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If you’ve heard of Becca Cosmetics, you’ll know they are known for their highlighters and primers and the Becca Cosmetics First Light Priming Filter Face Primer is one of their best sellers. The powdered highlighters were the first on the scene that have tremendous colour pay off with their ethereal glows.
***EDIT*** As of September 30, 2021, Becca Cosmetics will not longer exist so if you like the First Light Priming Filter you need to buy it NOW at Sephora.
Becca has since expanded their line focusing on fuller coverage foundation and concealer but their highlighters still take the cake.
The Becca Cosmetics First Light Priming Filter Face Primer is a way to get a healthy glow without relying too much on powder highlighters because the glow comes from under the makeup.
First Light Priming Filter Face Primer First Impressions
From this photo, you can see that I’m wearing the Becca Cosmetics First Light Priming Filter Face Primer under my makeup with minimal additional highlight.
I have purchased this product from Becca two times already! I would say that makes it a win in my books!
The Packaging – The First Light Primer comes in a glass tube. I find that it looks sleek on my shelf – perfect for photographing for Instagram and those “shelfies”. If you find this packaging too hard to travel with, the good folks at Sephora created a mini version of the First Light Primer in an affordable tube. *Hint: This is perfect to buy if you’re not ready to commit to the full size.*
The Application – The Becca Cosmetics First Light Primer smells a bit lemony. Some of the reviews on Sephora say that it smells like lemon pledge – not exactly. It has a light airy lemon scent which goes away upon application.
One pump is all you need. Make sure you massage evenly into skin or you’ll still see remnants of purple which isn’t cool. However, this product is always smooth and has never separated for me. It does melt in nicely and retain the dewy glow.
The purple helps to correct any major yellows in your skin and helps to even out a healthy glow. This is why you don’t need to wear foundation but if you do use it under your makeup, the glow lasts all day long!
Another thought while doing this Becca Cosmetics First Light Primer is that you can totally wear it on its own! In the summer months, I’m less inclined to used a medium coverage foundation or any at all! I tend to use the Becca primer with some concealer under eyes and anywhere I spot some redness. This way, my freckles peep through and it’s a really soft no makeup makeup look.
The Verdict – Since you can wear the Becca First Light Primer alone or with a foundation for the perfect natural glow and highlight, I would say this is a MUST HAVE in your makeup kit for as long as Becca keeps making this product.
3/3 for all points listed above and considering I’m on my second full size bottle!
Did you enjoy the Becca Cosmetics First Light Priming Filter Face Primer Review? Let me know if you think this is something you will pick up for this summer season.
Becca Backlight Vs First Light Priming Filters
The other Becca Face Primer that is similar is the Backlight Priming Filter. the difference between the two is the backlight has luminescent pearls but the first light does not. The purple colour of the Backlight Priming Filter is meant to fight the yellow tones in your skin, thus correcting the colour and allowing complexion to glow and shine brighter.
The First Light Priming Filter has a more subtle brightening effect. Both can be worn without foundation which is great. Depending on what look you’re going for you may even consider both. Sephora has an option where you can buy both primers in a trial size before you commit.
Dupes of Becca Cosmetics First Light Priming Filter Face Primer
There aren’t too many dupes of the First Light Priming Filter Face Primer which is why sometimes it is best to splurge on luxury makeup. In doing some research, here are some dupes:
Physicians Formula Spotlight Illuminating Primer
Physicians Formula is a drugstore makeup brand that is very gentle on the skin. I have tried the Spotlight Primer and do think it is a very similar dupe to the Becca First Light Filter Face Primer. The colouring is a champagne so it is great to put under your makeup application. You can also use it as a regular highlighter if you put it on top of your makeup. If you are in Canada, you can find Physicians Formula at Shoppers Drug Mart.
Wet ‘n Wild Dewy Primer
Wet ‘N Wild has really made a comeback and is an affordable drugstore brand. Their photofocus Face Primer in Dewy is a nice dupe to the Becca First Light Priming Filter because it has a sheen glow underneath. It comes through under makeup for a subtle healthy glow.
NYX Born to Glow Illuminating Face Primer
The NYX Born to Glow Illuminating Face Primer is actually really hard to find in Canada! Usually, the best NYX products get sold out really quickly. There are NYX Stores as well as Shoppers that you can try. The review of the Born to Glow Illuminating Face Primer is the silicone feel that you get with it. The Becca one doesn’t have a silicone feel to it at all so this is a dupe but not the best one I’ve found to be honest.
E.L.F. Brightening Lavender Face Primer
E.L.F. Cosmetics makes a lot of dupes of high end products. That said, the Brightening Lavender Face Primer is an exact dupe but not a very good quality one. It’s also purple and supposed to colour correct your skin tone and even it out. However, in reading the reviews on Amazon and buying the product myself at Rexall if you are in Canada, I noticed that there isn’t actually a lot of product in the bottle. E.L.F. products are affordable and are great dupes which is why I am recommending it but sometimes you’re better off buying the luxury product.
Common questions about Face Primers
What is make up primer used for?
A makeup primer is supposed to help your makeup last longer throughout the day. It is also supposed to help with evening out skin tone and ensuring your face is ready for makeup application. Think of it like painting on a canvas, you need to prep the canvas before you can apply the paint. This way you will ensure that the paint does its job of making the artwork beautiful!
There are other primers out there such as eye primers for eyeshadow. Read my review of the best eye shadow primers here. Just like a face primer, eyeshadow primers ensure that your eye makeup doesn’t crease and lasts all day.
Do I always need a Face Primer?
No you absolutely do not always need a face primer before you do your makeup! You know your skin best and not every foundation requires a primer. However, if you are going to a major event and need your makeup to last all day then I do suggest investing in one or a trial size. Also, in this case, go for a very neutral primer that lets you add as much glow as you need!
Also, feel free to check out all of the Becca Cosmetics line at Sephora by clicking here.