Primer – Forty, Flirty & Fabulous

Beautyblender Pre-Touch Primer Collection Review

Hi everyone! I hope you are having an amazing week! I have been testing out lots of fun spring makeup and skincare, and of course, having a blast doing it!

Some of my favorite new products are the new primers from Beautyblender. I recently reviewed the Beautyblender Bounce Foundation here, and really enjoy it. The Beautyblender Pre-Touch Primer Collection includes 3 perfecting primers to prep and balance skin so your makeup lasts way longer and looks even better.

Here is info on the primers:

The Leveler Pore Minimizing Primer — Suitable for Normal to Oily Skin
Lightweight texture. Contains niacinamide and manuka honey to help blur the appearance of redness and witch hazel to help minimize pore size. This primer comes in 2 skin-loving tints so you’ll never get a chalky finish. I have it in Light-Medium and it is also comes in Tan-Deep.

Opal Essence Serum Primer — Suitable for Normal to Dry Skin
Adds radiance and moisture. Unique nourishing, triple transforming texture: goes from a gel to an oil to cream. Powerful blend of fermented botanical extracts helps soothe and brighten skin.

Selfie Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 38, Dry Oil Primer — Suitable for All Skin Types
A sunscreen that actually works with makeup. Totally invisible, quick-absorbing dry oil helps both protect and prep skin with no residue. Multi-spectrum protection from UVA, UVB and HEV (high energy visible) light to help fend off damage from both the sun and your tech devices.

The swatches are the Selfie Shield, Opal Essence and the Leveler. I have tested out all three. I have combination skin. I do like pore-filling primers, and glowy ones, too!

I was surprised that the Selfie Shield is an oil. I’ve never tried an SPF primer oil before. I put a lot on in the photo above, but it absorbs in the skin really quickly and does not feel oily at all. I have layered other primers on top of it, or just used it alone with foundation. Makeup applies nicely over it.

The Opal Essence primer is hydrating and a bit glowy. I’m not one for the super dewy look, but this is a subtle glow that I really like. It gives foundation and extra bit of dewiness and also looks nice on it’s own.

The Leveler is great for those with large pores and oiler skin types. It can be worn all over the face or only in the t-zone. It has a light texture and just a bit of a tint to it. Worn alone, it gives the skin a soft matte finish. And it helps foundation stay matte and flawless all day, too!

None of these really have a scent, which I really like. I enjoy these for different makeup looks and finishes. Plus, they can be combined with the Leveler in the t-zone and Opal Essence on the outer part of the face. They all work well with the few different foundations I have tried them with.

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Have you tried the Beautyblender primers? What is your current favorite primer?

Flawless Skin — My New Summer Skin Care And Makeup Products

My skin is looking pretty great this summer. It is super hot in Kansas City right now, so my skin should be gross and oily, but the fabulous new products I have been using have made it clear, smooth and very youthful!

Freeze 24-7 Skin Glacé™ Daily Detoxifying Cleanser & Mask ($65 USD) — Nothing beats a clean feeling, from having a tidy pantry to a neat desk. Now your skin can experience that kind of calming clean with Freeze 24-7 Skin Glace Daily Detoxifying Cleanser & Mask, a gentle deep cleaning formula that provides maximum skin purification, detoxification and hydration. With daily use, you can effectively unclog pores, remove excess oil, make-up and impurities, leaving your skin visibly soft, supple and healthy. Daily Detoxifying Cleanser & Mask replenishes your skin’s natural moisture balance while calming red, irritated skin. Plus, it serves as a great shaving cream for men and women.

What I think: I love the fresh scent of this cleanser and how clean it makes my skin feel after use. It can also work as a quick mask for even deeper cleansing. I just apply it, let it foam up, then rub it in and rinse. Easy, fun and my skin looks clear and soft after use! Visit www.freeze247.com to learn more and purchase!

Skinnygirl Vitamin C Face Scrub ($6.99 USD) — Wash away dull, tired skin with this invigorating face scrub that instantly makes skin feel refreshed and smooth. The combination of shea butter and cranberry cleanses away dead skin to unveil a brighter, naturally radiant you.

Key Ingredients:

Soybean Oil – Rehydrates and improves skin texture
Grape Seed Oil – Moisturizes, tightens, tones, and rejuvenates skin while protecting against collagen destruction
Cranberry Fruit Extract – Soothes skin and is a natural vitamin c source to help improve circulation
Shea Butter – Deeply hydrating moisturizer

What I think: This is an unusal scrub in that the beads melt away and what’s left is an oil, so you really need to rinse it off completely. I am used to scrubs making my skin feel super clean, and this makes it feel like it was moisturized instead. That is weird, but when I looked in the mirror after use, my skin looked amazing. Really clear and smooth. This is worth a try, but is maybe not for those with very oily skin. Learn more at http://skinnygirlfaceandbody.com.

Freeze 24-7 Eye Serum ($115 USD) — Banish crow’s feet, dark circles and puffiness associated with allergies and other environmental conditions. This lightweight, fast-absorbing formula diminishes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles beneath and around the eye area within minutes of application by bringing oxygen and nutrients to the area. Causes a cooling, toning sensation; indicating that the serum is working.

What I think: I love this serum. It is a little pricey, but it is so good. After I apply this light serum, it instantly smooths my eye area leaving it hydrated and makes my fine lines virtually disappear! It is very cooling and refreshing on the eyes, especially great for these hot summer days. Plus, the more I use it, the better my eyes look. Awesome! Visit www.freeze247.com to learn more.

Nuance Salma Hayek Smooth Smart Skin Primer ($10.99 USD) — Smooth start. Helps diminish the appearance of pores and fine lines and enhance makeup wear. Inspired by my grandmother, my products are designed to help every woman enhance the nuances that define her individual beauty. – Salma. Smooth start skin primer. White lupin seeds & safflower seed oil help improve skin’s firmness and elasticity. Pumpkin seedcake nourishes and delivers improved radiance. Soft-light diffusion technology helps create a healthy glow. Vitamin E nourishes and protects the skin. Paraben free. Fragrance free. Made in USA.

What I think: This is a good primer if you like a bit of a glow to your skin. Skin is very smooth and ready for makeup after use. Or, just wear it alone — it’s quick and easy to apply and you’re out the door! Purchase at a CVS pharmacy near you or visit www.cvs.com.

TIGI Cosmetics Mineral Tint Moisturizer ($30 USD) Wearing foundation in soaring temperatures can be a total drag. This oil-free, water-resistant tinted moisturizer is the perfect light-weight alternative for the season. Added bonus: It’s formulated with a hint of shimmer and SPF 20 so you can get that sun-kissed glow sans the rays.

What I think: Gorgeous! And perfectly matches my currently faux-tanned skin! It almost melts into my skin, and gives me such a flawless look. This can be worn with our without primer. Smooth it over skin and go! Please visit www.tigiprofessional.com to find a local salon.

Nuance Salma Hayek Flawless Mineral Cheek Trio ($12.99 USD) Triple-milled pigments in this three-in-one conditioning blush shape, highlight and define for an extra smooth, velvety finish and endless, customized looks.

What I think: This is a beautiful compact. You can color, highlight and define cheeks and all over the face. I like to brush a little of the bronzer under my jaw and under cheekbones to define. The highlighter goes on top of my cheekbones and on my brow bone. Purchase at a CVS pharmacy near you or visit www.cvs.com.

Enjoy!

Tarte’s New Clean Slate Primers are Natural and Long-Wearing — Awesome!

A flawless makeup application starts with a clean slate. See what a clean slate can do for your skin with tarte’s primer trio– get poreless, flawless, creaseless and look your best naturally for up to 12 hours. Improve the texture, wear, and feel of your foundation or eyeshadow as you prep and prime skin with your choice of three deluxe size clean slate primers. All infused with naturally derived ingredients that will power through the day.

I have been testing these primers for a few weeks. The collection includes:

clean slate poreless 12-hour perfecting primer ($30 USD) helps makeup stay in place longer while preventing creasing in fine lines and wrinkles for a healthy, seamless complexion. Prime the skin for an overall soft-focus effect as you extend the wear of your makeup and mask imperfections. Ideal for all skin types, but perfect for those with fine lines and pore problems, this waterproof primer contains natural fruit-and plant-derived extracts to deliver anti-aging and skin-restorative benefits to your skin.

clean slate flawless 12-hour brightening primer ($30 USD) helps makeup stay in place longer while brightening skin for a healthy, glowing complexion. Ideal for all skin types, this hydrating base not only helps keep your makeup in place for up to 12 hours of perfect wear time, it’s also a quick fix for tired or sallow skin–just one application makes the face look instantly brightened and healthy.

clean slate 360; creaseless 12-hour smoothing eye primer ($19 USD) truly locks eyeshadow in place while preventing fallout and migration for true shadow payoff. The universal shade glides on easily and powers through the day into the evening for 12 hours of perfect wear time. clean slate creaseless can be used as both a shadow primer and under eye base to smooth areas around the eye giving you a seamless application and all around 360 solutions.

What I think: These are fantastic natural primers. The poreless primer is the one I like to use, it has a silicon feel to it and gives skin a matte finish. The brightening one has a creamy, pearly texture and would be perfect for dull, dry skin that needs some shine. My skin has a little bit too much shine in the summer, but it would probably work for me in the winter when my skin is dry.

The eye primer works really well. It mattifies lids and makes shadows last longer. The only thing is that it dries a little white, so I suggest to use just a little and rub it in well.

You can purchase these at www.tartecosmetics.com or www.sephora.com. Enjoy!

Fall Makeup Guide Part 2 — Complexion Perfection

Time to get your complexion ready for the fall and winter! The following products well help you look flawless in the cold months ahead!

Get ready for a smooth ride with Napoleon Perdis renowned Auto Pilot Pre-Foundation Primer ($39.00 USD). The lightweight and gentle formula is scientifically formulated to allow your foundation to automatically glide over the skin, creating a flawlessly smooth complexion. Helps makeup stay put longer.

What I think: This is a light, but effective primer. I apply this over moisturizer, under foundation and it does help my make up stay on all day! Visit www.napoleonperdis.com to learn more and purchase.

Smashbox Photo Finish Hydrating Foundation Primer ($42.00 USD) The key to healthier, younger-looking skin? Hydration, as any studio artist will tell you. The latest addition to Smashbox’s legendary primer family immediately quenches skin and seals in moisture for hours after, thanks to Hydraplex, an extract derived from desert plants. Benefits are oil-free and lightweight, smoothes fine lines and pores, and extends makeup wear.

Smashbox Studio Skin 15 Hour Wear Hydrating Foundation SPF 10 ($42.00 USD) Hot studio lights usually mean lots of complexion touch-ups-but not anymore! Stay picture-perfect for a full 15 hours with our breakthrough long-wearing formula, developed to withstand intense on-set conditions. Skin is hydrated and shine-free, while imperfections are blurred with light-diffusing spheres. Benefits are buildable medium-to-full coverage, water, sweat, humidity and transfer resistant, plus it is oil-free, and helps control oil.

What I Think: If you have dry skin, this combo will be perfect for you! The primer is extremely moisturizing. It is oil-free which is perfect for all skin types, but it does feel a bit heavy on my skin. I think it will work better for me in the winter, when my skin becomes drier.

The foundation, though, is fabulous! It smooths the appearance of the skin, making my pores and fine lines less noticeable. I find that it really lasts all day long and looks flawless. The shade I have is 2.3, and it is a bit darker than I usually wear, but I smoothed it onto my neck and chest and it looked so natural! You can purchase at www.smashbox.com and www.sephora.com.

Pixi Flawless Beauty Fluid ($30.00) — Can you fake flawless? Actually, with this oil-free foundation from Pixi™, you can! The lightweight, water-based formula creates an impeccable complexion. Conceals imperfections while minimizes the appearance of pores and redness. Provides sheer to medium coverage. Vitamin E and B5 protects the skin. Long-lasting matte finish.

What I think: This is very light weight and it is matte — which I love. I don’t need to add shine to my face! This lasts all day and is full coverage. Visit www.target.com to purchase.

Liz Earle Sheer Skin Tint SPF15 (Available in the UK only, currently) — The perfect way to enhance your skin. Our rich and creamy, yet lightweight formula leaves all skin types looking naturally dewy, even and radiant. With mineral UV SPF15, it’s enriched with our own blend of natural source vitamin E, borage and avocado, specially selected to work in harmony with our skincare range.

What I think: This is a dewy tinted moisturizer that is lightweight, but covers well. I love the skincare benefits that I receive while wearing it. The release day for the United States in unclear, but when it becomes available, it is a good base for those who like light coverage! Visit www.uk.lizearle.com.

LORAC Visual Effection Collection

LORAC has released another one of their fab collections at a great value!The Visual Effection Collection ($20.00 USD, a $47.00 value) is a limited edition and is available at Ulta and includes 2 full size Visual Effects Mascaras, one in Jet Black and one in Midnight Blue, plus a travel size Behind The Scenes Eye Shadow Primer. You’ll have everything you need to curl, separate, and lengthen your lashes.

What I think: These mascaras take a little practice to perfect, with the comb/brush applicator. But once I got it down, my lashes were extremely long and separated. The Midnight Blue is especially nice because it makes the whites of the eyes look brighter. The primer is very nice as well and helps eye shadows stay on longer.

Protect Your Flawless Face With Sue Devitt Primer and Foundation With SPF

Sue Devitt creates beautiful skincare and makeup with sea minerals and blue algae for glowing and natural-looking skin. Many of their foundations have SPF which will protect skin while smoothing it out. My favorites are:

Microquatic™ Blue Anti-Aging SPF 30 Primer ($48.00 USD) — This luxurious anti-aging primer offers skin powerful protection against harmful UVA/UVB rays through SPF 30, infused with soothing Blue Algae Extract to combat redness and naturally formed anti-irritant crystals sourced from the coast of Spain. Protect the future of your skin by stimulating skin’s natural collagen production with this skin primer’s high performance anti-aging ingredients Ceramide 2 and Matrixyl.

What I think: This primer worried me a bit at first because it is a very light blue color and when I first applied it, I thought I saw a light blueish-white cast to my skin. But when I smoothed it on my skin that went away and my skin was smoothed and glowing. My pores and lines also appeared smaller, which is a plus! Very nice primer!

SpaComplexion™ Hydrating Marine Minerals Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 ($40.00 USD) — Achieve a healthy, radiant spa-treated, natural complexion. This lightweight, mineral tinted moisturizer features extraordinary hydrating and refreshing properties of the sea, encapsulated in a proprietary delivery system that increases skin’s moisture level and vitality. Its sheer, fluid formulation with SPF 15 coverage also offers antioxidant benefits while protecting the skin from harsh environmental exposure and premature photo-aging.

What I think: This is a medium-coverage tinted moisturizer, so although this hydrates the skin, it is also gives good coverage and a very pretty glow. Combining this product with the primer, you not only get a flawless face, but 45 SPF means that you are well protected!

SpaComplexion™ Hydrating Marine Minerals Loose Powder SPF 30 Compact ($32.00 USD) –This skin-protecting loose powder provides a perfect finish, while offering continuous hydration and concentrated environmental protection with SPF 30. A unique formulation offers extraordinary hydrating and refreshing properties of the sea, encapsulated in a proprietary delivery system that increase skin’s moisture level and vitality. Natural-looking, high performance minerals deliver nutrients to the skin in a portable compact with mirror perfect for touch-ups throughout the day.

What I think: What I love about this mineral foundation is that my skin does not feel dry when I apply it. I have a lot of trouble with loose mineral foundation because it tends to settle in my fine lines and pores. Yuck! But this foundation does seem to hydrate and refresh throughout the day. It also looks very natural and not cakey at all.

Learn more about these and many more fab products at www.suedevittbeauty.com. Enjoy!

Benefit The POREfessional

Looking for an under makeup primer that reduces the appearance of pores while making your face look smoother and your makeup last longer? That is the claim of Benefit’s the POREfessional.

The POREfessional ($28.00 USD) —

What it is:
A PRO balm that minimizes the appearance of pores.

What it does:
The POREfessional quickly minimizes the appearance of pores. Apply this silky, lightweight balm to achieve translucent pore coverage and smoother-than-smooth skin. Pores…now you see ’em, now you don’t!

What do I think: This is a very good primer. It is oil free, which is perfect and smooths on the skin so easily.
Oil-free. Instructions included.

www.benefitcosmetics.com

Korres Quercetin and Oak Age-Reversing Face Primer

When I first heard about face primers a few years ago, I was skeptical. It kind of seemed like an extra product I was piling on my face — you know after serums, moisturizers and an SPF. But now, I feel that a primer can be an important extra step to take, if you have the right one. A good primer will make your face look instantly smoother, plus keep your make-up looking fresh all day and lasting longer.

So I was excited to try the Korres Quercetin & Oak Age-reversing Face Primer ($33.00 1.01 oz). This primer is not only a skin-smoother, it is a anti-aging treatment. The website describes it as:

Powerful treatment and skin-perfecting face primer in one that instantly fills wrinkles and provides a very smooth and perfected skin surface, ensuring long-lasting make up application. Enriched with powerful antioxidant Quercetin and Oak extracts that improve skin cell functioning, repair fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin texture and elasticity. Hyaluronic acid forms a protective shield on the skin, providing immediate moisture and increasing skin elasticity while Barley extract instantly fills wrinkles and refines pores. Improves skin texture, thus providing a healthy glow to skin even without make-up. Silicone-free; does not clog the pores.
• 97% saw improved skin texture
• 88% saw significant increase in skin elasticity
• 84% saw visibly firmer, tighter skin
• 75% saw immediate lifting

What I think: My first reaction to the primer was that it seemed to go on more creamy like a moisturizer than slick like a silicone primer. But when I looked at myself after application, my skin tone was more even and my skin tone was smooth. Concealer and foundation glided on easily, and yes, my skin looked great all day long. As a forty-something woman, my skin is redder and my pores more noticable than when I was younger. This primer really helped even all of that out!

This primer is one of the best I have tried, and I highly recommend it! Visit www.korresusa.com to learn more and to purchase this fab primer!

The Quality Products of Prescriptives

Prescriptives creates quality skincare and makeup that makes you look great and is good for your skin, too.

I have recently tried a few products from this line. They are:

False Eyelashes Plush Mascara ($19.50) — This fantastic mascara pulls triple duty by creating volume, length, and curl. Oh yes, I said curl. This is the first “curling mascara” that I have tried that has made my eyelash curler obsolete. It’s quick and easy to get great lashes and my pin straight lashes look long and full. The formula includes conditioners to keep lashes smooth and healthy.

Flawless Face Primer ($27.50) — This smoothing primer creates a silky canvas for smoth foundation application. It claims to “helps diminish the appearance of large pores, lines and wrinkles, while simultaneously helping to reduce the appearance of redness and discoloration.” This is a very nice primer, it is creamy without being greasy or oily. A little goes a long way, and once applied only a small amount of foundation is needed for a flawless complexion.

Armed with a Super Antioxidant System (SAS), Super Line Preventor Xtreme ($48.00 1 oz, $76.00 1.7 oz) claims to “defend against the visible aging effects of free radicals triggered by environmental assaults both immediately after exposure and again up to 72 hours later. It helps strengthen skin and boost its natural defenses by helping skin bolster its collagen production to improve visible skin tone, radiance and diminish the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Skin looks stronger, smoother and more radiant…one step ahead of environmental assaults.”

I really enjoy this serum. It is light and non-greasy and sinks into the skin quickly, so one can apply moisturizer. My skin has been looking smooth and radiant lately and I think this serum has a lot to d with that.

Visit www.prescriptives.com to learn more about these great products!

Perfekt Beauty Skin Perfection Gel

Are you a busy woman? Do you have time in the morning to produce a flawless face with primer, foundation and powder — as well as all of the other makeup that you need to look your best? Well, join the club! But there is help for us!

I have been using the Perfekt Skin Perfection Gel ($57.50) over my moisturizer every day. It is a gel-mousse that works as a foundation, primer, color corrector and powder all in one. I apply a small amount with my fingers all over my face. It gets rid of the redness and is a great sheer foundation. If I want more coverage, it is completely buildable to get the effect I need. It also makes my skin appear very smooth and has a great matte finish. I do use a little powder to set it, but then my skin looks flawless!

This product is available in 5 shades: Translucent – clear, Luminous – light , radiant – medium, Rich – tan and Decadent – mahogany. I use Luminous, but Translucent would make a great primer or just for a natural look.

Visit www.sephora.com to purchase this product.