Sunday 12 April 2015

A Guide To: Face Primers

Hi Guys,

I thought I'd start a bit of a series on different products, Its basically going to be a guide to different variations of each product. Nowadays there are so many versions of one type of make up product It can get a bit confusing on which one is for you. 

Im starting of with Primers, as there are a lot of new launches about for them, plus I think they're often a product thats forgotten about in the bottom of the makeup bag!
Primers were often products that were just used for special occasions but more and more often now they're being used everyday. There are so many available all doing different things and aimed towards different skin types, its amazing when you think about all the different ways they can help.

Primers are basically a base for your foundation, it creates an even blank canvas for you to work your makeup magic on. Not only does it do this but it creates a barrier on the skin and locks in your skincare. For a lot of makeup artists, primers are also used to treat certain skin types. As believe me you cannot carry a million different lotions and potions to target each skin type in your kit. So by having a range of Primers you can prep the skin and prolong the wear time of the makeup at the same time!
HYDRATING
I think there is sometimes I misconception that primers are only for oily skin to stop your make up from moving around all day. But in fact Primers are fantastic for dry skin too. A very well loved Primer for brides is the Laura Mercier Foundation Primer which comes in a variety of different versions. But I love using the Hydrating one as its light on the skin, your skin looks fresh, which is great when you're having one of those dull skin days! Its also a fantastic one for mature skin too.

Possibly my all time favourite Primer is Illamasqua Hydraveil, it might be one of the strangest ones with its jelly form. But it packs a punch when it comes to hydrating the skin, Illamasqua created it as a hybrid, a step between skincare and makeup. It feels lovely and cool on the skin, it also gives you a glow and absorbs practically instantly. My makeup lasts all day with this underneath and my foundation actually goes on without looking awful over the dry patches.

MATTE
Mattifying Primers are great for oilier skin types that struggle with shine throughout the day, as they help to control the shine while prolonging the makeup to avoid it slipping. Water based primer if you have oily skin often works the best, so anything that says Oil Free is great. Silica is the main ingredient to look out for as it is the main ingredient to reduce shine. I like using the Illamasqua Matte Primer on my models.
SMOOTHING
You cant really do a Primer post without including the ever so famous Benefit Porefessional, this balm primer is designed to smooth out the skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and pores. It has a very silky texture and is nice and lightweight. Whats a little different about this product though is the fact you can also apply it over your makeup, as most primers are to go over your moisturiser and before your foundation. A popular drugstore dupe to test out is also the Maybelline Baby Skin  too.

RADIANT
Another great use for Primers is to add some radiance to the skin, they help to brighten and add a glow to the skin, especially if it is looking  a little dull. I love the Clarins Instant Light Complexion Perfector range as it offers a huge range of different tones, the one I have is in Rose which is great for cool skin tones. But obviously not everyone has cool toned skin. Clarins are also bringing out a few darker shades to give more of a tanned look too.
UNIVERSAL
The Clinique Superprimer comes in six variations, my favourite one for me and for my kit has to be the universal one as it suits everyone. Plus Clinique is a great brand for sensitive skin! This one goes on almost like a lotion and is lightweight (can you tell I like lightweight primers yet!). The others in the range are all tinted with a colour, unlike this one as it goes on translucent. The reason behind tinting them is to correct certain issues with the skin, using specific colours (This is the part where it gets a little complicated with colour theory, which I won't dive into!).

The Smashbox Photo Finish Primer is made from silicone so it smooths out the skin and leaves it feeling silky. It is very similar to the Porefessional Primer, but it has more of a gel like texture. It was designed to blur as its purpose was to look camera ready, to give that flawless look. 

The other fantastic thing about the Smashbox primers overall is just their sheer range, they like Clinique also offer colour correcting ones, to lighter formulas and hydrating. But even though they do all of those this original formula works great on oiler skins due to it being oil-free but still works on dry skin too, Its great to have in your kit if you're a makeup artist. 

(Swatches: Left to Right - Hydraveil, Laura Mercier Hydrating, Porefessional, Instant Light Complexion Perfector, Superprimer)
There are so many other primers out there, even primer water now! Which I would of included but Im yet to get my hands on one, I am very intrigued by the idea though.

I hope this post is helpful and makes as much sense as I hoped it would! I also hope the idea behind the series makes sense too, I swear it does in my head! If theres anything you'd like to know a bit more about, then just let me know. I just thought the post was getting long enough as it was! I was going to include Eye Primers too but I'll save that for another post!

Eloise x
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6 comments

  1. I love Benefit's Porefessional. You've reminded me that I need to re-buy it as mine is almost all run out! I loved this post :) xx

    Jessie | allthingsbeautiful-x

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  2. I love silicone based primers mainly. I am on the look out for a new one so I need to get hunting.
    x x | daisydaisyxxo

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  3. I need to try the Clarins primer! I need matte primers as I have super oily skin.
    Shaguna
    www.goldandhearts.com

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  4. Laura Mercier and Porefessional are an amazing duo! They've been my go to bases for a while now and I'm reluctant to try anything else!


    Sarah :)
    Saloca in Wonderland

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  5. This is really informative - I've stayed away from primers having dry skin - but I'll have to try one now!
    Síle@ www.anyidlesunday.com

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  6. My two favourites and ones I continuously alternate between are Benefits' Porefessional and the Smashbox Photofinish - these both work amazingly on my skin. But I do wish to venture away from these and try out the Laura Mercier foundation primer - it sounds amazing, exactly what I've been looking for.

    LL | www.cautivar.com

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