LauraHadley.co.uk: primer

The Ordinary High-Adherence Silicone Primer Review

They're a brand that's hit the internet by storm, The Ordinary is here. I was intrigued to see how their products worked, with minimal almost clinical packaging, monotone colours and hype from influencers big to small. With the brand being available on ASOS, I tried out The High-Adherence Silicone Primer (£4) to see if it was worth the hype.

It's a mattifying primer that aims to blur and hydrate for makeup that lasts longer and looks 'in higher definition'. Essentially, most silicone primers make pores appear smaller by providing a smooth surface on top of the skin and this primer does just that. You can use it alone as a non-greasy hydrator that will reduce the appearance of pores but with most primers that do this, I don't tend to bother. After I've gone through my morning skincare routine, this is the first makeup product I apply and let it settle down before going in the foundation. The High-Adherence Silicone Primer is white when it comes out of the tube, but when blended in, goes onto the skin clear which I didn't expect at first. It doesn't feel tacky or thick on the skin and since trying it out, does make my makeup last all day.

For £4 I'm pretty damn impressed. I ran out of my Too Faced Hangover Primer and was looking for a product that was more affordable to replace it until I could repurchase it, but right now I'm unsure as to whether I would fork out the money for the Too Faced Hangover Primer so quickly. The Ordinary High-Adherence Silicone Primer works great on my combination skin and doesn't encourage oil, nor clog the pores so doesn't produce blemishes as a result. I'd love to try out The Ordinary High-Spreadability Fluid Primer next as it's a serum formula and is more lightweight, so might be good on more cloudy days.

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Stila One Step Correct Review

I picked up the Stila One Step Correct (£24/$36) from Sephora when in Los Angeles back in April/May and I've been using it for a few months now so thought it was finally time that I gave it a review. I was watching one of Shannon from Shaaanxo's videos where she talks about her love for this product and since I have similar skin to her I thought it would be worth picking up in the states. One Step Correct is an innovative triple-swirled helix serum that was created to colour-correct, brighten and cover skin imperfections to give you a flawless base without the fuss. Serums are vital for people with oily or combination skin as they don't encourage excess oil which is a problem most people have with this type of skin.
Although it's a serum it is also a primer and with the help of Stila's Youth Revival Bio-Available Mineral Complex it has three colour-correcting brighteners. The green tone is used to neurtalise redness and conceal blemishes. The lavender tone counteracts sallow undertones for a vibrant, energised look, and the peach tone brightens, illuminate and helps diminsh the appearance of sun spots. It's a very light product and when you use the pump to get to the product you only need a pea sized amount to cover your entire face. It's quite creamy for a serum but it blends really well into the skin and doesn't settle into fine lines or pores so it's beyond beautiful for putting underneath your foundation.
I have red looking skin on my cheeks and nose, purple/blue hues underneath the eyes and visible veins on the bottom of my cheeks which is such a random place to get them but this covers all of the areas perfectly and dries quickly so I can add foundation and concealer on top. The green and lavender tones definitely dominate over the peach but I don't mind this as I use a highlighter to brighten up my skin once I've finished my makeup anyway. A little definitely goes a long way and I've been using it since May and have only used about half of it so one bottle of the stuff will last you quite a while. Having never tried any Stila products before this, I'm definitely impressed and will be looking at purchasing some of their other products in the future.

Too Faced Hangover Primer Review

I recently picked up the new Too Faced Hangover Primer in a Sephora in Los Angeles and it was the first thing from the Too Faced stand that I saw. I had heard so many good reviews about it and considering I've only really picked up drugstore primers I definitely wanted to try some from my newly discovered favourite brand. I know Too Faced has been around in the UK for a short while now and I've got both of the Chocolate Bar and Chocolate Bon Bons palettes I'd never tried anything else from the brand. The Too Faced Hangover Primer is £24 ($32) and is described as a replenishing face primer that hydrates, smoothes and brightens the skin for a dewy effect, giving off a healthy looking skin finish. The primer is infused with coconut water, probiotics and 'skin revivers' that when combined boost radiance, promote elasticity and to help hydrate your skin. At the same time, it aims to lock down your foundation, promoting a flawless finish and longer lasting makeup.
First off I can't comment for the dewy skin look as for someone with oily/combination skin the idea of dewy looking skin petrifies me as to me it just looks like I have excess oil. I've been using my trust Maybelline 24hr Stay face powder which is a tad cakey, so if I come across a lighter powder I might be able to provide an update for whether it looks dewy. From the name itself, the product aims to show that your skin looks like it's had a good nights rest and staying hydrated and I have to say I can tell that my skin looks more awake and bright. I was dubious as to whether it would brighten my skin and I don't know whether it's because the product is white that it helped or not.
Some reviews have said they have seen the product cause break outs but I don't tend to wear makeup every single day so I can't comment from an everyday perspective. I'm naturally prone to break outs due to excess oil my skin produces and from what I've used so far (about ten times) I've not seen my skin any worse that it normally is so I would naturally rule out this as a cause. It definitely depends on your skin but I'd see if you can get a sample first before buying it if you were concerned.
I definitely think it makes my makeup last all day but I do have to add an extra pit of powder after having it on for 5+ hours due to the extra moisture it gives me skin. I wouldn't say my pores were covered more than using any other primer but my skin does feel better after using it. I think in the upcoming months I'll test it on a night out and see how it lasts! The last feature I love about the Too Faced Hangover Primer is that when you take the lid off it has a handy pump so you don't squeeze out too much product, making that £24 go a long way. Anything with a pump pleases me as I really hate wasting makeup as I don't have hundreds of pounds to repurchase products after I've wasted half of them. Overall I really enjoy using this primer and I'm now intrigued to try out their eye primer too.

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Eyeshadows, Eye Dusts and Primers | Makeup Revolution Reviews

Hey Lovelies,

I was surprised the other week to see a cute little parcel from Makeup Revolution including eyeshadows, dusts and their new Aqua Seal Liquid Eye Primer*. I was over the moon to receive these, as it feels like it's been far too long since I reviewed eye products.

These gorgeous, shimmery eyeshadows come in the shades "I Want U" and "Make It Happen" which I think were quite cheeky names! It reminded me of the types of names that Nars use for their blushers. A creative name makes me remember the product more, as it stands out. It also makes for funny conversation "I love the new product I picked up, it's called Orgasm...". Saying "I Want U" and "Make It Happen" in a sentence could lead to anything, just saying.

Both shades have on the right, used with the Aqua Seal Liquid Eye Primer, and the left without. You should be able to see that with the primer, it creates more of a foil look, but will also stay on your eyes for longer. I love a good matte shade, don't get me wrong, but there is something about my taste that screams bring me the glitter. Anything with shimmer or glitter in, seems to really stand out to me, and these don't half make your eyes pop. For £1, there is surely not much you can moan about, aside possible lasting power, but that's were the eye primer comes into play.

These eye dusts are in the shades "Agonise" and "Confront", a little different to the names of the eyeshadows, but in very similar colours. At £1 each too, I was very hopeful to see great results for the small price you pay. You have to apply these gently, and press the dust onto your eye once you've applied primer, as it has a tendency to go on your cheeks if you add too much to your brush.

As with the eyeshadows, the right is applied with primer on top. You can tell that the colour is darker with the primer, and has that great foil look to it. As these are swatched on my hands (I was having a bad face day) it seems to enhance the creases on my skin, but this wouldn't happen on your eyelids unless you had (not intended to offend) saggier skin there. I constantly write on my blog posts that I am honest in reviewing every product I try out, and for the price you pay for Makeup Revolution, I'm genuinely surprised with the quality. I'm a fussy bugger when it comes to eyeshadows, but I seem to fall more and more in love with MR's products. Bought or sent, I'm building up quite a collection and I'm loving it.

This is the Aqua Seal Liquid Eye Primer (£3) that comes in a tiny little bottle so cute! It claims "Ultra high performance" and regarding the small cost for the primer, it is pretty good. You get for what you pay for; I don't think I will find a primer I feel works for me 100% as I'm incredibly fussy, and constantly swap between wanting a dash of colour to even out my skintone, like Benefit's Stay Don't Stray, and wanting a clear primer. If you're a lover of clear primers, this works just lovely! I've not tried it as a waterproof primer yet, as I've not been out in the rain, nor want to conquer my stupid fear of dipping my face in a bath/sink full of water.
When it comes to waterproof products, nothing, in my opinion, will be 100% waterproof or it would be impossible to remove. Without testing this, my favourite thing about this is definitely the foil effect, if you've not been able to tell already... I love how it can change the effect of your makeup with a drop of primer, how?!

If you've not tried Makeup Revolution, you should. I was sent these samples and was not paid to review these products positively. I really do enjoy makeup and this brand is definitely one of my favourite brands at the minute! post signature

Have you discovered... Primers

No7 Beautifully Matte Make up Base

(picture source: boots.com)

I've only ever had one primer; the No.7 Beautifully Matte Makeup Base. It is a hypo-allergenic primer that is supposed to give you a matte base before your foundation. It definitely says what it does on the packet!

You only have to use a tiny amount and it lasts you absolutely ages! I don't use it every day as I don't need to, but when I need a primer this is what I reach for.

The reason I've never tried another primer is because I've never had to. It doesn't make me break out, I love the matte base and it doesn't leave my skin oily afterwards.

When I first tried this I didn't like it but it's because that's because I was 18 and didn't fully understand how a primer worked. The consistency is like a paste, compared to other cream primers. It gives quite a chalky finish if you overdo it but it works perfectly with my skin and foundation.

My skin can get quite oily and I know that a primer cannot 100% prevent this, but when I do use it I notice a significant different, as well as barely being able to see any pores. My makeup lasts so long when I use it and it definitely helps.

This primer is amazing on your eyes. I went to see Fall Out Boy two days ago, and put it on, then my foundation and then eyeshadow. I came back about 6/7 hours later and my makeup hadn't budged. It looked like I'd only just applied it.

I've never seen anyone talk about or actually see people use this so I thought it would be perfect for the 'Have you discovered....?' series that I'm part of!

Let me know if you've tried this or have any questions!

BVL

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