Do You Really Need a Luxury Illuminating Primer?

Product Comparison: Becca First Light Priming Filter Face Primer vs. L’Oreal True Match Lumi Glotion

Since highlighters and glowing faces are all the rage, many trusted brands have come out with similar products that all seem to achieve the same look.  The hard part is figuring out which products will make you glow even and subtly without having you appear too much like a golden goddess.

We have purchased both what is considered a luxury line and a drugstore line of illuminating primers and have put them to the test.  

The question is: Is an illuminating primer necessary to be purchased on the higher end, or has this type of technology come so far that other brands have caught up?

Let’s go into the details of each one and I will post my final answer at the bottom.

Becca First Light Priming Filter Face Primer

The Becca brand has taken the world by storm with its range of highlighters and the First Light Priming Filter Face Primer according to Sephora’s rating has achieved 4.5 stars.

The Product

The Becca First Light Priming Filter Face Primer comes in a long glass tube with a pump.  Don’t let the purplish hue fool you, the product dries clear.  The packaging is great for long-term use as the pump stays clean.  It does smell a bit like lemon pledge but it’s a bit invigorating first thing in the a.m.!

Usage

I’ve been using this primer since the Summer and find that it’s light enough to wear alone.  That’s the key with illuminating primers: they can be worn under makeup or on their own for a sheer finish. Whenever I apply it, it always feels weightless and dries quickly so I can apply my foundation. However, depending on the weight of the foundation, the illuminating power gets lost which defeats the purpose of the primer itself.

Verdict

I would buy the Becca First Light Priming Filter Face Primer again.  It’s definitely a staple in the Summer when it’s too hot to put too many layers on the face but you want a subtle glow.

Price – $46 at Sephora (CAD)

L’Oreal True Match Lumi Glotion (Fair Glow)

The Product

The L’Oreal True Match Lumi Glotion comes in a squeezable tube with a smaller spout so you can control how much product comes out.  It’s pretty simple and isn’t that fancy but pretty enough to display on your vanity.  The range of colors varies from Fair Glow to Deep Glow.

Usage

This product comes out a bit thicker than the Becca primer.  I squeeze about a nickel sized amount on my hand and give it a few circular motions before applying to the face.  The pink tint comes from the color you’re seeing below called Fair Glow but depending on your skin color there are 5 other shades to choose from.  The Lumi Glotion shows up so beautifully under the foundation that there was little to no need to add more of my own highlighting powder!

The Verdict

The L’Oreal True Match Lumi Glotion is perfect for a subtle yet stands out highlight.  It feels nice to apply and stayed on my face the entire day.  For the price point and color range, this product is a true player in the illuminating primer game.

Price – $22.99 (CAD) at Shopper Drug Mart

Final Comparison

Feature	Becca	L’Oreal
Packaging	Long Glass Bottle	Squeezable Tube
Glow Factor	Subtle disappears w/heavy foundation	High – even underneath heavy foundation
Multi-Use	Yes – can be worn alone & applied elsewhere	Yes – can be worn alone & applied elsewhere
Tint/Hue	Purple	Pink (range of other colors)
Price	$46 Sephora	$22 Drugstore
Final Verdict	Buy this if you have some $$$ to burn.	This will do everything that the Becca one does!

In short, you do not need to spend the extra $ on the Becca First Light Priming Filter Face Primer.  Instead, the L’Oreal True Match Lumi Glotion in the right shade for you will do just fine!