Product Smackdown:

Contestant 1:

Napoleon Perdis Auto Pilot Pre Foundation Primer

Stats:

Size: 50mL

Cost AUD: $49.50

Australian Availability: Napoleon Perdis

Cost USD: $39.00

US Availability: Napoleon Perdis

Ingredients:

Water (Aqua), Isopropyl Palmitate, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Stearic Acid, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Triethanolamine, Vitamin E (Tocopheryl Acetate), Yarrow Extract (Achillea Millefolium), Chamomile Extract (Chamomilla Recutita Flower), Fragrance (Parfum), Imidazolidinyl Urea, Carbomer, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Tetrasodium EDTA

What Napoleon Perdis say:

“Not to Prime is a Crime!” - Napoleon 
Makeup has never had a smoother landing. Get (even more) gorgeous with this gentle, pre-makeup base. Scientifically formulated to allow your makeup to “automatically” glide over the skin, Auto Pilot helps to prime and soothe the complexion for that flawless finish and helps makeup last even longer. Chamomile, Yarrow extract and Vitamin E deliver complexion perfection and instant hydration for all skin types. 

Contestant 2:

Face of Australia Face Base Primer 

Stats:

Size: 50mL

Price AUD: $11.95

Australian Availability: Priceline, Kmart, Big W

Price USD: N/A

US Availability: N/A

Ingredients:

Water (Aqua), Isopropyl Palmitate, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Stearic Acid, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Triethanolamine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Fragrance (Parfum), Imidazolidinyl Urea, Carbomer, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Tetrasodium EDTA

What Face of Australia say:

FACE OF AUSTRALIA Face Base Primer is specially formulated to apply under your foundation to improve your complexion and assist make-up last longer. Face Base Primer contains Vitamin E to nourish and hydrate skin and chamomile to smooth your complexion, leaving it fresher and brighter, ready for foundation application. FACE OF AUSTRALIA Face Base Primer fills fine lines for a more balanced surface, so that your foundation applies evenly and stays on longer for all-day flawless skin.

Benefits

FACE OF AUSTRALIA Face Base Primer smooths skin tone, fills fine lines, whilst delivering instant hydration that retains skin's moisture level and controls shine. Face Base Primer improves performance and foundation wear with chamomile to promote skin repair. Contains Vitamin E to strengthen and smooth skin's texture and Yarrow Extract encourages cell regeneration. Face Base Primer is Oil Free so it won't clog pores.

How to

Introduce FACE OF AUSTRALIA Face Base Primer as part of your makeup routine before applying your foundation. Smooth a thin layer directly onto freshly cleansed and moisturised skin leaving a few minutes between each step. Concentrating on any areas with lines and rough texture, then apply your FACE OF AUSTRALIA Foundation

The Review:

Normally when I do a product smackdown, I review each product individually, however I have not done that this time. Would you like to know why? Because aside from the fragrance, I CAN'T TELL THESE APART! So let me offer you an overall review.

These are both lovely everyday primers. I can wear either of them every day without having any sort of reaction. I find if i wear a "gel" consistency primer (like Smashbox Photo Finish, or ModelCo Face Base) everyday, I start to break out. That is not the case with either of these primers.

Both of these primers are quite moisturising, and if you were prone to oily skin, I think they would serve as a multi purpose moisturising primer. I suffer from extremely dry skin and I still need to apply a moisturiser under these primers.

Both of these primers have a smoothing effect on my skin. It is quite a subtle effect, certainly not as pronounced as if I use a "gel" primer, however definitely an improvement on bare skin. I also find that both of these primers help to prevent my makeup slipping off my face or absorbing into my skin, improving the longevity of my makeup.

I do like the scent of the Napoleon Perdis Auto Pilot Pre Foundation Primer. It has quite a strong scent, and I find it is very fresh and clean. Although Fragrance is listed in the ingredients for the Face of Australia Face Base Primer, I can't notice any smell at all. 

The Verdict:

Before I give you my verdict, go back up this post and read the ingredients lists again. Really check them out. Did you see what I saw?

Thay are the same! 

A few ingredients are listed under their latin names on one, and their english names on the other, however when analysed, they are identical. Not only that, but they are in the same order. That means that the ratios of ingredients within the products must be very similar, if not identical. 

Both products are made in Australia, and have you noticed how similar the tubes look? I'm just sayin'.

Anyway, in my humble opinion, both products are lovely, and perform virtually identically. I do love the smell of the Napoleon Perdis primer, but at the end of the day it is over 4 times the price of the Face of Australia primer.

For me, the winner is....

FACE OF AUSTRALIA FACE BASE PRIMER!

All products mentioned in this review were purchased by me, with my own money. I have no affiliation with Face of Australia or Napoleon Perdis and I have not been remunerated for my review. All opinions are my own.