Archives for May 2009

Today Rowena from Cosmetic Candy Blog shares five of her favorite face primers.🙂

From the first moment I discovered primers, I have been obsessed with all the various kinds of textures and types out there.

Primer is supposed to do a few things; firstly prepare the face as a canvas, smoothing out pores and wrinkles, making foundation easier to apply and last longer. Some primers are color corrective, so useful for people with dull skintones or overly red ones, some primers have mattifying properties for oily skins, and some contain salicylic acid for acne prone gals.

There are also various textures to choose from — gels, creams, lotions, silicone based.
I have completely troublesome skin; oily on my t-zone, dry on the cheeks that then turns oily, sometimes flaky, always rosy, medium pores and a splattering of acne. I like my primers, but some work for me, some don’t.

With that in mind, here are five of my favourite primers.

1. Chanel: Le Blanc De Chanel, Sheer Illuminating Base

Le Blanc De Chanel Primer (30ml, $45) is a scary looking white creamy liquid that applies looking a tad wan, then rapidly sinks in to leave a brightening, radiant effect. I am not a fan of anything that looks chalky on my skin, and this primer does not leave my NC35 skin looking ghostly.

As well as illuminating, this silicone based primer is supposed to smooth out the skin surface and makes make up last longer. It is quite a rich, moisturizing primer — the SA told me when I bought it that it was for more mature skins than mine (but I bought it anyway!). Oily skins may struggle a little with it as it can be a little rich, especially if you apply too much product. Alternatively, it can be applied to specific areas of the face just for a highlight.

I like this used with a mattifying foundation like Chanel Mat Lumiere as it gives a refined glow.

Verdict: A wonderful illuminator

2. Paul & Joe: Moisturizing Foundation Primer

Sitting in a beautiful glass jar is Paul & Joe’s moisturizing foundation primer, (30ml, SPF 12 apart from shade 03) which is a creamy liquid that comes in three shades.

I have shade 2 which is the warmest tone. Although I don’t like scented face products, this one smells beautiful and it really adds moisture to the face and adds a soft, dewy glow. Used sparingly under a powder foundation, it helps balance my skin so that I don’t get that horribly cakey-powdery-nose look. It also smoothes out my pores but not in a fake, over the top way and looks oh so pretty on my dressing table.

Verdict: Keeps the skin hydrated all day

3. Illamasqua: Satin Primer

Illamasqua is a fairly new UK based make up brand, one which will be winging its way all around the world quite soon! Their Satin Primer (30ml, SPF 20, £18) is a white lotion which sinks in quickly and adds instant glow. Even with foundation and primer on top, my face is left with a beachy glowy look without looking like I have dunked my head into some Crisco. SPF 20 is also a big bonus!

Verdict: Dewy Goodness

4. RMK Creamy Make Up Base

RMK make wonderful base make up products, from concealers to foundations to powders. Their primers are also excellent and come in liquid (30ml) for normal to oily skins, Creamy Matte Base (colorless and mattifying) and Creamy Make Up Base (30g) in two hues. I have a liquid and a creamy and I alternate depending on if my skin is feeling oiler or drier on the day.

Creamy make up base is my favourite because it really smoothes out the face and can be used all over. It adds a subtle glow and covers pores and lines quit well. I’ve also find it makes make up last longer, but works best if you give it some time to sink in properly.

Verdict: A great all rounder

5. Clarins Lisse Minute — Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch Make Up Base

This primer sits in a little pot (15ml, $30), inside containing a light salmon colored thick cream which easily blends into the skin. This primer is not just your average primer — it fills in lines and pores too using what Clarins calls miniscule Acacia Micro Pearls that sink into wrinkles and plump out the skin. I had to think long and hard before buying this one because it’s expensive for not a lot of product, but I am glad I did.

I use this just on targeted areas like on my cheeks where pores are more prominent and around my mouth where I feel lines may be visible. It provides me with the smooth canvas to work with and I really notice the difference to using foundation on its own and using it with this. If I want an extra boost, I use another primer all over and this one just on spots that needs some extra oomph!

Verdict: Polyfilla for the face

If you already have amazing skin, a lot of primers can be used on their own just to add some glow. Have I converted you to priming your face if you don’t do so already?! You know what they say; a stitch in time saves nine (or rather, a layer of primer saves you the job of retouching later!).

This post was written by Rowena, the creator and writer of Cosmetic Candy Blog, where she writes about everything beauty related, moans about bad customer service and talks about her 5 fat kittehs.