| Review | Elemis Superfood Glow Priming Moisturizer

My greatest weakness is an illuminating skincare-makeup hybrid. When I saw that Elemis had released a glowing priming moisturizer, I HAD to try it. I have been a long time fan of Elemis and their skincare formulations have yet to disappoint me. While I have been gifted my products previously, I want to make it very clear that I purchased this one myself because I really wanted to try it. If you know me well, I have many of these types of skincare infused illuminating primers in my collection and they are the few primers I actually use on a daily basis. I have high hopes for this one becoming a staple in my routine. 

The Elemis Superfood Glow Priming Moisturizer retails for $49.00 USD for 60ml and is available at Elemis and other retailers. This glowing moisturizer is sensibly packaged in a clear plastic squeezable bottle with a tapered dropper-like tip, reminiscent of MAC Face and Body Foundation packaging. To dispense, you just squeeze the bottle until you get the desired amount of product. This is very practical packaging, easy to use, and easy to travel with. 

SHADE

This product currently only comes in one universal shade, which is a slightly peachy beige base with a lot of fine golden shimmer throughout. Since this is a sheer product, I see nothing wrong with having one universal shade and this shade seems to be versatile enough to flatter every skin tone. 

This shade is very reminiscent of the recently released Victoria Beckham Cell Rejuvenating Priming Moisturizer in the Original shade (full review here). You can see that the shades are quite similar with a strong gold glow but the Victora Beckham one has less visible shimmer particles and more of a dewy finish. 

This moisturizer is lightweight with a gel-cream texture. It smooths across the skin leaving the skin with a smoothing veil and a very natural glow. You will notice the texture your skin feels noticeably smoother but I wouldn't say it's a pore-filling or texture-blurring formula. You will still see texture but it creates a priming veil that is a smoother and slicker version of your skin. This, of course, makes it ideal for makeup application. Makeup applies very easily over the skin and blends seamlessly on top of this priming moisturizer. 

The finish of this moisturizer is very healthy and natural. Since the pigment is very sheer, it doesn't affect your complexion or changes the color of your foundation. It disappears into the skin and just looks very healthy and fresh. The gold shimmer particles are extremely fine and can only be detected if you are starting very closely. It makes a great glowing everyday moisturizer even if you don't want to apply makeup on top because it isn't so reflective that it looks unnatural. 

I do find that this moisturizer is very hydrating without feeling too thick, rich, or greasy on the skin. Even with my dry skin, I would happily use this moisturizer as the only one on my face. I think it provides just enough hydration for the day time and it really nourishes the skin. Elemis has always been a skincare-first brand and they have proven it time and time again with their nourishing and effective formulas. 

This formula, of course, contains skin-nourishing and skin-loving ingredients. Some ingredients of note are: 

Kombucha - This is my first kombucha infused skincare product but I have heard amazing things about this ingredient. Kombucha is a fermented black tea renowned for its health properties when consumed but when applied to the skin, the same nutrients, vitamins, and organic acids are beneficial to the skin. It is an ingredient that has a brightening effect for the skin's tone and clarity, as well as, detoxifies it, hydrates, and improves the skin's elasticity. 

Fermented Ginger - Also known or its ability to brighten the skin, fermented ginger is also rich in antioxidants, which help the skin fight free radical and other environmental damage. This antioxidant-rich ingredient also helps improve elasticity and overall skin tone. 

I always love using a skincare-makeup hybrid for its ability to treat my skin while adding some special effects, if you know what I mean. As I have gotten older and wiser, I have approached my beauty routine with more of a skincare forward approach, where I want my skin to ultimately look good with no makeup or as little makeup as possible. These hybrid products make that possible with very little effort. Now, I can't tell you that I have seen my skin look brighter because of long term use of this product because I use so many different products to improve the brightness in my skin but I really believe every little bit helps! Adding something like this to your routine will only benefit your skin in the end. 

Under a base or foundation, this moisturizer will add a soft luminosity, depending on the finish of your foundation. The more matte your foundation is, the less likely you'll be able to see the glow of this moisturizer because it is very natural. It will add a very natural glow boost to your foundation without making your complexion look too wet or shiny. While it is a priming moisturizer, I don't necessarily find that my makeup lasts longer but it does look better. This isn't a primer that is meant to prolong the wear but it is meat to make your complexion look more luminous and smooth. It accomplishes this task very well. 

This gel-cream texture blends beautifully into other products, like foundation or tinted moisturizer. It will dilute your foundation a bit, depending on how much you use but if you use a reasonable amount, it will just add a fresh glow to your foundation. This is a good option for every day when you just want something a bit lighter with a glow or if you have dry skin. Using this moisturizer this way will also yield a much glowier finish. 

This product can also be used as a targeted highlighter on top of foundation and bases and because the formula does slightly set, it gives a very natural and soft glow to the skin without moving the product underneath. This is a great highlighter for those who like a very natural look or those who have more mature skin because it just offers the softest and subtle glow to the top of the cheekbones without emphasizing texture on the skin. 

This product is incredible and I expected no less from Elemis! They're always very conscious and thoughtful about their formulations, only using the best ingredients for the skin. This priming moisturizer really is the best of both worlds for me with a strong emphasis on skincare. This formula is hydrating, smoothing, and brightening. It adds the perfect amount of glow whether it is being used alone or layered with other products. This formula is so versatile and can be used in a variety of ways to add the perfect touch of illumination to the complexion. 

While this priming moisturizer seems pricey, it is a luxury brand and you must consider that the formula is significantly higher quality than other products on the market. You can find an illuminating moisturizer from other brands but they often don't include ingredients that actually treat the skin. I find many illuminating moisturizer do exactly that, moisturize and illuminate. This formula goes beyond that with its nourishing anti-aging formula. Like I always say, every little bit of skin treatment helps and it is what makes this product worth the price for me. If you love a fresh, healthy, and glowing complexion, this moisturizer is a must-try and I highly recommend it!

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