REVIEW: Pony Effect Ultimate Prep Primer (Original, Hydrate, Moisture & Sebum Control)

One of the easiest ways to achieve flawless base makeup is to use a facial primer. Most primers tend to be one-size-fits-all, however, these kinds of primers don't always work for everybody since no skin is the same. Luckily, this is where Pony's recently launched Ultimate Prep Primer comes in! The Ultimate Prep Primer is a base product that not only preps the face for makeup, but it also smooths out the skin and can be used alone for your no-makeup days. It comes in not one, not two, but THREE different varieties with each one targeting specific skin types, and I'll be reviewing all three today! :D

So without further ado, lets get into the review!

PONY EFFECT ULTIMATE PREP PRIMER

Suffering from dry skin? Oily skin? Large pores? Pony created three different types of primers so there's something for everyone. Enjoy a flawless canvas every time you do makeup. Or better yet, flaunt seamless skin on your "no makeup" days!

*Above photo taken from Memebox

The Ultimate Prep Primer is a facial primer that helps create a flawless base for makeup or smooth out your bare skin for days you want to be makeup-free! Instead of creating a one-size-fits all face/makeup product, Pony went above and beyond by creating three unique primers, with various textures, that cater to all different kinds of skin types.

The Ultimate Prep Primer is available in 3 different varieties:

ORIGINAL    |    HYDRATE    |    MOISTURE & SEBUM CONTROL

*Above photo taken from Memebox

The Ultimate Prep Primer (35g  |  1.23oz) comes in an easy-to-use squeeze tube with each tube color varying depending on its intended purpose and targeted skin types. The rosegold/copper tube corresponds to the 'Original' formula, the blush pink is the 'Hydrate' formula, and the cream is the 'Moisture and Sebum Control'. They all share the same twist-off cap in a gorgeous, reflective rose gold hue, which is Pony's signature color for her extensive Pony Effect makeup line!

One thing I want to note about the packaging is that the caps are slightly rounded at the top, so it's impossible to balance them or have them stand upright. The only way to store them is to have them lying down horizontally, which isn't a big deal, but I thought it was worth mentioning. Underneath the cap is a narrow nozzle that's just small enough to efficiently control how much product gets dispensed.

ORIGINAL

PURPOSE: Pore-minimizing

BEST FOR: Oily Skin Types, Large Pores, or Uneven Skin

INGREDIENTS: Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Isododecane, Isononyl Isononanoate, Mica (CI 77019), Cyclohexasiloxane, Silica, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, CI 77492, Aluminum Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Tocopherol, Vegetable Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, CI 77491, Fragrance, CI 77499, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Water, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Narcissus Pseudo-Narcissus (Daffodil) Flower Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin

Original comes in the shiny rose gold tube and is made with oily skin types in mind. If you don't necessarily have oily skin, but do suffer from large pores or uneven skin textures, then this would be ideal for you as well.

Original has a silky balm texture that instantly melts onto the skin like butter, creating a smooth, satin-like canvas. The primer has a silicone feel to it that effortlessly smoothes over fine lines, wrinkles, and skin textures giving it a soft, blurring effect. It also fills in large pores which noticeably minimizes their appearance. The primer itself has a beige tint to it when dispensed from the tube, but it goes on translucent once applied onto the skin.

The Original primer gives my face a truly seamless and smooth canvas which makes makeup go on like a dream! It works especially well with smoothing over large pores and minimizing their appearance, which you can see in the photo below. I applied it onto my bare skin to show the effects even without makeup, so it definitely improves your skin for no-makeup days while also giving a soft blurring effect!

HYDRATE

PURPOSE: Hydrating

BEST FOR: Dry Skin Types

INGREDIENTS: Water, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sodium Chloride, Pentylene Glycol, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Nylon-12, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Fragrance, Benzophenone-5, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Disodium EDTA, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Dipropylene Glycol, Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, CI 19140, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Sodium Hyaluronate, Narcissus Pseudo-Narcissus (Daffodil) Flower Extract, CI 17200, Ethylhexylglycerin, Potassium sorbate, Sodium Benzoate

Hydrate comes in the pale blush pink tube and is perfect for those with dry skin types or dehydrated skin. If you tend to suffer from dry patches or flakey skin, this is a lifesaver, TRUST ME! 

Hydrate has a unique watery-gel texture that's unlike anything I've ever seen in a primer. It has a pinkish tint, but it goes on clear when applied onto the skin. The primer spreads easily onto the skin and feels very lightweight on, though it leaves a slightly heavier layer than the Original. It actually feels like I'm adding on a moisturizer instead of a primer because of the major boost of hydration it gives, which helps soothe dry and dehydrated skin.

It's non-sticky and dries down to a natural, semi-matte finish that evens out the skin's texture, creating a smooth base. This is definitely a necessity for me when it comes to the cooler months because my skin gets super flakey. This primer glides over all the flakes and dry patches, making them nearly invisible under my makeup!

Here is a close-up of some flakey areas on my forehead. The foundation I'm wearing in the photo really emphasizes my dry and flakey areas causing it to bunch up around the dead skin cells. With the Hydrating primer, the foundation goes over my skin so smoothly making my flakey skin nearly non-existent!

MOISTURE & SEBUM CONTROL

PURPOSE: Moisturizing and Oil Control

BEST FOR: Combination Skin Types

INGREDIENTS: Water, Dimethicone, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Butylene Glycol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Alcohol Denat., Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Glycerin, Sodium Chloride, Phenyl Trimethicone, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Ozokerite, Hexyl Laurate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Menthoxypropanediol, Fragrance, Aluminum Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Propylene Glycol, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, CI 77492, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Extract, Sorbitol, Dipropylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Lens Esculenta (Lentil) Fruit Extract, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Narcissus Pseudo-Narcissus (Daffodil) Flower Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Propylparaben, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Butylparaben, Isobutylparaben

The Moisture & Sebum Control primer comes in a soft cream-colored tube and is ideal for those with combination skin and/or oily skin. If you have a problem with excess sebum production, like in your T-zone area, then this would be great for you too!

This primer has a thin lotion/emulsion-like texture that feels very lightweight on, almost like second skin! It's a great alternative to Hydrate if you want a primer that provides a hydrating layer, but isn't as heavy as a moisturizer like Hydrate is. Moisture & Sebum Control does a great job keeping excess oil at bay without drying out the skin throughout the day. It dries down to a velvety finish that evens out the skin while still looking very natural -- not dewy, but not too matte. The Moisture & Sebum Control allows my makeup to glide on smoothly and prevents it from breaking up around my nose/T-zone area throughout the day thanks to its sebum controlling abilities.

Here is a close up of my cheeks (with foundation) with and without the Moisture & Sebum Control primer. This primer helps gives my skin a smoother surface by evening out my pores and fine lines, at the top right corner (my under-eye area), which makes the makeup adhere better. It also blurs out my skin giving it a soft focus effect.

Here are the different textures of the primers side-by-side:

As for longevity, these primers did help extend the wear time of my makeup by ~3 hours. I personally wear long-lasting makeup daily, which tends to last me 7-8 hours before it fades and turns patchy. When paired up with these primers, my base makeup literally lasts all day and with minimal fading! The primers really help to keep my foundation in tact with minimal slip or transfer throughout the day.

FINAL THOUGHTS

The Ultimate Prep Primers were definitely hit products for me! There is truly something for everyone -- whether you have dry skin, oily skin, combo skin, large pores, or uneven skin textures, these primers got you covered! Each one has their own unique texture that was formulated with the targeted skin types/issues in mind. Original has a silicone-like texture that evens out any flaws like large pores, fine lines, etc., Hydrate has a watery-gel texture that gives dry skin a major boost in hydration as well as evening out the skin's texture, and Moisture & Sebum Control had a lightweight lotion feel that helped keep excess sebum at bay while creating a smooth canvas.

These primers do help extend the wear time of my makeup by about 3 hours, but my favorite part about them is how they prep the skin rather than how they prolong my makeup. Every single one of these primers help improve the appearance of not only my makeup, but also my bare skin so I have the ability to go makeup free even when my natural skin is filled with large pores, excessive sebum production, and dry patches. The Ultimate Prep Primers instantly transform the skin, no matter your skin type or texture, into a smooth canvas ready for makeup application (or if you want to go makeup free). If I do wear makeup, it literally glides on the skin no matter which one I use.

Would I recommend these? YES. These are a great staple to have if you're looking to improve the appearance of your base makeup and how well it adheres to your skin!

WHERE TO BUY?

The Pony Effect Ultimate Prep Primer (35g) retails for $26 and is available HERE!

Disclaimer: This product was sent to me for reviewing purposes. All reviews are my own 100% honest opinions. Post also contains some affiliate links.