Makeup Collection (1/13) Pt 2: Face

Now we open up to part two of my makeup collection: my face makeup! Not my favorite part, but it's makeup nonetheless. It is separated by base and color products.

For base products, I have Smashbox Photo Finish Primer (travel size), Clinique Perfectly Real Foundation, Clinique Almost Powder (part of P10P), Origins Brighter By Nature Powder, Benefit Some Kind-a Gorgeous (I use it as concealer), Hard Candy Glamoflauge concealer (just the pencil), and Rimmel Match Perfection concealer.

Most of my cheek products are mini/GWP/palette included, since I don't really like them very much. From left to right (not including the center eight), I have a GWP Clinique All Over Highlighter, randon Covergirl Cheekers, Estee Lauder Blush in (I think) Radiant Kiss, Urban Decay Glide-On Cheek Tint in Quickie (part of P10P), random Covergirl bronzer, mini Benefit Hoola, and mini Benefit Sunbeam. The center eight are from the Victoria's Secret Ultimate Supermodel Makeup Kit.

What's in my purse (makeup edition)?

 To continue the bad phone photo posts, here's a What's in my Purse makeup edition. The bag is by Clinique in a GWP a few months back, and it's a little bigger than a credit card and 2 or so centimeters wide, very portable. And as you can see in the next picture, can hold a lot!

It may seem like a bit -much- but I can do a quick formal or everyday look with this in a flash! Clockwise, from top left, is a mini Benefit Some Kind-a Gorgeous (foundation), random Clinique quad in neutral tones, sample size Clinique lash doubling mascara, random Sephora eyeliner, Wet n Wild liquid eyeliner, travel size  Smashbox photo finish lid primer, sample size Urban Decay glide-on cheek tint, a random brush head I use for blending, and Hard Candy glamoflauge concealer pencil.

Primed to Perfection: Primer 101

Primer: a first coat or layer of paint, size, etc., given to any surface as a base, sealer, or the like.

If you ask most girls about eyeshadow primer or foundation primer, you'll probably get a puzzled look and "Like paint primer?" or "What's that?". Somewhat similar to paint primer, makeup primer smooths, amplifies, and makes longer lasting what is placed on it.

From the list of the cult classic Smashbox Photo Finish Primer derivitives, face primer can be anti-aging, luminizing, hydrating, color correcting (by balancing, blending and/or adjusting), mattifying, and pore-and-line-filling. Personally, I use foundation about once a year but did pick up the original formula in a value kit. The main selling points of face primer are longevity and pore filling, but here I'll concentrate on pore filling. The titles are respective to the sides, not pictures.

Eye primer, on the other hand, is one of my absolute daily essentials when wearing eyeshadow (and let's be honest; when do I not wear eyeshadow?). According to this list from Too Faced's site, eye primer can prevent creasing and fading, intensify color, banish discoloration, illuminate, lock down glitter, prevent fall out, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and reduce puffiness. I own 3 primers/bases (not the same thing; but I'm counting them the same for now). Since I don't have discoloration, fine lines and/or wrinkles, I'll concentrate on amplification of color. This eyeshadow is from Wet n Wild's Blue Had Me At Hello palette.

Lash primer is regularly seen as optional, but is essential for a few. In essence, a lash primer exaggerates what a normal mascara does - lengthen, volumize, curl, and multiply lashes. Most people only experience lash primer when using a double ended mascara. Same as foundation primer, I only own one, and really only use it for enhancing my blue mascara (and it doesn't really work). Here's a picture of Maybelline Great Lash in Royal Blue normally vs. primed:

Lip primer is usually substituted with lip balm or lip pencil, with good reason. According to MAC, lip primer "Adds light moisture, smoothes and refines the lips." In comparison, EOS "keeps your lips moist, soft and sensationally smooth" (It's also 12$ cheaper). I don't own any lip primers, but I find on the (rare) occasions I wear lipstick, lip balm is a great base that stays put and moisturizes.


All in all, people may see primer as just another waste of money. It all depends on your mindset, but you can choose yourself whether primer suits you for everyday life or not.