Foundation Primer

Christina1982

Hi

Just wondering if anyone uses a primer before foundation, I'm looking at http://www.vieathome.com/shop/product.aspx?id=42716&q=1&level1Id=643&level2Id=1072

Is it worth buying? many thanks

hieveryone

What's the purpose that you think you need a primer for?

If it's shine or oiliness, and making your make up last longer, try a thin layer of Milk of Magnesia under your foundation, will soak up the grease better than any primer can, and keep your foundation in place

jenniewb

The reason they are separate products is because they do separate things.

Primers do all sorts, they make the skin testure even, they make the foundation stay out, they even out the tone... they are applied and you wait for them to settle down before applying foundation.

Foundations however are best applied (imo) little and sparingly- its soooo easy to tell if someones caked it on and it just is not attractive! The pores on the face, the texture of the skin...the tone of the skin, all different for everyone depending on what part of the face you are dealing with. A primer evens things out, means you don't need to cake it all on.

For that reason I cannot really see there being a sucessful primer+foundation out there as the primer is generally just tinted or colourless, you can apply it all over. The foundation has one colour- applying it all over and you get a caked on look with no colour definition or tone at all- a primer can noramlise or minimise things, foundations are best applied sparingly. You need some texture and tone to look natural. Foundation looks best when it looks natural. (Unless thats not the look your going for).

If its any help, I find facial serums can help even out tone and texture but be careful as they can be drying. If a foundation feels to heavy you could always try a tinted moisturiser over a facial serum but have not heard of a primer which acts as a foundation for the reason that they both do different things and act in different ways.

L'Oreal and RMK do good primers, Origins and Olay do good serums (but can be drying as can any serum- just don't use every single day and night and you should be fine) and Maybelline has fantastic foundations. Hope you find something that works for you.

Christina1982

Dunno why I wanted it really, going out on Saturday night and know it'll be warm and since being diagnoised with post viral fatigue 18months ago i've found myself burn up really easily which I am concious of.

jenniewb

Christina1982 wrote: »

Dunno why I wanted it really, going out on Saturday night and know it'll be warm and since being diagnoised with post viral fatigue 18months ago i've found myself burn up really easily which I am concious of.

Then a primer may be able to help a bit- not totally sure on what you mean by "burning up" (sweating? going red?) maybe try L'Oreal for going red: they have a green tinge primer which would even out the skin tone colour and then apply your regular foundation over the top (once dry).

For sweating the milk of magnesia idea would be a good one, but also things like Boots Perfect and Protect serum may help, as would a lose powder. Carry things like powder paper (Body Shop) with you to dab on any oily patches through the evening, this may help.

If your stuck for ideas, try a cosmetics counter like Benefit who will make you over and explain how to use their products rather then just some which point you in the right direction but do not show you how to use anything! One idea is to go to one (may need to book) on the evening your planning on going out, have them make you over and then see how long the products last.

But a great brand for any sorts of mishaps is Mac. Mac were originally designed for the theatre, (think big hot lights, losts of rushing around and costume changes) they are still used for many theatre makeup artists today for the reason that they stay put, are easy to apply and the colours are spot on. I later found a youtube video on the westend show Wicked (green witch musical), and they use Mac as the
makeup brand for the leading witch charater. It seems to work for the show anyway- I never saw any green marks on the garments! If I were worried about my makeup slipping I'd go for Mac, it costs alot but it does last and it is quality stuff.

System

I use the L'Oreal studio primer thingy and it's great. I apply a light layer on my nose, chin, forehead and cheeks and it really does it's job. I can have incredibly greasy skin sometimes so I really value a good primer. I've used one by GOSH before and it was not very good at all. And expensive!

I recently found No.7s eye primer and that is hands down one of the best products I have ever used. My eyeshadow does not move for the entire day where as it used to end up smeared and lined after only a few hours.

jenniewb

Dr_Harleen_Quinzell wrote: »

I've used one by GOSH before and it was not very good at all. And expensive!

I recently found No.7s eye primer and that is hands down one of the best products I have ever used. My eyeshadow does not move for the entire day where as it used to end up smeared and lined after only a few hours.

I agree- the GOSH stuff really dried out my skin! ended up feeling quite itchy and had to lay of any foundation or concealer as it just looks so bad on dry skin.

Have not tried the No.7 eye primer (heard too many horror stories about their makup primer) but sounds good. Do have to say that Mac, BodyShop and the Bonjours liquid eyeshadows (for me anyway) do not seem to require a toner to get the dense colour and to stay on all day- even through a gym workout.