Primer | Makeup Part 1 | Back To Basics

I am so excited to be getting into the makeup part of my huge back to basics series. If you haven't already checked out my Skin Care Back to Basics mini series, go read all about it: Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3!

In the Makeup mini series, I will be talking about all the basic makeup product that you need and also all the extra goodies that you can add to your makeup routine to get the look that you want. Makeup is all about accentuating what you already have, and it's a ton of fun to play with.
I will be putting these posts up in the order that you would apply the makeup.

I am starting out with primer. Primer is intended to do exactly as it says, it is made to prime your skin before you go in with any other product on top. Primer is used to fill any lumps, bumps and any unevenness that you may have on the skin to smooth and even out the surface. Primer also is made to make anything that you put on top last all day long.

You can apply primer with your clean hands, you can also use a clean brush or even makeup sponges. Really it is up to you. I always just use my fingers to work the primer into my skin. It's super fast and I don't get any of my tools dirty.

There are many different types of primers that are used for all kinds of things. There are just regular primers that the sole purpose is to even out the skin tone and make the makeup last all day. These primers are intended to be used by any skin type. Here are a few examples of regular primers.




There are also primers that are made for people that have oily skin. These sort of primers usually will say that they are mattifying. These will make your skin look matte as soon as you apply them to the skin. They prevent oil from escaping during the day. Some people even use these sort of primers even if the are not wearing makeup to reduce the amount of oil that will show on the skin. Here are some examples of what a mattifying primer looks like. As you can see there are great options for any budget. Honestly they all do the same thing, choosing one comes down to personal preference.

There are also primers designed for dry skin. These kind of primers usually tend to say things like "hydrating" or "luminous." These primers are made to make your skin look like its glowing from the inside out. These are also great to use in the cold winter months, when the skin tends to get dry. Again, all companies carry these. So there's something out there for everyone.

Also out there are tinted primers. These primers are made with a tone or color to them already. These are great for people that don't need the coverage from a foundation because the primer has a small amount of tint to it. These work great for a little wash of color all over the skin on days where a full coverage foundation isn't needed. These also work great for people that need a lot of coverage, because you can then layer your foundation over top and it will give you more coverage.

 

Another great thing that primer is used for is with powder foundations. When you use a powder foundation you really need to make sure that the powder has something to stick to. Using a primer is the best way to get your powder foundation to stick and to stay put all day.

Let me know what primers are your favorite and how you like to use them.

Next up on my Makeup Back To Basics series is foundation and concealers!



All pictures on this post are from Google.com for reference.

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. 

:)