The Comparison | Smoothing and long lasting primers

For a few years I was trying to decide whether primers were worth the hassle and what they actually really did. Then one fell into my life and I now can't live without it. The Kiehl's Micro-Blur Skin Perfector is perfect at prepping my skin for the day and holding onto my make up for as long as possible. Much longer then any other primer I've tested. However, it's nearing the end of it's life so I was wondering if there was a dupe on the high street that I could use to replace - and make my bank account a little happier.

I bought this for my best friend who was looking for a cheap primer and she loved it so much that I thought I should give it a whirl. The Seventeen Stay Time Long Wear Primer is a smoothing primer, much like the Kiehl's version, and is also meant to prolong the wear and tear of your make up. Both attributes I associate heavily with the Kiehl's primer. It's not as silicony as the Kiehl's offering which is good, however not quite as easy to apply. It does smooth the skin nicely and it makes it super easy to apply make up afterwards. 

In terms of long wear, I would say it does last a long time however not as good as Kiehl's. The Seventeen offer is good if you're looking for something that isn't going to last longer than maybe 10 hours. Kiehl's is definitely a long term primer whereas the Seventeen offering is probably a shorter term, just a lazy weekend offering.

My friend loves the Seventeen offering, so I would say that it's not the best for oil however for dry skin it's your best bet. I do like both and I think the Seventeen offering has some great attributes and is definitely worth a try. However, for me I'm going to be repurchasing my Kiehl's.

Which would you choose?

The Comparison | Maybelline Baby Skin v

The new primer on the block has been likened to the beloved Porefessional many many times since it's introduction into the UK and I'm not surprised. As someone who loves Porefessional and finds it pretty much the only primer that will really do anything I was definitely interested in snapping up this cheaper version. So how does it actually marry up?

Porefessional is a skin toned matte-eque primer, it absorbs straight into the skin and smooths it. Baby Skin is a clear gel like formula, that again smooths the skin. Both do a really fab job of priming the complexion, they are both very mattifying so definitely get a thumbs up from me. One of the things I love about Porefessional is how mattifying it is and how it keeps my make up from looking too shiny throughout the day. Baby Skin does a very similar job however it just doesn't last quite as long as Porefessional.

Price wise Baby Skin wins this hands down for me - Porefessional is very pricey, I haven't actually ever bought a full version as I have so many little sample versions around and they last for a good little while. I'm sure I will cave soon and buy myself the full version, but Baby Skin has a much more attractive price tag, under a tenner, with Porefessional over twenty. 

The main difference for me is the affect it has on my skin. Porefessional I can wear again and again and it makes no difference to my skin. However Baby Skin really doesn't get on with mine. It just makes me break out something awful and I've had to put it aside for now. It's really annoying as otherwise it's almost as good as Porefessional. Otherwise the only real difference is how long it keeps the shine at bay throughout the day. 

I would still encourage you to try it if you really like Porefessional. Your skin might not react the same way as mine and if not then you've found yourself the perfect dupe.

Which of these do you prefer? 

Make Up | Benefit Stay Flawless Primer

BENEFIT STAY FLAWLESS 15 HOUR PRIMER £24.50* available 29th June 2013

I popped over to Southampton Orange Rooms for the launch of this little beauty in May. This is Benefit's latest offering for long lasting make up. This is a 15 hour primer and is described as a magnet that holds your make up in place for up to 15 hours.

Lisa P-D, Head Trends Make Up Artist for Benefit showed us how to use it - apply in circular motions starting from the forehead and work your way around. We were warned that it will feel slightly sticky on application, which is does, but that it can be counteracted with make up applied over the top. This is also designed to be able to be used with PoreFessional, which is how I've been using it.

I found that PoreFessional was the best way to counteract the sticky feeling this primer leaves behind. Then Hello Flawless popped on top. In terms of lasting time, I would say that it doesn't tend to last as long without PoreFessional with it - and I think it's to do with my oily skin. PoreFessional works well at counteracting the oil whereas I don't think Stay Flawless is probably the best for oily skin.

Overall I do still think it's a great product. For me I need it with PoreFessional to be able to comfortably wear it and it stay on. I think this would be the perfect primer for other skin types. Saying that - I am still using it everyday and I do like it.

Will you be trying Benefit Stay Flawless?

Skin Care | Nivea Express Hydration Primer

NIVEA DAILY ESSENTIALS EXPRESS HYDRATION PRIMER £4.99

Once upon a time there was a girl, who had annoying skin that changed it's mind every day on what it wanted to be. It can be dry, it can be oily, it can just be god damn annoying. One day this girl heard about a little product from her favourite moisturising brand Nivea that would not only moisturise her skin, but prime it as well. So she went, she bought and she never looked back.

Okay, so yeah - weird story but you  know, I thought I would try something different. So I went and bought this little pot of gelly like goodness. It has a very weird consistency... It's halfway between a cream and a gel and is actually quite fun to jiggle around. So jelly like and story telling aside... I pop this on my face after my Effaclar Duo and before my foundation. It absorbs quickly and easily and is incredibly easy and light to apply.

So there are two main questions. Question one, does it moisturise? Yes. It really does, it is incredibly light for a moisturiser and I love the feeling. My skin feels incredibly soft afterwards. Question two, does it increase how long your make up stays on for? Yes. Not only is my skin soft, it is made up for the entire day.

Overall, this is definitely a game changer. I love this product and for the price it's really a no brainer. I would definitely recommend this. Go go go! This is the one for normal/combination skin and there is also a version for dry/sensitive skin - so there is one for all skin types!

Have you tried this product? What Nivea products do you love?

LOreal Lumi Magique Primer

L'Oreal Lumi Magique Pure Light Primer £9.99

I've been looking for a primer for a little while, and after seeing this on Lily's blog I thought I would give it a go. It's a little pricey for just a teeny product but I thought I would give it a whirl!

I love the look of it, look how shiney it is. It looks like it has tiny little shiny molecules that reflects light and helps to illuminate your skin. I pop this on around the apples of my cheeks, my t-zone and chin.

Once the foundation, or BB cream as I've been using at the moment, is applied over the top it really does highlight those bits and bobs you've applied the base to and it holds your make up a little bit longer then usual. Which is fab and exactly what I wanted.

Another plus point is it doesn't aggravate my oily skin. There is no excess oil and I don't look greasy, just lovely and highlighted. On days when I can't be arsed with foundation this is quite good as well, it just gives you a new dewy natural look without any coverage. Nicey nice.

I do like this product, I'm still a bit on the fence about the price - it's not a huge product for quite a pricey tag, so I'm just seeing how long it last - so I will let you know. But atm, this is a must have product for me!

What primer do you swear by?