HELP! Primer needed.....

I NEED Help!

Just far to many to work my way through and I'm already spending a fortune on different foundations

I'm desperately searching for a Primer and really struggling - just don't know what to try!

Obviously I want my makeup to last at least the working day, but my main concern is that I want to try and even out my complexion.

I have issues with my pores and suffer from abit of redness around my nose. I would say I have dry to combination type skin. The usual rubbish of a shiney nose and chin but with the added joy of dryness on both as well (this has really improved recently so I don't want something to affect this).

So I was hoping that someone out there may be able to point me in the right direction.

Any suggestions Welcome!

Bare Escentuals: Prime Time

As some of you may now know, having read some of my previous posts, I started using mineral makeup around March time.

The main reason for this was that I had been using heavier foundations and my skin had changed so they didn't seem to apply as nicely.

Also, you may have also read about the issues I have previously had with primers, particularly with them making my pores look worse not better!

So how relieved was I when I tried this little beauty...

It retails at £18 and is described as

A preservative-free foundation primer developed to combat flaky dryness, fine lines, excess oil, and enlarged pores. This bareMinerals-infused formula glides on with no tacky feel to provide a skin-smoothing complexion prior to applying bareMinerals SPF 15 foundation

So what do I think of this primer??

I think it's fantastic. It really really helps my skin. Having slightly larger pores than I would like this acts as a lovely smoothing base for my makeup. It glides on, and whilst it feels kind of oil on your fingers it just seeps into the skin leaving it smooth for application.

I have used this both with and without moisturiser and mixed with moisturiser (it works really well with Boots Vanishing Day Cream) and I always get good results no matter what.

It's not mattifying, although there is an oil control primer available from Bare Escentuals for those of you with oily skin.

My skin is combination I would say, so this is perfect. I used to suffer with dry flaky patches when applying foundation and I have never suffered from this since using this primer.

What I like the most though is that it works AMAZINGLY under my Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation also. This is great because some days I want heavier coverage and some days I don't. It just depends on my makeup mood and whether I want my makeup natural or more "done up". So I love that I now have the option to wear either again.

The main thing about this primer is that it makes my skin look better underneath my foundation. I have noticed that my makeup lasts a little longer, but not as much as some others have made it last.

That said, I prefer not to use ANY of the primers that make my makeup stay put all day and all night because so far they have been really drying and unflattering on my skin.

So would I re-purchase/recommend?

Without a doubt!! I think that this is really reasonably priced at £18 because for me it does exactly what it says it will, which lets face it, isn't usually the case!

No7 Shine Free Makeup Base - quick review

Ok, so I don't know about you but I am finding that a good primer is hard to come by. I suppose it is because everyone's skin is different and so it's pretty difficult to find out if it works for you until you have actually incorporated it fully into your beauty routine.

I had seen a couple of reviews that were on the positive side about this product though so a couple of months ago I gave it a go. It retails at £10.75 at Boots.

I was hoping for minimised pores and a non-greasy nose.

Unfortunately, what I ended up with was dull looking skin with obvious HUGE pores. This should be called Moisture Free Makeup Base.

When I applied this I would attempt to blend quickly, but still ended up with it clinging to the skin due to its paste-type texture. Then of course my makeup would go on on top and look the same. I mean ok so my makeup STAYS on with this - all day and all night if I wanted it to and it is possible to get a more even base if you put a thicker layer of it on. However, the first thing my boyf said the first day I wore it was "Awwww haven't you got a lot of makeup on today" (which translates to JEEZ! Too Much!).

I tried it for a couple of weeks to see if it was down to application techniques, but nothing made it work any better for me. It just made my foundation look like a heavy cakey mask. To be 100% sure I tried it with my bare minerals which is so sheer on my skin and even that then drew attention to my pores and looked like it was sat on top of skin horribly!

So in short - I have given up on this and will not be re-purchasing.

Oh, and incase you are wondering if it's just me - I did try and give this to L incase it worked for her about 2 weeks ago and she brought it back to me the next day saying it was AWFUL and had ruined her makeup for the day!

That said - I have used it as an eyeshadow primer in the past and it keeps your eyeshadow in place all day long, which is something!

Anyone else tried this primer, or have any other primers you swear by?



Giddy P