Back to the Basics: Face Primer

Hello, cute readers!

i have been doing some thinking regarding the content of our little blog here.  i haven't posted in a while because i have been too busy to film any good tutorials...and because my camera is on the fritz.  Poor little camera. Sad face. But i wanted to start a series where we discuss and, maybe for some of you, introduce basic products that we feel are essential for great face.  So! Let's begin, shall we...

Primer

Primer is one of those products that i didn't know existed until a couple years ago and i want to punch myself and the entire world in the face for not telling me about it sooner. How did i manage to function without this stuff?! Honestly, it's embarrassing. 

When you think of the word primer, it most likely conjures up bad memories of painting your home or a piece of furniture, etc.  You're on the right track!  Makeup primer serves a similar purpose as paint primer.  It preps your face for the makeup you are about to apply, making it last longer, look better, and helping you avoid what i affectionately like to call...the "Midday Face Melt." You can get primer for a variety of things but one of the most basic (and i feel most important) primers you should be wearing is face primer.

There are about a bajillion different kinds of face primers out there and they each will do something different for your skin.  The basic idea of a face primer is that you are filling in any fine-lines, pores, scars, etc. so that the foundation you are going to apply doesn't sit in those crevices making them more noticeable.  It gives your skin a more flawless finish. who would say no to that? answer: no one, ever.  You can get primer that will help if you have discolored skin, oily skin, dry skin, mutant reptile skin. jk. there isn't a primer for that. but really, people. if you have a face, there's a perfect primer for you. My faves are:

Benefit's the POREfessional

Urban Decay's Pore Perfecting Primer Potion

Smashbox Photo Finish Primer

There are so many other primers out there and finding what works best for you can seem daunting.  But never fear!  Knowing what skin-type you have (oily, normal, combination) and what you'd like your primer to accomplish is a good place to start.  For example, some primers can make your skin look luminous but if you have oily skin they might make it look even shinier.  (Learned from experience.)  Just head out to your local ULTA or Sephora and ask for help. People are always willing to get you what you need. :)

I hope this helps! Until next time...

xo, bee.

Some Current Favorites of Roo's

My good friend Deborah tagged me on Instagram to take a picture of some of my fave beauty products. This was an oddly difficult task. I like using so many different things that picking favorites was challenging. I selected the things I reach for the most or things I will be repurchasing when they're gone.

My faves are:
1. Orgins VitaZing lotion. This may be the best product of all time. It is a light moisturizer with just the perfect amount of tint. I wear it under my makeup or alone when going boating or something.
2. Maybelline Age Rewind Concealer. Best under-eye concealer I've ever used. It's light, creamy, and soft. It has great coverage and it stays put. Can't live without it.
3. Fresh Sugar balm in Rose. This has been my go to lip color all summer. It is so moisturizing and is the most wearable color. It just enhances my lip color with out adding much color. I heart it. (Thanks Sephora! It is their birthday gift this year.)
4. MAC Mineralized Skin Finish in Soft and Gentle. This is my go to highlighter. So easy to wear and very pretty.
5. Laura Geller Balance and Brightwn. Miracle product here. This powder matches almost any skintone and does the greatest job of giving you some color and coverage without looking like you have makeup on. I've been usin it everyday lately. I know Brittany loves it too.
6. MAC Lipgloss in Viva Glam IV. The perfect pink lipgloss in my opinion.
7. Benefit Instant Brow Pencil. I uses to be obsessed with Benefit's Brow Zings but these days I've found myself reaching for their brow pencil instead. It is just so quick and easy to throw on and it is the perfect color for me. Love!
8. Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette. What can I say, this palette is perfection. If I'm in a hurry and don't want to think about what eyeshadow to wear, I reach for this. If I want a great dramatic eye look, I reach for this. If I'm traveling, I reach for this. I love every color in this and use it more than any other eyeshadows I own. Love, love, love it!

There you have it, some of my current faves. Leave a comment below and tell me what you are loving these days.... PLEASE! :)

<3 / Roo

Mascara Face-Off: They're Real vs. Bad Gal

Today I am comparing two different mascaras from Benefit, Bad Gal and They're Real.  If you want any other mascaras or products compared, be sure to leave a comment below.  I will happily take requests, really I would love some.

 The first mascara here is They're Real.  This is one of the best selling mascaras in the country right now.  People rave about this mascara, they just love it.  Benefit claims that They're Real volumizes, lengthens, curls, lifts and separates.  My experience is that it definitely volumizes and lengthens.  It is a very buildable mascara, you can apply coat after coat and your lashes will keep getting longer.  I also think it does a pretty good job curling.  I have put it on people who haven't curled their lashes and it does seem to give them a little bit of curl.  This mascara has a unique brush (though now there are a few copycat mascaras out there).  It is a plastic brush with a little ball of short bristles at the tip, this helps you get all your little lashes so no one is left out.  This isn't a waterproof formula but it STAYS ON! Stays on too well in my opinion.  I like my mascara to come off easily at night, this does not.  I rarely get it all off at night and wake up with some still on in the morning.  Some people would love that kind of longevity though.

This one is Bad Gal mascara.  Bad Gal is said to be volumizing and thickening.  It is also more matte where as They're Real is shiny and glossy.  This mascara has much drier formula than They're Real.  I find that this helps to give a much more natural appearance to my lashes.  This mascara gives each individual lash a coat of mascara which makes your lashes look fuller.  Bad Gal, like They're Real, is not waterproof.  But unlike They're Real it comes off with ease if you use a makeup removing wipe or eye makeup remover.  I prefer that.

 

 Top wand: They're Real

Bottom wand: Bad Gal

The verdict: I would have to say I prefer Bad Gal.  It is probably my favorite mascara right now.  I really prefer the more natural look and I like being able to get my makeup off easily at night.  I'd say Bad Gal is the daytime mascara and They're Real is the night time drama mascara.

So there you have it!  

<3 / Roo