Skin
Mar 10, 2021

This Anti-Ageing Product Has So Many 5-Star Reviews—Here's My Honest Review

by Mica Ricketts

If you were to take a quick scroll through my Instagram Stories, then you'd be forgiven for thinking that my job basically involves swatching lipsticks and testing face masks, and to some extent, you'd be right. A lot of what I do does involve trying and testing new products so that I can make genuine recommendations, but there's a whole other side to working in beauty that I love just as much—geeking out over data. From stats about sell-out products to studies on skincare, I'm obsessed with the evidence that proves a product works. So when we noticed that there was one specific beauty product trending in our weekly reports because Who What Wear readers had been shopping it in droves, I immediately wanted to know why.

The product in question was the StriVectin Line BlurFector Instant Wrinkle Blurring Primer—a skincare-infused makeup primer from a US skincare brand that, quite honestly, I'd never heard of. Yes, it turns out that our readers were one step ahead of me because this is a serious cult product. In fact, it has hundreds of five-star reviews and legions of devotees. So of course, I had to put it to the test to find out exactly what all the fuss is about.

Keep scrolling for my honest review…

The before-and-afters:

Strivectin Wrinkle Blurring Primer Review: Mica before wearing primer

Photo:

MICA RICKETTS

Mica Ricketts before applying the StriVectin Line BlurFector Instant Wrinkle Blurring Primer.

First things first, the main aim of this product is to fill and blur the appearance of wrinkles as well as to prevent any makeup applied on top from settling into creases and fine lines. At 31 years old, I can't say that wrinkles are a huge concern of mine just yet, but I have definitely noticed fine lines creeping in around my eyes, especially after a year of constantly interrupted sleep thanks to my 1-year-old. Over the last year, I've also noticed that my concealer tends to crease and settle into small fine lines under my eyes during the course of the day. A major issue? No. But it's annoying nonetheless.

My other skin concern, which you'll notice from this barefaced photo, is enlarged pores around my nose and on my cheeks. Yes, my naturally oily skin might be keeping major signs of ageing at bay for now, but it has not been kind to the size of my pores. StriVectin doesn't specifically say that this primer deals with this skin concern, but surely if the optical blurring microspheres can fill and blur wrinkles, then they can do the same for pores?

Strivectin Wrinkle Blurring Primer Review: Mica after wearing primer

Photo:

MICA RICKETTS

Mica Ricketts before applying the StriVectin Line BlurFector Instant Wrinkle Blurring Primer.

Turns out they can. I applied a pea-sized amount of this primer all over my face and was surprised at how well it worked at smoothing over areas of texture, including those pesky pores, as well as bringing down shine in oily areas and generally making my skin tone look a whole lot more unified. The reviews on FeelUnique back me up.

One reviewer, Beth, gave the primer five stars, claiming that she swears by this "on makeup-free days to blur pores." Another reviewer, Carol, also awarded the product five stars thanks to the way it "truly evens out the texture" of her skin.

Strivectin Wrinkle Blurring Primer Review: Mica wearing it under makeup

Photo:

MICA RICKETTS

Mica Ricketts after applying the StriVectin Line BlurFector Instant Wrinkle Blurring Primer.

Things got even better once I'd applied my makeup on top. I have to admit that I was a bit dubious about how my usual products would layer on top of the primer, as it definitely had a slippy, silicone texture, which is brilliant for smoothing the skin, but I often find that similar formulas can cause pilling once makeup is applied on top. This did no such thing. In fact, my foundation and concealer applied so smoothly that I think this primer just might become a staple in my makeup bag. Plus, after a full day of wear, I am so happy to report that there wasn't a hint of creasing around my eyes.

I'm fully on board with this hidden gem, and I have Who What Wear readers to thank for it.