NARS

Is a Primer Necessary?

Do you remember a time when your makeup look consisted of some foundation, a little bit of eyeshadow, some CoverGirl mascara, and lips topped off with gloss? It all seemed so simple and straightforward back then. However, that all seemed to change overnight with the development of products such as BB creams, CC creams, highlighters, bronzers, primers and so forth.

Primers in particular are of interest because of the premise that they can improve coverage and extend your makeup’s longevity. To be clear, there are primers for just about everything: foundation primers, eyelid, eyelash, and even lip primers. However, of those mentioned, I personally cannot live without foundation or eyelid primers. Without these little gems, my makeup would shift, smudge and wear out before you could scream “hot mess.” While I don’t like adding time or more money into my beauty routine than need be, I promise that primers are well worth it.

My Favorite Primers: Face

  1. Rimmel Stay Matte Primer ($6.99) – This particular primer is great for those with normal to oily skin.
  1. Laura Mercier Foundation Primer ($36) – This primer certainly hits the high price point range. However, if budget isn’t an issue, you will have an array of primers to choose from based on your specific need. Of the list below, my loyalty lies with the radiance primer because I love the embedded pearl tint which adds a healthy glow to any foundation.
  1. Benefit the POREfessional Face Primer ($31)

My Favorite Primers: Eyelids

  1. Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion ($20 $10)

This is my everyday go-to eyelid primer. A little bit of product really goes a long way and I appreciate the fact that they have other shades that can be worn as primer, highlighters or even shadow.

  1. NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base ($26)

My Favorite Primers: Eyelashes

  1. Tarte Opening Act Lash Primer ($22)
  2. Dior Diorshow Maximizer Lash Plumping Serum ($28.50)

There are only two situations where I utilize eyelash primers. The first, is to lengthen and create full dramatic lashes. I find that using one is a viable alternative to wearing false eyelashes. The second situation is when I’m using a waterproof mascara. The additional barrier helps protect my natural lashes from the weight of waterproof mascara and helps expedite the mascara removal process.

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  • Highlighters

    Highlighters

  • Anastasia Beverly Hills Glow Kit in Gleam

    Anastasia Beverly Hills Glow Kit in Gleam

  • Anastasia Beverly Hills Glow Kit in Gleam (closeup)

    Anastasia Beverly Hills Glow Kit in Gleam (closeup)

  • Anastasia Beverly Hills Glow Kit in Gleam (swatches)

    Anastasia Beverly Hills Glow Kit in Gleam (swatches)

  • Highlighters (swatches)

    Highlighters (swatches)

Now onto what will give you that luminosity: highlighters. I could live without a bronzer, but not without my highlighter! A great highlighter brightens up the face while simultaneously adding a youthful glow that seems to diminish as we age. For a beginner, I would say to apply your highlighter above the cheekbone where the sun would naturally hit. If you want step it up a notch, you can strategically place some above your cupids bow, the highest point of your brow bone, and on the bridge of your nose. My only advice when it comes to using a highlighter is to use some restraint. If you go overboard, you will look like a disco ball. Let your application be light-handed and soft so you get the desired effect. The overwhelming popularity of highlighters has only benefited consumers because of the array options available. Highlighters can be found in liquid, cream, powder and even in pencil form. Here is a breakdown of some of my favorites in each of these categories (with Sephora.com descriptions):

Liquid Highlighter

  1. BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector ($41/five available shades): Achieve a subtle luminosity. This formula features ultrafine light-reflecting pearls that melt into your skin for polished, natural-looking radiance. Water-light and sheer, it has a prismatic effect that allows it to adjust in any light, so your refined glow is never lost.
  2. Benefit Cosmetics High Beam Liquid Face Highlighter ($26/one shade): A satiny-pink, liquid highlighter to add a subtle glow

Cream Highlighter

  1. Benefit Cosmetics Watt’s Up! Cream-to-Powder Highlighter ($30/one shade): This particular highlighter seems to be a strobing favorite amongst makeup artists. If an intense highlighted look is your thing, then I suggest you head over to YouTube and check out this strobing technique, using the Benefit Cosmetics Watt’s Up!, with the great MUA Mario Dedivanovic.

Powder Highlighter

  1. BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed ($38/six shades): Buyer Beware…BECCA pressed powder highlighters are very potent. Just a swipe of their highlighters can be noticed from afar and it lasts all day. I highly recommend this highlighter for those who want a more noticeable radiance.
  2. Anastasia Beverly Hills Glow Kit in Gleam ($40): This highlighter palette  is the best value for your money given the fact that it comes with four unique shades.
  3. theBalm Cosmetics theManizer Sisters ($28/three shades in one palette): In a previous post, I selected theBalm’s theManizer Sisters as my beauty product of the month. I absolutely love this product because the colors are gorgeous and its subtle shimmer will complete any makeup look without looking overdone.

Pencil Highlighter

  1. Benefit Cosmetics High Brow ($22/two shades): This pencil is the best for precision application and for those places you want minimal product placement (i.e. corners of your eyes, lips and along the bridge of your nose). Of all the products mentioned, I use this one almost every day; its that good! The best part is that you don’t need any beauty blender or brushes for its application and it’s the most portable of the bunch. FYI: YouTuber Jordan has an awesome video highlighting (yes…pun intended) his use of the Benefit Cosmetics High Brow Pencil.

Recommended Brushes for Highlighter Application

  1. Smashbox Fan Brush #22 ($18)
  2. Morphe Brush # ($ )
  3. Beauty Blender micro.mini ($18/pack of 2) – I use this specifically with the Benefit Cosmetics Watts Up!
  4. Good old fingers…for the liquid highlighters.
Insider Tip

One neat trick is to place 1 to 2 drops of your preferred liquid highlighter and mix it into your favorite foundation. This gives your whole face a subtle diffused, but amazing radiance that will stay with you all day.

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  • Bronzers

    Bronzers

  • Bronzers (swatches)

    Bronzers (swatches)

  • Tom Ford Bronzing Powder

    Tom Ford Bronzing Powder

  • Tom Ford Bronzing Powder (closeup)

    Tom Ford Bronzing Powder (closeup)

We are quickly approaching that time of the year that boasts July 4th parties, endless sun, and the warm ocean breeze. Summer is synonymous with that and so much more, including glowing skin. Just a few minutes relaxing on a sandy beach can give you radiance that would make even supermodels envious. However, if your overly cautious about taking any sun because of harmful UV rays or you want to limit sunspots or wrinkles, you don’t have to sacrifice your summer glow. The great news is anyone can achieve that sun-kissed look by using bronzer and highlighter.

Let’s begin with bronzers. A really great bronzer will imitate a light tan without leaving you orangey looking or leather faced. The type of bronzer you use will depend on your specific skin type, but the most common options are powder and cream based. Here are my favorites:

Cream bronzer

Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel Bronzing Makeup Base ($50): A cream based bronzer is a great option for dry/normal skin or if you’re looking for an option during winter months. The Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel Bronzer is lightweight, smooth and highly buildable. Another positive is that it can be used both over and under your favorite foundation depending on the type of look your looking to achieve. The only negative: it only comes in one shade, which clearly caters to those with light to medium skin tones.

Powder bronzer

Tom Ford Bronzing Powder ($68/small size & $98/large size): Per Sephora.com  Highlight the skin’s natural radiance or accent an existing tan with TOM FORD’s Bronzing Powder. Just brush it lightly onto cheekbones to define and emphasize your bone structure, or dust all over the face to create the ultimate warm and seductive glow.  What else you need to know: This product is free of fragrance. Remote private islands where summer lasts all year and one day seamlessly blends into the next inspire the TOM FORD Soleil Collection, a sensuous series of bronzers, highlighters, and skin care designed to illuminate summer.

What can I add to this amazing description? Well, that it’s all true!

Honorable Mentions

  1. Nars Bronzing Powder in Laguna ($39)
  2. Benefit Cosmetics Hoola Matte Bronzer ($15/travel sized & $29/regular size)
  3. Too Faced Soleil Matte Bronzer ($30/three shades)

In regards to brushes, my one and only is the MAC large angled contour brush #168 ($35). I’ve been loyal to this brush because it’s large enough to give an overall beautiful coverage. And yet, the brushes slanted tip can be used to contour as well.

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