Illamasqua Hydra Veil Instant Rehydration Gel Review / Swatches

Illamasqua Hydra Veil Instant Rehydration Gel has sat at the top of my makeup wishlist for such a long time now, after reading so many glowing reviews, so I was absolutely thrilled to get my hands on it, especially as it’s described as being the ultimate primer for those with dry skin. Having dry skin is definitely the bane of my life when it comes to makeup, as it always makes my foundation look uneven and flaky and everything loves to cling to my dry patches, which just looks horrid. Illamasqua Hydra Veil Rehydration Gel retails for £30* for 30ml, so £1 per ml thanks to Illamasqua’s recent steep price hikes.. however the Benefit POREfessional is £24.50 for 22ml so ml for ml, Illamasqua Hydra Veil is better value.

OK so what is the Illamasqua Hydra Veil Instant Rehydration Gel?! It is a rehydration gel, which aims to provide an immediate surge of moisture to the skin to create the optimal base for makeup.

It contains collagens which help stimulate the production of elastin fibers to make the skin firmer and smoother. It is a water based product, so it is said to perform better when used with water based foundations. Its tiny particles are able to penetrate the skin quicker, and deeper so it can deliver the active ingredients into the skin cells and ‘re-textures’ the skin.

Close up of the primer in the plastic, circular jar

Close up image of the little spatula on the top of the primer

Illamasqua Hydra Veil is packaged within a black, rounded pot with a screw lid. It’s very sleek and very Illamasqua in its style. Upon unscrewing the lid, there is a white flip top lid covering and protecting the product with a small, black, plastic spatula nestled on top, which can be removed by sliding it out.

The packaging is quite plain, but it’s practical, lightweight and secure.. I’d feel confident travelling with this pot rather than say a tube of primer. I really like the spatula as it helps reduce bacteria as well as minimising wastage.

Illamasqua Hydra Veil Instant Rehydration Gel Review / Swatches

The consistency of Illamasqua Hydra Veil Instant Rehydration Gel is very unique to anything I’ve ever tried. When the pot is moved, the gel wobbles like jelly, and has a jelly-like form when scooped out with the spatula.

When you use the spatula to scoop out some of the gel, the hole left in the ‘jelly’ instantly smooths over, it’s really quite amazing to watch as you can see how/why it smooths pores and imperfections on the skin. The gel does have a very subtle perfumed scent which is pleasant, but doesn’t transfer onto the skin.

On the spatula the gel has a jelly-like form, however on contact with the skin it just melts into the skin and becomes like water and feels so incredibly soothing and nothing like a primer. I was astounded by how far it goes, with the smallest amount/touch of the gel being enough to generously cover two thirds of my face. I use my fingertips to smooth the gel over my skin, which it does effortlessly and feels similar to a very lightweight, watery moisturiser as it cools the skin.

After I’ve smoothed the Hydra Veil all over my face, I find that it fully absorbs within seconds, leaving my skin instantly feeling smoother and hydrated – even my pesky dry patches – amazing. Although it fully absorbs within seconds, I do like to leave it for ten minutes to work its magic before proceeding with my makeup. I love how it feels immediately after application, it genuinely feels almost like a drink for my skin and the difference in the texture of one side of my face to the other after applying Hydra Veil to just one side is beyond incredible, it feels like someone else’s skin.

I cannot stress enough, how much the Hydra Veil feels like a skincare product. It works wonders at depuffing my eyes in the morning, and reducing any redness, inflammation or irritation within minutes of application. My skin feels like it’s naturally that smooth, and plumped.. you can’t feel any residue or any noticeable product on the skin, it’s just so lightweight.

When I apply my foundation, it noticeably applies a lot easier, with my brushes gliding across my skin and really cuts down the time it takes for me to apply my foundation. Normally with foundation I apply with a brush, and then due to my dry patches, I have to use my beauty blended sponge to press more foundation on top of them to try and flatten them however whenever I use the Illamasqua Hydra Veil Instant Rehydration Gel, I never have to do this as my dry patches are so, so much less visible. As cliched as it sounds, it’s like photoshop in a pot – it just blurs my dry patches so incredibly well, better than any other primer, lotion or potion I’ve tried.

Not only does it work miracles on my dry patches, it leaves my foundation looking so dewy and ‘healthy’ which I adore as my skin often looks so dull due to it being so dehydrated. My pores are also definitely minimised, as well as blemishes looking a lot less angry.. I’m just in awe of this pot of gel. I cannot recommend this product enough..

I know £30 is expensive, however I swear, if you have dry skin like I do then this will be the best investment you’ve ever made, as it will make £4 foundations look amazing on you, rather than having to invest in pricier foundations. It’s seriously worth the hype.. then some. I’m head over heels with Illamasqua Hydra Veil Instant Rehydration Gel, and I will one million percent be purchasing a replacement, it’s made me so much more confident about my skin – which to me, is priceless.

*Sounds Holy Grail Claxon*

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