Primers

A very dear friend of mine, Ms. Gigi asked me to blog about primers.  I am an avid primer user - I guess that is because I do believe they aid in smoothing out my skin and hiding those lines that I can no longer act like I don't have.  Do I really see a difference?  Yes, yes, and yes.  What primer does for me is exactly what it claims to do - it gives me a very smooth surface which aids in foundation application AND it makes my makeup last longer hence fewer touchups throughout the day.  So my recommendation is yes, definitely use a primer even if you aren't battling against fine lines and wrinkles.  I know that for some of you, using yet another product may seem painstaking, but it takes all of about two seconds to apply and a little really does go a very long way so the cost of another product is pretty minimal when weighed against the benefits... with that being said, I am a makeup obsessed woman so I generally never take cost into consideration.  I figure beauty is priceless, right?  Hahahaha!  


I have three primers in my makeup collection.  After having tried hundreds, these three for me stand above the rest.  I change them based on two different reasons..... Weather and the finish I want from my foundation.  So, lets begin...


When I am looking for a flawless, matte finish I reach for my L'Oreal Studio Secrets Professional Magic Perfecting Base.  This product has the texture of whipped butter and the  feel of it when you put it on is like.... well, liquid porcelain.  It's amazing really.  I use it under my BB Cream during the winter months when I tend to be less oily.  Because it lays down such a thick barrier, I won't use this in the summer.  I tend to get pretty oily and I'm afraid it would just not work as well with oily skin.  But in the winter it's magical.  

L'Oreal Studio Secrets Professional Magic Perfecting Base

Now, the downside is that for a Drugstore product, its relatively expensive for the amount of product in the jar.  But, it takes VERY LITTLE for one application - so for me, it lasts through the winter with no problem.

My next go to primer is MAC Prep & Prime Skin Base Visage.  This product is great for the warmer months - but not those really hot, humid days.. pretty much Spring and Fall.  It's a cream that is the middle of the road between thick and thin.  I use two pumps - one on each cheek and that is enough product to spread over my entire face.  I use a small foundation brush when applying this product because I find that it works it into my skin much better which with this particular primer is key.  Unlike the one above, it's main function in my opinion is to make your foundation adhere better.  It also helps hide some of the fine lines - but no where near as good as the L'Oreal Base.  But again, my skin isn't as dry in the Spring and Fall so my lines aren't as visible as they are in the winter.  

MAC Prep + Prime Skin Base Visage

I really can't find a negative to give you with this product.  In fact if you were looking to buy just one primer, I would say it would have to be this one.  I really think it could work all year round.  

My last recommendation is the primer I use in the summer time.  I get oily and I like to feel like my skin can breathe so I use Auto Pilot Pre-foundation Primer by Napoleon Perdis.  This product is a very thin, water like cream that flows over the skin like satin.  It primes the skin just enough to make your foundation glide over it as if it were gliding on ice.  But it also allows your skin to breathe and to be fresh and simple in the summer months.  Now, I live in Northern Italy where it gets really hot and humid in the summer so I have tested this product out and it has past with flying colors.  So if you live in the same type of climate, feel secure that this primer will do the trick.

Napoleon Perdis Auto Pilot Pre-foundation Primer

This stuff is great ladies.  If you want to test the waters when it comes to primers, start with this one.  It's reasonably priced so it's a good starter primer.  The only draw back to this one is that it really does nothing for my fine lines, but I don't worry about those in the hot and humid months anyhow.

So, there you have it.... my top three recommendations for primers.  For me, primers are a necessity and I never leave home without them.  

Enjoy beautiful!!