- See more at: http://tutorialgeek.blogspot.ca/2010/11/how-to-change-your-blogger-domain-url.html#sthash.JOLPbG90.dpuf my beauty full adventure - do not use: September 2013

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Prime Time

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I only recently discovered primers and made them a part of my daily routine. Since incorporating primers into my routine I have found that my pores look smaller, my foundation goes on smoother, and it lasts longer. Using primers are the best way to hide wrinkles and pores. Most primers fill in these wrinkles and pores with silicone, which gives you a smoother, more even base to apply foundation to. There are some primers that even have more benefits, like moisture renewal, anti-aging, highlighting, and colour correcting.

My go-to primer is Benefit's The Porefessional. I find that a pea size amount leaves the larger pores on my nose and forehead looking smaller. On hotter days, when my T-zone becomes oily, I like to re-apply a little to the oiliest areas to mattify the shine. I then top this with some translucent powder, and I am good to go. Another perk of this primer is that it contains Vitamin E, which helps protect against free radicals. Although I haven't seen any indication of this on my own skin, I like that it includes Vitamin E because that is something I like to apply to my skin regularly. Even on days when I don't wear foundation I like to apply this primer just to even out my skin tone and mattify my T-zone.

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How to Apply

After applying moisturizer and sunscreen it is best to give it time to sink into your skin. After a couple minutes, you can apply primer to your whole face or problem areas, before any other makeup is applied. You need to make sure that you don't use too much primer, or it will ball up under your foundation. Every website you visit is different in telling you how much primer you really need. Some say a pea size, some say a raisin, nonetheless, it is really trial and error until you find the right amount for you. If you only apply to your T-zone then you will need less then someone who uses it on their whole face. The best way, in my opinion, to apply primer is by using your fingers. The heat from your body will warm the product and help melt it into your skin. However, if you are opposed to using your fingers to apply makeup, for hygienic reasons, then a sponge or brush could be used to apply it. However, I think that using a brush or sponge will cause you to use more product then necessary.
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Did You Know?

  • Primer isn't just for your face. You can put some on your neck, hands, chest, etc., and your skin will look younger all day.
  • Buy a yellow toned primer to help hide bruises. Yellow will neutralize the blue tones in bruises.
  • Buy a brightening primer and use it as a highlighter after you have applied your foundation. I like to use Benefit's That Gal as a light glowy highlighter on most days.
  • Primers, even waterproof primers, do not make your other makeup waterproof. So if you sweat your makeup will run or wash away. If you want waterproof makeup then everything you buy must be waterproof.
  • Using an eyeshadow primer under your eyes will make your concealer last longer. It will help eliminate creasing, and redness.
  • Lash primers are great for making your lashes longer and thicker, however, using a lash primer limits the amount of mascara you can apply to your lashes. Too many coats and you will be left with clumpy lashes.
  • Green primers will reduce the redness in your skin. Great for when you get a sunburn.
  • Pink and lilac primers will help give your skin a natural glow.

What are your favourite primers? If you have oily skin like me I would love to hear some of your recommendations, leave them in a comment below!


Tuesday, September 3, 2013

BA STAR Stardust Mineral Eye Shadow

Today I will be reviewing another product from BA STAR. Like all of the others, I received this as being part of Brand Backer. Brand Backer is a website that connects bloggers and companies. These mineral eye shadows are available in 9 different shades, that come with their signature glitter glue. Each combo costs $8.75, or if you buy 6 or more you get them at a discount price of $5.00. If you are interested in buying some of these mineral shadows for yourself, visit the website here.
Now I'm normally not a fan of loose eye shadows. They are messy, take so much time to work with, and can take quite a few layers to build up pigmentation, but this shadow is one I will be reaching for a lot.

Alone with no primer, this shadow is pretty sheer, just a wash of shimmery bronze. However, it really comes alive when you use it with the glitter glue base. I've come to realize that this glue is really more of a super primer, as it is not sticky at all. The shadow foils over the primer and becomes an opaque, gorgeous bronze. I can see myself using this by itself as a wash of colour over the lid, or in conjunction with some other shadows to create a smoky eye.
If you want to buy some of these shadows BA STAR has offered a 50% off code for all of my readers. Just enter BBDUST at the checkout. This code is valid through September 30th, 2013.



 Disclaimer: Products in this post were provided by PR in exchange for a review.