Primers have become an important part of my makeup routine. TBH, I still can’t believe there was a time I’d apply foundation without it. Barbaric, if you ask me. To me, a good primer easily hides my large pores while creating a canvas smooth enough for my foundation to go on flawlessly and without flaking. So, when I heard that there was a primer out there in the world that promised to do that and firm your skin, I said, hold the phone. Who IS she? Allow me to introduce you to Peter Thomas Roth Instant FIRMx No-Filter Primer ($42).
How it works
We all remember that viral TikTok video of the 54-year-old woman who applied Peter Thomas Roth Instant FIRMx Eye Temporary Eye Tightener ($38) to her under-eye bags and the world watched them practically disappear in three minutes. (I’m still sad that I haven’t tried it yet.) Well, that eye cream has a new cousin that’s about to give it a run for its money. The Instant FIRMx No-Filter Primer promises similar results: to tighten and firm the skin so there’s a reduction in the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and pores. But it also blurs the skin, giving it a filter-like look for impeccable makeup application.
With such firming abilities, I was curious to see what was in the primer that makes it stand out from the other ones I use. The No-Filter Primer contains Firm-A-Tite, a proprietary blend of three skin-tightening silicates as well as seaweed extract, which helps with the whole wrinkle thing (this is also in the Eye Tightener). There’s also 3 percent BarPull, a complex made from sea water, microalgae, and natural polysaccharides that give the primer its instant firming effect, as well as Elastiflex IQ, which helps with smoothness and elasticity.
My honest review
The first thing to know about this primer is it needs to be shaken well before application so it’s not too liquid-y. The second is that a little goes a long way. All you need is a thin layer of the product over your skin. I start with a tiny bit and if I need to apply more I do, but little by little. Heavy-handed peeps, beware! I learned that if I use too much, it pills a little bit around the sides of my face.
I also learned that it works best when my skin is very hydrated, but any serum, moisturizer, or sunscreen needs to be fully absorbed before applying the primer, otherwise some pilling occurs then, too. There’s definitely a learning curve with this primer compared to other ones I use often where I kind of just slap it on. With the Instant FIRMx No-Filter Primer, you have to let it dry and set for three to seven minutes in order for the primer to do its thing and let the firming magic happen. So, it’s not something I would want to use if I were in a rush.
Behold, before:
After:
But those several minutes of pretending to be a mannequin and trying not to move your face? Absolutely worth it, hands down. The firming effect is real. I’m not being dramatic when I saw some of the lines in my forehead practically disappear, and the big pores on my nose vanish. Excuse me, Mr. Roth, but what IS this witchery? And this was even before I put on any makeup. I then applied my foundation (which is my current fave, Makeup by Mario SurrealSkin Liquid Foundation, $42), and was impressed by how great it looked. This primer is a serious game-changer. If you have fine lines and big pores like me, or want a primer that gives you a more snatched look, you need to add this to your shopping cart, like, yesterday. I love it so much, I’ve been wearing it alone without makeup. 11/10 recommend.
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