Primer

Top Ten Tuesday shares our top ten primers

February 25, 2014 by beautyin ·

Top 10 Primers on Beauty Info Zone

Top Ten Tuesday is back again. This week we’ve decided to share the primers that we love. I’ve gathered up 5 facial primers and 5 eyeshadow primers to share with you. I could easily have 10 of each but needed to reign myself in a little. These are the ones in current rotation. — Marcia

Facial primers

I tried to pick 5 different kind so as not to repeat myself. Let’s see how well I did.

5 favorite facial primers

1) B. Kamins Corrective PrimerThe B. Kamins Corrective Primer is unique since it’s formulated with glycolic acid which is meant to help with the appearance of large facial pores. It has exfoliating properties and with time it becomes not just a primer but a treatment too. It contains rice bran for hydration. It has a silicone feel to it (contains dimethicone) so it may not be everyone’s choice but I see a smoothness when I use it that I don’t always find with other primers. For me it’s a great cool weather primer since it’s adding another layer of protection to my skin. It also mattifies my skin which is a nice change.

2. Reviva Labs Makeup Primer

Reviva Labs Makeup Primer

This is a double favorite at Beauty Info Zone. Both Lisa and I both love this and don’t want to be without it. I love this because it’s a 12 month primer for me, it’s not too heavy to wear year round. This contains COQ10 (protective anti-oxidant), Olive Oil, Vitamin D3 and Vitamin A, and squalene so it’s loaded with skin goodness. This leaves me with a dewy appearance and it doesn’t take a chunk out of my wallet since the price is so reasonable.

3. Miracle Skin Transformer Vanish

MST VANISH

The newest trend in cosmetic type skincare are blurring products. You’ll find them all over the drugstores now. But before they became the “in” thing there was Miracle Skin Transformer’s Vanish. It dispenses as a white silicone gel that dries down clear. It’s great for blurring imperfections. With Vanish I am comfortable using it prior to foundation application but also after. Some days I’m lucky to get out of the house with a little foundation on, with Vanish when I’m touching up later I can apply it over my foundation and get a smoother, less lined look.

4. Eddie Funkhouser Luxlight Hydrating Primer

Eddie Funkhouser Luxlight Hydrating Primer

Eddie Funkhouser has the most fun primer of all the ones I’ve chosen. It’s lightly tinted but doesn’t really add color. What it adds is hydration and glow. The ingredients are squalene, glycerin, castor seed oil, jojoba oil, Vitamins A, C, and E. It does not have that silicone feel to it and I don’t believe it contains silicone. The color is called Candlelight and that’s the glow it adds. There’s no shimmer to it so it just adds a luminosity that you’ll love. Plus it’s only $14.99.

5. Trish McEvoy Beauty Booster

Trish McEvoy Beauty Booster

Trish McEvoy Beauty Booster is my luxury primer love. I’ve been very stingy using this so my packaging is already out of date but the product is fresh as ever. It’s a 3 in 1 product which is described as an anti-fatigue cream, an enriched primer and a facial mask. It’s very creamy and feels more like a moisturizer than a primer. I have used it as a mask but I prefer it as a moisturizer/primer. At $90 I’ll just keep loving how perfect my foundation looks when I use it.

Eyeshadow primers

I wear an eyeshadow primer every day with any kind of eye makeup. I use one under creams just as much as I do under powders. An eyeshadow primer is what makes my makeup go on smoother, makes colors more vibrant and last longer. I no longer have oily lids but that’s another reason to use an eyeshadow primer.

Top 10 eyeshadow primers

6. LORAC BEHIND THE SCENES EYE PRIMER

Lorac Behind the Scenes Eye Primer

I got a sample of this with a Lorac purchase and that was enough to convince me I had to buy this. It’s like a magnet for eyeshadows. If you have a shadow that doesn’t want to last, try this Lorac one.

7. MILANI EYESHADOW PRIMER

Milani Eyeshadow Primer

I actually reviewed this as a guest post on Prime Beauty. This is my favorite drugstore primer. It retails for $6.99 but you know there’s often a deal at CVS or Ulta so you can try this for less. It’s a light flesh color so it masks any discoloration your lids might have. Not only is it great for you, but it’s something to recommend to those new to the world of eyeshadow primers.

8. MAKE UP FOR EVER EYE PRIME

Make Up For Ever Eye Prime

It was a thrill when Make Up For Ever finally brought this Eye Prime out. Even if their eyeshadows are incredibly pigmented and don’t always need a primer, other brands do. I’ve tested this eyeshadow primer with everything and I’m always happy with how long my eye makeup lasts. This is a beige cream that disappears and leaves a flawless canvas for your cosmetics.

9. EM COSMETICS EYE PRIMER

em Cosmetics Eye Primer

em cosmetics eye primer is my newest love. It adds luminosity without any glitter, sparkle or artifice. I was amazed at how long my shadows lasted with it and how much more oomph many of them had. I’ve noticed that em Cosmetics has lowered prices lately but this remains at $15. It’s worth that to me since the subtle white shimmer adds a wonderful brightness.

10. TOO FACED SHADOW INSURANCE aka TFSI

TFSI

I can’t begin to count how many times I’ve bought Too Faced Shadow Insurance. It’s my go to eyeshadow primer. While others raved about Urban Decay’s Primer Potion, I remained true to TFSI. I always have one in use and a spare. I obviously dabble in other eyeshadow primers but I remain true to Too Faced. Plus I have its sister in Candlelight which is a beautiful shimmery base.

So there you have my very long list of favorites. Are any of these on your list? — Marcia

Please join my fellow Top 10ers – maybe they’ll be less wordy!

*some items were sent to test, others were purchased.

Em Cosmetics Eye Primer – winner or wanna be?

February 7, 2014 by beautyin ·

em Cosmetics Eye Primer (site)

On Black Friday I was convinced (that’s my excuse) to purchase some EM Cosmetics since they were having a BOGO sale. I guess I was in the mood to spend a lot since I added their Eye Primer to my cart. I paid $12.76 for two although I notice that they cost $15 each now. Whether I pay $15 or under $7 this is what I consider a best buy. It turns out that I love this shadow primer. I’ve got backups of my Too Faced Shadow Insurance plus about 7 other eyeshadow primers so this is not something I needed. But now that I have it I’m in love.

em Cosmetics Eye Primer

The EM Cosmetics site calls this transparent which it is and it isn’t. When you first apply it you’ll see a white liquid that has a very subtle shimmer. It takes a minute or so to dry and at that point it will be transparent. It’s very lightweight even though it goes on wet at first.

em Cosmetics Eye Primer swatch

em Cosmetics Eye Primer wand

Here’s why I love this… let me count the ways

1. The price I paid was excellent but I still don’t consider the real price of $15 to be out of line.

2. It’s totally amazing with the em Cosmetics line of eyeshadows. There’s a definite difference in the longevity of wear with their shadows.

3. It’s just as long wearing with other brands of eyeshadows.

4. While it appears shimmery it just gives a subtle brightness to shadows therefore it livens up some of those mattes that I’m not crazy about. Even those of you who are afraid of any shimmer shouldn’t find this to be anything but giving a little more lightness to your shadows.

5. I like the wand which some people may not care for. It’s easy to get the product out and I like smoothing it on my eyelid. There’s a subtle curve to the wand that helps it on your lid. In addition it gets out the right amount.

6. The website says to think of it as a magnet for your eyes and I totally agree. Shadows adhere to it beautifully and it brings out the pigmentation of them.

It’s pretty obvious by now that this is a valentine to this particular product. The Eye Primer was the winner in my Black Friday spree. Now if only I could figure out where I put that second one!!

What eyeshadow primer do you use? — Marcia

fill weight: 4.5 ml/0.15 fl oz

Ingredients

ISODODECANE
NYLON-12
TALC
CERA ALBA / BEESWAX / CIRE DABEILLE
HYDROGENATED COCO-GLYCERIDES
PARAFFIN
DISTEARDIMONIUM HECTORITE
SHOREA ROBUSTA BUTTER / SHOREA ROBUSTA SEED BUTTER
PROPYLENE CARBONATE
BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII BUTTER / SHEA BUTTER
CAPRYLYL GLYCOL
BHT

Filed Under: em Cosmetics, eyeshadow primer, Primer · Tagged With: em cosmetics, eyeshadow primer, primer

One day sale! tarte Shades of Clay Collection, February 4 on QVC

February 3, 2014 by beautyin ·

The tarte Shades of Clay Collection, a one day only sale on QVC, is definitely one of the best sales/collections I have ever come across. The Today’s Special Value® is only available at its special price until 11:59 p.m. PT on February 4, 2014 while quantity remains. The TSV Price is $59.96, and the total value of this terrific collection is $202.00.

tarte shades of clay collection

inside the shades of clay collection

The Shades of Clay Collection includes:

0.68-oz colored clay SPF 15 liquid foundation and 0.51-oz colored clay CC primer in Fair, Light, Medium, Tan, or Deep
0.31-oz clay blush bronzer in Pink Bronze
0.27-oz LipSurgence Lip Gloss in True Love, a sheer raspberry shade
0.10-oz clay eyeliner in Black
0.24-fl oz lights, camera, LASHES mascara in Black
Bamboo foundation brush
Bonus Makeup bag

all the goodies inside

I have been using every single item in this collection every day since receiving it and it gets an A+ from me. This set is a seven-piece collection that features colored clay for a whole routine that creates a natural, glowy look. The set is pretty much everything you need for a full face of gorgeousness. It’s fantastic.

I also found a little gift inside, a crystal stone necklace from @Akitching ‘s jewelry line, Crystal Cactus. Wow, is this stunning!!

crystal stone necklace from @Akitching ‘s jewelry line, Crystal Cactus

wearing my gorgeous Crystal Cactus necklace

Amethyst is my birthstone, so I was really happy to find this jewel inside that huge raspberry makeup bag.

What else was inside? The truly unique colored clay CC primer.

CC Primer

CC Primer that includes color correcting lavender and green

CC Primer swatch

Mine is in shade light. This is a color-correcting stick that neutralizes imperfections, brightens the complexion, and primes skin for foundation. Just smooth it on and then tap it in with fingers. The CC primer melts right in and creates a perfect canvas for foundation application.

Once you have primed with the CC primer, next up is the colored clay liquid foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 15 (a World-wide Launch, by the way!) using the bamboo liquid foundation brush.

colored clay liquid foundation

colored clay liquid foundation – see the mesh?

swatch of Light shade

bamboo liquid foundation brush

The colored clay foundation with broad spectrum SPF 15 coverage gives medium but buildable coverage with a satin finish. The bamboo foundation brush is stellar – just press in onto the mesh sifter inside the foundation container then buff onto skin, going from the center out.

Follow that with the colored clay bronzer blush in pink bronze (yet another World-wide Launch).

colored clay bronzer blush in pink bronze

colored clay bronzer blush up close

colored clay bronzer blush in pink bronze swatched

I can hear all the oohs and aahs and this beaut certainly deserves it! It’s a combination of pinks and golds that warms the complexion and adds a natural glow. Dust it all over for instant warmth, and layer it on the cheeks as a blush.

Moving on up to the eyes, line with the colored clay eyeliner in black (woohoo, another World-wide Launch!) followed by two coats of the stupendous lights, camera, LASHES™ 4-in-1 mascara in Black.

lights, camera, lashes 4 in 1 mascara and cc eyeliner

CC eyeliner in black

eye look with CC eyeliner and lights, camera, LASHES mascara

For my eye look above, I am wearing a wash of MAC Painterly. I defined and lined my top lash line and waterline with the new colored clay eye liner in Black, which is a velvety eyeliner that truly glides on easily. Then, I finished with two coats of lights, camera, LASHES(TM) 4-in-1 mascara. This is a seriously fantastic mascara, one of my top mascaras ever. It gives great length, volume, and curl, plus it never smears on me. Love it.

The final touch for your tarte Shades of Clay look? The golden raspberry LipSurgence™ lip gloss in true love (can I get a World-wide Launch here?)

LipSurgence lip gloss in true love

CC eyeliner and LipSurgence true love swatched

true love lip gloss on

LipSurgence(TM) Lip Gloss in true love is a wonderfully flattering sheer raspberry shade with tiny golden shimmers. It has great slip and feels terrific on – this has found a permanent home in my purse.

My tarte shades of clay FOD

I think every product is a winner and the shades are incredibly flattering. Plus, at this price you just can’t go wrong! Set your timer, leave yourself a note, do something so you don’t miss this sale. Again, the Today’s Special Value® is only available at its special price until 11:59 p.m. PT on February 4, 2014 while quantity remains. You will be glad you remembered! - Lisa

*pr samples

Filed Under: Blush, Bronzer, Brushes, Eyeliner, Foundation, jewelry, Lip Gloss, Mascara, necklace, Primer, QVC, Tarte · Tagged With: blush, bronzer, brushes, Eyeliner, foundation, jewelry, lip gloss, Mascara, necklace, primer, QVC, Tarte Cosmetics

Win everything you need for a perfect ‘Selfie’ from RoC and Clean & Clear

January 15, 2014 by beautyin ·

‘Selfie’ – the word of the year for 2013

The word of the year for 2013 was ‘selfie’ and the great folks at RoC and Clean & Clear have sent the BIZ some awesome products to give away so you can create a perfect one to post on all your social media sites.

While a selfie is often a spur of the moment thing, RoC has some great advice to make your picture truly fabulous. Here are four steps and the four products you can win!

RoC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream

First, get prepared the night before with RoC Retinol Correxion Eye Cream($22.99). This retinol-based eye cream reduces dark circles and de-puffs eyes, helping ensure a great photo. Keep using this regularly to reduce the look of wrinkles, crow’s-feet, dark circles, and puffiness. Another plus – this has no fragrance.

Clean & Clear Advantage Acne Spot Treatment

Second, remember that lighting can make all the difference. Use natural sunlight or even a desk lamp, but make sure your face doesn’t have shadows. And to make sure skin really looks flawless, dab on a little Clean & Clear Advantage Acne Spot Treatment ($6.49) beforehand. This is a wonderfully gentle formula that won’t irritate sensitive skin.

RoC Instant Facial Smoother

The third step is to apply primer to smooth out fine lines and brighten that complexion. A great choice is the RoC Instant Facial Smoother ($22.99). This silky primer not only illuminates skin, it also creates a great canvas for your makeup application. And it’s also fragrance-free, not easy to find in a primer.

Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets

inside the Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets

Your final step? Get rid of that shiny nose! Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets ($4.99) are awesome blotting tissues that soak up the oilies without taking your makeup off too. They come in a super convenient pop-up package and are soft, sort of rubbery-feeling sheets that don’t leave that annoying powder residue on your face. Love these!

Win these…

and these!

Enter to win all four products so you can create the perfect selfie. This giveaway is open through 1/27/14 for US only. Good luck…and here is my selfie for you! - Lisa

this is one SEXY selfie

*samples and giveaway courtesy of RoC, the BIZ are proud ambassadors for this excellent line!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Filed Under: acne care, Clean & Clear, eye cream, Giveaway, Primer, RoC · Tagged With: acne care, Clean & Clear, Eye Cream, giveaway, primer, RoC

New Year, Your Most Beautiful You! It Cosmetics Collection – one day only QVC sale

December 26, 2013 by beautyin ·

IT Cosmetics New Year, Your Most Beautiful You! Collection

I am so excited about this one day special offer! On Saturday, December 28th, QVC.com is offering a set of five fantastic It Cosmetics items as the Today’s Special Value. For an unreal price of $59.96, you get a Feel the Moment Anti-Aging Primer Serum, a Heavenly Luxe Sensory Sweeping Fan Brush, a Celebration Foundation Illumination, a Heavenly Luxe Double Airbrush Foundation Brush, and a Bye Bye Under Eye and Hello Light Brightener Dual End Concealer.

Everything comes in a pretty white and silver box.

Prepare to get beautiful…

All the goodies inside

It all starts with a truly fantastic primer/moisturizer and brush, the Feel the Moment Anti-Aging Primer Serum and Heavenly Luxe Sensory Sweeping Fan Brush, along with a silver stand to house them together.

Feel the Moment Anti-Aging Primer Serum with Heavenly Luxe Sensory Sweeping Fan Brush

a view from above

Heavenly Luxe Sensory Sweeping Fan Brush

The Feel the Moment Anti-Aging Primer Serum is a thick, super hydrating primer that makes skin baby smooth. Ingredients include caviar extract, hydrolyzed collagen, peptides, hyaluronic acid, vitamins A, E, and C, argan and jojoba oils, and avocado. The serum is in glass jar with a dropper, and two drops is more than enough to prime and hydrate. It goes on slightly tacky then dries down to create a perfect canvas for makeup. For a really luxurious experience, use the fan brush to sweep it on.

IT Cosmetics Celebration Foundation Illumination

the top compartment

the bottom compartment

Celebration Foundation Illumination is IT Cosmetics new version of their powder foundation with extra ingredients for illumination. It’s got some pretty cool packaging. The white compact has a lower compartment with a brush (and the reflective metal above it works as a mirror if you need it). The top compartment has the powder foundation and a regular mirror.

The Celebration Foundation Illumination in Medium

Medium swatched

This powder foundation has peptides, antioxidants, and ‘drops of light technology’ for the added illuminating properties. This is a very silky powder that is particularly excellent for those with oilier complexions. It is definitely full coverage, so a lighter hand is better when applying this. Right now, the only way to get this foundation is with this set.

Heavenly Luxe Double Airbrush Foundation Brush

dual fiber brush hairs

IT Cosmetics has flipping fabulous brushes, and the Heavenly Luxe Double Airbrush Foundation Brush is no exception. The brush head has dual fiber brush hairs that are amazingly soft yet firm enough for buffing. This really is a fantastic brush.

Bye Bye Under Eye and Hello Light Liquid Brightener Dual End Concealer

Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer in Neutral Medium

Hello Light Brightener in Light

Top: Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer in Neutral Medium; Bottom: Hello Light Brightener in Light

The final item is worth the price of admission alone. I adore the Bye Bye Under Eye and Hello Light Liquid Brightener Dual End Concealer. One side is the iconic IT Cosmetics concealer with a sponge applicator. This is my favorite concealer because it really covers all skin sins. It blends beautifully and leaves skin looking flawless, which is pretty impressive given my super dark under eye circles. The other end is the Hello Light Liquid Brightener, which is fabulous for highlighting under eyes, tops of cheekbones, the center of the nose to slim its appearance, the inner corner of the eyes…there are so many ways to use this!

The New Year, Your Most Beautiful You! Five-Piece Collection is an outstanding value. Make an appointment with yourself to check in with QVC on Saturday, December 28th so you don’t miss this absolutely fantastic bargain. - Lisa

*pr sample

Filed Under: Brushes, concealer, IT Cosmetics, Powder foundation, Primer, Serums · Tagged With: brushes, concealer, Highlighter, It Cosmetics, powder foundation, primer, serums

Looking for last minute presents? Three great BCA holiday gift ideas

December 19, 2013 by beautyin ·

No, it’s not your imagination. The holidays are coming up faster than ever – there are actually six less shopping days between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year! If you are looking for last-minute gifts, consider gifts that give back. Estee Lauder sent the BIZ several fantastic gift items that are some of the most popular products from these EL lines. These Pink Ribbon items support The BCA Campaign’s mission to defeat breast cancer through education and medical research.

Give gifts that give back with BCA Pink Ribbon products

Here are three fantastic products that give back to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation ® (BCRF):

Darphin Silky Moisturizing Lotion

Darphin Silky Moisturizing Lotion swatch

For a difficult to buy for aunt or mom, consider DARPHIN Silky Moisturizing Lotion Essential Body Beauty, a gift that any woman would love. It’s a wonderfully silky lotion that has Hydra Structure^TM technology, which ‘harnesses the skin’s natural moisturizing ability, providing immediate and long-lasting hydration to help recapture the body’s baby soft skin.’ This lotion has elegant ingredients including Saltwort, French Lavender and Peach Leaf extracts, which do three things: hydrate the top layer of skin, replenish skin moisture at deeper levels, and provide a gentle exfoliation so skin is super smooth. This is $40, and Darphin donates $8.00 from every purchase to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation®.

Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer

If you need something for a close girlfriend or for a Secret Santa exchange, check out the Pink Ribbon SMASHBOX: Photo Finish Foundation Primer ($36.00; $5.00 to BCRF). This awesome primer works for every skin type, resulting in a flawless canvas for makeup. I adore the Pink Ribbon packaging and I also love what it does for skin. It fills in those fine lines and pores so skin looks younger and makeup looks better and lasts longer. Smashbox donates $5.00 from the purchase price to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation®. You can find this exclusively at ULTA Stores, www.ulta.com and at www.smashbox.com.

Estee Lauder Dream Solid Perfume Compact

Dream Solid Perfume Compact in Pleasures

Estee Lauder Breast Cancer Awareness 2013 Dream Solid Perfume Compact in Pleasures

Wow this is just gorgeous. I am talking about the Evelyn Lauder Dream Collection item, Evelyn Lauder Dream Solid Perfume Compact($49.50; 100% to BCRF). The stunning Pink Ribbon design takes my breath away and inside is the iconic Pleasures fragrance. You can see the inside of the compact is inscribed, “Estée Lauder Breast Cancer Awareness 2013.” I wore this fragrance exclusively for years and years and having it again brought back so many memories. The design and the scent, combined with the fact that Estee Lauder gives 100% of the retail price to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation®, completely wowed me. Absolutely fantastic.

If your shopping isn’t finished yet, I really hope you will consider these gift ideas. The products are amazing and how wonderful to give a gift that also supports such a great cause. Happy holidays everyone! - Lisa

*pr samples

Filed Under: Body Lotion, Breast Cancer Awareness, Darphin, Estee Lauder, fragrance, Primer, Smashbox · Tagged With: BCA, Body Lotion, breast cancer awareness, Darphin, Estee Lauder, fragrance, primer, Smashbox

Tarte cosmetics for the weather win!

August 23, 2013 by beautyin ·

No longer a specialty item for makeup professionals, primer has come into vogue in the last decade and has seen a large spike in usage and availability to the well-made faces of the public. Makeup enthusiasts have to adapt to all sorts of environmental challenges to continue looking their best, and primer is a versatile product that should now be a staple of everyone’s makeup regimen.

tarte BB Tinted Treatment 12 Hour Primer

Thinking of your face as a canvas, primer is the base coat of paint that serves as the anchor; it holds other products in place, makes it easier to correct mistakes or smudges and provides extra moisture or nutrients as needed. Your facial canvas needs to be as smooth as possible, and primer helps to achieve that. It fills in lines or enlarged pores on your face, creating a smooth surface for foundation and pigment. Applied after moisturizer, a thin layer will go a long way. On areas that tend to be oily, like the eyelid or nose, a primer will help the makeup adhere (tartecosmetics.com has an excellent eyelid primer containing mineral-rich Amazonian clay).

tarte eyeshadow primer now on sale at tartecosmetics.com

tarte amazonian clay eyeshadow primer now on sale at tartecosmetics.com

The best place to start is a general face primer. Choose one that fits your individual skin type, or look for one that is suitable for all skin types. The best face primers provide moisturization, anti-oxidants and vitamins in addition to smoothing your face canvas and helping makeup layers from sweating off or streaking. If you like, pick one that has an SPF, for extra protection from the elements.

If you’re switching to waterproof mascara for summer wear outdoors, a lash primer will provide many benefits. As waterproof mascara is formulated to not be easily removed with just water, it can be somewhat harsher on your lashes. A primer will not only help the mascara stick to your lashes and increase its efficacy, it will smooth the application process, reducing pulled lashes and general lash loss.

tarte multiplEYE lash enhancing primer

The multiplEYE Enhancing Primer from Tarte is a good example; it is specially formulated with proteins to assist in lash length and growth. Because of its staying power, waterproof mascara can be trickier to remove; combat this problem with a moisturizing eye makeup remover. Be sure to pick something that doesn’t leave a residue and is formulated for your skin type. Now get out and enjoy the rest of the summer!

*this article was written in cooperation with tarte cosmetics as a sponsored post

Filed Under: Primer, Tarte · Tagged With: eyelash primer, lash primer, primer, Tarte, Tarte Cosmetics