It's payday! Need some makeup opinions.

May 13, 2016

Katherine W.

Ok, two things.

First, how necessary do you think primers are? And which do you recommend. I currently use hourglass mineral veil and while I do like how it feels when I apply it I don't know if it really makes a difference. Also, how good is it for the skin?

Secondly, I'm thinking about adding a illuminate/highlighter (?) to my makeup routine. Which do y'all use or recommend? How do you apply it? I don't want to look like a disco ball.

If you need background for recommendations, I have combo (oily t-zone, normal cheeks)/sensitive. 

Thanks!

May 13, 2016

Camilla M.

For the primer, I hate silicon based ones so I use Guerlain L'Or.
I like a subtle highlight so I use Benefit Whatt's Up

May 13, 2016

Ceyla H.

Primers are really important. And I think that smashbox primer is the best, Laura mercier's primer gives the best canvas bad sadly it coursed me to break out. The smashbox primer haven't done anything bad for my skin, and unless I ate a lot of sugar I didn't get break outs even though I use it on a daily basic.

May 13, 2016

Alexis C.

Primer is very important, it gives makeup something to stick to and acts as a barrier between your skincare and your makeup. Personally I think the Hourglass primer is the best, I wouldn't recommend anything else.

For highlighter I suggest the NYX Illuminator in Ritualistic. It's drugstore so it's affordable and gives a beautiful glow without looking crazy/like a disco ball. I apply it with the Real Techniques Fan Brush.

May 13, 2016

Jamie D.

I think the importance of a primer depends on the condition of your skin! When mine is behaving nicely, I find using a good moisturizer to prep the skin before makeup renders a primer unnecessary.

However, when I break out or am having more polarized sections of drier or oilier skin, I find a primer really makes a difference. I like the Hourglass one for my oily/acne prone areas and for filling in pores if I feel they're a bit prominent! I wouldn't use it on drier areas though, as it will emphasize flakes. I'm not sure how good it is for your skin...I doubt it's bad, but I don't think it has any specific benefits.

As for a highlighter, I definitely recommend the Laura Mercier Matte Radiance Baked Powder in 01! It's a light champagne color that gives a beautiful glow without being too glittery or shimmery. I think it would be really flattering on you :)

May 13, 2016

Livi H.

I have combo oily sensitive skin as well. I don't really use primers anymore because I found that my hourglass mineral primer and my SPF moisturizer executes the same end result. It made no sense to layer the two. Hourglass mineral primer feels like a moisturizer to me. It made my foundation glide smoothly whichever I use.

Now if your skin concern is filling in pores then a thicker primer such as benefit porefessional or smashbox in the purple tube will definitely help.

The highlighter I use is hourglass luminous light. It is the most natural glow I have ever used. Perfect for daily wear that definitely will not make you look like a disco ball.

May 13, 2016

Katherine W.

Thanks girlies for the input so far! I'm definitely going to check these out when I get a break today.

Camilla, is there a particular reason you don't use silicon based primers?

May 13, 2016

Chris M.

Alright, Ladies, I'm confused! I have dry, aging skin and aside from my It CC Cream, I use primer with foundations. I use intense moisturizers and my skin is always dewy and moist. Do I not need primer??!!

May 13, 2016

Rachel W.

The texture of silicon primers is a little weird and kind of slippery but for my skin (which is a little on the oily side) they have the best staying power. My holy grail is the Smashbox one.
I think primer is more of a personal preference, Chris. If you like your skin to look dewy and your makeup stays on, you don't need it.

May 13, 2016

Chris M.

Thank you, Rachel! So...is the primer supposed to cut down on the 'dew?' Sometimes I do look quite slick...?!

May 13, 2016

Diana T.

A primer is not necessary in every scenario - I often wear foundation without a primer if I'm wearing a good moisturizer that is more than enough for the foundation to adhere to and primers actually just provide a smooth canvas to work with (kinda like paint primers) they provide a barrier between your skin and the foundation so if you don't need that then you don't need a primer - and actually I find that certain foundations perform better without a primer - especially high end foundations - the ingredients are so great that all you need is a good moisturizer - the hourglass is a really good primer that tackles multiple skin concerns so I really like it but like I said I rarely use it - for a highlighter than won't give the disco ball effect look for a matte highlighter that is one to two shades lighter than your natural skin tone - you can even use a foundation that's one to two shades lighter instead - that should look the most natural and flattering - coverFX is a good brand for sensitive skin types and they have some matte highlighters - other good brands are tarte and Clinique - they haven't irritated my sensitive acne prone skin.

May 13, 2016

Chris M.

Thanks Diana! So interesting! Why do I have 6 different primers when I may not need any?! ;)

May 14, 2016

Camilla M.

I don't use silicon based primers because the silicone microspheres go into the pores. When you put foundation over it your face looks smooth and flawless. But when you get home and remove your makeup you arte not able to remove them from inside your pores, and in the end they will be worse than when you began using the primer. I use silicon based primers only if I wear it for a few hours or in special occasions only, it's just not good for your skin :)

May 14, 2016

Camilla M.

*you are

May 14, 2016

Katherine W.

Oh interesting! I didn't know about that. I will definitely see if I can just use moisturizer and foundation and maybe start cutting back of silicon based primers and find an alternative

May 14, 2016

Alexis C.

Camilla, I'm interested to hear where you learned that information from. I've never heard of that issue with silicone primers before (: