I’ve only just recently realised this is quite a controversial primer. The price point is what drives that, because it’s so expensive that it basically divides people into two groups: the ones that will never be happy with it because there’s only so much a primer can do and it will never be worth the price, and the ones that convince themselves that this does indeed do a world of difference because, for the cost, it must, right?
Well, I’m in neither group and therefore in the perfect position to give an unbiased opinion.
This product does not necessarily categorize itself as a primer, but it is a complexion product that is supposed to produce temporary cosmetic effects so I think it fits nicely into the “makeup” section. It touts none of the benefits that primers usually boast about (skin blurring, oil control, glow boosting, etc) apart from hydrating the skin, but it does claim something that products usually don’t: it instantly lifts and tighten the skin.
Texture and application: this has a gel texture that is quite fluid and easy to spread. Two pumps is about a pea size amount and you can make it stretch to cover the whole face. It is easy to apply and I find that regardless of what moisturizer I have underneath, it does not roll or ball up on top of skin. It dries down quickly and does not affect the application of whatever foundation I put on top. It has a light botanical scent that I’m not a fan of but it’s not overwhelming and you can’t detect it once on the face.
Finish on skin: once it dries down, it’s invisible. There is no extra glow, but it’s not mattifying either. It just looks like skin. You can feel it on since the skin gets a bit tighter but the product is not heavy nor occlusive – it’s actually pretty comfortable to wear.
Performance: as the product dries down, you can feel it tighten on the skin, much like a clay mask, but without being drying – on the contrary, this feels hydrating and my skin does not feel depleted after using it for a full day. It is very interesting: I tested it by applying on one cheek only and comparing both sides of my face, and the cheek with no product was “bouncier” to the touch. So indeed, it does tighten. The thing is, does that fact in itself make the skin look better? Smoother? Looking at the complexion as a whole, it’s hard to say, which leads me to believe that the overall effect is not that strong, at least not on a 33 year old skin that’s been using sunscreen regularly for the past 15 years, but, the few fine lines around my eyes, they were a lot less deep and less noticeable when I put Double Tenseur on them. So it does work, it’s just a matter of if you can notice a big of enough difference on your skin to make it worth it.
You don’t necessarily need to wear makeup over it (this is actually marketed as a skincare product), but I tested it under foundation anyway. No change in application, finish, longevity or oil control. It general, this does not improve nor worsens any makeup performance if the foundation is already long wearing; for least lasting foundations, this product makes them look a bit better for a bit longer, but the difference is very minimal, you shouldn’t buy this for that purpose.
Packaging & Other Info: a full size bottle contains 30 ml, which is on the smaller side of average for a skincare product, and it has one of those air tight pumps that ensures you get to use up all the product once you finish the bottle. It retails for a scandalous 174€.
Final Thoughts: As I test more primers, I’m getting more and more convinced they do very little, if anything at all. I don’t think that’s the case with the Double Tenseur primer. Yes, the effect is subtle, but it is there. I like using it and I do feel like my skin looks better with it than without. Something like this is not that easy to find, but it may not be worth 174€ for most people – it’s not for me. Even though I enjoy it, I’m not sure I’ll repurchase it, even at a discounted price. I think how much someone will like this will depend on their skin type and needs. If you feel you’ll benefit from Double Tenseur and really need to try it, do like I did and buy it with a discount.
