Sephora Smoothing Primer

Product:  Sephora Smoothing Primer is a mattifying and smoothing primer to even out the skin while reducing shine.

Price: $ $
I recieved a sample of this product free with an order I placed but normally this primer cost $15 at Sephora.

 Packaging:  ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
Sephora's Smoothing Primer comes in a 0.05 glass bottle with a black pump.  The primer itself is clear with a gel like consistency (like Smashbox Photo Finish)

Claim:  Improves foundation application while minimizing skin imperfections. Makeup lasts longer and skin is left velvety smooth with a matte finish. What else you need to know: Glide this wonder gel over skin before applying foundation to matify, smooth, perfect, and prep your skin for the a perfect foundation application. It can be mixed with a liquid foundation for a lighter coverage and to create an even skintone. Ideal for combination-oily skin types.

Ingredients:  Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Butylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Isobutylparaben.

Pros:

• Light Weight
• Smoothing
• A Little Goes A Long Way
• Has a Pump

Cons:

• Not As Mattifying

Final Verdict: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
This is the first time I've tried Sephora's Smoothing Primer.  When I first tried this I immediately thought of Smashbox PhotoFinish.  It has a similar consistency, as it is a clear gel-like product.  It applied  easily and left my face feeling very smooth and a little bit more even in texture.  I didn't have to use too much in order to do my whole face.  Of all it's claims I didn't think it was as mattifying as I had hoped.  It is more mattifying compred to Photo Finish but not as much as other mattifying primers I've used (L'Oreal Magic Perfecting Base, Dr. Brandt Pores No More).  The packaging is also nice as it comes with a pump so you can control how much you use.  I think this primer would work for any skin type and the price is reasonable.  It's definitely worth a try for anyone looking for a good face primer.

Palladio Herbal Foundation Primer

Product: Palladio Herbal Foundation Primer primes skin to achieve a smoother, more even application of foundation.

Price: $ $
I bought mine at Sally's for $11.99.  This is about an average price for most drugstore foundation primers.

Packaging:  ♦ ♦ ♦
This primer comes in a 20 ml clear plastic squeeze tube that has a silver design and black lettering.  The opening is on the bottom with a twist on cap.  The opening is also sort of big and you have to be careful not to squeeze too much out.  The product itself is clear and gel like.

Claim:  "Palladio Herbal Foundation Primer offers a nourishing blend to visibly improve the appearance of skin. Skin is left perfectly primed and ready for makeup. Fills in fine lines and pores to help foundation go on smoothly and last longer."

Ingredient:  Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimthicone Crosspolymer, Safflower (Carthamus Tinctorius) Seed Oil, Isopropylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Butylparaben, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Grape (Vitis Vinifera) Seed Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Chamomilla recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Camellia Oleifera Seed Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract.

Pros:

•  Applies Smoothly
• Makes my Face Feel Soft & Smooth
• Keeps my Foundation on Longer
• Affordable Price

Cons:

• Opening is Too Big
• Wish it Was Mattifying

Final Verdict:  ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
I was at Sally Beauty Supply Store recently and saw that the sold Palladio Cosmetics.  I decided to try their primer because I was starting to run out with some of mine.  Palladio's primer is a clear gel-like product.  It applies smoothly to they skin and leaves the skin feeling silky smooth.  When I used this primer under my foundation, it help to keep my foundation on longer throughout the say.  Usually, if I don't wear any primer, my makeup will fade off because I have oily/combination skin.
Even with my skin type, this product didn't break me out or make my skin more oily.  I wish it was a mattifying to help control shine but it still works well.  It doesn't matter your skin type, anyone can use this product.  It does claim to help improve skin but I haven't seen any difference yet.
My biggest annoyance with this product is that the opening on the tube is a bit too big.  If you are not careful, you can squeeze out a lot of product.  I've wasted product because of that.  Other than that this product is worth the try.
 On a side note:
When I first saw this product ,I thought, "I wonder if it's like Smashbox Photo Finish?".  When I did try it out, I got my answer.  Palladio & Smashbox primers basically the same.  They both looked, felt, and functioned the same way.  You probably couldn't tell the two apart outside of their packaging.  The biggest different between the two is price.  Palladio's primer cost $12 for 20 ml (0.67 oz) while  Smashbox Photo Finish Primer is $16 for a  0.5 oz tube & $36 for a 1oz tube.  Palladio Foundation Primer is a steal compared to Smashbox.  If you love Smashbox Photo Finish Primer but could do without high price, Palladio Herbal Foundation Primer is your answer.

Benefit Lip Plump

Product: Benefit Lip Plump is lip primer for full sexy lips.

Price: $ $ $
This cost $22 at Sephora or Benefit Cosmetics

Packaging: ♦ ♦ ♦
Benefit Lip Plump comes in a 0.09 oz tube with a doe foot applicator. The actual product is a nude/ beige cream.

Claim:

For full, sexy lips use lip plump before lipstick. This neutral-toned lip enhancer helps to smooth and fill in fine lines while building up the contour of the lips, making them appear fuller and younger. -Benefit Cosmetics

Application: According to Benefit
Apply two dots on upper & lower lips. Pat & blend. Let dry then apply lipstick.

Pros:

• Gives Lipstick a Smooth Surface to Stick To
• Keeps Lipsticks from Budging
• Neutralizes Lips
• Allows Lipstick Color to be Truer

Cons:

• My Lips Didn't Look "Plumper"

Final Verdict: ♥ ♥ ♥

I got Benefit Lip Plump from the Realness of Concealness gift set. When I first saw this product, from the name alone, I thought it was going to be a lip plumper. After all, it is called Lip Plump. But after testing it out and actually looking online at the Benefit website, it's actually a lip primer that helps give you the look of plumper lips. Either way it didn't make my lips plump or look plump. What this product actually does is neutralize your natural lip color and gives your lipstick a smooth surface and blank slate to be on. I thought it worked really well for me. My lips have an uneven pink color to them. This effect how some lipsticks look on my lips. With the Lip Plump, it concealed my natural lip color so my lipstick was truer. Maybe since my lipstick looks true to its actual color that it makes me lips seem plumper? Hmmm? I don't know. I guess... Anyways, my lipstick also lasted at least 2-3 hours longer compared to if I didn't have this primer on. Overall, it is a good product but I don't know if I would want to spend the money on it when I can use my regular concealer to do the same job. But if you were looking for an actual lip primer, then I would recommend this product.

Tarte Eye Primer

Product: Tarte Lifted Natural Eye Primer with Firmitol

Price: $ $
$20 at Sephora

Packaging: ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
The primer comes in a biodegradable indigo tube and comes with a doe foot applicator. It contains 0.11 fl. oz. of product. It gets an extra point for being biodegradable.

Claim: A natural eye primer that's elinically proven to decrease the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The universal base locks shadow in place all day and boosts pigment payoff while Firmitol™, the proprietary firming complex helps tighten eyelids and the surrounding eye area to help give the affect of younger, smoother eyes naturally. Clinical results show rapid improvement in achieving a smooth healthy look in all participants via nerve synapse interactions.

Ingredients: Isododecane, nylon-12, polyethylene, cyclopentasiloxane, polysilicone-11, amino butyric acid, barium sulfate, panax ginseng root extract, portulaca oleracea extract, centella asiatica extract, ethylhexyl palmitate, disteardimonium hectorite , VP/eicosene copolymer, propylene carbonate, methicone, phenoxyethanol. (+/-): Mica, titanium dioxide (CI 77891), iron oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499)

Pros:

• Keeps my eyeshadow from creasing
• Keeps eyeshadows from fading
• Color corrects/ conceals
• Natural/Eco Friendly
  

Cons:

• Thicker then most eye primers
• Not as smooth to apply
  

Final Verdict: ♥ ♥ ♥
I've been using Urban Decay Primer Potion & Too Face Shadow Insurance so I compared this product to them. I sort of like this product. I find UDPP & TFSI to be very creamy and smooth when I use it. Tarte's eye primer is thicker and because it's thicker it doesn't apply as smooth. As a eye primer it does keep my eyeshadow from creasing and fading. And it also lightly corrects eye discoloration. It reminds me of Benefit's Lemon-Aid. I do like this product, it was better then what I expected. And like most Tarte product it's Natural & Eco Friendly which is always a plus.

L'Oreal Magic Perfecting Base

L'Oreal Magic Perfecting Base is part of their Studio Secrets Professional Line. They cost $12.99 at Walgreen but I bought it on sale for 50% off. It is oil free and fragrance free and comes in a small 0.5 fl. oz jar. The base itself is light pink and looks like thick mousse. Even though it's pink, it blends to your natural skin tone. According to L'Oreal "The unique, creamy formula smoothes on easily to disguise fine lines, wrinkles and pores, while a combination of soft, light powders gives skin a matte look and silky finish".
I like using a face primer/base before applying my makeup and the ones I've use were the department store kind. I wanted to find a drugstore version that was as equally as good. This is that product. It does what it claims to do; disguise fine lines, wrinkles, and pores while giving your skin a smooth matte finish. Even though it comes in a small jar, it does not take a lot of product to apply on your face.


Final Verdict

Pro: Disguise wrinkles, fine lines, and pore with a smooth, matte finish

Con: Small amount

Buy Again: Yes

Price: $ $

Packaging: ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Overall: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Too Faced Shadow Insurance

Another great eye shadow primer is Too Faced Shadow Insurance. I got mine from Sephora of $17. The primer comes in a blue-green 0.35 oz tube that has a tip on the end. It prevents fading, creasing, & melting of your eyeshadow. You only need to small pin point of the primer to cover your lid. I think this product really works well. I've been using it lately and it keeps my eyeshadow looking like new all day long. And since it's a squeeze tube you know you can get every bit of it till the end unlike the Urban Decay Primer Potion. The only think negative that I did notice with this is, if you don't use it for a while or you just bought it, the product might sererate and settle. It's not a big deal because you can squeeze up & down the tube (while the lid is on) to make sure its mixed. It's a must have.


Review
Pro:Works great, easy to apply, & comes in a squeeze tube
Con: Might seperate
Buy Again:Yes
Price:$ $
Packaging: ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
Overall: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Prime Time: Foundation Primers

I have been using Dr. Bryant Pores No More for a long time now.  I buy it at Sephora for $45  for a 1 0z. tube.    It's for oily/combination skin.  I love this product because you can see the difference right away when you use it.  You simply pump a small amount to your finger tips apply to your face.  It has a nude tint to it but will blend in with your complexion.  It definately minimizes the appearence of pores if you have large pores.  It also absorbes oil and mattifies shine.  I've used this as my foundation primer because it gives you a smooth and even complexion for makeup application, but you can use it by itself.

Review

Pro: Makes an obvious difference

Con: Expensive

Buy Again: Yes

Price: $$$$$

Packaging: ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Overall: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Because of the price of Dr. Brandt I decided to try other primers to see how well they work.  I recently bought Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer.  I also bought this at Sephora for $36 for a 1 oz container.  Because I have combination skin I bought the oil free.  It's white lotion that blends to your skin tone.  It feels watery when you first apply but dries smooth.  It works well to set a smooth foundation for your makeup.  Smashbox also makes different variation of this product depending on your skin.

SPF 15 (for skin protection)

Color Adjust (green- minimize redness)

Color Balance (lavender- yellow skin tone)

Color Blend (conceals eye circles, vains, & sunspots)

Bronzing  (for a touch of sun kiss skin)

Review

Pro: Works Well

Con: None

Buy Again: Yes

Price: $$$$

Packaging: ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Overall: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Even though I already had the other two above products I bought Remmel London Fix & Perfect Foundation Primer.  I bought it at Target for $6-7  for a 1 0z tube.  This is the only primer that I found that you can buy at a drugstore and not in a specialty shop.  It comes out like a cream with an apricot tint.  However, it goes on smoothly and blends in with your skin tone.  It does have that sweet apricot sent to it.  It feel drier then the other two products but it doesn't dry out your skin.  It smooths out your skin and also minimizes pores.  This is probably the least expensive primer I've found.

Review

Pro: Works Well

Con: None

Buy Again: Yes

Price: $

Packaging: ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Overall: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

FYI:  1 oz may not seem like a lot but these products will probably last a few months even with everyday use.

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion

I always used a primer before I start putting on my make-up and for my eyes I use Urban Decay Primer Potion. It is a small (aprox. 4 inches high, 0.34 fl oz) purple tube that's genie in the bottle inspired. It comes with a wand for application and the primer is a soft nude color but goes on clear. It is simple to use. Just apply a small amount on your eyelids and a little bit under your eyes and blend in. Allow it to dry for a second then you can start applying your eye make-up. Using this primer is a good base for your eyeshadow because it will keep it from fading, creasing, or running. When I use this my eyeshadow doesn't budge and stays as brilliant all day. Eventhough it's a small tube it will last you a while because you won't need to use a lot when you apply. I bought it at Saphora for $17. For the price & quality it's a must have in any collection.

Other companies make similar products including: Stila, Smashbox, Bare Essentials, etc.

Review:

Pro: One of the least expensive eye shadow primers & works well

Con: None

Buy Again: Yes

Price: $ $

Packaging: ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Overall: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥