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| L-R: Barbara Daly Even Smoother Eye Primers in Vanilla, Bamboo and Nectar, KIKO Pearly Eye Base. |
Eyes
I do have pretty oily eyelids and before I discovered primers, eyeshadow was a big no-no for me. My eye make up always ended up half way down my face, creased or nowhere to be seen. I can hand on my heart say that eye primers are a big part of my make up routine whether I'm using them to even out my eyelids or to cling to eyeshadow so it doesn't budge, I use them every day.
Urban Decay Primer Potion - £15.00
This was the first eyeshadow primer I ever used and I've had it for nearly three years now. The secret is to depot it once you think it's ran out as there's always so much product left inside. This is a wonderful product and you only need a teeny tiny amount as a little goes a long way. Eyeshadow really does adhere to this beauty and once set, it isn't going to move. I find that this makes my eyeshadow more vibrant too which is always a bonus.
KIKO Pearly Eye Base* - £6.90
This eye base by KIKO has an innovative "gel cream" texture which is soft to touch and glides over the eyes nicely. It sets pretty quickly and has a slight pearlescent look to it which brightens up the eye area and really emphasises eyeshadow and makes the colours stand out. Blending eyeshadows on top of this is easier than ever and once an eyeshadow has been applied and blended, it isn't going to budge until you want to remove it. The formula has been enriched with antioxidants and active ingredients to make it more supple, adherent and quick-drying which is reason why it's so strong and long lasting. It's also an absolute bargain as it retails for just £6.90.
These primers by Barbara Daly are fantastic and because they're from Tesco, they're perfect for throwing into your trolley during your weekly shop. Exclusive to Tesco, these primers are exceptionally versatile and can be used as cream to powder eye colours or as a base to help your eyeshadows last all day. I've been wearing these a lot and I haven't noticed any creases or fading with my eyeshadow even in the heat. The eye primer comes in three different colours: Bamboo which is a natural wheat tone that is perfect for everyday use, Nectar which adds a hint of warmth that helps to deflect dark circles and Vanilla which lightens and brightens for an uplifting eye effect.
Face
I've tried a lot of face primers over the years: high end, middle end and some that are cheap as chips. And whilst I've liked using a few (Benefit's Porefessional, I'm looking at you) I've never bothered to repurchase them or even blog about them. It's safe to say that I've been trying to find a few perfect primers to get me through the day and night. I'm someone who can't go out without using a face primer. Not just because they make your make up last longer but because make application is a lot easier and smoother with one.
KIKO City Filter Sunscreen SPF 50* - £12.90
This is my every day primer because it contains an SPF of 50 which in summer, is exceptionally important. First thing's first (and I'll get this out of the way now), this product smells incredible. I could sit there smelling it all day. It doesn't have a distinctive smell but it smells very fresh and clean - like a faint sunscreen. It glides over the skin and leaves it looking poreless, smooth and almost blurred and perfected. Make up applies beautifully on top of it and lasts throughout the entire day - even in this hot and humid heat. At £12.90, it's an absolute bargain. Not only is it affordable but it's incredible and I'm addicted.
NYX Shine Killer* - £12.50
This is the primer I wear at night time and to work. You see, SPF flashes back in cameras which leaves you looking like a ghost so on nights out, that's the last thing I want. This is a gorgeous gel-like consistency that smooths over the skin and leaves it looking matte and shine-free. The reason I love wearing this to work is because my usual combination skin becomes overly oily at work. I'm not sure why but it does and by the time I come home, I end up looking like an oil slick. When I first wore this to work, I was shocked when I looked at my skin after I got home - it was completely matte and my make up hadn't moved a millimetre. I'm incredibly impressed with this primer and like the KIKO one, I'm addicted. Both of them will have a place in my heart and my make up collection for a long time.
Tada, there's my primer posse and I shall continue to repurchase these ones for a long, long time. Primers are incredibly important step in your make up routine - particularly if you have oily skin - as make up adhere's to it and stays in place all day long. I'm not someone who carries make up around with me so a good primer is essential.
What are your favourite primers? Have you tried any of the above?
*PR Sample
*PR Sample
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