• Fave Makeup Primers

    Primers | My Hits & Misses

    Hi Everyone!

    I’m sharing my hits and misses for all primers that I’ve tried (that I can remember).

    Check out my other Hits & Misses posts!

    MAKEUP || Foundations | Powders | Concealers | Brows | Mascara

    SKINCARE || Eye Creams

    BRANDS || Bobbi Brown | Burt’s Bees | L’OréalMaybelline | Nude by Nature | NYX | TULA | Volition Beauty

    Before you read this post, please remember that we all have difference preferences and skin types. These are MY hits, misses and likes. You might love something I don’t like or dislike something I love.


    Each primer has a small blurb on why I love, like or didn’t like. Some I’ve grouped together because they were similar to me. First, I’ll start with Hits, then Likes and end with Misses.

    HITS

    Smashbox Photo Finish Primerizer – This one is great for my dry skin. Before I started using facial oils and drinking more water, my nose was super dry and flaky (ew). It’s still a bit dry and can get flaky at times, but around the nostrils aren’t as bad as they used to be. This primer was the first that would keep my nose moisturized enough by the end of the day. You can also use this as a moisturizer if you’re in a pinch and need some moisture.

    Good Molecules Silicone-Free Priming Moisturizer* & Sonia Roselli Water Balm (read my review) – These are also 2-in-1 primers that can double as moisturizers. I wouldn’t say that these should be used as your only part of your skincare routine, but they can definitely be one of the steps in your morning routine to help prep your skin. The Sonia Roselli Water Balm is more moisturizing than the Good Molecules. I wouldn’t use the Good Molecules as a moisturizer on its own though. I usually pair it with a face oil.

    Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water – This is a nice hydrating primer that has a bit of tackiness. You can also use at the end of your makeup routine, but take note that the spray nozzle isn’t the finest so don’t get too close to your face. It has a slightly citrus scent from the Limonene, so if you don’t like citrus, you’ll want to skip this one!

    Make Up For Ever Step 1 Equalizer Primer (Smoothing) – This is a nice smoothing/blurring primer that smells really nice. I use it on my cheeks and forehead where my pores are larger.

    Tarte Timeless Smoothing Primer (read my review) – This is one of Tati’s fave blurring primers. So I thought I’d give it a try. This is a thicker primer and it’s easy to use too much – Less is more! Sometimes I would get too much on my fingers and then just apply it to areas I didn’t really need it. I would notice my makeup would look more cakey in those areas. That was totally my fault though. This is a great primer if you need to blur those pores. If you do end up trying it, press it into the skin, do not rub.

    Winky Lux Whipped Primer – Tati also tried this one to compare. I can’t recall exactly what she said, but I think she liked it. Although not as much as the Tarte one. This one is a softer texture since it’s whipped – It’s like this one is whipped cream cheese while the Tarte is regular Philly cream cheese. It might be easier for a beginner to try this one first and then upgrade to Tarte Timeless Smoothing Primer when you’re ready.

    Mac Strobe Cream (Pink) – I guess this is more of a liquid highlighter than a primer. If you have larger pores, you might want to use a blurring primer before applying this to the face. You can use this underneath foundation, mix it in with foundation or apply as a liquid highlighter. This pink is so pretty to give you that ‘glow from within’ look. The Giorgio Armani Fluid Sheer in #7 is also really pretty and I haven’t personally tried it, but the Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter is so pretty too.

    Makeup Primers
    Tarte Timeless Smoothing Primer (bottom), Winky Lux Whipped Cream Primer (top)

    LIKES

    Smashbox Photo Finish Pore Minimizing Primer – I don’t really like the silicone-y feeling blurring primers, but if you don’t mind them, you’d like this one.

    Touch In Sol No Poreblem Primer – This one broke me out, but it blurs really nicely. If it works for you, this is one of the cheaper primers available at Sephora and in this blog post.

    Make Up For Ever Step 1 Equalizer Primers (Nourishing & Hydrating – These two primers were both really nice, but again didn’t provide my dry skin enough moisture. The Nourishing one is a bit richer in texture while the hydrating one is more of a gel cream texture.

    Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Oil – I really loved this primer when I first tried a sample, but once I bought the full size bottle, I didn’t reach for it as often. You could use any facial oil you already have instead of spending money on a primer oil. Also, this isn’t the best smelling facial oil I’ve used either. I ended up having to use it as a facial oil and then ended up decluttering because I had it so long that it started to smell off.

    First Aid Hello Fab Coconut Skin Smoothie Priming Moisturizer, Stellar Brilliant Primer & Mac Prep + Prime Natural Radiance – From what I remember, these three primers were illuminating and they had similar textures. They weren’t shimmery or anything, but there was a glow to them. While they were nice, they didn’t provide quite enough hydration for my dry skin. Also, I didn’t like the smells of these primers. I’d rather use a really good hydrating primer and choose to add in some liquid highlighter on my own instead of getting an illuminating primer like these ones.

    makeup Primers
    Makeup Primers

    MISSES

    Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer – I know some people love this one, but this smells like school glue to me and that just turned me off. I also didn’t notice anything special about it.

    Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser Primer – Similar to the Smashbox pore minimizing primer, this is silicone-y. It’s a good drugstore alternative to the Smashbox one, I believe. I didn’t compare them so I don’t know if Smashbox was better at blurring, but they both have the same texture.

    Make Up for Ever Step 1 Equalizer Primer – Redness Correcting & Smashbox Photo Finish Colour Correcting Primer – Redness Correcting (read my review) – I didn’t really find these two primers to work that well at concealing redness. If you need to colour correct, use a colour corrector instead of a primer that corrects.

    L’Oréal Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream (Anti-Redness) (read my review) – This smells really bad, but it does work great if you have a slightly darker skin tone than I do. It works well for my mom. It starts out green, but then it turns ‘skin-coloured.’

    Maybelline Facestudio Master Primer Blur + Redness Control Primer – This did nothing to conceal redness OR blur.

    Nude By Nature Perfecting Primer (read my review) – Even though I rated this a 3/5 in my review, the smell is too sweet. It smells like Rockets (or as the Americans call them ‘Smarties’).

    The Body Shop Moisturizing Primer – I don’t think this is available anymore, but it was basically a moisturizer. It had a similar texture to the First Aid priming moisturizer.

    The Body Shop All-In-1 Blurring Primer – Again, this is silicone-y and one of the first primers I tried.

    Smashbox Photo Finish Under Eye Primer – Originally, I loved this primer because I thought it made my under eyes look illuminated and bright. After a while, I didn’t notice anything. I don’t know if I was just imagining things in the beginning. This was meant to illuminate the under eyes. You don’t need this (even if it did work)…just get a good eye cream that already illuminates. This one has a similar texture to the First Aid/Stellar/MAC illuminating primers.


    If you’ve read this far, thanks for reading!

    You can check out my July 2018 Primer Inventory to see how much my opinion has changed since then.

    I’ve also tried the Benefit The POREfessional Face Primer and Tatcha The Silk Canvas Protective Primer in samples. I think the POREfessional was dried out by the time I tried it, but I know a lot of people love it. I think it’s similar to the Make Up For Ever Smoothing Primer, so I might give the hydrating version a try. I really liked the Silk Canvas primer and would definitely consider purchasing the mini. I know the full size is more cost effective, but I don’t know if I could get through the full size one fast enough. I’d rather spend a few dollars more per ounce than buy the full size one and end up throwing it out because it expired.

    To Try

    • Becca First Light Priming Filter Face Primer 
    • Becca Velvet Blurring Primer
    • Benefit The POREfessional: Hydrate Primer
    • Bite Changemaker Skin-Optimizing Primer (normal to dry skin)
    • Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter (This was on my 2020 Beauty Wishlist)
    • Cover FX Gripping Primer
    • Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Primer – Blurring 
    • Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Primer – Hydrating
    • Tatcha The Silk Canvas Protective Primer

    In my next Hits & Misses post, I’ll be writing about foundations!

    What are your favourite primers?

    Love,

    Products marked with (*) were gifted to me.

  • makeup of the day

    My Makeup Routine | Fall 2019

    Hi Everyone!

    I thought I’d share my makeup routine lately. My skin has been getting better so I’ve been doing more No Foundation looks when I go out. If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll know that my Makeup Of The Day posts all look the same because I keep using the same products. I’m trying to finish some of my current collection before buying any more.

    Below is a list of most of the products in my makeup collection. Some products aren’t included (like eyeshadows and my contour palette because I don’t use them every day). Any product that was sent to me will have a (*) after the name:

    PRIMER/SPRAY

    • Tarte Timeless Smoothing Primer
    • Winky Lux Whipped Cream Primer
    • Smashbox Photo Finish Primerizer
    • Touch In Sol No Poreblem Primer
    • Make Up For Ever Step 1 Equalizing Primer (Nourishing)
    • Nars Tinted Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base in Medium (if I’m wearing eye makeup)
    • Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Oil (didn’t use in Summer, but will use in Fall and Winter)
    • Pixi Hydrating Milky Mist
    • Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water
    • Cover FX Dewy Setting Spray

    For primers, I might use a mix of two (hydrating and blurring). I’m enjoying the Winky Lux Whipped Cream Primer and Touch in Sol No Poreblem Primer.

    FOUNDATION

    • Shiseido Synchro Skin Glow Luminizing Foundation in Golden 3
    • Nars Velvet matte Foundation Stick in Fiji
    • Lancome Teint Idole Longwear Foundation Stick SPF21 in 260 Bisque N
    • Tarte Amazonian Clay Airbrush Full Coverage Powder Foundation in Light Neutral

    CONCEALER

    • RMS Beauty Un-Cover Up in 11
    • Nars Soft Matte Complete Concealer in Custard
    • Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Self-Setting Concealer in 21 Cinnamon

    Sometimes I might just use concealer and pop on some Maybelline Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder to mattify.

    POWDER

    • Maybelline Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder in 15 Light
    • Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder in 2 Medium
    • Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder

    BRONZER

    • Inglot x Jennifer Lopez Boogie Down Bronzing Powder in J217 Safari
    • NYX California Beamin’ Face & Body Bronzer in Free Spirit

    BLUSH

    • Milani Baked Blush in Dolce Pink
    • Nars Liquid Blush in Luster
    • Bare Minerals Gen Nude Powder Blush in That Peach Tho

    HIGHLIGHTER

    • theBalm Mary Dew-Manizer (mini)
    • theBalm Cindy Dew-Manizer (mini)
    • Laura Mercier Matte Radiance Baked Powder in 01 Highlight
    • Giorgio Armani Fluid Sheer in #7

    Sometimes I’ll use my bronzer or highlighter as my eyeshadow. The NYX California Beamin’ Bronzer has a bit of a sheen, so it’s really pretty on the eyes.

    EYES

    • Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler
    • Art Deco Eyeshadow Single in Off White (to set eyeshadow primer)
    • Make Up For Ever Artist Color Eye Shadow in M549 Dark Taupe
    • Make Up For Ever Artist Color Pencil in 502 Infinite Sand
    • Make Up For Ever Artist Color Pencil in 100 Whatever Black
    • Hourglass Caution Extreme Lash Mascara
    • Lancôme Monsieur Big Mascara*
    • Benefit BADgal BANG Volumizing Mascara

    BROWS

    • Kevyn Aucoin The Precision Brow Pencil in Dark Brunette
    • Benefit Precisely My Brow Pencil Ultra Fine Shape & Define in 6*
    • Charlotte Tilbury Legendary Brows Eyebrow Gel in Perfect Brow
    • Colourpop Boss Brow Clear Gel

    I haven’t been doing a lot on the eyes lately. I might just put a light brown and blend or use my bronzer. I’ll use a nude eyeliner along the lower waterline to brighten the eyes. Then I might tightline the upper lashline with a brown/black. For brows, I’ll either use just the Charlotte Tilbury eyebrow gel or use one of the pencils and follow up with one of the gels.

    LIPS

    • Jouer Essential Lip Enhancer Balm
    • Laneige Lip Glowy Balm in Grapefruit*
    • Dr. Paw Paw Original Clear Balm
    • Perricone MD No Lip Gloss Lip Gloss*
    • Pixi On-The-Glow Multi-Use Moisture Stick*

    I have been preferring lip balms/glosses over lipsticks lately. Just adding a bit of gloss to the lips leaves them looking plump and moisturized.

    What products are in your makeup routine?

    Love,

  • mac lip pencil

    September/October 2017 Faves

    Hi Everyone!

    I’m starting a new blog series for my monthly beauty favourites. Check out September and October’s faves!

    media-20171103.jpgMaybelline Fit Me Concealer

    This is a great concealer! I just wish they had more shade selections (I have 10 Light and 25 Medium). One of my faves from the drugstore!

    23.jpgMilani products- see my haul and swatches. I’m in love with all of these products. I especially love the lipstick. I have the shade 26 Nude Crème for the lipstick and 02 Light for the concealer.

    media-201711033 Kate Somerville EradiKate Acne Treatment

    This has become a fave acne treatment. It’s great for drying out those big, pesky pimples that hurt. Sometimes it takes a few applications over a few days to get them to shrink down. You don’t want to use it too much in the same place since it’s so strong and very drying on your skin. I still have yet to try the similar Mario Badescu drying lotion which I’ve heard works really well too. I also bought one from The Face Shop, and plan to do a dupe it out since it’s a lot cheaper than the eradiKate.

    20170911_025516Pink Perfection kit from Estee Lauder (no longer sold in stores)

    I’m loving this kit. The eyeshadows are velvety smooth and pigmented and the Pure Color Envy lipstick is so creamy and comfortable.

    20170911_031542MAC Patentpolish Lip Pencil in Kittenish

    Sometimes I don’t want a super pigmented lip product like lipstick and a balm doesn’t always have colour. The patentpolish is like a hybrid of a balm and a lipstick. Kittenish is a mauvey pink shade…wish I bought more of these at the Mac Warehouse sale (I’ll have to get more next time).

    lancome

    Lancome Miracle Cushion Foundation in 025 Beige Naturel

    If it’s not obvious from my #motd posts, I love this cushion foundation. It gives you a natural finish and unlike some liquid foundations, it doesn’t look cakey or make my nose look dry. My nose area tends to be dry and foundation can make it look patchy but this cushion foundation doesn’t do that. Originally, my mom bought it for herself but she didn’t like the feel of liquid foundations even though this is a very sheer formula. She gave this to me since we’re the same shade and she opted for the Sephora MicroSmooth Baked Foundation Face Powder (25 Beige).

    media-20171103343434Lush Cup O’Coffee Face and Body Mask

    I am loving this mask. It deeply cleanses pores and buffs dryness to reinvigorate your skin. It’s vegan so it does expire a little faster than a non-vegan one. My face feels super smooth after using this and the coffee grounds aren’t abrasive. Although I don’t drink coffee, I love the smell of it and it makes me feel refreshed and awake after using it. I haven’t used it on my body yet, but I imagine it would have the same effect.

    media-201711034343Buxom Lash Mascara

    This is a deluxe sample (the full-sized one has a silver top). I don’t usually love silicone wands but this keeps my lashes clump-free and my lashes still feel soft after using this. If only the price tag weren’t so high (I usually stick to drug store mascaras since their shelf life isn’t very long). I definitely need to find a dupe for this mascara.

    media-2017110352Garnier’s All-in-1 Cleansing Micellar Water

    This removes waterproof makeup and doesn’t leave my eyes feeling sticky like some eye makeup removers I’ve used. Even though it says you don’t need to rinse, I like to wash my face after using it because it has a slightly greasy feeling (even though there’s no oil in it) after using it. I’ve tried the pink one (not for waterproof makeup) and you don’t have to shake it before using.

    media-23.jpgStep 1 Skin Equalizer Primers from Make Up For Ever

    These are some of my faves. I love these three: Smoothing, Redness Correcting and Hydrating. Sometimes I use them for different parts of my face. When I have some redness around my nose and chin, then the smoothing primer on areas where my pores are more visible and then hydrating everywhere else. I’m not usually one to like scented skincare products, but I love the light scent of these.

    UPDATE: I have recently added the Nourishing primer to my collection and it’s better than the hydrating one.

    What were your faves from September and October?

    Love,

    jen