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Make up primer. your thoughts?

Anonymous

I like to wear make up regularly but it often looks past it best by lunch time. So I got to thinking about primer. I wondered if any of you lovely ladies had tried it and if so does it really hold your make up in place, does it feel dry or tight and is it a pain to apply? I'd appreciate your input. thanks.

General

20 replies

Latest reply was from velvetychocolate

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I don't use foundation so I am clueless on the matter. I'm sure that someone else will chime in though.

marianna

Veteran

I use eyeshadow primer. I find that if I don't use it, my eyeliner/eyeshadow smears or melts by the end of the day.

Haven't used foundation primer, though. Sorry! I just set my foundation with powder and it seems to last all day.

Makrame

Veteran

I have had problems with makeup exaggerating the oiliness of the T-zone. If I use liquid foundation, it just looks like an oil slick all over after a few hours so I switched to mineral makeup but even mineral makeup looks oily on the nose and forehead after a while. I found this primer http://www.makeupalley.com/pro.....-Corrector, and it seems to help with the oiliness issue and takes seconds to apply. I only use on my nose. It does make the skin look a bit chalky/powdery so many days I just skip the oily areas altogether but if I really want to apply foundation to the T-zone, I use this primer.

Here is a link to the company http://meowcosmetics.com/
I believe I got a sample size so it was very inexpensive.

velvetychocolate

Veteran

I've tried a few! The first one I tried was the classic Smashbox Photo Finish. The one I used was this one:

http://www.smashbox.com/produc.....index.tmpl

I see they now have all kinds of different varieties of primers though:

http://www.smashbox.com/produc.....index.tmpl

This worked quite well. I am not sure why I stopped using it - I think I ran out and didn't replace it during a time of temporary unemployment. It doesn't make your face feel tight or anything like that, and you apply it as if it were a light lotion. I felt like it did help my makeup stay on a tiny bit better, but the main benefit was the 'smoothing' effect. It seemed to conceal little flaws quite well.

I've tried a few drugstore brands and not liked them all that well. Only one that was semi-ok was L'Oreal Studio Secrets in a little pot - a knock off from the better Clarins version (Clarins was pricey too, but I also liked it). These types (Clarins and L'Oreal) are a bit tougher to apply - almost paste-like in a way. They do not feel tight on the skin either, but trying to get them to look right is a bit of a pain.

If you really want to try a primer, stick with a traditional primer, and not one of the ones sold in a little pot.

Meanwhile - think of what you want your primer to do. For me, I noticed that my makeup was practically sliding off while traveling in hot weather. I wanted something that would help my makeup stay on more than I wanted the other smoothing/concealing benefits.

Hate to say it, but there wasn't a primer that did this for me when traveling to places like Dallas in August. Makeup just disappears in heat like that.

Meanwhile..I was also experimenting with finding a better facial sunscreen at the time. I've tried many. I wanted something a little less greasy etc. I found one and it actually helps with the makeup! Shocking, but true. Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Liquid SunBlock SPF70 is the one that magically helped my makeup stay on and didn't mess with makeup at all:

http://www.neutrogena.com/prod.....+spf+70.do

Only the Ultra Sheer Liquid Sunblock SPF70 does this. I recently ran out - picked up a different Neutrogena liquid sunscreen (didn't say 'ultra sheer' on it and it was SPF 55, though a similar, "liquid" formulation)...well, that didn't work as well. So if you want to try the matte/sheer liquid sunblock route as a means to 'prime' before makeup - be sure to get only the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Liquid Daily Sunblock SPF70.

Even the description (which I hadn't noticed when I just randomly bought this in a drugstore) claims help with makeup:

"This water-light texture spreads easily over skin, absorbing instantly for an invisible, weightless feel. It also provides an even, non-shiny finish that works beautifully alone or under makeup and moisturizers." (from the Neutrogena site desribing the Ultra Sheer Liquid Sunblock).

Good primers, imo:

Smashbox
Too Faced Primed and Poreless
Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch
L'Oreal Studio Secrets Magic Perfecting Base (knockoff of the Clarins, not as good, but still good)

Also - for a finishing powder that isn't very obvious at all and works *really* well, you might want to try Makeup Forever HD Microfinish powder.

http://www.sephora.com/hd-micr.....=us_search

By the way, you can buy small sizes of the Smashbox at places like Sephora and Ulta - before springing for a larger one.

In the end though, what's working for me lately is the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Liquid Daily Sunblock SPF 70 before liquid foundation makeup. I use the Makeup Forever HD Microfinish powder as a third 'step' once in awhile too. I also like mineral makeup as well, and have had good luck with Jane Iredale Pure Pressed Base.

I love Makrame's suggestion to only use primer on the area(s) needed. Makes a lot of sense to me! Not like I have trouble with make-up "slide off" on my cheeks or anything. Usually just the T-zone.

Have fun!

Anonymous

Thank you for your suggestions so far. Eye primer is something I will look into as well. Makrame and Velvetychocolate, some good ideas. I live in the cool UK but I am prone to feeling a little hot sometimes, my age maybe! I think probably what I'm probably after is a more even tone with a bit of stay -put power too. I have thought about the Smashbox primer as I've seen it on QVC but I like the idea of the Neutrogena spf 70 product as I am very fair too. Though I'm in the UK I could probably source off the internet if they aren't directly available in stores over here. Lots of food for thought thanks.

christieanne

Veteran

I use makeup primer if I am wearing foundation and sometimes instead of foundation with just that over my sunscreen and a little concealer. I like it to tone down oily skin and fill in some pores. It can help your foundation stay on as well.

There are lots of primers on the market (for oily skin they make mattifying primers for example) but all of them use some form or combination of silicones to do their "magic".
Silicones can make some people breakout so a little trial period might be needed.

I have used Boots primer a few years back and it gets rave reviews. That might be a good price point to try and should be accessible where you are. I think they have two versions here in US - one for oily and one for drier/normal skin. Smashbox is good as well - sort of a classic primer (they were one of the first to market it). You might check the line of makeup you use for one too.

The other thing you have to play with is that because the primer as silicone it can ball up over your moisturizer. I usually apply sunscreen and then wait about 15 minutes before applying anything else to lessen this.

Anonymous

Thanks for the advice Christieanne. I wondered if I might have to wait between applications of primer, moisturiser etc. So it looks like I would have to adjust my morning routine a bit. I will still give it a go though, cheers.

MsMary

Veteran

I love the Smashbox but I got super frustrated that I couldn't get the last 1/3 or so out of the bottle!

Then I found out the most amazing thing! Hold on to your hats, ladies! I know the brand name is going to freak you out, but Monistat Chafing Relief Powder Gel, which you get at the drugstore for maybe 8 bucks, has essentially the same ingredients as Smashbox and other high-end primers and does the same job for a fraction of the price. I've been using it for years and I love it. You can check out a ton of reviews at Makeup Alley.

lynne

Veteran

I use primer when I wear foundation and have had good luck with some from Smashbox, Colorscience, and MAC. There are some reviews here

http://www.beautipedia.com

Anonymous

MaryK, that brand name has made me chuckle! It sounds like it would be something you would put on somewhere other than your face...!

MsMary

Veteran

I know, right?

DonnaF

Veteran

I second MaryK; been using it for years after learning about it on MakeupAlley. I think the original purpose of the anti-chafing gel is if your legs rub. The primer keeps my mineral makeup from sinking into those tiny wrinkles.

I also use elf's mineral eyeshadow primer which is cheep, cheep, cheep and is almost as good as UDPP's. I have never tried TFSI since I am satisfied with the elf stuff.

christieanne

Veteran

Oh I have tried the monistat antichafing gel as primer too - it could work really well if you don't have oily skin. My sister uses that since I told her about it (and yes she was skeptical.
I also really like Lorac Primer - it's more watery and less silicone. Been out of that for a while but tempted to get again for summer.
I am using Korres Mattifying Primer and had samples of the others from their line up - very nice and made without mineral oil.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

I recently started using foundation (Bare Minerals) and I do use the Bare Minerals primer with it. That foundation doesn't budge - and that includes go for a workout over my lunch hour!

Kristin L

Veteran

I usually don't wear most make-up primer, but I swear by Urban Decay's eye shadow primer. For my regular make-up, I wear a facial lotion under my foundation and that normally works well for me.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I use this

http://www.sephora.com/foundat.....Id=1179142

with this

http://www.sephora.com/tinted-.....uId=905364

I work 10 hour days and it seems to do the trick. I used to use the oil-free version but that didn't work.

Lynne

Veteran

laughing at MaryK's fab find!

I can give the Shishedo The makeUp Primer the thumbs up - the one in the tube, not the pot. It does a lot to smooth out the appearance of bumpiness. The one in the pot contains an illuminator which, for me, doesn't work as well.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Have to admit to total cluelessness here like Angie. Is it like spackle for the face???

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

It -is- like spackle!

I second the use of Shishedo The makeUp Primer. I find that it keeps my makeup on longer, and after 3 pm looks a bit dewy and pretty

velvetychocolate

Veteran

Yes, it is a little bit like spackle at times. Smooths everything out, in fact - sometimes after applying primer or a daily facial moisturizer/treatment with primer-like qualities, I think, "I don't even need to put any makeup on". Basically, it minimizes the look of lines and pores.

I'm happy with my Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Liquid Daily Sunblock SPF70 - my main issue was that makeup just wouldn't stay on. That said, I have tried and liked primers. I'm definitely going to use Makrame's trick - just apply some primer only the areas that really need it.

Meanwhile, it looks like La Roche Posay (maker of some really good sunscreens) has come out with a primer/sunscreen combo:

http://www.laroche-posay.us/_u.....screen.htm

I haven't tried it though, so no idea if it's a good product to try.

For anyone considering trying a primer for the first time - there are a lot that are 'not quite right' somehow - too greasy, too matte, can ball-up with your moisturizer etc. so I'd highly recommend trying the less expensive drug-store brands or trying samples of the more expensive brands first. I have a primer in my makeup bag right now that I don't like at all, and it wasn't cheap. The reviews were good, I was ordering other stuff anyway, and wanted to try it. But, even though the reviews were good, it wasn't for me. I think in the case of primer, it's like foundation - always wise to try before you buy.