Top 5 Face Primers for Long-Lasting Makeup

I swear by face primers to keep my makeup looking fresh and staying put, especially when the temperatures reach triple digits here in So. Cal. I’ve tried a lot of primers over the years, but I keep coming back to these five time and again. If you’re in the market for a face primer, check out these top 5 face primers for long-lasting makeup.

1. Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer

I tried a sample packet of this years ago and was immediately hooked. The silky-smooth application provides a flawless canvas for your foundation and other face products while helping to mask imperfections and fill in fine lines. You can wear it alone or under makeup, but however you choose to use this your skin will look absolutely gorgeous.

($17/0.5 oz, Sephora)

2. e.l.f. Studio Mineral Infused Face Primer

As far as budget-friendly face primers go, this is the best I’ve tried – seriously. I know that many women have a love/hate relationship with e.l.f. products, but I have had great results with their face primer. It feels silky when you put it on, and it even helps mask oil and dryness. Even if I don’t wear foundation, I like to apply this after moisturizer for a smoother-looking complexion.

($6, eyeslipsface.com)

3. Too Faced Primed & Poreless Skin Smoothing Face Primer

This face primer was actually scientifically designed to be worn under foundation, bronzers, and other face makeup to achieve a truly flawless face. You can also wear this primer alone for a smooth, line-free complexion without having to worry about makeup. Overall, I was super happy with the performance of this primer and like how it makes my skin look more radiant.

($30, Beauty.com)

4. Rimmel London Fix & Perfect Foundation Primer

Another budget-friendly winner, this foundation primer from Rimmel London is what I reach for when I’m out of my other favorites. For a drugstore primer, this one works very well. Not only does it help my makeup last all day, but it minimizes the size of my pores and makes my skin look and feel softer and smoother.

($7, Drugstores)

5. Murad Skin Perfecting Primer Acne & Shine Control

I was able to try a deluxe sample of this via Beauty Bar’s Sample Society program, and it works great when I am dealing with the occasional frustrating bout of acne. Luckily, I don’t routinely suffer from pimples but when I do I’ll definitely want this primer on hand. Not only does it cut down on shine, but it helps control my breakouts while leaving my skin smooth and flawless-looking, too.

($35, BeautyBar.com)

Did one of your favorite face primers make the list? If not, be sure to share what YOUR favorite foundation primer is in the comments.

Summer Beauty Travel Essentials

While spring is still in full bloom, it’s never too early to start thinking about your summer vacation plans. If you’re already dreaming of tropical beaches and cabana boys bringing you drinks by the pool, don’t forget this checklist of your must-have summer beauty travel essentials.

1. Fekkai Brilliant Glossing Travel Faves Kit

Don’t fret about bad hair days on your vacation! Instead, reach for this 5-piece hair care kit from Fekkai so you can enjoy smooth, shiny strands for your entire trip. This travel-ready set includes:

  • 2 oz Brilliant Glossing Shampoo
  • 2 oz Brilliant Glossing Conditioner
  • 1.6 oz Brilliant Glossing Cream
  • 1.5 oz Sheer Hold Hair Spray
  • Mini Comb

All products are packaged in a fun case so you can easily store these essentials and have them on hand whenever you need them. Bad hair be gone!

($43, Ulta.com)

2. Juice Beauty Organics to Clear Skin Kit

With this 30 day supply of skin care essentials, you just might be tempted to extend your summer vacay. Even if you’re only getting away for the weekend, this skin care kit from Juice Beauty will help you put your best face forward with these skin-clearing products. The kit includes:

  • Cleansing Gel
  • Sensitive Green Apple Peel
  • Blemish Clearing Serum
  • Oil-Free Moisturizer
  • Eco-Bamboo Headband

With this kit, you can say bye-bye to blemishes and enjoy a vacation free of worry. That’s something to smile about!

($39, Beauty.com)

3. SuperGoop! City & Sand Sunscreen Travel Tote

It needs to be said – we all should be wearing SPF on a daily basis. When you’re on vacation, take this jam packed kit with you – it’s perfect for travel, so you don’t have an excuse not to wear your SPF! You’ll receive four of SuperGoops best-selling suncare essentials, including:

  • SPF 30+ City Sunscreen Serum for Travel
  • SPF 30+ Mintfusion Lip Balm
  • SPF 30+ Everyday UV Lotion for Face and Body (It’s water resistant!)
  • SPF 40 Antioxidant Infused Sunscreen Day Cream

All products are packaged in a zippered terrycloth reusable tote, so you can easily travel with these powerful SPF products wherever you go!

($35, Sephora)

4. GloMinerals gloSheer Delight Summer Set

While you’re on vacation, don’t try to tote all of your makeup with you. Instead, turn to this summer set from GloMinerals – it has everything you need for a gorgeous, radiant glow. The set includes:

  • GloMinerals gloLoose eye shadows in “Charming” and “Delight”
  • GloMinerals gloBlush in “Paradise”
  •  GloMinerals gloLiquid lips in Pink Ginger
  • GloMinerals gloBody bronzer in Light Pink

Trust us – this set will help you keep your makeup soft and simple for your summer vacation but you’ll still look absolutely gorgeous.

($45, Beauty Bridge)

5. Forever21 Travel Size Makeup Cleansing Tissues

Don’t worry about pouring your favorite makeup remover into travel-approved containers. Instead, pack these handy makeup removing wipes from Forever21 into your carry-on. These wipes are formulated to moisturize skin while removing every trace of makeup, even the most stubborn mascara or eyeliner. Each package contains 15 wipes.

($1.80, Forever21)

What summer travel essentials do you recommend?

Spring Beauty Trend: Luminizers

This spring, it’s all about radiant and glowing skin – what better way to achieve the look than with a luminizer? If you’ve never used a luminizer before, adding this beauty product to your routine is actually quite simple.

First, luminizers come in a variety of different formulations like powder, cream, liquid and solid. They work pretty much the same way, but I prefer liquid luminizers. You may have to play with a few different types before you find the formulation you like working with best. Luminizer can be mixed with your regular foundation for an all-over glow, or strategically applied to sections of your face for a lit-from-within radiance, such as the cupid’s bow or cheekbones.

You apply luminizer over other face products, and because they’re so lightweight they won’t look cakey or heavy. I also like using a dab of luminizer in the corner of my eyes to really make my eyes appear wider and more alert. Play around until you get the look you want, but one thing is for certain – luminizers are here to stay! Here are a few to try:

Stila All Over Shimmer Liquid Luminizer, $22, Sephora

 

 

 

 

 

LORAC Oil-Free Luminizer, $28, Beauty.com

 

 

 

 

 

Benefit High Beam, $24, Benefit Cosmetics

 

 

 

 

 

Hard Candy Face & Body Luminizer, $8, Walmart

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trish McEvoy Luminizer Pen, $40, Nordstrom

 

Get the Look: CoverGirl’s “Pink Punch” Looks Beautiful for Spring

This spring, wear this gorgeous “Pink Punch” look from CoverGirl (created by P&G Beauty Global Creative Design Director Pat McGrath,) and you’ll be sure to turn heads.

FACE:

1. First, use a makeup sponge or foundation brush to apply a bit of CoverGirl TruBlend Liquid Makeup Foundation ($9.59,) beginning at the center of your face and moving upwards towards the hairline. Make sure to blend well!

2. Set your foundation with a light dusting of CoverGirl TruBlend Pressed Powder ($7.79)

EYES:

1. For eyes, the look remains bold yet neutral. Start by applying CoverGirl Intense ShadowBlast Eyeshadow in Brown Bling ($7.99) to the center of your lid. Using your finger, blend the color thoroughly as you approach your browline.

2. Skip liner on the top lids, but line the lower lashline with CoverGirl Liquiline Blast Eyeliner in Black Fire ($8.79.) To get the most precise and defined line, start lining at the inner corner and work outwards.

LIPS:

1. For the finishing touch, use CoverGirl Blast Flipstick Lipstick in Pucker ($7.99.) Apply the creamy shade to your entire pout, then add just a dab of the shimmer side the center of your lips. Blend the shimmer outwards and voila – instant perfection.

All of these products are available at Drugstore.com, and can help you get this gorgeous “Pink Punch” look for yourself. Will you be trying out this new face for spring?

5 Natural Beauty Buys for Spring

If you’re ready to “green” your beauty routine for spring, here are 5 natural beauty buys you can feel good about using this season and beyond.

1. Pure Fiji Sugar Rub – Pineapple

To get your skin into tip top shape for spring, this sugar scrub will gently exfoliate sugarcane and virgin coconut oil to hydrate, smooth and soften even the driest skin. The scrub also contains Vitamin E to help protect against further damage. The sweet pineapple fragrance is simply a bonus!

($39.60, Apothica)

Shade Pictured: "Monday"

2. Tarte 24.7 Natural Lip Sheer SPF 15

Formulated without parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, petrochemicals or phthalates, Tarte’s natural lip sheers contain mango and cocoa butters for soft, smooth lips while imparting your pout with a sheer hint of color. Available in a variety of pretty shades, these lip sheers are the perfect staple to toss in your purse this season.

($16, Sephora)

Shade Pictured: "Satin"

3. Jane Iredale Liquid Minerals Foundation

This unique foundation contains beneficial ingredients that actually help improve the health of your skin while making pores look smaller; minimizing fine lines and wrinkles and evening your skin tone for a flawless look. Available in 10 shades, you’re almost guaranteed to find your perfect match.

($48, Beauty.com)

4. 100% Pure Smooth & Moisture Hair Balm

100% vegetarian and formulated with all natural ingredients, this hair balm from 100% Pure will smooth flyaways, add shine and seal in moisture so your ‘do stays soft and lovely all day long. It can be used on dry or wet hair and is the perfect size to stash in your purse when bad hair strikes.

($6, 100percentpure.com)

Shade Pictured: "Green Eyes Organics"

5. Physicians Formula Organic Wear 100% Natural Origin Eye Shadow Duo

Available in four shades to coordinate with your eye color, these natural shadow duos are cruelty-free and contain no synthetic fragrances, preservatives, or colors. They also are 100% free of harsh chemicals, parabens and GMO’s, so you can feel good about using these to enhance your eyes this season.

($7.95, Physicians Formula)

If you’re looking for natural beauty products, these are five great recommendations that will keep you looking gorgeous from head to toe. What are your favorite natural beauty buys?

 

Jump Into Spring Makeup Looks With Covergirl

 

COVERGIRL BLASTFLIPSTICK

-          Gives you the power to mix and match shades with the flip of a stick to achieve a unique look. Pat designed the creams and shimmers paired together and created a bright purple lip on the runway to represent a “modern day revolution”. I haven’t tried this one yet but I’m dying to see how it works. Looks like the perfect lipstick to have on your purse!


COVERGIRL Blast Flipstick – $8

 

COVERGIRL + OLAY TONE REHAB 2-in-1 FOUNDATION

-          Provides you with a second chance for your skin tone. The easy-to-apply liquid foundation covers discolorations, lines and wrinkles and helps improve skin tone overtime. I thought this foundation was going to be too much for my 20-something skin, but I was pleasantly surprised. It goes on smooth, not thick, and blends easily. It covers fine lines without filling them in and creating shadows. I was also happy to find that it worked well with my normal/oily skin without causing a breakout. This one is worth a try!


COVERGIRL and OLAY Tone Rehab Foundation – $13

 

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Spring Trend Alert: Accent Nails and One Glitter Nail

I noticed on Pinterest that there is a new nail polish trend that is exploding in popularity… Doing an “accent nail” like just one or both ring fingers with a complimenting color to the rest of your manicure OR doing all nails a neutral color and then doing one finger with GLITTER!

I decided to give it a try (in the name of research of course!) and I am pretty pleased with the results… I think it’s kinda cute!

 

 

Check us out on Pinterest and let us know what you think of this new trend!