would be totally great! However, I wouldn’t say this is a bare skin product if that makes sense! xx, Katey
Hi Katey! So excited for this new product as I am an avid Tula user (thanks to you)! Quick question, my husband and I want to start a family soon so I am starting to be more aware of products I use-are all Tula products safe for pregnancy? Thank you!
Hi Catherine! So exciting for you! Not all are, as some have Vitamin A and retinol- those are the wrinkle products. However, if you e-mail their customer support, they’ll give you a list of what products are safe vs. not. I always get a little nervous to give that advice as I’m not a doctor. But they were great about this when I was pregnant! xx, Katey
Thank you so much for this Katey! I love Tula (thanks to you!) and love that you’re able to get us access before it sells out! (And we all know that it will!!) Now can you get them to make their own BB Cream?!
Since you have the in with Tula, any chance you could recommend they beef up their customer service? I love their products, but recently had an incredibly frustrating experience with them where they shipped my order to the wrong person and when I finally convinced them to send me a replacement, they didn’t send my full order. All I was looking for was someone to apologize and be helpful, but it was like pulling teeth.
It has made me not want to do business with them which is frustrating since I use about 5 of their products on a regular basis. Obviously I know this isn’t your fault, (duh) just figured you had the in and might be able to share with them.
Hi Katey! Just purchased this and the eye balm – can’t wait to try them! I love your nail color in the pictures of your hands in the post. Do you remember the color? I couldn’t find it in the post and would love to get this color tomorrow 🙂
Hi Katey!! I just purchased but have a question! In the past, I remember you saying the Aqua Infusion Gel Cream also functions as a primer – how would you compare the two? Thank you, can’t wait to try it myself!
Hi girl! That’s one of the products I tested that led me to ask them for a primer! So I love you remember that! The Face Filter primer is more of a color correcting primer, so it’s going to blur imperfections and reduce redness. The gel moisturizer doesn’t do that as it’s more of a true moisture, but it was formulated to work well with foundation, so in that sense it gives you that great canvas and removes texture for makeup application. I hope that makes sense! Xx, Katey
I’ve been wanting to try tula after seeing your posts and finally went for it…woah! I got this, the glow & get it eye brightening balm, and the starter kit—I’m already completely hooked! Thanks for the recommendation!
Do you recommend putting the face filter or glow & get it eye balm on first? Thank you!!
Hi Anne! Yay! I hope you love it all! 🙂 So I actually have done both, but it really depends on the effect you want. I think if you put the eye balm under the primer, you get a more subdued eye balm effect but it helps hide dark circles. If you put it on after you get more of a brightening effect. So you can totally do both and play around and see what you prefer!
How do you think this would work for someone with oily skin? I know you mentioned before you’re pretty dry.
Hi girl! It’s made for all skin types! My sister has pretty oily skin and she used mine for a few days and loved it! Xx, katey
I love that the primer is focused on skincare instead of makeup! Seems like a really good product! 🙂
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Hi Katey – So excited to try this.
What BB cream did you use in the photo above?
Hi Miriam! I used Tarte BB cream. I bought it at Sephora! 🙂 xx, Katey
I don’t actually use foundation, just 1. Tula moisturiser, 2. SPF, 3. under-eye concealer for redness, then just a little setting powder. Would this be good for just smoothing out the concealer to bare skin line?
Hi Katherine! I haven’t actually tried that, but I think it you use setting powder it would be totally great! However, I wouldn’t say this is a bare skin product if that makes sense! xx, Katey
So happy to see this! Now can you work on getting TULA to have a moisturizer with SPF???
I’m having dinner with them tonight and that’s the first thing I’m asking! 😉 xo, Katey
Hi Katey! So excited for this new product as I am an avid Tula user (thanks to you)! Quick question, my husband and I want to start a family soon so I am starting to be more aware of products I use-are all Tula products safe for pregnancy? Thank you!
Hi Catherine! So exciting for you! Not all are, as some have Vitamin A and retinol- those are the wrinkle products. However, if you e-mail their customer support, they’ll give you a list of what products are safe vs. not. I always get a little nervous to give that advice as I’m not a doctor. But they were great about this when I was pregnant! xx, Katey
Ooooh so excited about this!! TULA just needs to take all my money! Have you tried their new scrub? I can’t wait to try that as well.
Hi Robyn! Yes! I keep in my shower and am loving it! I also use it on my elbows. ha! xx, Katey
This looks and sounds so amazing! I definitely need to give it a go!
xo Laura Leigh
http://www.louellareese.com
Thank you so much for this Katey! I love Tula (thanks to you!) and love that you’re able to get us access before it sells out! (And we all know that it will!!) Now can you get them to make their own BB Cream?!
Since you have the in with Tula, any chance you could recommend they beef up their customer service? I love their products, but recently had an incredibly frustrating experience with them where they shipped my order to the wrong person and when I finally convinced them to send me a replacement, they didn’t send my full order. All I was looking for was someone to apologize and be helpful, but it was like pulling teeth.
It has made me not want to do business with them which is frustrating since I use about 5 of their products on a regular basis. Obviously I know this isn’t your fault, (duh) just figured you had the in and might be able to share with them.
Hi girl!
Send me an email and I can see what I can do to help! Kateymcfarlan@gmail.com
Xx,
Katey
Hi Katey! Just purchased this and the eye balm – can’t wait to try them! I love your nail color in the pictures of your hands in the post. Do you remember the color? I couldn’t find it in the post and would love to get this color tomorrow 🙂
Hi Macy! I’m SO sorry this is late. This was a dip powder and close to “Funny Bunny” shade! xx, Katey
Hi Katey!! I just purchased but have a question! In the past, I remember you saying the Aqua Infusion Gel Cream also functions as a primer – how would you compare the two? Thank you, can’t wait to try it myself!
Hi girl! That’s one of the products I tested that led me to ask them for a primer! So I love you remember that! The Face Filter primer is more of a color correcting primer, so it’s going to blur imperfections and reduce redness. The gel moisturizer doesn’t do that as it’s more of a true moisture, but it was formulated to work well with foundation, so in that sense it gives you that great canvas and removes texture for makeup application. I hope that makes sense! Xx, Katey
I’ve been wanting to try tula after seeing your posts and finally went for it…woah! I got this, the glow & get it eye brightening balm, and the starter kit—I’m already completely hooked! Thanks for the recommendation!
Do you recommend putting the face filter or glow & get it eye balm on first? Thank you!!
Hi Anne! Yay! I hope you love it all! 🙂 So I actually have done both, but it really depends on the effect you want. I think if you put the eye balm under the primer, you get a more subdued eye balm effect but it helps hide dark circles. If you put it on after you get more of a brightening effect. So you can totally do both and play around and see what you prefer!
xx,
Katey
Hi! Does this primer work better under liquid foundation or powder foundation? I think you e convinced me to try it. Thanks!
Hi Laura! I always use liquid foundation, so I haven’t tried it with powder yet! 🙁 xx, Katey