Benefit's Stay Flawless Primer Review

My Review on the Benefit Stay Flawless 15 Hour Primer

I stopped by my local Ulta one day just to do some browsing, I wasn't looking for anything in particular. I stopped at the Benefit counter and saw this new primer on the shelf. It was the Stay Flawless 15 Hour Primer. I had heard some of my favorite youtubers talking about this recently, and so I decided to get it. 

The retail price for the primer is $32. You can get this product at Sephora, Ulta, or the Benefit web site.

I started using this primer right when I purchased it. I really like that is in stick form which makes it super easy to apply. It goes on the skin clear, cool and it doesn't have a scent. When you apply it on the skin it gets a little tacky, this is so that the liquid foundation "grabs" the primer making it last a really long time. It also applies very smoothly.

I have been using my Makeup Forever HD foundation with the primer. The primer makes my foundation look amazing right when I apply it. I would say I have combination to dry skin, and for some reason if I don't use a primer before foundation in a few hours I have no foundation on my face. It completely melts off, so annoying! I also had problems with the Makeup Forever foundation not setting, even applying a powder over top, the foundation would transfer on anything. When I use the primer my foundation doesn't transfer and my face stays matte longer than without the primer.
When I used the Stay Flawless primer my foundation stayed on my face the entire day. I also have a tendency of touching my face while I'm at work, a lot. And even touching my face the foundation did not budge and inch.

The only thing that I would have to say that I don't like about the primer is that I cant do my entire face at once. The primer tends to set really quickly, and if it sets and then I try to apply foundation it makes my skin look really dry, like my skin is peeling off. I wouldn't use this if I'm in a hurry. You need to apply your foundation to one side of your face then the other and so on, which is time consuming.

I have been really liking this primer, it is easy to use, it works great on my skin, and it is perfect for the hot summer months when foundation likes to melt off your face. If you want your foundation to last all day without touch-ups I recommend this primer for you!

:)

Eye Shadow Primer Reviews

The Wonderful World of Eye Shadow Primers

I think we have all gone through this, you apply your eye shadow in the morning and by late afternoon your eye shadow has creased or it is completely gone. That's really frustrating especially when you have a really long day and no way to touch up.

Here is my tip on how to make your eye shadow stay on all day, and look great. 

Primer.

This one magical word is the cure for your eye shadow heartache. Eye shadow primer is the best way to keep your eye shadow in place all day. There are lots of brands that make them, even inexpensive drugstore brands. They all do the same thing, they make your eye shadow stay on. I always use a tiny amount of primer for each eye. Less is more when it comes to eye shadow primer. I take a small amount and blend it from my lash line to the brow, and a tiny bit on my lower lash line if I'm applying eye shadow there.  

Here are some of the primers that I have used and that work great or that don't:

• Urban Decay's Primer Potion 

This primer is very good. It is really easy to use all you need is your finger. It does the job and it does it well. It retails for $20 and you can get it at Sephora, Ulta, and on the Urban decay site. 

It comes in 4 different colors: 

Original which has a nude color but goes on clear.

Sin has a champagne shimmer finish

Eden is a nude matte finish

Greed has a shimmering yellow gold finish

I have used all of these colors and my favorite is the original formula.

• Two Faced Shadow Insurance

This is another primer that I love. It is smooth and easy to use. Lately when I wear eye shadow I have been using this primer. It is great. 

This primer retails for $20 and you can get it at Sephora, Ulta, and on the Two Faced site. 

• Lorac Behind the Scenes Eyeshadow Primer

This primer retails for $21 and you can purchase it at Sephora or on the Lorac web site. The one that I have is a sample that came with the Lorac Pro Palette. 

This primer is okay and it works for holding your eye shadow, but I don't like it because it's a bit too sticky for me and it sets too quickly. I think this makes the eye shadow less blend-able. 

• MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pot

The MAC paint pots retail for $20, I purchased mine online on the MAC website. I really like this as a primer even though technically it's not a primer. It is more of a cream eye shadow, but it is great to use as a base for eye shadow. I have one in the color Soft Ochre. But there are a lot more colors you can choose from.

• Tarte Amazonian Clay Waterproof Shadow Primer

This primer retails for $22 but is on sale on the website for $10. I am not a fan of this primer, it is really hard to blend and it dries/sets way too quickly. Since I have a lot of other primers I don't really need to use it.

• Maybelline 24 Hour Color Tattoo 

The Maybelline Color Tattoo's are cream shadows but can be used as an eyeshadow base. These retail for less than $7 at any drug store. They are really good to use if you want to make a certain color more intense. They don't crease too badly and they do last all day long. These are also a cheaper alternative to some of the higher end primers.

There are also alternatives to these higher end primers I talked about. Here are some drugstore primers that will get the job done:

• NYX High Definition Eye shadow Base - $7
• L'Oreal De-Crease Eye shadow Base - $10
• Almay Bright Eyes Base - $6.99

If all else fails and you want something quick and that you might already have. Use a tiny bit of concealer. It does the same thing as a primer (not as well, but you get it) and you don't have to spend the money.

There is really no reason for your amazing eye shadow work to go to waste by early afternoon. Use a little primer and make your eye shadow last all day. 

:)

Monthly Favorites: August 2013

Beauty Favorites for August

We have officially entered the "ber" months. That means that it is time for my favorites for the month of August.

I don't have a lot of things to talk about this month. I have been using the same things for a while now. But I do have a few products that I used a lot.

I'll start with my favorite product which is the Anastasia Brow Wiz, I have it in the color Brunette.
Before this I was using an eyeshadow for my brows and I wanted to change things up. The brow wiz is so nice to use, and it makes "getting my brows on" so quick.

Next is a foundation brush. I have been really liking a lighter application of foundation and the Real Techniques Expert Face brush is perfect for that. The brush is really soft and really easy to use.

I have also been in love with the Rimmel Scandal'Eyes waterproof kohl eyeliner in the color nude. I use this on my waterline to make my eyes look bigger. I love it because is softer the using a white liner but it still gives the same effect.

This next thing I have been using non-stop for weeks now is the Naked Palette by Urban Decay, specifically the colors Naked and Buck. These two are my favorite colors in this palette. As you can see they are well loved.

Photo from Sephora.com

Next is the Boscia Green Tea Blotting Linens. I purchased this probably last year sometime and I just carried it in my purse without actually using it. This summer I have been extra oily and I remembered that I had these. They have been a life saver. I love it to get the oil off my T-zone. And I don't cake up because I'm not using a powder. It is perfect.

My favorite body wash this month has been the Victoria's Secret Brilliant Love with Diamond Dust. The scent description on the bottle says "blushing peony & blackberry." This smells SO good. It has turned into one of my favorites.

Lastly is a face wash that I have been using every day to get my makeup off, It is the Clean & Clear Morning Burst Fruit Infusions Hydrating Cleanser in the pineapple scent. My favorite thing about this is the smell. It gets my makeup off quickly and leaves my skin squeaky clean.

That's it for my favorite beauty products for August. Hopefully I'll have more interesting things for the month of September!

:)