What is makeup primer?

We get asked all the time “what is primer?” and “should I use it.” We answer….if you want flawless makeup then use it. If you can’t be bothered with the extra step in the morning….then don’t worry about it. But what is it? Read on……all will be revealed.

Primer is designed to smooth and conceal fine lines and uneven skin texture, it gives a smooth, even surface to apply your makeup and it helps it stay on all day. They are usually made from things like waxes, polymers, and silicone, and often contain SPF to block the sun.

There are different types of primers for different types of skin. There is light weight, silicon based for oily or acne prone skin, it will be labelled ‘oil free’, and for dry or aging skin try a more creamy one which will contain waxes, lotions or emollients.

Primers can also be transparent or coloured. Depending on the colour, they can help hide dark circles, redness, age spots and un-even skin tone.

Now you know what it is and what’s in it, how and when do you apply it. Good question.

You should apply it after moisturiser, but before foundation or concealer. Wait a few minutes after moisturising, so it sinks in, then apple your primer of choice. Wait a few more minutes, then put your face on. We generally use a brush or sponge to apply it, but at home, if you want to use your fingers, thats ok too. Just make sure your hands are clean!

There are heaps of different primers on the market, so start with your favourite brand and go from there.

Here are some that one of our fav bloggers has reviewed. The Plastic Diaries. Click through and see what she thinks.

*image courtesy of The Plastic Diaries

 

You can also get primers for lips, eyeshadow and mascara. They basically do the same thing but we will save them for another day.

Let us know if there is any other products that you are not sure about and we will do our darndest to help.

*thanks for the info Wise Geek and The Plastic Diaries

 

Blend, blend, blend…..

Catching the train again after such a long break can be painful, but a must cause I need to go back to work. It doesnt help seeing all the other people looking fresh and ready when I need a second coffee just to make the train ride! But some things will never change. We have said it before, and we will say it again BLEND people!!!

The ladies may look good from the front, but turn a little to the side and there it is. That unblended foundation line along the jaw. Aahhh! It’s like a car accident, I just can’t look away! Ha.

Below is a bit of an exaggerated version of what I am talking about, but you get the idea.

http://juliakingsley.blogspot.com.au

We wrote about how much this line annoys us here  and the tools we use, so this doesnt happen here but basically apply your foundation then with a stippling brush or sponge, work the foundation down your neck and under your chin. Also don’t forget to soften the edges around your ears!  You should end up with smooth base that just blends in to match your skin colour. No lines!

End rant. Thanks for listening. Pass this on to anyone you think may benefit. hehehe!

*image courtesy Julia Kingsley. Check out her blog, lots of good makeup stuff there

One Bridesmaids Makeup

My sister was in Sydney to be a bridesmaid for one of her friends, last weekend. We don’t get to see her much, so I agreed to do her makeup for the wedding.

That saturday proved to be a busy one, but I squeezed her in. And I only did the makeup. It was just a simple smokey-ish eye with a little pink and natural /pink lips. (please excuse the kitchen, food, people in the background. There were heaps of people and we barely had space to move) They wore black dresses so and had pink flowers, so anything goes!

This is some of the products used.

• Mac Select Tint spf15
• Maybelline Falsies (read about it here)
• Maybelline Gel Liner (read about it here)
• Mac Barbie blush (palet and individual)
• Clinique All About Lips (to keep lips all nice and your colour on)
• Dior Illuminator
• Dior Lash Maximiser (put it on before mascara)
• Estee Lauder lip liner
• Eyeshadow, mostly grey. Not sure what brand.
• Artist Brushes (love them, read about it here)

All I Want For Christmas is…….

The time has come, there are only a few weeks left until Christmas. For anyone stuck for ideas about what we would like for Christmas we have compiled a short (ish) list of things we would love to find under the tree on Christmas morning (thanks Santa).

Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturising Lip Colour Balm in Whoppin’ Watermelon. I think its the name that has me sold on this one.  I love it! Chubby Stick, hahahah ahhh. Apart from the name this super-nourishing balm is loaded with mango and shea butters. Just what dry, delicate lips need to feel comfortably soft and smooth. Available in 8 natural looking tints, with sheen.

Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector BB Cream – the best of skincare with the benefit of make-up. 1 product to deliver 5 instant benefits: Hydrates for 24hrs, Evens tone, Corrects blemishes, Boosts healthy glow, UV Protection SPF 15. So why wouldn’t you want this?!

Uberkate Love Lines Pendant – we have just given away one of these beautiful pendants and now I would like one too!

Kardasian Kolor – Nicole by OPI has joined forces with this famous family and developed some pretty rad colours for our pretty fingers. There are 14 shades in the collection and I plan to get everyone on them (you here that bf! All of them). And they are a bargain at only $14.95, pretty great for OPI right!?!

*Images courtesy of Clinique, Garnier, Uberkate and Beauty Directory.

Block the City and the Sun

I am really not a fan of putting sunscreen on my face but I also don’t like getting burnt (and there is also the skin cancer factor). I know you can get  moisturiser and foundation with SPF but I found something that does both.

Clinique City Block. Its an oil free daily face protector with SPF 25 so protects your skin from UVA and UVB. I find thats its pretty lightweight on my skin and they say it helps absorb excess oil (awesome, no shine!). I usually just wear it over my moisturiser if I’m going to be outside during the day but you can use it as a primer under your foundation.

I also have a Sheer Shimmer version of the same thing in the colour Bronze. I have had it for a while and I’m not sure if Clinique makes it anymore but if you can find some definitely snap up a couple. Its the same as the regular city block but the SPF is only 15 and it has a shimmery tint. I often wear this one instead of foundation or under foundation it gives you an all over radiant glow. Perfect for the races or christmas party I hear you say? Or you can combine it with the other one like a bronzer.

I’m not the only one that thinks this is awesome. Clinique City Block SPF 25 was the winner in the Instyle Best Beauty Buys in 2011. YAY! It maybe that it is suitable for all skin types and it doesn’t have any chemical sunscreens. I love it because it protects my skin from the sun and it also helps  keep my skin from drying out too much in air conditioning.

This is the best alternative to sunscreen for your face so why not check it out. Available from David Jones, Myer, Terry White and selected independent pharmacies and also via the CLINIQUE website.

RRP $36.00 and available from Clinique stores and counters.

*Image courtesy of Beauty Directory.

You may also want to read

• Remember your Slip, Slop, Slap
• Remove your Makeup, Simple

Our Favourites….in September

There’s lots of things we can’t live without but we couldn’t possible use them everyday. But here are a few of the things that we must and have used everyday in September.

Burts Bees Tinted Lip balm in Hibiscus (official Liptember Lippy) It goes without saying that we use this everyday, after all it is Liptember! It goes on nice and smooth and lasts on your lips for ages. It is only slightly tinted, just enough colour to make me feel like i don’t have a naked face. Oh and it also keeps my lips nice and soft and moisturised. Read about Liptember

David Jones Ultra Mascara in Black. I picked this up one day when I was trying to find a birthday present (i don’t think i did get that present) and I love it. The package says it’s volumising and lengthening but I’m not sure it does both. It smooths on my lashes easily and makes them look longer. I wear it everyday because it makes me feel like I’m ready for anything and it easily removes with warm water. RRP $14.95 from David Jones.

Eco Tan – Tan Away Glove. Now, one of us is not as keen as the other about self tanning. Honestly I just cant be bothered sometimes but I do like to have fresh glowing skin. So from the day I put my Tan Away glove in the shower not a week has passed without using it. I usually use it every 3rd day or so all over my body with my favourite body wash, followed by a lathering of moisturiser and my skin is feeling soft and silky. Click here to read the post

Mac Face and Body. Perfect for everyday or a night out on the town. Goes on nice and smooth and builds for more coverage (when I’m having bad skin days). I usually wear it how it comes for that dewy look but if I’m going out at night I will use a powder over it for staying power and a smooth matt finish. Read our post

What things are you loving in September?

*Images courtesy of Liptember and Eco Tan

Minerals?……it must be good for you

Being a person who is obsessed with what I put on my face it was only a matter of time before I went down the mineral makeup road. With so many Mineral brands on the market these days it is hard to decide which one is right for you and also one that isn’t going to break the budget! A few friends of mine had been using Prestige Mineral makeup for a while and raved about it, so I thought I would give it a try and see what they were all talking about. I went in a little sceptical and not sure about the idea of a powdered foundation.  I must say I was extremely surprised.

The first product I tried and which is now a staple in my own makeup bag is the Prestige Finish Mineral Powder Foundation. I first applied the foundation using a powder press. I found that by doing this I got more coverage and less of a caked on chalky look. The foundation stayed put all day and I only really needed to reapply a small amount around the jaw line at the end of the day.

The second week I used the foundation, I applied using a powder brush, dipping the brush into a small amount of product and gliding it over my forehead, cheeks, jaw and neck. The results were amazing, stayed all day and looked as though I had a natural glow. If I can suggest one thing it is to apply a moisturizer or sunscreen, 5 minutes or so before applying the foundation. I found that by doing this the foundation had more staying power, applied more smoothly and looked a touch better.

Now down to the juicy and important details. Prestige Mineral Foundation contains vitamin A, C and the all powerful Vitamin E which heals the skin and in my case reduces redness. In this little wonder there is also Shea Butter extract which does a phenomenal job at moisturizing the skin and Chamomile to sooth the skin. It is fragrance, talc, oil, paraben and zinc oxide free. Phew! With all that goodness why wouldn’t you give it a go?

The second product I tried was the Prestige Soft Blend Kohl Eyeliner. As a contact lenses wearer I often find that certain eyeliners or mascaras make my lenses a bit gluggy and uncomfortable. I had high hopes for the mineral eyeliner and it went above and beyond my expectations.

I love wearing black eyeliner on my top eyelids and I often feel a bit weird when I am not wearing it. My eyes are greedy and they do tend to eat up my eyeliner and I end up reapplying more times then Heidi Montage has surgery. I have been wearing Prestige for 2 weeks now and I have not had any issues with contact lenses, fading or reapplying, it’s been great! With all this free time I have now not having to do my eyeliner every hour I don’t know what to do with myself. The pencil also doubles as an eye shadow and is equipped with a built in sponge tip so you can create a soft Smokey eye. It really doesn’t get much better then this.

RRP: Prestige Mineral Foundation $27.95 and Prestige Eyeliner $14.95 available from selected Priceline pharmacies.

Make sure you check out the whole range of Prestige Mineral makeup. They have so many great products!

* Images courtesy of Beautydirectory.com

What’s In Our Makeup Case – Artiste Brushes

So we told you about our favourite moisturiser and foundation but…..how do you get them on your face?

There are many ways to apply; sponges, fingers (agh) and brushes. Our choice? Brushes. There are heaps on the market, some good, some not so good, but we have found that the Artiste brushes, by Manicare, work perfectly and you don’t need to live on 2 minute noodles to buy them.

Start with the Foundation Brush #6,. Its made with synthetic nylon bristles and provides a concentrated application without absorbing the product. Apply your moisturiser first and leave for 5 -10 minutes to absorb, then the foundation (liquid or cream). Blend it evenly over your face, don’t forget your jaw line and a little down your neck. It should create a smooth and even finish

Next Stippling Brush #17. Made with compact flat goat and nylon bristles its perfect for bronzers, loose powder foundations or just to finish off with an airbrushed look. Work in circles all over the face and blend down the neck.

If you mix two different foundations to get your colour, use the lighter one first (with Brush #6) then the darker one (with Brush #17). With #6 apply small amounts of the darker shade to your chin, cheeks, forehead and nose use #17 and circle all over your face to blend the 2 together.

What do you use to apply foundation?

RRP: Foundation Brush $27.95 and Stipple Brush $17.95. Available at Priceline, Myer, Target, K-Mart, Big W and leading pharmacies.

Check out Artiste brushes at Manicare.

*Images courtesy of Beautydirectory.com.au

A little exercise in Blending

Okay so you know how a lot of people have there little pet peeves and no one else seems to understand them?!? Well Amy and I happen to share the same one. Now I don’t know if this is because we are both Makeup Artists and have some freaky eye for this sort of thing or we just happen to share the same thoughts but, its all got to do with blending!

After a train ride home the other day Amy noticed a fashionable girl sitting opposite her, nice hair, killer outfit amazing accessories but something was terribly wrong,  like when you fav person gets voted out of Master Chef and there it was, awful foundation blending. Now maybe this was not the girls fault, maybe she was just running late that day and did her makeup so quickly that she forgot the cardinal rule of applying foundation…Blending!

Okay so you know when you have a really yummy cake and the icing does not go all around the sides and it then kind of looses a few points? Same with foundation. While your makeup may look great over the face do not forget to continue and blend that foundation down the neck. There is nothing worse then that noticeable foundation line that forms around the jaw line when you do not blend. It only takes a few minutes and may just be the difference between great makeup and average makeup.

Does anyone else have a makeup pet peeve?

xx

Our One, Our Only, Our MAC.

 We thought it only fitting that our first product review be about one of the most amazing products we have ever tried, used, fell in love with, used again and bought many times over. A product that never fails us and one that we just cannot live without, enter MAC Face and Body.

A water-based, water-resistant foundation that provides long-lasting and effective coverage.  As it is a water based foundation it is perfect for almost all skin types, providing a sheer coverage that will last hours. There is also a moisturizer in there which is an added bonus in these winter months.  Amy and I use Face and Body a lot for wedding makeup as it provides a sheer natural look that a lot of brides love. In saying that, you can work up the foundation to create more coverage if you wish.  Each bottle contains 120ml so it defiantly lasts a good amount of time.

Face and Body is so easy to apply although, we find it best done with a foundation brush. That way you can get a perfect flawless coverage without any patches.

I think that the bottle is one of the features of this product that make it so amazing. The squeezable bottle and small nozzle make the foundation come out with such ease and if you only squeeze out a bit at a time you will never waste any of the foundations amazing goodness.  As an aside I often mix equal parts Face and Body with a good moisturizer for an easy tanned look for my arms and legs. You don’t get any of those ugly fake tan lines or that awful tandoori colour that a lot of women out there are sporting.

Face and Body to us is pretty much the superstar of foundations. Like a song you love that you can listen to over and over again and it never gets old. MAC pretty pretty please do not stop making this amazing product! I don’t know what Amy and I will do.

Has anyone else tried MAC Face and Body before? We would love to know what you guys think..

RRP $60.00 for 120ml from Mac Pro stores and David Jones.

Check it out at www.maccosmetics.com.au