Introduction
Hey all! Here’s the in-depth Glossier Phase 1 Set review I promised about a month ago, when I posted this unboxing and first impressions post.
The Phase 1 Set ($80) comes with four products, with a concentration on perfecting your base. All the products are available individually.
I usually use the Soothing Face Mist ($18) first, followed by the Priming Moisturizer ($25), and then the Perfecting Skin Tint ($26). I reserve the Balm Dotcom ($12), a “universal skin salve,” for my lips, since I find it a bit too rich for anywhere else on my face. I decided to document how my face looked after each step… sorry in advance, haha.
So, first up is the Soothing Face Mist, which I quite dumbly bought knowing full well that I am sensitive to rosewater. Thankfully, it hasn’t broken me out just yet. I followed this up with the Priming Moisturizer, a “buildable hydrating cream.” I find that I only need one thin layer and that it reduces redness and calms down minor inflammations.
And the moment of truth: the Perfecting Skin Tint! It only comes in 3 shades, so I went for Medium, but I think I could easily match with Dark. The thing is, this formula is so sheer that it almost doesn’t even matter.
The PST is very runny with the tiniest amount of coverage. Like bare minimum. It evens out the skin really, really well, but if you’re not comfortable with showing dark circles, hyper-pigmentation, or blemishes, then this won’t be enough. It provides a “my skin but better” look, brightening my complexion and blurring some pores and minor imperfections.
I dispensed it twice on the back of my hand (once wasn’t enough) and blended it in with my fingers. It’s not very buildable. Here’s a .gif comparison I received in my email from Glossier, just to give you a better idea of the texture and coverage:
Here’s a full face, without concealing or powdering. It actually makes a good skin base, on a “good skin day.” 🙂
Here’s the Priming Moisturizer and the Perfecting Skin Tint over sunscreen and under an Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder (Dim Light). Still no concealer, but I powdered down because the sunscreen made it a little bit shinier.
Things to Note
— None of these products have SPF.
— These don’t need to be set with a powder, but there is zero oil control.
— They have weird ingredients for a brand that pushes for skin care first over makeup.
— The stickers peel off of the tubes, particularly the Balm Dotcom, and it is annoying.
— I got suckered into this one, I’ll admit.
— I still can’t believe it’s pronounced “glossy-yay.” Shoot me.
See? So annoying. I don’t expect it to stay on forever, but the stickers are too big for the little tube.
In Conclusion
The Glossier Phase 1 Set is great if you have pretty decent skin already. It is light enough for the tropics and I truthfully enjoy using it on lazy days if I can’t be bothered with blending foundation or concealer. That said, I don’t think it’s particularly nourishing for the skin, so I’m not sure why they keep saying things along the line of “Skin First, Makeup Later.”
I didn’t want to like this release (I have issues), but I ended up really liking 2 out of the 4 products, so in a way, I’m glad I went ahead and tried them. I reach for the Priming Moisturizer and the Perfecting Skin Tint on days when I just want to perk up my skin but don’t want to have to deal with foundation. If I have a night event to go to and I don’t need SPF, I spring for this combination, too.
However: I don’t think the set is worth $80. There are other, better options out there at the same price point that offer more like SPF and a tiny bit more coverage. I like the idea behind it, but it sometimes feels eh to me.
You know how in 10 Things I Hate About You, they differentiate like and love using Skechers and a Prada backpack. I feel like I’d love this set if I didn’t have a Prada backpack, which in this stupid analogy equals options that I like better and cherish more.
I’ll use these up, but I’m not sure if I’ll repurchase them, if only for the fact that I think they’re a tiny bit too expensive for what they do.
… Or maybe I’ll spring for the moisturizer and the skin tint. Maybe.
Glossier is cruelty-free.
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Softly Sometimes 
I think this is the best review yet for this set! I feel your pain with the stickers though. Do you think youll purchase the gold and silver liquid liner?
Aww, I appreciate that, thank you. I don’t think I would! They’re not something I’m particularly interested in. 🙂
Thank you for your review of Glossier. I was considering getting it, but felt $80 was a bit pricey too, which I thank you for confirming. But I may try the tint. You said that there are other options out there that are better and have SPF. What are they? Again, thank you for your review, well done.
No worries, glad it helped you out! 🙂 The tint is great for me, I just don’t like the no-SPF. I loved using the NARS Tinted Moisturizer, which has SPF 30.
Ohh it is too bad to see that it may only work well with those whose skin is in good condition! ^ ^
http://www.thedailydollyblog.com
Yup! Funnily enough, I reach for it often, on really, really lazy days.
Thanks for the review–I was afraid it was too gimmicky to be any real good, and it looks like it. Or at least, for the price, it was. 😐 Maybe I should just save my $ for something like Sunday Riley.
I think the set is gimmicky (I shouldn’t have gotten it, IMO), but I really like the tint haha. Nakakainis! Aww, I’ve always wanted to try Sunday Riley. I have samples of their Good Genes Treatment, which is great, but SMELLS SO AWFUL.
The stickers don’t even STAY ON?! To me, that’s the most upsetting part of this review. 😦 A few nights ago I dreamed that I bought the skin tint (how lame are my dreams, seriously), and I’m still kind of tempted. It looks great on you!
Just for that tube! The ones on the bottles stay on. 🙂 Haha isn’t it so annoying, though?? I have relegated my stickers to my notebooks. Your dreams are the best, watchu talking about! Honestly, I really, really like the tint. It’s just something quick to grab and put on when you don’t have much time/don’t want to deal with blending.
Thanks for such a good review. I’ve been intrigued by the brand ever since I saw someone on Youtube (Lily Pebbles?) walk into their only (probably pop-up) brick and mortar store.
Couldn’t help but laugh at your 10 Things I Hate About You reference. Love late 90’s/early 2000’s movies and that one is one of my faves. When I was on holiday just recently, whenever we’d visit somewhere new (like a night market, shopping district, cultural attraction or whatev) I’d rank how I felt about the place as ‘overwhelmed’, ‘whelmed’ or ‘underwhelmed’ thanks to that movie (little did my boyfriend know…)
Yay! Haha it’s very helpful to express the meh-ness of something, I think 🙂
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Good to know! what are the weird ingredients that you’re surprised about? I am very curious about this for sure lol
Nah, I just meant that they have stuff like dimethicone and diamond powder (which is apparently an irritant for sensitive skin), which is kind of ??? to me for skin care.
oh ya that makes sense 🙂 Also… did that quote happen in Clueless, actually?
Haha nah, it was 10 Things I Hate About You. Alex Mack was talking about her Prada backpack, lol.
lol i don’t know why but in my head it was cher talking about her prada vs her skechers to tai! Lolol
which is totally random and weird bc it totally is 10 things i hate about you and lol alex mack, i loved that show
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I haven’t been able to get objective reviews. People are drawn to it because of good marketing on their part and it’s cool girl aesthetic. I won’t lie: I bought into it’s lure but it’s hefty $80 price tag slapped some sense into me. That being said, I did quite like the balm dot com. I got it for cheaper on Ebay and while the tube is too small (and for $12!), it does have a very nice dense quality to it I like. I have very chapped lips and have been looking for a remedy sometime. Eos did nothing for me and balm dot com looked appealing. As for the rest of it, I would advise people with poor skin (oily, combo) to stay away. Invest $80 in tried and true products that specifically target your skin tone instead of general products that really only work for people who have good skin to begin with.
Yeah, I don’t think this would fare well with particularly problematic skin. I do enjoy all of it, though maybe I’d have skipped the skin mist. Glad you liked the Balm DotCom!
hi may i ask what shade/brand your coral pink lipstick is from?
Hi Sophie, apologies for the late reply. It’s an Etude House Play 101 pencil in 53 and 54 mixed together.
Hi Carina! I know this is totally late, but I just wanna ask how you purchased since they dont ship internationally? 🙂
Hi Kimi! I bought the set off their website and had it shipped to a mail forwarder (which in turn shipped it to me). I use USA2Everywhere.com. Hope that helps! 🙂
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