KBEAUTY | VDL Lumilayer Primer Fresh (I Get Why People Like It So Much!)

I am usually on top of my Korean beauty product game, but fell short when it came to new to Canada brand VDL ("Vivid Desires come to Life"). I had not heard of the now 6 year old brand until they came to Canada and after doing a bit of research, VDL is a brand for the "modern young woman pursuing her boldest dreams and desires". I would like to think that's me? Though there will be a standalone flagship boutique in Toronto this summer, VDL is now carried at The Face Shop at select locations in BC and I was graciously invited by the VDL team to get a rundown of the brand and its bestsellers at the Pacific Centre location!

VDL Lumilayer Primer Fresh

PR sample, Affliate links, Sponsored links  

The bestselling product from VDL is the Lumilayer Primer Fresh* (slight shimmer) though I have seen another one called the VDL Satin Veil Sparkle Primer which sounds similar to Lumilayer Fresh, but I'm really not sure. If you would prefer no shimmer at all, the regular Lumilayer Primer is also an option carried at The Face Shop.

Just to cover the basics, we know that because this is a primer, this will go on after your regular skincare and just before you start applying foundation. Though this primer has a slight shimmer, it is intended to give an instant brightening and luminous effect in addition to providing a smooth base to apply foundation. A pump or two can also be mixed in with your liquid foundation and is a product those of you who are into the "glass skin" trend will like! 

VDL Lumilayer Primer Fresh

The scent is very faint and pleasant almost like a soft, soapy fragrance and though it is a primer in every respect when it comes to dimethicone and cyclopentasiloxane being right at the top of the list, it sure doesn't feel like uncomfortably slick primer pioneers like Benefit's Porefessional and Smashbox's Photofinish. Instead, my skin feels softened and with a healthier texture. When it comes to Asian beauty, skin is always the first priority and even in makeup, tends to be enhanced instead of covered up.

VDL Lumilayer Primer Fresh

The Fresh version looks pearly at first, but does blend out nicely to give skin a brighter, glowy look as well a touch of moisture. In the light, there is very faint sparkle, but if you layer foundation on top, you will not notice it anymore.

VDL Lumilayer Primer Fresh

VDL Lumilayer Primer Fresh

VDL Lumilayer Primer Fresh

Final verdict:
In terms of performance, I felt Lumilayer Primer Fresh held up to my MUFE Step 1 in terms of performance, but had the glow of my Clarins SOS Primers with less tackiness. Not that the SOS Primers are tacky per se, but the Primer Fresh just felt much smoother once applied to the skin. I can understand why this product is so talked about because it seems to embody all of the things I would want in a primer: longevity, smooth texture and gives skin a bright and healthy glow!

You can find the VDL Lumilayer Primer Fresh at The Face Shop in Metrotown, Pacific Centre and Richmond Centre.


Although I marked that this product was a press sample, I was given a credit to purchase any VDL product so I did in fact choose this primer all on my own as I wanted to review it!

No comments