June 25, 2010

Make It Last All Day: My 5 Favorite Makeup Primers.

June 25, 2010/

I am talking makeup here, my friends. Trying to have makeup stay put while making it look fresh all day is no easy task when using makeup alone. In case you have not heard, the answer to making it last all day is by using a primer. Primers are popping up from brands big and small, and not all are quite cracked up to what they should be. I have tested and tried my share of primers, and I am here to present you with the ones that have worked for me the best.

Laura Geller Spackle Tinted Under Makeup Primer - $25.00
I am a fan of Laura's Spackle Under Makeup Primer so when I saw a tinted version that can add a glow to my complexion, I had to buy it right away. This primer cools and soothes skin with Aloe Vera Gel, natural plant extracts and the powerful anti-oxidants, White Tea and Centella Asiatica. Choose from Champagne for an extra added pearly glow or Bronze for a touch of bronze color.

Purple Lab NYC Pearlesque Show Primer - $30.00
Pearlesque Show is a silicone-free primer, so if you are sensitive to silicones (dimethicone) this one will not bother you. Enriched with crushed pearls for a beautiful glow and other ingredients to not only smooth out skin to help makeup apply more evenly, it contains plumping peptides to help fill in lines and pores, any imperfections really. Other ingredients optically dfiffuse skin for a perfect looking finish. I love the soft scent too.

Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer - $16.00
The travel sized version (in the most convenient sized tube!) of the famed Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer is my fave. It is a constant in my traveling makeup bag and I can always rely on it to get my face through the longest and most harsh conditions. This is a heavy duty primer, meaning that I think it contains the heaviest blend of silicones, and I have heard from some that this does irritate them. Photo Finish contains vitamins A & E, along with Green Tea and Grape Seed Extract work to perfect as it preps your canvas (your face).

Luminizing Face Primer by Sally Hansen - $9.99
This is from the Natural Beauty Inspired by Carmindy line, and is another silicone-free primer. Skin-smoothing cork oak and olive leaf nourish your skin and deliver improved radiance while micronized pearls help to create a glow. If you are on a budget and are new to the primer categories, start with this one and you will not be disappointed. Makeup glides on more smoothly and just looks better, as it lasts throughout the day when using.

Laura Mercier Oil-Free Foundation Primer - $30.00
Laura Mercier is one to perfect the application of foundation, so when she created this primer, she took great care in making it work for all, especially those that are most sensitive or acne-prone. Oil-Free Foundation Primer is oil free and is a gel/cream hybrid that seems to sink into skin, not stay upon it as most primers do. Not to fret though, it does act as a barrier between the face and makeup, as this primer indeed keeps makeup looking its' best all day as powerful antioxidants of Vitamins A, C & E help to protect skin as it smoothes it out.

Did your favorite primer make my favorite list?

November 11, 2009

Skindinavia Makeup Finishes.

November 11, 2009/

Do you ever look in the mirror a few hours after applying your makeup to only wonder where it has gone? I do, especially when I am spending time outside.

Now, I know that some people can not wear makeup primers. While I am huge advocate for them, I realize it is not a possibility, and sometimes time does not allow for that extra step of prep. Imagine, misting your face after apply your makeup to get the same result. Well, an almost better result? It is possible, with Skindinavia.

Skindinavia only does makeup finishes. Yes - that is all they do. They have put a lot of time, research and development into making these finishes work, and for many different types of skin and necessity. Sounds simple, right? Well, it is. They have done the work, all you have to do is find the right makeup finishing product and mist over your face, and voila. Your makeup will withstand the test of time and then some.

What is a makeup finish?
A near weightless, breathable, over makeup mist that keeps makeup perfectly applied up to 16 hours.

Why do I need a makeup finish?
Makeup looks great just after it’s applied, and then it immediately starts to crease, clump, slide, get shiny, or dry out. Everything from subtle facial movements to hot sun or dry cold causes makeup to break down throughout the day. Our mists greatly slow the process holding a freshly applied look.

- skindinavia.com

You will not believe how amazing these are, until you try one for yourself. I am addicted to the 10 Years Younger Makeup Finish. Does it really make me look 10 years younger? No. But it keeps my makeup from settling into my lines as the day rolls on. It keeps my skin from becoming dulled down as the day goes on and my makeup looks fresh and just applied all day. Really! After misting 2 or 3 mists of this finish, my face glows, but not in a sparkly or over the top way. It gives me a glow that I had 10 years ago, and that is the genius about it.

Skindinavia makes an assortment of finishes, which include the following:

Makeup Finishing Spray - This is an all purpose finishing spray for normal, fry or combination skins. This was their first product and it holds liquid foundation perfectly up to 16 hours.

Mineral Makeup Finish - This one is for all skin types, and is meant to be used over mineral powder foundations. It helps to control the drying, settling and shine, that is often experienced by mineral makeup users.

10 Years Younger Makeup Finish - For ages over 30, this anti-aging finish helps makeup glow while keeping it out of the fine lines and wrinkles.

No More Shine Makeup Finish - For those who have combination or oily skin, this finish helps absorbs excess oil and keeps it looking fresh, never oily.

Cool Flash Makeup Finish - For all skin types in high heat conditions. This finish helps makeup resist sweat or melting, while helping it last throughout the day.

Bridal Makeup Finish - Formulated for wedding or photography, this finish sets makeup texture to look more even in photographs.

Jet Set Makeup Finish - For normal, dry or combination skins, this finish helps to keep skin hydrated and glowing. It is especially useful while traveling. Spritz this mist on every hour when flying to keep the glow.

Dance! Makeup Finish - Another one for normal, dry or combination skins, this finish hold makeup in place for heavy duty wear.

The finishes range from $19 - $39, depending on the size. All Skindinavia Makeup Finishes are available online through their website or beauty.com.

If you are a fan, please let me know which finish you use.

October 19, 2009

The Ultimate Primer Set from Urban Decay.

October 19, 2009/

The key to making your makeup last and looking beautiful all day is through the use of primers. Known for it's Primer Potion, and eyeshadow primer that I use daily, Urban Decay has expanded on this. Urban Decay now has a full line of primers available.

The best way to sample these primers is with their new Box of Potions. This box has all of Urban Decay's primers packaged together, and I can't think of a better way , or better value, to get on board.