Tuesday, March 20, 2012

What's that smell?

A few weeks ago, I ran out of make up primer.
I had been using Spakle by Laura Geller in bronze and it was awesome. It went on my skin really easily, didn't have a smell and kept my make up on really well all day. I used that entire tube and headed off to Sephora to pick up another bottle.

#fail

Turns out Sephora doesn't sell that brand and I'd have to order it online. Trouble was that I needed a primer right then. I go all day at work and don't really have time to be touching up my make up while I'm there. When I use a primer, I've noticed that I make it through the day without my face looking like I've rubbed off all my foundation. So when I realized they didn't have my beloved primer, I knew I was going to have to go with something for in the meantime. That's where this came in...
The Sephora brand, facial primer in luminous. It was a good amount for a cheap price and I figured it would last a week or two before I had to bite the bullet and order my other one online for a giant price.

I start to use it and day 1 no big deal. Day 2, I started to use it and realized it took a little bit more than normal to cover my face. Day 3, I realized that I had been smelling something the past few days that was weird. Kinda a chemical smell. Then I realized it, it was the primer. The bad part about it, the smell was lasting a few hours after I was putting it on. And friends let me just tell you. It smells like complete ass.

I mean for real. I have half a bottle of this thing and I don't know if I can continue putting it all over my face. I would take it back to Sephora but I'm one of those people you won't take used products back. I feel like that's taking a bite out of a sandwich, taking it back and saying, "Oh I changed my mind."

Has anyone else ever bought a product and it had a horrible smell? Any suggestions for an oil free, sensitive skin primer that doesn't cost a small fortune for it?

15 comments:

Tori Bella said...

Ummmmm... I haven't tried it but according to the Makeup Geek, Vagisil is a great cheap primer.

Why Girls Are Weird said...

I've never used that primer but that doesn't sound good. I've used both primer from Bare Minerals and Benefit and have liked both.

Whitney @ EHFAR said...

I used to use the Benefit primer, but it was so expensive at $45. I currently use Rimmel or elf or Hard Candy... all are under $10.

I know you said you don't want to return it.. but I worked at Sephora about 4 years ago, and they'll take it back and give a refund.

Cole said...

Definitely tell Sephora! They seem to take customer feedback really well, and I bet would give you a refund.

vintch said...

oh darling! that sounds downright awful:( i hate anything with musk and i accidentally bought a spray one time that was just chocked full of it! we live and learn, though, i guess!

tara said...

Eek! I use Smashbox primer and i love it!

lil desiqua said...

Fortunately, I can say that I have never had a smelly problem with make up before. That's very strange though!

Honestly, I've only used one primer- Smashbox Photo Finish. I really like it. You can get a small "To Go" size for only $12 if you wanted to try it out. Good luck!

Sara Cate said...

Smelly primer - how weird! I like Laura Mercier primer.

Jess Kraus said...

I have been using this for over a month and I really like it. It's mattifying and very slightly tinted, so sometimes I just wear it alone with translucent powder if I don't want to pull out all the stops.

It does have a unique scent, but I certainly wouldn't call it a smell and it disappears within seconds of applying.

"...94% natural, non-comedogenic formula is water-based so it allows skin to breathe and never clogs pores..."

Good luck!

http://sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P300705&categoryId=B70

Jess Kraus said...

I absolutely love this mattifying primer from Korres that's available at Sephora. Sets well, so I even wear it alone with translucent powder if I don't want to pull out all the stops. Their gel moisturizer in the same line is also great.

"...94% natural, non-comedogenic formula is water-based so it allows skin to breathe and never clogs pores..."

http://sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P300705&categoryId=B70

Good luck!

Kari said...

Yes, I have experienced that kind of foul smell! I bought an eye cream once that smelled sour and weird, and it was all I smelled on myself for hours after I used it. Yuck! You really should take it back to Sephora and tell them about it. There could be something wrong with that lot of primers that needs to be investigated.

Claudia said...

sometimes I use an Avon primer not sure the exact name but it has Magic or Magix in the name

Not sure if its chemical free but I don't sense a smell ever and it works well for me

TracyZLesh @ Then I Got To Thinking said...

I am weird about smell, too!! I use the benetint - it's a moisturizer too. I only use it when I go in full make up - usually I just wear a little bronzer!

A Life Un-Styled said...

I'm so sensitive about smells. I need to smell a product before buying it. I did a review on my blog about a couple of products and the smell was what turned me off. Even though they were products that were so highly regarded. I hope you find something nicer or manage to order your old fave :)

Unknown said...

That sucks! What if you didn't take it back, but wrote them a review on their website. I bet that they would offer you a refund, and then you don't have to take back a used product!