ProductWhores

Photo Finish Primer Water

I am a huge fan of Smashbox's Photo Finish Primer (it's my absolute go-to to ensure my foundation stays put and my skin looks flawless all day), so when Smashbox released the new Primer Water, I had to check it out.  Naturally, I was skeptical that this "water" would actually do what my HG primer does, but I was shockingly wrong.  In fact, this may even (gulp) be a regular in my routine (sorry, Photo Finish Primer, I still love you)  the Primer Water is super light and extremely hydrating - just a spritz on the face before you put on your foundation will really set your make-up.  Then, the best part, I use it after I've finished my face to give me a dewy complexion (that also keeps my make-up put).  This mist is so versatile I don't know how I lived without it for this long!  A definite keeper and the bottle will last you much longer than the Photo Finish Primer because you use so little every time you apply it.  Thank you, Smashbox, for creating a truly one-of-a-kind product that really works!  Yahoo!

Note:  A sample of this product was sent to me by a PR representative working with Smashbox.

Eyeshadow Primer Potions

Everyone knows the huge benefits of a foundation primer (duh!) but it wasn't until recently that I learned just how damn amazing a good eyeshadow primer is (seriously, I don't know how I've made it so long without using one).  Nothing better than perfecting a beautiful eye look and actually still having it all in tact after work!  I started off using Urban Decay's Original eyeshadow primer potion which I'm obsessed with, but then had to jump at the new two primer potions they recently released.  Minor Sin is every bit as lovely as the original formula, but with an added shimmery champagne tone to the lid.  It's so beautiful you can actually wear it alone (not that you'd want to, because you'd be missing out on its magical primer super powers!)  I've been wearing it now for a few weeks and I am even more in love with it than the original (which is really saying something).  I love the formula of all the Urban Decay potions - they go on so incredibly smooth, the new applicator is amazingly easy to use (and so much cleaner) and they really do work - eyeshadows don't stand a chance at fading.  These badboys are well-worth the twenty bucks - even if just because they keep your eyes looking stunning until well into the happy hour drinks.  #primerportionsuperheroes

Note:  A sample of this product was sent to me by a PR representative working with Urban Decay

Spritz Me

Phew!  I've been killing myself on a crazy project at work and have had barely any time to even think about writing here, but I have a brief respite now and it feels REALLY good to be writing about products again.  Products are so fun!  Why can't all writing be as fun?

Anyway, right now, my new love is Smashbox's Photo Finish Primer Water.  I.  Am.  Obsessed.  One of the major reasons I don't use primer all the time is that it's just another added step in my morning routine and I'm already usually running late due to my excessive snooze button abuse, so a lot of times I skip it just because I'm lazy.  But let's face it, we all look better with primer, so I usually regret that, especially if I go out after work and my makeup isn't keeping up with my life. But the great thing about this product is that it takes no time at all - you just spritz it on and go.  Seriously, it's all of a ten second addition to your routine and even I can spare that much time in the morning.  It's not drying at all, which I was slightly worried about when I first started using it, and it definitely feels like a regular primer in the sense of how long it extends the wear of my makeup.  (I would say a good couple hours at least).  You can also use it after you put on your makeup as a setting spray, or you can spritz it on just to refresh your makeup at any point during the day.  (Although honestly, I love this stuff, but it's kinda pricey at $42 for 3.9 ounces, so maybe you just spritz on something a little cheaper instead.  I'm partial to those little portable Evian spritzers, although I've never broken down their price point so they could even be more expensive per ounce.  Something to investigate...)  All in all though, this product is rapidly becoming one of my must haves - other than the price, it's pretty much the easiest product you'll ever use and it extends the wear of my makeup, allowing me to be lazy in the morning AND during the day when I don't have to touch up.  It's a winner all around!

 Note:  A sample of the above item was sent to me by a PR representative working with Smashbox

Magic Primer Potion

I often was skipping the step of applying an eyelid primer but the more YouTube tutorials I was viewing (man, I'm addicted!) everyone was using one religiously so I thought I'd better not be so lazy.  Enter Urban Decay's Anti-Aging Eyeshadow Primer - a true wonder!  I was stunned to find out how beautifully it keeps my shadow for pretty much the entire day (happy hour eye makeup looks pretty much the same as morning commute eye makeup with no re-application).  The cream goes on super smooth, no caking and I've seen a noticible difference in the wrinkles around my eyes.  I am seriously hooked and even if I'm having a no-makeup day (which is extremely rare, mind you), I have still been rocking my primer!  Worth ever penny of that twenty four bucks I spent on it!

A Prime Example

I love what primers do, but I usually find myself forgetting to put one on in the morning and I'm not even sure why.  It's not the extra step because even I'm not that lazy.  But for some reason, Tarte's new Colored Clay CC Primer has totally made me remember to use it every day and I'm so happy it does because it's awesome.  It's the only primer I've ever tried in a stick form, so maybe that's the difference, but it's just so damn easy.  I swipe it across my forehead, down each cheek, over my nose, and then on my chin, blend, and move on with the rest of my makeup.  Super simple.  I like how easy it blends into my skin and the way the different shades in it all do different things - it brightens your skin, evens your skin tone, helps blur away imperfections, and neutralizes redness.  All good things!  Plus, the fact that it comes in stick form makes it really easy to tote around or travel with, and I love the way it keeps my other makeup looking fresh all day.  Definitely a new must-have!

Note:  A sample of this product was sent to me by a PR representative working with Tarte

Color Me Green

You know how every once in a while, you're putting on a product you use every day and think, "Damn, this thing is amazing.  How would I ever live without it?"  That's how I felt this morning about my Smashbox Photo Finish Color Correcting Foundation Primer.  It's such a staple in my morning routine that I don't even really register that I'm using it anymore, but then I'll forget to put it on one day because I'm running late or something and I'll notice such a difference that I instantly make a mental note not to forget it ever again.  I've probably written about it here before, but I just kind of had to reiterate how fantastic it is.  I use the Color Adjust - Green shade because my skin is really sensitive and tends to get red when it's irritated (Or when it's cold.  Or windy.  Or just because it feels like it.  It's really annoying).  The green tint tones down a lot of that redness while the primer makes my skin perfectly smooth for the rest of my makeup and helps it last all day.  It really is a wonder product.  And it comes in a lot of different Color Adjust shades, as well as the original clear color, so there's one for you no matter what you're trying to fix.  If only the rest of life was that easy...  

A Prime Purchase

It took me a long time to get on the primer bandwagon.  For some reason, it just seemed like a huge big deal to add an extra step to my morning routine, but that's just ridiculous because it takes all of thirty seconds more and even I can spare that at 8am.  But now that I'm really into them, I'm always looking for a new one to add to my stash.  Enter L'Oreal's Magic Lumi Primer.  I love that you can pick it up in a drugstore (I'm avoiding Sephora now because I really, really cannot spend any more money on products until I pay off my credit card bill from my move) and that it's an inexpensive choice (around $12.95) that performs as well as much more expensive brands.  The primer itself is light and doesn't make my skin feel oily or greasy at all and once on, it really does seem to give me a big of a dewy glow.  I've been using it in the morning underneath my foundation, but L'Oreal says that you can also it alone (maybe on the weekends when I'm just hanging around at home) or as a highlighter, which is something I'm going to have to try.  For those of you just starting to dip a toe into the primer well, this seems like a great one to begin with, and for all you primer experts, you can't go wrong testing this one out too.  I mean, couldn't we all use a little extra glow?  I think so!

Note:  A sample of the above was sent to me by a PR representative working with L'Oreal   

The Ultimate Primer

Murad just released a series of amazing new primers, as part of their Hybrids line of products, each targeting a specific skin type.  My favorite of the three (other options are Dewy and Acne & Shine Control) is their Skin Perfecting Matte Finish.  This beautifully tinted primer reduces the appearance of pores and really helps to disguise any skin discolorations.  I was surprised at how universal this primer really is (I'm uber pale and the color looked just as great on me as it did on my olive-toned friend).  My foundation stays the better part of the day and the slight tint makes my skin glow even if I don't wear any make-up at all.  The primer also contains something Murad calls Pore Factor-5 which helps balance oil production.  I don't know if it actually does that as I don't have oily skin, however, I think it sounds like a really cool planet that's just going to be discovered near Saturn.  Or maybe it's an awesome name for a new movie about fighting aliens?  Either way, this primer is fantastic and I can't wait to try the rest of the Hybrids collection!

Note:  A sample of this product was sent to me by a PR representative working with Murad

Start Over with a Clean Slate

Looking back, I don't remember the moment when I said "huh, I should use primer" but man, am I glad I did!  Seriously, primers are the most amazing invention and every single woman should use one (even if she doesn't wear make up).  I mean, primers, well, prime but they can also smooth skin, color correct and hid wrinkles so what's not to love!  Clean Slate Poreless 12-hr Perfecting Primer is the latest one from Tarte and after using for just a week it's quickly shot to the top of my list (right there along with the good 'ol classic Smashbox one).  I love how smooth my skin feels and how great it works to make my foundation stay all day.  This stuff is mattifying (adore) which is especially important if I don't want to call attention to my imperfections.  As far as dimishing fine lines and pores, I don't see anything spectacular but it does such a great job of holding my foundation that my skin looks flawless!  Retails for $30.00 and they also released a brightening primer - Clean Slate Flawless 12-Hr - which I'm definitely gonna check out when I finish off my Poreless one.

Note:  A sample of the above product was sent to me by a PR representative working with Tarte.

Studio Secrets Is Magical

I think I have tried every single primer on the market (okay, a bit of an exaggeration, but I've definitely tried a lot) and I have found that L'Oreal's Studio Secrets Magic Perfecting Base is actually one of the best.  Who knew a drugstore primer could knock out some of my top-tiered ones?!  This stuff is inexpensive (base one), you can always find a coupon for it (base two), really smooths out the skin beautifully (base three) and has incredible staying power (homerun).  I can't even begin to tell you how much longer my foundation has lasted because of this little glass pot of goodness and how smooth my face feels after using it.  I love the texture (so incredibly silky) and there's no smell (and I've had no irritation with my sensitive skin whatsoever).  This is a definite must-have and at drugstore prices, it's a definite no-brainer as far as I'm concerned.