FanSided-sabshernandez

When I have less than 15 minutes to put my makeup on, I make sure that I apply an eyelid primer so that I can just apply a wash of color on my lids and not worry about it creasing if I don’t set it properly.

I am a fan of Urban Decay’s eyeshadow primer potion but it’s such a hassle getting them on EBay and waiting several days for it to arrive from NY. Not to mention, it costs $22.00 including shipping (P968) just to get the smallest tube.

I figured there must be another fantastic primer out there that is easily accessible just in case I can’t get my hands on Urban Decay. First stop, ELF Cosmetics.

Just my luck would have it, I came across ELF’s Eyelid Primer. As you may now have noticed, ELF is always my first choice when looking for affordable, quality products. The reason why I like using these products is because most women who ask me about products are more interested in products that their money would go a long way without having to spend thousands to look good! And most of the products I use in my professional kit are tools that are too heavy, pricey, and difficult to use for everyday.

The first ELF eyelid primer I bought, tried and tested was the shade SHEER (the only shade they carried before). It’s very velvety to the touch, I love the feel of it when you spread the formula on your lids with your ring finger because it doesn’t feel heavy. It dries quickly so you have to spread it evenly fast. You only need a thin layer and you will still get the maximum effect!

I found that applying a base color on top of the primer like beige or nude will really make your eye makeup stick and pop! The eye makeup amazingly stays on and doesn’t grease or crease the entire day! The color does fade a little bit after long wear so I suggest spraying your lids with water with an atomizer (keeping it about 6 inches away from your face) after you are finished applying your eye makeup to set the eye shadow properly.

A few .08oz tubes of primers later, they came out with a 3-in-1 package deal called The Eyelid Primer Collection (P249.75) that includes the classic Nude, Pearl, and Champagne.

The nude primer is my most favorite. The Champagne Primer has iridescent particles that applies a bit darker on the lids that can be worn as eyeshadow alone. It’s not really dark, but it gives a pale grey-ish hue that looks nice during the day or at night. The Pearl Primer has bigger glitter particles that I’m not really fond of. You can use it on your brow bones to make them stand out. Applying it on your entire lid can make your lids look puffier and your eyes smaller so avoid doing so. You can make your eyes appear brighter though by applying a small amount on the inner corners of your eyes.

If I were you, I would go for the single eyelid primer in SHEER which you will be using more often the the other shades. Use every time you will be applying eye makeup. Apply after you set your foundation with a loose powder.

I have never been really concerned about the use of makeup primers on my client’s or my own’s makeup routine. I have personally always thought it was an unnecessary extra step that really didn’t make much of a difference in the application.

I have tried Smashbox’s Photo Finish Primer on my clients way back but I found that it was unnecessary. When I tried it on myself, it felt heavy on my skin so I stopped using it.

One makeup primer I believe in as well was Lancome’s La Base Pro. It’s lightweight and is easily absorbed even on extremely dry face. But, Lancome is what you call an “investment” and a luxury so I don’t recommend it on students or yuppies on a budget.

For maturing skin, if you are looking for a good fine-line filler, there’s nothing better than Makeup International’s Light Lift formula. It’s a clear liquid that instantly lifts and fills wrinkles, prepping the skin for makeup application. (P1,800 at Media Makeup. G/F Evekal Bldg, Pasay Rd.)

Anyhoo, I decided to give primers another chance. I looked around for affordable alternatives and it really boils down to ELF when it comes to QUALITY and yet affordable makeup.

Be sure to shake the bottle well before you start pumping product on your fingers, sometimes the oils get separated that if you don’t shake it well, all you get out of that first few pumps is oil.

ELF’s Mineral Infused Face Primer (P399.75), feels a bit oily on first application when first contact on skin. I actually felt a bit weird after 1 layer because I felt like I was wearing some kind of oil mask. Although it didn’t look oily (it was matte even!), it’s just that you know there’s that layer of primer there.

The BB cream glided on smoothly using my fingers. It didn’t have any streaks when you apply it, you know, like it’s as if it’s sliding off and you need several applications to cover? This however, made a perfect canvas for my BB cream and liquid foundation.

All throughout the day, I didn’t shine as much on my T-zone which was great! I didn’t have to use so much oil blotters, in fact, my skin looked dewy and healthy looking. Even when I got home, I looked at myself in the mirror before washing it off, my makeup looked natural and not as if it’s just plastered on at the surface of your skin.

The thing is, I don’t know if I was just conscious that I had primer on my face, or if it really feels that way. But overall I would have to say, I would definitely buy this product again and would recommend it to people who are looking for a good everyday primer!

Pinch me, I’m dreaming!

Finally! The BB Cream I ordered from my cousin has arrived.

My cousin China was the one who made me try this and I just fell immediately in love with it. And it’s thru my cousin Cristalle who works at Tupperware where she discovered this product.

Unlike other BB Creams in the market today, this one is a tad darker and gets absorbed by the skin faster. Hence, making it more natural looking, and not scary stark white.

I used to use Maybelline’s BB Cream but after I’ve tried The Colour Collection’s rendition of the fabulous miracle cream, I rather found Maybelline’s too white. It does however blends on your skin a few hours later.

TCC (my shortcut for The Colour Collection)’s formula has the same consistency as any other BB Creams out there, and trust me, I’ve tried most brands who carry them. One of the amazing things about the BBC is that it’s a moisturizer, SPF, concealer, and foundation rolled into one. You can apply it directly on cleansed skin, but I found that it’s easier to apply BBC after a separate moisturizer.

TCC’s BBC hides imperfections and feels like airbrush on the skin, as I describe to my brides: airbrush is like second skin. It’s light-wearing and flawless but still natural looking.

You can wear it alone, or you can set the BBC with loose powder for a more polished look. I love brushing a thin layer of loose powder over it just so it doesn’t “slide off” during the day in this extremely humid and sticky weather.

I recommend just putting a half pea-size amount on your pointer finger and dab on your forehead, on both your cheeks, on the tip of your nose and on your chin. Spread and blend outwards towards your hairline and make sure that you have applied it evenly. Start with a thin layer and just add when you need more coverage.

You can order this amazing BBC from TCC online at http://www.tupperwarebrands.phor with your friendly neighborhood Tupperware Seller :)