After reading countless blogs and watching YouTube videos that compare the Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer and Monistat Chafing Relief Powder-Gel, I finally went ahead to get the Monistat Chafing Relief Powder-Gel as a face primer. I’ve tried the Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer at our local Sephora before and I didn’t really like that it ended up slightly flakey on my skin. I thought I might as well give the Monistat one a try since it’s much cheaper. I’m really glad I did!

I didn’t even bother looking around for it in Singapore because well, at this point in time of blogging, not a lot of US makeup brands are readily available to us. If not for Sephora planting its biggest Southeast Asia’s store in Singapore, I’d never even have the chance to try out US products.

Important note: This is NOT the Monistat yeast infection product. The Monistat Chafing Relief Powder-Gel was developed to complement the brand’s medical products. Please make sure you get the right Monistat product, don’t go applying yeast infection gel on your face, yo! O.o

Here are 5 reasons you need the Monistat Chafing Relief Powder-Gel as a face primer:

1. Cheap

Incredibly small price to pay for something similar to (or even better than) the mainstream Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer, which costs U$32.00 (1 oz). Having found this, I shall never throw money at expensive face primer brands again.

2. Easy to apply

It comes out of the tube in gel form but turns into a silky smooth consistency the moment you apply it on your face. It glides on really well so that makeup can glide on and stay on. To makeup last the entire day, a face primer is extremely important. Also, a little goes a long way. Read: How to apply face primer quickly.

3. Main ingredient is Dimethicone = Awesome oil mattifier



The Monistat Chafing Relief Powder-Gel contains a form of nontoxic silicone – Dimethicone – , just like in Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer. Everything Smashbox has, Monistat also has (okie, except for pretty packaging~), but for a tiny fraction of the price. HOORAY for Monistat Chafing Relief Powder-Gel!!

Upon application, because it dries to a powder finish, the resulting matte finish does not leave a greasy residue on my face nor fingers. The great thing about Dimethicone in a face primer is that it prevents secreted oil to surface, at the same time preventing your face makeup from getting in directly to your skin. It acts as a barrier between your skin and cosmetics products, thereby protecting it.

While it keeps my face from being overly shiny, it only keeps it matte for about till late afternoon. WHICH IS AWESOME ENOUGH! Nothing can suppress my incredibly active oil glands in this sunny side of the world and to be able to be shine-free till late afternoon is quite an achievement. I need only use a blotting paper to lightly get rid of the shine without having my makeup fall apart.

4. Fantastic foundation base

It makes my skin look smoother and makeup last longer. Foundation and concealer doesn’t sink into my pores nor does it cause any irritation to the skin. It even works for my Bare Escentuals mineral foundation, which otherwise would cake and melt into my skin and magnify my pores without a primer or with a lotion primer. The Monistat Chafing Relief Powder-Gel smooths out my large pores, uneven skintone, softens fine lines. And it is gentle on the skin enough to be used every day! I haven’t experienced any breakouts ever since I started using this as a face primer.

5. Colorless and Odorless

It is colorless, so it won’t stain if you accidentally get it on your collar. Odor-wise, it has a very faint kerosene-like smell which will disappear once your apply it on your face.

It doesn’t bother me that the Monistat Chafing Relief Powder-Gel really is a remedy for ‘prevention and relief from chafing and irritation in intimate, delicate areas like the inner thigh, bikini area, and under arms and breasts’. No big deal, really. It’s just like how saliva is the best way to ease itch from a mosquito bite. If it works for me, *shrugs*, I’m all for it! =D

Remember to apply your necessary facial moisturizer and sunblock and allow those a couple of minutes to set in first before applying the Monistat Chafing Relief Powder-Gel as your face primer. Then get ready for a day of makeup that won’t budge!

Where to buy Monistat Chafing Relief Powder-Gel?

Worldwide shipping at: dolltodoll.com

Bun Bun says of the Monistat Chafing Relief Powder-Gel as a face primer for oily skin:

Are you going to join the Monistat cult anytime soon? XD