Eyeshadow Primers & Eyeshadow Bases: Differences, Types & Methods of Application

It's important to know that there is a different between an eyeshadow primer and an eyeshadow base, a lot of people think they're the same thing but they're not. It's okay to refer to a primer as a base and vice versa but it's important to know the differences, especially if you have oily eyelids or are looking for a primer/base that has a specific purpose.

In this post I'm going to be talking about the differences between an eyeshadow primer and an eyeshadow base, the types of eyeshadow primers and eyeshadow bases available and the methods of application.

Differences

*An eyeshadow primer is used to prime the eyes, it creates an even and smooth surface for eyeshadow application. Some eyeshadow primers can also reduce the appearance of fine lines, redness, discolouration and veins etc, whereas an eyeshadow base doesn't. An eyeshadow base creates a blank canvas.
*An eyeshadow primer prevents eyeshadow from creasing, fading or coming off completely, whereas an eyeshadow base doesn't. An eyeshadow base intensifies the colour and vibrancy of an eyeshadow.
*An eyeshadow primer makes eyeshadow last longer, whereas an eyeshadow base doesn't.

Eyeshadow Primers

An eyeshadow primer is a light oil-free cream that is applied to the eyelids, it has a light texture and consistency and is usually a cream, neutral or invisible colour. Eyeshadow primers are non sticky and dry down within a couple of minutes. As well as on the eyelid, eyeshadow primer can also be applied up to the brow bone and underneath the eye. An eyeshadow primer creates a barrier between the eye and the eye makeup, it seals the oil from the eyeshadow therefore eyeshadow primers are great for anyone who has oily eyelids. Eyeshadow primers are primarily used to prevent eyeshadow from creasing, fading, smudging or coming off entirely, they are basically used to prolong the wear of eyeshadow. Not only are they used for their prolonging properties, they are also used to intensify the colour and vibrancy of the eyeshadow.

Eyeshadow Bases

An eyeshadow base is a cream that is applied to the eyelids, again like eyeshadow primers they can be applied to the brow bone and underneath the eye. Eyeshadow bases have a heavier consistency than eyeshadow primers and they also have a sticky texture, unlike eyeshadow primers they don't dry down. An eyeshadow base is used to help intensify the colour and vibrancy of an eyeshadow or pigment by helping it stick to your eye. Unlike an eyeshadow primer, an eyeshadow base will not “prime” the eye as eyeshadow bases don’t tend to have the same ingredients as eyeshadows primers. The majority of eyeshadow bases don't contain ingredients that will prevent eyeshadow from creasing or fading. As well as intensifying the colour and vibrancy of an eyeshadow, eyeshadow bases are also used for other purposes. 

• A nude/neutral eyeshadow base will get rid of any discolouration or redness on the eye. It creates a blank canvas. 
• A dark coloured eyeshadow base, e.g. black, will make the eyeshadow appear darker.
• A light coloured eyeshadow base, e.g. white, will make the eyeshadow appear brighter and more vibrant. 

Types Of Eyeshadow Primers & Bases

There are many eyeshadow primers and bases on the market, both drugstore and high-end. If you'd like a comparison post on drugstore and high-end eyeshadow primers and bases, please let me know. 

Different Types Of Eyeshadow Primers
- Eyeshadow primers typically come in a squeezy tube, non-squeezy tube or bottle. They usually have a doe-foot/brush applicator too.
-Eyeshadow primers are usually a cream, neutral, flesh toned or invisible colour.
-Eyeshadow primers dry down within a couple of minutes.

1. Urban Decay Primer Potion (Original)

2. Too Faced Shadow Insurance

3. theBalm Put A Lid On It

4. Smashbox Photo Finish Lid Primer

5. Nars Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base

Different Types Of Eyeshadow Bases
- For an eyeshadow base you can use foundation, concealer, paint pots, cream colour bases, cream eyeshadows, eyeshadow sticks, eye pencils, gel eyeliners. Eyeshadow bases typically come in a pot, squeezy tube, non-squeezy tube or pencil. 
- Eyeshadow bases come in a variety of different colours and different finishes. You can buy both flesh toned/neutral shades or bright colourful shades, they also come in both matte and satin/shimmer finishes. 
-Eyeshadow bases do not dry down and this is due to their texture. 

1. MAC Paint Pot

2. MAC Paint

3. MAC Shadestick

4. Inglot AMC Gel Eyeliner

5. NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil

If you have...

Very Oily Eyelids
If you have very oily eyelids you need to use both an eyeshadow primer and an eyeshadow base. If you just use an eyeshadow base and don't use a primer, your eyeshadow will crease. By using both a primer and a base you're ensuring that your eyeshadow won't crease.

Oily Eyelids
If you have oily eyelids you need to use an eyeshadow primer. If you just use an eyeshadow base, your eyeshadow will crease. A primer will create a barrier between the oil on your eyelids and the eyeshadow.

Normal Eyelids
If you have normal eyelids you have the option of using an eyeshadow primer or an eyeshadow base, or both. 

*If you notice your eyeshadow creases when using an eyeshadow primer and/or base, you're either using too little, too much or your skin doesn't agree with product. Don't worry if you do notice creasing, you either need to change the amount you're using or the product itself. 

Methods Of Application

Application:

• Makeup Brush - You can use a number of brushes to apply an eyeshadow primer or base, e.g. a flat eyeshadow brush, cream eyeshadow brush or blending brush. Apply the product to the eyelid using a flat eyeshadow brush and blend using a blending brush. 
• Sponge - This isn't a common method but some people do use a sponge to apply an eyeshadow primer or base. Simply dab the sponge into the product and apply to the eyelid. 
• Finger - Using your finger is probably the easiest way of applying an eyeshadow primer or base as you don't have the dreaded task of washing your makeup brushes once you've finished your makeup. You can simply apply the product to your eyelid and blend away with your finger. 

When applying an eyeshadow primer or base it's important to know...

• Eyeshadow primers do not need setting as they dry completely.
• Eyeshadow bases do need setting as they don't dry completely - If you're planning on using  matte eyeshadows you need to set the eyeshadow base first with either a translucent powder or a pale matte eyeshadow. You don't need to set it if you're planning on using a shimmer/satin eyeshadows. Matte eyeshadows don't blend well on a sticky base but shimmer/satin eyeshadows do. 

So now we know the differences between eyeshadow primers and eyeshadow bases and we know the different ways to apply them. If you would like me to do a comparison post on drugstore and high-end eyeshadow primers/bases, please let me know.


Thank you for reading and I hope you found this post helpful! Talk to you all in my next post!

Much love,
Cole
x

Shu Uemura Beige UV Under Base Mousse SPF 30

As you will all know I love under bases (primers) so when I was asked if I would like to review the Shu Uemura Beige UV Under Base Mousse SPF 30, I literally jumped at the chance. I had never really tried Shu Uemura products before, apart from the infamous eyelash curlers and the odd eyeshadow, so I was eager to try one of the Shu Uemura under bases. An under base is in effect a 'primer', you can wear it alone or under any foundation (face product).


Beige UV Under Base Mousse SPF 30: "Our number 1 selling product worldwide, UV under base mousse gives you the perfect base for your make up."

What Shu Uemura have to say about their Beige UV Under Base Mousse ...

"Original beige shade. A weightless mousse make-up base that helps to even out the skin's tone and texture, reduce redness and minimise the appearance of pores. Use before make-up application to prepare the face for flawless makeup."

Directions of use?

• Shake well before use.
• Make sure the bottle is upright before dispensing the mousse. 
• Dispense a walnut sized amount of the mousse into the palm of your hand using the pump provided. 
• Apply the mousse to your face using your fingers. Apply half to the left cheek, half to the right cheek and use the remainder for the forehead and t-zone. Blend in the mousse using a brush or your fingers, whichever you prefer. 

What are the product claims?

• Evens out skin tone and texture.
• Reduces redness. 
• Minimises the appearance of pores. 
• Helps to keep makeup on longer.

Are there other types of UV Under Base Mousse available?

Yes, in total there are 4 different types of UV under base mousse available and they each have a different use. 

• Beige UV Under Base Mousse SPF 30 
• Pink UV Under Base Mousse SPF 30
• BB UV Under Base Mousse SPF 30
• Brightening UV Under Base Mousse SPF 30

How much does the Beige UV Under Base Mousse retail at and where is it available?

The beige UV under base mousse retails at £29.00, as do the other different under base mousses and it can be purchased online at Shu Uemura or in-store/online at Space NK. 

What does the Beige UV Under Base Mousse look like?

Swatches...

Is the Shu Uemura Beige UV Under Base Mousse suitable for everyone?

The under base is suitable for absolutely anybody, no matter if you have dry skin, normal skin, combination skin or oily skin. It's suitable for ALL skin types which is wonderful. 

The under base doesn't feel oily at all and it doesn't produce excess oil throughout the day so those of you who have combination/oily skin will love the under base. However, those of you who have dry skin may need to use a moisturiser underneath the under base as it absorbs into the skin really easily.

If you have a fair complexion I would also recommend opting for the pink UV under base mousse as the beige UV under base mousse is a little dark for pale skin. 

The Good

• Product Claims - Does the under base reduce redness?.. YES, does the under base minimise the appearance of pores?.. YES, does the under base even out skin tone?.. YES, does the under base help to keep makeup on longer?.. MAYBE (I own decent foundations which do not need the help of under bases (primers) so I cannot say if this under base prolonged the life of my foundation). I honestly think that this under base is a wonderful product and it certainly lives up to it's claims. It leaves skin looking absolutely flawless and it does a great job at reducing redness and the size of pores. It's like a pore/line filler and primer in one!
• SPF - I LOVE products containing SPF as they do wonders for my pale skin. SPF helps to protect skin from sunlight/UV rays therefore products containing SPF are great for wearing during spring/summer and also on holiday. SPF products are also good for wearing on a daily basis too. 
• Application - The under base is really easy to apply as you simply have to pump the mousse into your hand and apply using your fingers. Application is the same as any other under base. 
• Texture - The under base, funnily enough, has a mousse like texture. It's light, fluffy and most importantly, weightless. The texture of the under base is lovely, and I have to say that it has the nicest texture out of all of my other under bases. 
• Blend-ability - The under base blends into the skin really well and this is probably due to it's 'air-light' texture. I prefer blending it in using my fingers as I think it applies more evenly than with a brush. The under base melts into the skin ease and you're left with super soft, supple skin. 
• Scent - The under base has a really lovely scent, it smells very fresh and clean and it doesn't smell 'chemically' at all. If I had to say what the exact scent was then it smells of almond milk (or almonds in general).
• Packaging - I really like the packaging as it's different to the norm. Other standard under bases (primers) come in a tube or bottle form so I really like how this under base comes in a can. I also like how it comes with a pump as you can easily dispense the mousse. The pump also enables you to dispense the correct (needed) amount of product. I think the packaging is fun, different and it reminds me very much of a hairspray bottle!
• Size - The under base contains 64ml of product. Other standard under bases contain 30ml so you're in effect getting double the amount of product. 
• Availability - The under base can be purchased online at Shu Uemura and Space Nk. It can also be purchased in-store at Space NK, Harvey Nichols and Selfridges. The under base is readily available meaning availability is not an issue. 

The Okay

• Price - £29.00 is a little pricey considering the majority of under bases retail around £15-20. The L'Oreal Lumi Magique Pure Light Primer retails at £9.99 and in my opinion, is just as good as the Shu Uemura Beige UV Under Base Mousse. There's no denying that the under base is worth it's price tag but when there's cheaper alternatives available I think it could be priced a little lower. If you're looking for a high end under base then check out the Shu Uemura Beige UV Under Base Mousse but if you're looking for a cheaper under base then check out the L'Oreal Lumi Magique Pure Light Primer. 
• Colour - Once dispensed, the mousse is a beige colour, but once blended, the colour disappears slightly and you're left with a beige tinge to your skin. The beige colour is slightly too dark for my pale skin tone and I would imagine I'd be better suited to the pink UV under base mousse. If the colour was correct, this pointer would be in 'the good' section. 

The Bad

• I don't have anything bad to say about the under base as it's a wonderful product and it does exactly what it says on the tin. My only criticism is the price but then again, the product is worth the price tag. 

Overall...

I have to say that it's possibly the best under base that I've ever tried as it instantly creates a fresh 'blank canvas'. It eliminates all signs of redness and it reduces the size of pores dramatically, it leaves skin looking so flawless it's untrue. I often use this under base alone as it really does cover all of my imperfections, I feel I don't need to use foundation when using the under base as the under base does a good enough job at hiding things on it's own without the aid of foundation/concealer. It's a wonderful product which lives up to it's claims and I would definitely purchase in the future. I don't understand why the under base retails at £29.00 as it is a little pricey but if you compare it to other high end under bases, this one wins by an absolute mile! If you're looking for an under base that actually works then check out this one!

Would I recommend? Yes, it well and truly lives up to it's claims.
Would I buy? Yes, it's the best under base I've ever come across.
Rating? 9/10 (would have been 10/10 if it wasn't so pricey)

*The Shu Uemura Beige UV Under Base Mousse SPF 30 was sent to me for review purposes. This does not affect my thoughts and opinions on the product. As always, my reviews are 100% truthful.

Bourjois Flower Perfection Translucent Smoothing Primer

I'm always eager to try the 'new thing' so when I saw the new Bourjois Flower Perfection range, I knew I had to try it. I also noticed that Superdrug had a 2 for £13.00 offer so I bought the Bourjois Flower Perfection foundation and primer, how could I resist that gem of an offer. I'm going to be reviewing both products so thought I'd start off by reviewing the primer. 

Bourjois Flower Perfection Translucent Smoothing Primer:

"CORRECTING AIRBRUSH ACTION FOR AN INSTANTLY BEAUTIFIED COMPLEXION!"

What are the product claims?

• Even's out and refines the skin's texture.
• Hides pores, blemishes and fine lines.
• Has a soft texture.
• Gives skin an airbrush finish. 
• Leaves skin looking flawless.
• Can used alone or before applying foundation for an easier application and a long-lasting hold.

Where can you purchase the primer and how much does it cost? 

The primer retails at £10.99 and can be purchased in-store and online at both Boots and Superdrug. The primer contains 7ml of product and is displayed in a circular pot with a screw top lid. 

What does the primer look like?

The primer is displayed in a clear pot with a pink screw top lid. The primer has a very light pink colour but it is colourless once applied to the skin. 

To avoid getting bacteria into the pot, a spatula could be used to apply the primer onto the skin, this is a handy tip if you're going to use the primer on clients. If the primer is for your own personal use and you're not fussed about bacteria, you could simply use your fingers. 

By looking at the first the first photo, you would imagine the primer to have a smooth and creamy consistency but by looking at the second photo, it is clear to see that the primer has a thick and fluffy consistency. It reminds me of cotton wool. 

Swatches

The first photo is before the primer has been blended in, the second photo is after the primer has been blended it. By looking at the 'after' photo, it is clear to see that the primer reduced redness, fine lines and pores. It's a magic product with magic powers. 

Is the primer suitable for everyone?

The primer is suitable for absolutely anybody no matter if you have dry, normal, combination or oily skin. 

The primer is great for those who have oily skin as it doesn't contain oil and it doesn't produce excess oil throughout the day, it purely has an oil-free formula. The primer also doesn't block pores, it hides them instead. Due to the primer having a smooth, easy to blend texture, it sinks into the skin as opposed to sitting on top of it, this is a huge bonus if you have oily skin. 

If you have dry skin you will also love this primer as it sinks into the skin straight away. A lot of bloggers have said that this primer isn't ideal for those people who suffer with dry skin as it has a matte finish but I personally do not see the problem with this at all, it doesn't irritate the skin or create extra dryness so I cannot what the issue is. If you have dry skin but don't mind a matte finish then you will like the primer, if you have dry skin and don't like a matte finish then you will hate it. 

The Good

• Product Performance - What can I say, this is just a genius product. Not only did it reduce the size of pores and fine lines, it also kept my foundation on a lot longer. 
• Concept - A primer that can reduce the appearance of pores, fine lines and redness as well as increase the longevity of your foundation?.. Genius. It's also great how the primer can be used alone and underneath ANY foundation. 
• Blend-ability - The primer blends into the skin very well, almost a little too well. It sinks into the skin immediately, I don't find that you have to work the primer into the skin at all as it blends into the skin beautifully. Some primers take a little 'work', a prime example is my Nars multi-protect primer, this takes around 5 minutes to work into the skin and then you have to leave it 5 minutes to dry. The bourjois primer takes no work and it dries instantly. 
• Finish - The primer has a matte finish. I especially like to wear the primer on it's own due to it's matte finish. 
• Texture - The primer has a smooth and soft texture which melts into the skin instantly. The primer feels 'fluffy' when you initially touch it and you would presume that it'd have a thick consistency but it doesn't, it feels weightless and instantly blends in. 
• Packaging - The packaging is lovely, it's cute, girlie and right up my street. I especially like how the primer is in a pot as the majority of primers come in a tube. It's a different way of presenting a primer and it's certainly something I've never seen before. I also like how the primer comes with a screw top lid as this will prevent spillages and mess. The cute flower image and pink lid fits the name of the primer very well, the packaging has been thought through thoroughly. 
• Price - The primer retails at £10.99 which I'd say is very reasonable. Some people might think £10.99 is a little pricey for a primer but if you think about it, high-end primers retail at around £25-30 so £10.99 really isn't that bad, especially when it's a brilliant primer. 

The Okay

• Size - I like the size of the pot as it's the perfect size for your handbag and also your makeup bag. The only thing I'm not keen on is the fact that the primer only contains 7ml of product. A standard primer contains 30ml of product so you're getting half the amount, I feel this is very naughty of Bourjois. You also have to use a lot of the primer due so I would imagine that the primer would last around one month if that. 
• Availability - The primer can be purchased from both Boots and Superdrug which is great if you live in the UK but it may be an issue if you live internationally. 

The Bad

• Colourless - The primer is colourless once it's applied to the skin so you cannot see where you've applied it. Not only is this annoying, it wastes a lot of product. 
• Scented - Don't get me wrong I like the floral scent as it very girly and summery but the only issue is that scented products break me out. The first time I used the primer, I developed attractive spots on my chin and cheeks the day after. If this primer wasn't scented then it would tick all the boxes. If scented products break you out, stay away from this primer. 

Overall...

I like this primer as it lives up to it's claims. It does reduce the appearance of pores and fine lines and it does reduce redness. Whether it gives skin an airbrushed look is quite debatable as it doesn't completely get rid of imperfections, it just reduces them. I also think it helped to prolong my foundation although this isn't a necessity for me as my foundations tend to last all day anyway. I think it's great how the primer is suitable for all skin types as it means anyone can use it.  

Overall it's a lovely primer with lovely packaging and an even lovelier price tag, the only thing that isn't lovely is that it's scented which causes me to break out. If the primer wasn't scented it would be the perfect primer.

Would I recommend? Yes

Would I re-purchase? No, simply due to it being scented.

Have you tried the Bourjois Flower Perfection Primer?

:)

L'Oreal Lumi Magique Pure Light Primer

I was recently sent a lovely rose gold box containing three products from the new L'Oreal Lumi Magique collection. A lovely lady called Hannah contacted me to see if I would like to try products from the range and as I have been a fan of L'Oreal for a long time, I jumped at the chance. 

Here is the lovely box I was sent. It includes the L'Oreal Lumi Magique Pure Light Primer, Lumi Magique Light Infusing Foundation and a Lumi Magique Touch Of Light Highlighting Pen.

I love how big the box is and I love how it comes with a huge mirror. I'll definitely be using this box for storage!

I'm going to be reviewing each of the products individually as I can give an in depth review on each of the products. So by judging by the title of this post, I'm going to be reviewing the L'Oreal Lumi Magique Pure Light Primer, part one of the L'Oreal Lumi Magique posts!

What L'Oreal have to say about the L'Oreal Lumi Magique Pure Light Primer...

"Brighten skin with Lumi Magique Pure Light Primer, an instant light source which gives an enviably glowing complexion. Featuring liquid light technology for an immediate illuminated optical effect, the skin's surface looks flawless and full of vitality."

"A fresh, light and silky soft formula which provides 8 hours of hydration, this primer diminishes the appearance of dullness for a luminous finish. Skin looks picture-perfect and radiant."

What are the product claims?

• Can be used as a base under any foundation or it can be used alone.
• Can be mixed with any moisturiser or foundation.
• Can be used as a highlighter.
• Improves the lasting power of foundation.
• Evens out skin tone.
• Illuminates the skin.
• Provides 8 hours of hydration.

Where can you buy the L'Oreal Lumi Magique Pure Light Primer?

The L'Oreal lumi magique pure light primer retails at £9.99 and can be purchased online at Boots and in-store at Boots and Superdrug. Both Boots and Superdrug are offering 3 for 2 on all L'Oreal products at the moment so it may be worth stocking up on old favourites or maybe trying out a couple of products from the lumi magique range. 

What does the L'Oreal Lumi Magique Pure Light Primer look like? 

The primer comes in a thin, lightweight plastic bottle.

Won't take up any space or break easily. 

The primer has a pump, great for dispensing the correct amount. 

Swatches

(In Daylight)

(With Flash)

(In Daylight)

(With Flash)

Is the L'Oreal Lumi Magique Pure Light Primer suitable for everyone?

The primer is suitable for absolutely everyone, no matter if you have dry skin, combination skin or oily skin. 

If you have dry skin then this little beauty is going to be your best friend as it leaves skin feeling hydrated. L'Oreal claim that this primer leaves skin hydrated for around 8 hours and I would say that this is true. At the moment I have dry skin and have noticed that when I wear this primer, my skin doesn't feel dry or itchy. I usually have to remove all traces of makeup as soon as I return home after a busy day as my skin starts to feel awful throughout the day but I find that this isn't the case when I use this primer. If you have very dry skin then you may need to use a moisturiser before applying this primer to your skin, just to give you that extra moisture. 

If you have combination or oily skin then you will like this primer as it doesn't leave skin feeling oily. The primer doesn't create unnecessary oil throughout the day, unlike some primers, this is a huge bonus if you suffer with oily skin. 

Obviously everyone's skin is different so whereas it might be brilliant for one person, it might not be so great for another person. Just try before you buy!

It's also suitable for all skin tones as it's colourless, it just adds a lovely sheen to the skin. 

If you're looking for an illuminating primer, then this is the one for you. 

The Good:

• Concept - I think it's great how the primer can be used alone and also underneath any foundation. I also think it's great that you can use it as a highlighter too. I don't think I've ever seen a 2 in 1 primer before. 
• Product Performance - The primer does improve the lasting power of foundation. When I wear the primer I find that my foundation doesn't slide off the skin at all, I also find that it doesn't transfer onto objects (e.g. my iPhone) as much as it usually would. The primer helps to keep foundation in place all day without budging. 
• Finish - The primer leaves skin looking luminous all day. It gives the skin a healthy glow and adds touch of radiance. I wouldn't say that the primer evened out skin tone as it's illuminating properties outweigh it's evening properties. 
• Texture - The primer doesn't feel oily or greasy whatsoever and it doesn't have a thick consistency, it has a lovely lightweight texture and it also feels very silky and smooth. 
• Blend-ability - The primer blends into the skin smoothly and evenly, it melts into the skin. 
• Packaging - The primer comes in a slim lightweight plastic tube. It also has a pump meaning you can dispense the correct amount of product. The primer is light and small enough to carry around with you and also pop in your makeup bag, and you also don't have to fear that it's going to leak or break due to the plastic packaging. I like how slim the tube is and I like how light it is, I hate big bulky products that take up a lot of room. 
• Size - The primer contains 20ml of product which is a good amount, the standard amount is usually around 30ml so the L'Oreal lumi magique pure light primer does contain 10ml less but you don't have to use a lot of it. A pea sized amount is more than enough to cover your full face. 
• Availability - The primer can be purchased online at Boots and in-store at Boots and Superdrug. L'Oreal products are easy to locate as there are plenty of Boots and Superdrug stores across the whole of the UK. 

The Okay:

• Price - The primer retails at £9.99 which I think is very reasonable considering it is such a good product. Some people may think £9.99 is a little expensive for a primer but we have to remember that L'Oreal is considered a higher quality high street brand. If you were to buy the Nars multi-protect primer it would cost you around £25.00 so £9.99 really isn't that bad. 

The Bad:

• I have nothing bad to say about this primer at all, it's a brilliant product. 

Overall...

Personally I would only use the primer as a base as I'm not a fan of mixing primer into my foundations as I find it a little faffy. I wouldn't use the primer as a highlighter as I prefer powder highlighters to cream highlighters. I would imagine that it would look lovely as a highligher but I just not a fan of cream cheek products in general. If you're looking for a decent illuminating primer then I highly recommend checking out this one because it's lovely. It instantly adds radiance to the skin and leaves the skin looking beautiful, although I wouldn't necessarily say that it evens out skin tone. I would use this primer on a regular basis and especially on holiday as it would look lovely alone with a tan.

Would I recommend this primer? Yes

Would I buy this primer? Yes

Have you tried the L'Oreal lumi magique pure light primer?

:)

*The L'Oreal Lumi Magique Pure Light Primer was sent to me for review purposes. This does not affect my thoughts and opinions on the product. As always, my reviews are 100% truthful.

Nars Multi-Protect SPF 30+ Primer

I talked yesterday about the Nars Pore Refining Primer and explained how I was unimpressed by it. Today I have tried out the other primer I was kindly given by the lovely Sales Assistant at Selfridges. The primer I will be reviewing is the Nars Multi-Protect SPF 30+ Primer and if you don't know what this looks like then here is a picture...

As you can see by looking as this primer, it looks exactly the same as the Nars Pore Refining Primer. I don't know if it's me only me that thinks this but surely Nars could have designed this bottle a little different to the Nars Pore Refining Primer. The Nars Multi-Protect SPF 30+ Primer is designed to be used a primer and also for sun protection so surely Nars could have come up with better packaging. I'm no expert in packaging but it would have been nice to distinguish which primer was which.  The only difference between both primers is the title on the bottles. 

I also think Nars have been a bit cheeky with these primers, has anyone else noticed that the size of them seems to have reduced a lot in comparison to the original Nars primers? It clearly stated on the website that there's 50ml in a bottle of the original Nars primer but it's just a bit iffy how they haven't stated the 'ml' on the new primers. Even without knowing the 'ml' of each one it is clear to see you get far more product in a bottle of the original Nars primer. I just don't understand how they can charge £1 less for a new primer that's half the size of the original primer. 

Anyway, enough of the criticisms! Let's get down to the nitty gritty!

Here is a description of the Nars Multi-Protect SPF 30+ Primer;

 on Sephora;

'This primer harnesses antioxidant, anti-stress, and anti-pollution skincare benefits to protect, soothe, and balance the skin. Luxuriously textured, this multitasking primer works with all skin types to protect and prime the skin for a makeup-ready finish.'

So by looking at this description we know that this primer is primarily intended for protection. The title of the primer is a bit of giveaway too seen as it has 'SPF 30+' wrote on the bottle. I love primers that have SPF in them as it really does create a safe barrier for your face, they just add that little more protection that your face needs. SPF primers are great for if you go on holiday so I really would suggest purchasing a primer like this if you're about to set off on your jolly holidays! One great thing about this primer is the high SPF as you don't tend to find primers with such a high SPF. Some people may disagree with me because they think they'll look really white in photographs if they use primers which contain SPF but the majority of the time you'll find this isn't the case. And even if it was the case I'd much prefer to look white then have a sore face.

My first initial thoughts of this primer were really good. The texture of the primer felt really smooth and it went on like a dream. Also, It didn't feel oily what so ever which is a massive bonus as the original Nars primer can feel quite oily once it's been applied. The colour of the Nars Multi-Protect SPF 30+ Primer is also a lot better than the colour or the original Nars primer as it looks like a more creamy colour.

Here is a picture to compare the two primers. The Nars Original Primer is on the left and the Nars Multi-Protect SPF 30+ Primer is on the right....

As you can see the original primer is a lot more white than the Nars Multi-Protect SPF 30+ Primer. The Nars Multi-Protect SPF 30+ Primer appears to be more a creamy/yellowy colour which is great as it suits  all skin types. I find that the original Nars primer leaves your skin looking really white, this is not a good thing as I'm really pale as it is.

Here is a picture of both primers once they have been blended out, again the Nars Original Primer is on the left and the Nars Multi-Protect SPF 30+ Primer is on the right....

And also a picture of my hand taken in daylight...

As you can see, the left side of my hand is really white in comparison to the right side of my hand. Therefore this shows you that the Nars Multi-Protect SPF 30+ Primer is a better primer in terms of colour and blend-ability. In terms of staying power they are just as good as each other, they both keep my make-up on all day and I find that my make-up doesn't fade or even slide off my face at all. I tend to have an oily t-zone so would normally expect my make-up to slide off throughout the day but I noticed when using these primers, this does not happen.

Overall the Nars Multi-Protect SPF 30+ Primer is a great primer. It may contain half as much product as the original Nars primer and it may still be quite pricey but it's definitely worth checking out if you're looking for a long-lasting, smooth, high SPF primer. Oh and another positive thing....you don't need a lot of the product! Like the Nars Pore Refining Primer, a little goes a long long way! :D

So now I'll rank the Nars Primers I tried and tested...

1.) Nars Multi-Protect SPF 30+ Primer - It might be pricey and I'll never understand why they reduced the size of the bottle but it's fab!

2.)  Nars Original Primer - Yes it does cause you to have a bright white face but it's great for keeping make-up on!

3.) Nars Pore Refining Primer - I think this will always be in my worst rated. I have nothing positive to say about this primer.

If you want to buy any of the Nars primers listed then click on the link; Nars: Primers
You can also buy from SpaceNK: Nars , ASOS: Nars and also Sephora: Nars

Many thanks for reading! Sorry this was a massive post!

:D

Nars Pore Refining Primer

I saw last week on the interweb that Nars were in fact releasing there new summer 2011 collection online so me being me decided to see if they had it in my local Selfridges as well. It turns out they are in fact launching the collection in-store on the 1st of May. After chatting to the Sales Assistant about this new collection she then informed me that Nars were bringing out new face primers, in her words, 'The new primers don't make you look white like the others do' so obviously I thought that these new primers were going to be a hit as I knew what she meant about the old primers. The Sales Assistant then handed me a sample of the new face primers, the Nars Pore Refining Primer and also the Nars Multi-Protect SPF 30+ Primer.

I tried out the Nars Pore Refining Primer today and I have to say I'm really unimpressed by it. I'm just glad it was a sample and I hadn't gone and spent £24 on it. For those of you who are unaware of what this primer looks like then here is a picture of this primer....

As stated on the Nars website;
 'A primer that instantly refines the look of pores, regulates shine and mattifies the skin. Boasting Mineral Powders that manage oil in the T-Zone and Pure Lentil Seed Extract that diminishes the appearance of dilated pores over time, this gel formula keeps a reservoir of water on tap, helping skin stay fresh and hydrated throughout the day.' 


First of all, this does not refine the look of pores. I wouldn't say I was the sort of person that had overly large pores anyway but even so it made no difference to them, if anything I'd say that it made the pores on the tip of my nose a little bigger....not so good. Even after applying this primer I had to rely on my Clinique Pore Minimiser to minimise my pores. I kinda expected this primer to live up to its name so having to apply other products for something that this primer didn't do is just annoying.

Secondly, I don't really understand what Nars meant by 'Reservoir of water' if anything my face feels like sandpaper. It doesn't feel hydrated whatsoever, my nose looks and feels stupidly dry and it's getting to the point where my make-up feels uncomfortable on my skin. I expected my face to feel silky, smooth and fresh throughout the day but it feels the complete opposite. It's not as if I have dry skin too, I have combination skin, maybe dry skin on my forehead sometimes but that's it. I definitely do not have very dry or dry skin so I possibly wouldn't recommend this to anyone who does have those skin types.

To end this post on a happy note, the primer does go on lovely and doesn't leave you with that ghostly white face look, unlike the original primer. You also don't need to use a lot of the primer as a little does go a long way, so in terms of price, it could be a good investment if you only use a tiny bit, which is all you need.

This primer wasn't for me but that's not to say it won't be right for everyone. It did make my pores look bigger and did leave me with dry skin so overall I'd probably recommend this to someone with a more oily skin type but saying that every individual reacts differently to the same product. If anyone is reading this and thinking, 'Well that didn't happen to me!' then post a comment as it would be interesting to know how other people got on with this primer. This post isn't a reflection of all Nars products or even their pro-prime range as I've got many fantastic Nars products, I guess some are just better than others.

If you want to know where you can buy this primer then here is the link; Nars: Make-Up Primers

My next post will be about the Nars Multi-Protect SPF 30+ Primer, I'll try it out tomorrow and let you know how I get on with it! Hopefully the next post will be a bit more positive! :)

Thanks for reading!

:D