Powders, Primer Liz Lanuzo Powders, Primer Liz Lanuzo

Oil Control Week: Ellana Sheer Velvet Powder Primer

According to a top makeup artist, the best way to conceal pores is to mattify them. Piling on primers and makeup will only make them more obvious to the eye; it's best to mattify the offending area to make the craters of those pores recede! So yes, if you have big pores, avoid products with any shimmer or sparkle in them. Go for matte and mattifying makeup.

Anyway, let's continue with my last post for Oil Control Week! Here I have the Ellana Sheer Velvet Powder Primer (P460) an ultra-fine, zero coverage powder with the sole purpose of smoothing out skin and absorbing oil. It is marketed both as a primer and finishing powder (I'll explain why later) but personally I prefer to use it as the last step in my makeup routine.

Primer, what? I know it can be confusing to claim a powder to be a primer, but this is a primer in the sense that it can absorb oil under your makeup. It can also make your powder base go on more evenly since this powder fills in pores and lines, thus smoothing out such imperfections even before you wear foundation.

Texture. But, you say, can't any other translucent powder do that? Not really. This powder is so cushy and fine that I advise you not to inhale while applying it or your throat will feel weird. It's so cushy and fine, Ellana can't make a pressed version because it will fall apart. It's just one of those things you need to touch first to understand!

The fine powder can get into those hard to fill areas on your face, thus creating an ultra smooth canvas.

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Foundation, Primer Liz Lanuzo Foundation, Primer Liz Lanuzo

Laura Mercier Week: Foundation Primer in Radiance

A couple of weeks back, Rustan's sent me a few items from Laura Mercier's Spring 2014 Collection. This will be out in February, but I thought it'd be great to give you guys a full preview. I've already done a video tutorial featuring the products - that should give you an idea of how gorgeous the makeup is! But now it's time to get down to the nitty gritty.

This 2014, the beauty trend is along the lines of dewy, fresh skin. Heavy-looking, super matte bases are a huuuge no-no, and really, why bother? If you can get away with just a little makeup then that is precisely ALL you need! Take advantage of amazing technologies, such as a brightening base. Something like the Laura Mercier Foundation Primer in Radiance (P1,550).

 

What it is and what's it isn't. I initially thought that it's a primer for extending the wear of my foundation, but that is not the case. This is, more than anything else, a brightening base. It helps foundation glide on better, smoother. It makes your skin look more radiant and hydrated in the process due to the high water-content.

This is not an oil-controlling primer. Just wanna make that clear. However, if you have dull, sallow-looking skin, you'll love this! It perks up my skin in no time, without making it look shiny. It can subtly reflect the light back, thus blurring imperfections. I think this is a must-have if you're enjoying good skin and want to cut down on foundations and concealers. 

This is a more affordable dupe of the Becca Skin Perfector and the Bobbi Brown Illuminating Face Base which can easily cost over P2,500 here. ;)

Finish and texture. The product looks like tinted moisturizer off the tube, but don't be fooled. It's completely sheer! It does leave a gorgeous champagne glow though.

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Foundation, Primer, Skincare Liz Lanuzo Foundation, Primer, Skincare Liz Lanuzo

Clinique Week: Moisture Surge CC Cream

Morning! So, I decided to do a Clinique Week because I've been receiving a lot of wonderful products from the brand lately. These are the latest releases so some of them might not be availble yet but you can ask your preferred counter to reserve. ;) To kick off the series, here's a review of something I've been using whenever I get the chance!

CC creams have brought a lot of confusion when they started popping out last year. What are they, really? Do you need them? It depends on your preference and skin type so there's no definite answer to that. But I can tell you that CC creams are specifically for color correction, with a focus on skincare rather than the cosmetic effect. CC creams are for treating and maintaining skin, not for covering it up the way BB creams would.

That said, I am loving the Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream (P1,850) because it is my ideal face base. I don't need to layer moisturizer and/or sunscreen, foundation, and powder on a day-to-day basis! I apply a generous amount on my skin, wait for it to dry, and voila - nice, primed skin that doesn't need layers of product to achieve.

Okay let me break that down in a neat list, before I degenerate into a raving maniac. :P

Why I LOVE the product

  • It has this lightweight, non-greasy texture that melts on skin and somehow makes it look brighter. 
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Reader question: What's the difference between eye and face primers?

Hi Liz,

I'm looking for a good primer for the oily parts of my face (I'm combination skin) - which is my T -zone AND my eyelids. I tend to get really oily lids which ruins my eyeshadow. My question is, if I plan to get a primer, do I need to get a separate one for my eyelids? Or could I just go with an all-around primer like Benefit's Porefessional or Smashbox's Photo Finish Primer? - Jin

Hi Jin! Thanks for the question. Eye primers and face primers are different from each other because the skin on those areas and the makeup you use on them require a different type of base. They're like oranges and apples!

Benefit Porefessional vs Urban Decay Primer Potion

You'd want your T-zone and cheeks to look smoother, poreless, and less oily, which is where silicone-based primers come in. The fine silicone in the product fills in the pores and lines, thus blurring them while also acting as a barrier between your skin and makeup. This makes you oil up less and helps your makeup look smoother overall.

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Eyeshadows, Primer Liz Lanuzo Eyeshadows, Primer Liz Lanuzo

ArtDeco Eyeshadow Base

There is an unfortunate scarcity of good, locally-available eyeshadow bases in the country. I talked to a couple of people who works with local beauty brands, and you know what they said? They don't make eyeshadow bases simply because there is no demand for it. Filipinas aren't really that advanced when it comes to makeup application, so they don't have a need for an eyeshadow base.

In other words, only people who know makeup know why they need a proper eyeshadow base. And not a lot of people really know makeup, so let's pat ourselves in the back! :P

Anyway! Good thing that ArtDeco is back here. Why? Because the brand has one of the most popular eyeshadow bases out there: the ArtDeco Eyeshadow Base (P450 at Beauty Bar). I tried getting this three, two years ago, but it was always out of stock! Swear. There's a lot of rave reviews about it online, even getting a solid 4.3/5 at Makeupalley (98 reviews). 

So is it worth all the attention? Well yes, but I am not going to give it a mega rave review. Here's why!

What I love about the product

  • It intensifies eyeshadows extremely well - perhaps even better than UDPP. This ArtDeco base doesn't dry up immediately, so a coated lid grabs more pigment compared to the cult classic. 
  • Eyeshadows are easier to blend on top of this compared to UDPP.
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Foundation, Primer, Skincare Liz Lanuzo Foundation, Primer, Skincare Liz Lanuzo

Shu Uemura Whitefficient UV Under Base Brightening Mousse

When Shu Uemura claims something, I find that it rarely jokes around. If it says brightening, it's brightening! If it says that a product will make you look less yellow, you will look less yellow. That's what I discovered with the Shu Uemura Whitefficient UV Under Base Brightening Mousse (P2,150).

I have to admit that I was extremely hesitant to use this product at first. SPF products tend to break me out so I don't really experiment much. But since most Shu products have wowed me in the past, I thought, why the hell not this one? Good thing I did try it, because now this Shu Underbase is an indispensable part of my day makeup! I've been using it for a few weeks now so I can confidently say that. :P

Okay, down to business!

What I love about the product

  • It brightens my face instantly, without the use of shimmer or shine. The Pink Purple shade mixes with my yellow skintone to provide a more enhanced color. Call it color correction, if you will.
  • My face makeup looks smoother and more pigmented on top of this! It's a great foundation base in that sense. 
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Eyeshadows, Primer, Tools Liz Lanuzo Eyeshadows, Primer, Tools Liz Lanuzo

First love never dies: Urban Decay Primer Potion

I've been on the lookout for a new eyeshadow base for a while now, but I didn't actually get a new one because I wanted to use up my MAC Prep + Prime Eye Base. I didn't want to put an ok primer to waste! But the summer is pretty harsh this year. My eyeshadows crease and fade too much because of the heat, and that's just not acceptable. So I turned back to the best eyeshadow primer I've tried: the Urban Decay Primer Potion (P1,200 at Digital Traincase).

It's been two years since I first met the UDPP. After all that time, I still think it's one of the best - if not the best - product for making your eyeshadows stay put.

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Primer Liz Lanuzo Primer Liz Lanuzo

Mary Kay Foundation Primer

Here's Sara again of the blog I Play The Villain. This time, she's writing about the Mary Kay Foundation Primer.

Fact: I'm not big on primers. It's not that I don't like them, I just don't use them enough for me to consider them an important part of my routine. I only wear primer when I go to events or when I have meetings that would require me to be out of the office for a good chunk of my 8-hour shift. Other than that, I find that I have little use for primers as I do not oil up as much and I like my foundations to be long-wearing to begin with. 

Still, my last primer - a sampler of the Korres Quercetin & Oak Age-reversing Primer - ran out and I've been searching for a possible replacement. So when I got hold of the Mary Kay Foundation Primer (P1,300), I decided to give it a spin!

I only apply a pea-sized amount of product on my face using my fingers, dotting it all over before blending it out. Not a whole lot, mind you, just on the T-zone where I tend to oil up a bit (there are areas where my skin isn't a complete desert) or where I need the foundation to last longer or where I have rough patches.

 The primer's consistency is gel-like as opposed to my Korres which is reminiscent to that of a moisturizer.

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Blush, Brushes, Cheeks, Concealer, FOTD, Foundation, Lips, Primer, Tools Liz Lanuzo Blush, Brushes, Cheeks, Concealer, FOTD, Foundation, Lips, Primer, Tools Liz Lanuzo

Jane Iredale Mineral Makeup Starter Kit

Jane Iredale is one of the few brands that offer truly 100% mineral makeup. It costs a pretty penny - up there with Colorescience, just less expensive - but unlike cheaper MMU the efficacy and convenience of the products are compararable to high-end traditional makeup. If you have super sensitive skin, true mineral makeup is definitely the way to go.

I've heard so many good things about Jane Iredale way before, so I was psyched to try out their Starter Kit in Golden. It has everything a girl can need for a full face of makeup - tinted primer, foundation, concealer, blush, lip color, and even brushes! However, it's not something you should get for daily use since the products are in sample sizes. It's really more for people who want to try out JI makeup without paying full price.

After using it for a few weeks, here's my review of and recommendations for each product in the kit. You can buy them separately so you don't have to shell out the P5,000+ this Starter Kit costs. ;)

Pressed Mineral Powder with SPF20: This light coverage mineral powder is da bomb. It has a nice glowy finish that looks like skin, just better!

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Eyeshadows, Primer Liz Lanuzo Eyeshadows, Primer Liz Lanuzo

MAC Prep + Prime Eye Base

Last month, I ran out of my favorite eyeshadow primers (UDPP and TFSI) at the same time so I decided to hunt for a new one. I'm foolish like that. I have holy grail products sure, but I also like to explore other options. It makes for good blog fodder, and who knows, the new one might actually work better!

Anyway, I came across the MAC Prep + Prime Eye (P1,000+) last August. I normally look for online reviews before buying a product in this price range, but I got this one on impulse plus I was in a hurry at that time. I didn't like it at first but I suppose it's just one of those things that grow on you, you know?

What I love about the product

  • Intensifies eyeshadows, like a good eye primer should. It makes pigments and shimmers adhere better on skin.
  • It feels like a very thin, lightweight, liquidy concealer, so it evens out your lid and can act as a base for your undereye concealer as well. If you don't have super dark bags, this can actually double as a concealer by itself.
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Primer, Skincare Liz Lanuzo Primer, Skincare Liz Lanuzo

Guerlain L'Or Radiance Concentrate with Pure Gold

Guerlain makes some of the most luxurious beauty products out there, and this makeup primer is certainly no exception. The Guerlain L'Or Radiance Concentrate with Pure Gold is a "24-carat gold-infused cooling gel that sinks into the skin, retaining moisture." For me, it's as much as skincare as it is an excellent makeup primer. I highly recommend this if you don't mind spending big bucks for a serum and primer in one bottle.

Personally, I don't like relying on primers to make my makeup stay put. I prefer investing in good makeup with dependable lasting power, since I don't have the luxury of adding one more step in my routine on most days. However, when I need my makeup to look good for more than six hours at a time, it becomes a necessity to use a primer.

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Lips, Powders, Primer, Skincare Liz Lanuzo Lips, Powders, Primer, Skincare Liz Lanuzo

A gift from Guerlain

Last Thursday, I had the pleasure of finally meeting the product manager of Guerlain and Bulgari, Sigrid Villamil. She's a vivacious, beautiful woman who is obviously passionate about the brand. Over delicious food (thanks Sigrid for letting me know about Chelsea's cookie dough cheesecake!), we talked about Guerlain and how it is one of the oldest brands in the industry, representing quality, tradition, and the ultimate luxury when it comes to beauty.

Guerlain was founded in 1898 by Pierre-François Pascal Guerlain in Paris. His perfumes were so popular that he became the perfumer of the royals, first by the King of France, then by Queen Victoria in England, and also by Queen Isabella II of Spain, among others. Some of the Guerlain scents that are part of perfume history are Jicky (recognized as the first modern perfume), Après L'OndéeMitsuoko, and Shalimar, the flagship fragrance. Read my review! 

The 183-year old house of Guerlain eventually started producing skincare and makeup, the most famous of which is the Orchidee Imperiale skincare line and the Meteorites

Guerlain must-haves: Midnight Secret, L'Or makeup primer, Orchidee Imperiale Cream, Rouge G lipstick, Meteorites, Lingerie De Peau liquid foundation

According to Sigrid, Guerlain believes in beauty - the kind that a woman naturally has and in the things that she uses on herself. Hence, Guerlain products are always in beautiful, luxurious packaging which makes them keepsakes in their own right.

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Primer Liz Lanuzo Primer Liz Lanuzo

L'Oreal Paris Base Magique Primer

Making makeup stay put in our hot and humid country is always a challenge. That's why primers are a must if you're always out wearing makeup for long periods of time! One of the newest primers out of the market is the L'Oreal Base Magique, also known as the Magic Perfecting Base in other countries. It claims to smoothen the skin and cover pores on top of helping your makeup last longer. 

 

L'Oreal recommends the Base Magique for oily skin, and I rather agree since this silicon-based primer is non-greasy and feels like nothing on my face - if applied correctly. 

What I love about the product

  • It's a good primer. It helps foundation and blushes stay on longer! I once used it in an all-day shopping event, and my makeup looked great at the end of the day. There was a bit of oiliness, but nothing major.
  • Helps makeup glide on, preventing patchy application.

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Foundation, Primer, Skincare Liz Lanuzo Foundation, Primer, Skincare Liz Lanuzo

What's new at L'Oreal

It's hard to keep track of all the latest skincare products, at the rate and speed they're being released! It's all for the better, don't you think? More choices means more potential solutions to our beauty problems and better prices. Anyway, L'Oreal Paris is one brand that just came out with three products that targets major market concerns: cleansing (for men), whitening (for women), and smoothing/priming for makeup users out there.

The Pure & Matte Charcoal Black Foam (195) is designed to cleanse and mattify skin. It's for men who are concerned with oily skin that's exposed to a lot of pollution and stress. I think it's a pretty basic cleanser, as male skincare products go! This might not be for us girls, but there's no reason to NOT give this to our guy friends. It will benefit us in the long run, dare I say!

The White Perfect Day Cream SPF17/PA++ (P595) offers UV protection and promises whitening using melanin-blocking ingredients. It's light and non-greasy as promised - heaven sent in a world of uncomfortable day creams with SPF - but use it sparingly if you have oily skin!

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Eyeshadows, Primer Liz Lanuzo Eyeshadows, Primer Liz Lanuzo

Too Faced Shadow Insurance

I love the Urban Decay Primer Potion, so when I "ran out", I made sure to follow the advice of the makeup gurus. I prepared a clean jar and cut the violet tube up to get the last remaining drops of the stuff. I knew that the packaging wasn't practical since the curves made it difficult to maximize the product, but I was surprised when I found out that there was still so much left! I estimated around 50%!

Now I know that the UDPP now comes in a squeeze tube, and the later genie tubes had a bent doe foot applicator, but I wanted to dry something new. Karen of Makeup and Beauty Blog swears by the Too Faced Shadow Insurance so I got it to see what the hoopla was about.

IMG_6642

It contains more product than the normal-sized UDPP, and it only cost P1,100 at Get Sophisticated. Good thing it's available here at a nice price!

What I love about the product

  • Easier to spread and blend in than UDPP. UDPP dries up quickly so sometimes there are beige streaks left that I can't remove anymore. UDPP dries and hardens, while TFSI simply dries. The texture is like creamy liquid concealer.
  • Colorless when blended properly.

IMG_6654 

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Urban Decay Primer Potion

I didn't buy into the raves before I got my own tube of the famed Urban Decay Primer Potion. First, I'm lazy! I don't want to add an extra step in my makeup routine. Second, it's expensive at $18. It's not available in the Philippines which means that the price is jacked up to as high as P1,500 per tube.

IMG_9447 by project_vanity.

So, what changed my mind? What makes this product worth the extra work and the price?

  • Easy to apply and blend. It only takes 15 seconds for it to dry up.
  • It creates a clean base, neutralizing dark lids and even stray eyebrow hairs effectively.
  • You only need a bit of product per usage.

IMG_9452 by project_vanity.

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