Physicians Formula #InstaReady Line Review

While I do have a lot of drugstore beauty favorites, I tend to shop the same brands over and over again. As a result, there are a few brands like Physicians Formula that I don’t know much about. This summer, I decided to concentrate more on the under-researched brands and test all the new launches from the drugstore brands. The first line that caught my attention is the #InstaReady line of face products by Physicians Formula.

Advertised as a makeup line that helps to create a “selfie-ready complexion,” the #InstaReady collection contains twelve products that go under $15 each and feature such new for the brand products like setting spray, primer, and eye primer.  After carefully studying the entire line, I selected five products that caught my attention. In this post, I share my review on these #InstaReady items that I wrote after testing for a few weeks each product from the Physicians Formula #InstaReady Line.

Physicians Formula #InstaReady Primer SPF 18 

The consistency of this primer is pleasant (easy to absorb and non-oily; it reminded me of Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer, but less condensed) so is its almost undetectable scent. The product features a lightweight, almost whipped formula that helps to blur the complexion in general, but not necessarily fill in the pores. I would call the finish of this primer smoothing rather than mattifying and recommend using it for the days when you are trying to achieve a dewy look.

The good thing about this product is that it works with many different foundations, including my all times favorite Estee Lauder Double Wear Nude Cushion Stick Radiant Foundation. Since this primer features a silicone formula, it will not work in combination with Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation though. Another positive moment is that the primer contains sunscreen. Personally, I feel that SPF 18 is not enough to protect you throughout the day, but if you use it in combination with a foundation that also contains sunscreen, this extra sun protection is actually worth it.

I saw some people complaining about the packaging, but it didn’t bother me at all. In fact, I felt that the pump tube was quite cool for a drugstore brand. Overall, it’s your typical silicon primer that performs well but did not knock me out of my socks for it’s blurring abilities. Just your typical drugstore primer; not a gem, but good enough to try.

Buy: $12.99 for 1.0 oz of a product at Ulta.

Physicians Formula Super BB #InstaReady Beauty Balm BB Cream SPF 30

At first I was satisfied with the finish of this BB Cream. I used the shade Light and, as expected, it was too dark for my complexion, but somehow a few moments after application it started oxidizing and it somewhat matched my skin tone. The problem occurred later on when I realized that it doesn’t blend well on my neck so I had a yellowish-brown mask effect when my face stopped matching my neck. I also didn’t really enjoy the coverage: at first, it looked so dewy and pretty, but it started breaking up around my nose area very quickly and it transferred on my clothes. I believe these facts are enough to conclude that I didn’t quite like this product.

However, to be fair I have to mention that I rarely enjoy BB Creams in general. The only one that I loved so far is IT Cosmetics CC Cream (well now when I’m writing it I realize that it’s actually CC cream so I don’t have any BB Cream favorites at all) so it’s not my preferred formula to start with. I saw a lot of people on Ulta actually enjoyed this product so perhaps it’s all about personal preferences in terms of the finish you are trying to achieve. Again, that BB Cream was not my cup of tea, but it could be one for some people.

Buy: $14.99 for 1.2 oz at Ulta.

Physicians Formula #InstaReady Concealer

That one is my absolute favorite from the line. In fact, I love this dewy but full-coverage concealer so much that I currently prefer it over Tarte Shape Tape (yep, the Shape Tape, the king of all concealers out there!). The thing is that my under eye area is getting even drier in summer and full-coverage concealers start looking patchy, while the Physicians Formula one provides beautiful, non-patchy correction of the dark circles.

Overall, I’m very satisfied with the quality of this hygienically packaged concealer and I recommend checking it out. However, there is one thing to keep in mind while using it. You have to set it with powder almost immediately after application as it starts creasing very fast due to its dewy finish formula. I recommend using a damp beauty blender covered into your favorite translucent loose powder (my current favorite is IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Silk HD Anti-Aging Micro-Powder). Combined together, these products provide the silkiest most beautiful coverage.

Buy: $10.99 for 0.35 oz at Ulta.

Physicians Formula Super BB #InstaReady Contour Trio BB Stick SPF 30 In Blush 

Without exaggeration, it was the weirdest blush I’ve ever tried — and I’m not saying it in a negative way. The stick contains three products in one (highlighter and two shades of a blush) which allows saving time by applying all three at once. The reason why I call this product a weird one is that after applying it on your cheeks it looks like one of those flags that soccer fans paint on their faces to support their favorite team. While I personally don’t believe that such application technique makes it easier to distribute the product, it’s a fun and Instagrammable experience that you might enjoy.

As I mentioned before, you are limited by the width of each product in this stick so you can’t really use the middle shade only (well, you could but you’ll need a brush to do so). However, even though the design should not technically work, in practice it’s actually a very beautiful looking blush. It’s blendable, comes in a universal shade of apricot pink and looks so gorgeous on the skin. I’m not a fan of cream blushes in general, but this affordable product is an exception: I quite like the finish it provides and I continue using it when I’m trying to achieve an all over dewy look.

Buy: $7.66 for 0.28 oz at Amazon.

Physicians Formula Super BB #InstaReady Filter Trio BB Powder SPF 30

Well, I kind of knew that this product would be too dark for my skin tone, but I decided to go with it anyways. As expected, it didn’t match me at all so I didn’t use it as a powder at all. However, it turned out to be a great contouring palette. As you all know, I’m a super pale girl and it’s close to impossible to find the right shade of a contouring powder. The darkest shade from this Physicians Formula product turned out to be a great option for pale girls like me — I use it to contour my cheeks and it works just fine. It would be unfair to judge the product when I didn’t wear it as a powder at all so I could say so far is that it’s a long-lasting product when applied as a contouring powder.

Buy: $14.99 for 0.38 oz at Ulta.

* * * * *

Have you tried any of the products from the Physicians Formula #InstaReady Line? Do you believe that these products really change your selfie game for better? What are some of your favorite products from the line (or from the brand in general)? Let’s discuss in the comments area below!

Physicians Formula #InstaReady Collection

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43 Comments

  1. Ellie Andriotis wrote:

    It always takes forever for Australia to get new releases. Would love to try out the concealer!

    Posted 7.18.17
  2. Awww I had no idea they are not available in the UK!

    Posted 7.18.17
  3. Glad you enjoyed the collection!

    Posted 7.18.17
  4. :)

    Posted 7.18.17
  5. Thank you!

    Posted 7.18.17
  6. Thank you! #PaleGirlsClub

    Posted 7.18.17
  7. Yay! Glad you’ll be testing it out!

    Posted 7.18.17
  8. awwww so sorry about it!

    Posted 7.18.17
  9. Thanks!

    Posted 7.18.17
  10. Oh I had no idea the brand is not available outside of US. Thanks for letting me know!

    Posted 7.18.17
  11. Agreed!

    Posted 7.18.17
  12. Yep, you can’t beat this price!

    Posted 7.18.17
  13. Awww thank you so much for your sweet feedback. I really appreciate it!

    Posted 7.18.17
  14. Thank you so much for your kind words! Really appreciate it!

    Posted 7.18.17
  15. Yep these look so cute, but I didn’t try anything else except this line. I think I need to explore more!

    Posted 7.18.17
  16. Agreed! It’s one of my favorite drugstore brands!

    Posted 7.18.17
  17. Thank you, Tina! Go glad it was helpful!

    Posted 7.18.17
  18. Thank you for your feedback, Anita!

    Posted 7.18.17
  19. Lanae Bond wrote:

    It is great to try new products. Thank you for providing an honest and detailed review because it shows you really tried it!

    Posted 7.18.17
  20. Michelle wrote:

    I have a problem with my under eye concealer creasing or looking dry, I’m not sure if it actually is. I think they carry this brand at Walgreens and Walmart, so I’ll check in person next time I’m there.

    Posted 7.16.17
  21. pawsome__pups wrote:

    This collection sounds fabulous! Great Blog! ?????

    Posted 7.16.17
  22. Tina Phan wrote:

    Wow this post was so detailed and I love your honest reviews! I also love the packaging!

    Tina
    http://www.justatinabit.com

    Posted 7.16.17
  23. Anita Kennett wrote:

    So beautiful and extremely helpful ?

    Posted 7.15.17
  24. Spacey wrote:

    This collection looks awesome, I’ll look for it. I like Physicians Formula products, they are so affordable, and usually work very well. ?

    Posted 7.15.17
  25. Crystal Williams Leon wrote:

    I have been wondering about this brand — Ive been dying to try it eve since I saw their bubbly cute highlighters !!! ??????

    Posted 7.15.17
  26. Try using hydrating and lifting face masks. There are many brands that are producing masks like that, but the idea here is to use such masks regularly. I would say, twice a week at least! My favorite hydrating mask is Perricone MD Cocoa Moisture Mask (http://bit.ly/2t1WqZG) – it works for all skin types except oily.

    Another tip that I personally use, but it’s a weird one is to use eye gel patch masks for around the nose area before applying makeup. My favorite ones are my Patchology (http://bit.ly/2t1CYMn). I apply them for about five minutes, followed by a hydrating foundation primer and then do my usual makeup routine.

    The trick with a foundation for the problem you described is to pick a foundation with a dewy finish. I noticed that many full-coverage foundations end up sticking to the wrinkles, while dewy ones are not.

    I hope these tips help! Please let me know if you have any follow-up questions!

    Have a lovely day, Julie!

    Posted 7.15.17
  27. Yay!

    Posted 7.15.17
  28. I would say it’s better than Shape Tape if you have dry under eye area. The Physicians Formula does not provide the same coverage, but I really love how it works for summer. Looks natural, but covers A LOT!

    Please keep me posted if you end up checking it out. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this product!

    Posted 7.15.17
  29. Michelle wrote:

    Hmm, comparable to Shape Tape? High praise on that concealer, I’ll have to check into it. ?

    Posted 7.15.17
  30. Lyndzee Smith wrote:

    Love yall ? ?

    Posted 7.15.17
  31. Julie at. Mulzer wrote:

    ?I need something that will make my 51 year old lips look better. I have like Ned above my lips from smoking. They’re ugly. I’d like to find a product that really works. Help!!?

    Posted 7.14.17
  32. Katherine wrote:

    The prices on these products are incredible! I, especially, like the contour stick. ?

    Posted 7.14.17
  33. Tabby Miller wrote:

    I want to try all of them. Good prices too. Cute packages

    Posted 7.14.17
  34. Ellie Andriotis wrote:

    I definitely need to try some of these out when they come to my country!! Love your blog posts ??

    Posted 7.14.17
  35. Tabitha Jeffery wrote:

    Love it!???

    Posted 7.14.17
  36. dorofte alexandra wrote:

    I wish that Romania could get hold of PF easily i wish to try this brand so bad , ???

    Posted 7.14.17
  37. Betsy Domingue wrote:

    I would love to try this….gonna be my next purchase :*

    Posted 7.14.17
  38. tefenut wrote:

    As a pale girl too, I appreciate this review.

    Posted 7.14.17
  39. Lyndsey Bailey wrote:

    Awesome review! ?

    Posted 7.14.17
  40. Mya Murphy wrote:

    This would be a time saver!!! ?

    Posted 7.14.17
  41. Latifa Morrisette wrote:

    Looks like something I need to try. ?

    Posted 7.14.17
  42. Parie wrote:

    The packaging of this collection is gorgeous, so pretty! I wish the Uk could get hold of PF easily – always wanted to try! x

    Posted 7.14.17

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