"that gal" with the lovely rosy glow on her face! (Benefit That Gal)

Member Name: Gemma_C

Product:	Benefit That Gal
Date:	01/03/09 (321 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Leaves skin feeling smooth and gives a lovely subtle rosy glow!

Disadvantages: Expensive but this is a high end product.

I've read that using a face primer before applying foundation helps give a more smoother make-up application, and also helps foundation last longer. Having been so impressed with MAC Foundation I was originally going to give the MAC Primer a go, but I've heard so many good things about the Benefit cosmetics range I decided to give this one a go!

Benefit Cosmetics is a global beauty brand, with over 1,000 counters in more than 25 countries. You may find their counters in Debenhams and larger Boots stores, and they are a high end cosmetics company.
Their products have a lovely quirkyness to them and their packaging is always bright and colourful, the product names always something original.

This skin primer is called "that gal" (no capitals!) and comes in a brightly packaged box with has a drawing of a cityscape on it.
The product description on the website reads: "Go from dull to darling with "that gal." It's a silky pink primer that makes skin appear smoother & brighter. Wear alone for clear complexion radiance or apply before makeup for smooth, effortless application. Re-brighten during the day with "that gal." It's "that gal" perfection for a happy complexion. " A nice little quirky description!

When the Benefit sales assistant demonstrated it to be me in Debenhams, she twisted the tube to reveal a lovely pink primer which blended onto the back of my hand lovely and gave it a nice shine. She advised that it could be worn on it's own, under make-up, or use it with a bit of bronzer! She said it contained light-reflecting pigments which help brighten the appearance of the skin. The main reason I bought it however is to use under foundation keeping my skin smooth.

"that gal" retails at £19.50 with the current VAT cut, as I mentioned before this is a high end cosmetics range and you would pay the same price for a primer from the likes of MAC.

So the product itself comes in a white tube very similar to a gluestick, except the colourful cityscape you see on the outer box is also on the tube. Taking off the lid you will find another smaller clear lid to help protect it. To get the primer out of the tube you simply twist the bottom part of the tube. The first time you use it you will have to twist it quite a few times to get the primer to come to the top, I actually thought it wasn't going to appear. The primer appears out of little holes at the top and you just smooth it off with your finger, then carefully apply it using your fingertips onto your face. Blend it in gently using an upwards motion, it doesn't take long for it to blend in at all.
The primer has a lovely smell to it. Infact the product details states it contains raspberry & chamomile, to me it almost smells of milkshake, but the scent isn't strong or overpowering.

Applying foundation on top of this primer is easy, the foundation smooths on nicely and doesn't get 'watered down' or look greasy or shiny at all. After I finish applying my foundation I notice a nice subtle glow to my skin, which is nice considering my skin is really pale and plain underneath! To give a good example, I was in the Body Shop yesterday and the sales assistant was showing me how to use their mineral make-up and helping me find my perfect shade. She commented that underneath my make-up my skin had a nice rosy glow! I mentioned that my skin doesn't, it will be because I'm wearing Benefit primer, and after removing my make-up further she realised I was right and my face was quite pale underneath!

I have quite blemish prone skin and I've been using this primer for over a week now. It hasn't caused me to breakout at all and it doesn't feel like it's clogging up my pores, just make sure you are still cleansing before use, and removing all of your make-up at the end of the day.

Using this primer I find that my make-up does last longer, and my skin appears to be smoother. I'm very impressed with the nice subtle glow it gives off, especially considering how pale and plain my skin really is!
The only downside I can think of is that you may not know when your primer is running out due to the packaging of the product. It's not in a squeeze tube where you may be able to tell it's running low.

If you're looking for a face primer that will give you a nice subtle glow and brighten up your face underneath your make-up then "that gal" is a must for you!

Summary: A good face primer which leaves skin feeling smooth and gives a nice glow.