Becca Backlight Priming Filter: Review & Swatches

I don't know why I've been trying so many primers lately. I don't really think a lot of the moisturizing or luminizing ones do much beyond add a glow, which you could get from a liquid highlighter. Yet, I keep getting sucked in and buying them. Becca's Backlight Priming Filter is the latest one I tried. Tom Ford's Illuminating Primer and Burberry's Fresh Glow Base in Nude Radiance are similar styles. I've recently tried them both and will compare them.

Per Sephora: "Backlight Priming Filter creates a canvas for your makeup, extending its wear from day to night. Infused with three unique Filtering Luminescent Pearls, each one adds a different drop of diffused light. Blended together, they impart a one-of-a-kind, lightweight, whipped fluid that creates a smooth canvas and acts as an instant filter, while the vitamin E-enriched formula minimizes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Backlighting acts as an instant filter, creating a diffused, soft-focused radiance that allows your complexion to catch light for a glowing look. Infused with Becca’s proprietary blend of crushed pearls, this primer achieves a lit-from-within, healthy-looking effect." It retails for $38 for a 1 fl oz glass pump. I do like the packaging.

The primer is a pearly nude champagne shade. Kind of like you mixed several of Becca's highlighters together. It's fairly pigmented as far as the glow really is prominent. It's more pearlescent than other similar primers I've tried. It's thicker and not a thin, runny gel or liquid. It doesn't break me out or cause any irritation. It has a heavy perfume scent which I don't like. It doesn't really extend my foundation wear, just adds a glow which I can get from a highlighter, so for me it was a bust. I thought this was better as a liquid highlighter than a primer. On my cheeks and nose this made my pores more noticeable. If used as a highlighter I wouldn't be using it in that area which would avoid the pore emphasizing. The shade is different than Becca's liquid highlighters, so if you want to add a new highlighter shade I say try this. Otherwise, it could be skipped.

Compared to Tom Ford's Illuminating Primer they're similar in the more luminous effect and thicker texture. Tom Ford's is lighter, almost white with gold and red shimmer and is more moisturizing. Tom Ford's looks as pearlescent in swatches, but it has less of that effect when worn, it doesn't emphasize my pores the same way. Compared to Buberry's Fresh Glow Base in Nude Radiance they're actually similar shades. Burberry is sheerer, lighter and thinner in texture. Burberry is less luminous on the skin, and it doesn't emphasize pores like Becca's does. Neither the Tom Ford or Burberry was impressive as far as extending foundation wear. They both add moisture and a glow, which again could be gotten from a liquid highlighter you probably already own. The Tom Ford is similar to my Armani Fluid Sheer Radiant Pigment #13 in color. Burberry and Becca are similar to Armani Fluid Sheer #2 but more pink.