beauty must-have: Skindinavia Makeup Setting Sprays

how do you keep your makeup in place? do you use a primer, a setting spray, both, neither??

for me, i'm all about the prep and the finish. being a busy mom and wife, i don't have time for numerous touch-ups throughout the day {yikes, did that sound super commercially? LOL!}

anyway...

Skindinavia produces a fabulous makeup setting spray that i used to use in the past {i was introduced to it via Beautyfix a couple of years ago}, so when the brand reached out to give me the opportunity to use it again, with the addition of a another finisher they've created for oily skin types, No More Shine Makeup Setting Spray, i was more than happy to give it go. i love the original and had high hopes for the new product -- i love multi-taskers!

No More Shine is amazing, beauties!

i've been spraying it on my skin just before applying my primer and foundation. then, after all my makeup is applied, before dressing my lashes with mascara, i spray my face once again, but with the Makeup Setting spray.

it's been remarkable, loves! my makeup doesn't budge and the oil stays under control.

another fun trick i discovered for making my eyeshadow last is to spritz the shadow brush with the setting spray, then swipe it over my shadow du jour before applying. not only do i get a more intense shade of color because the shadow has been applied wet, but it allows for more staying power!

obviously, these are two products i'm happy to have in my beauty arsenal. i mean, what gal doesn't want her makeup to last all day? :)

visit skindinavia.com for more info.

products featured sent to me for review consideration; pic taken by me :)

green beauty: 100% Pure Color Cosmetics

there's nothing i love better than knowing products i use are natural and good for my skin. while i realize that my fondness obsession love of beauty products means i won't always be using natural ingredients, i am always thrilled when i either find and purchase or am given the opportunity to try new green beauty goodies {in this case, the brand sent me products}.

the items i refer to are from 100% Pure, and let me say darlings, they are yummy, yummy.

i have reviewed the Tinted Moisturizer in the past, and this time i was able to try all the gorgeousness that came along with the luminous primer, fruit pigmented pot rouge {Rosy}, satin eye shadow {Halo} and flawless skin foundation {Toffee}.

by now, you've probably guessed that i am loving these products...

truly, it amazes me that these products are so incredibly pigmented and work as well, if not even better than a lot of chemical-filled products. i love that the primer left my skin feeling silky soft and the foundation is buildable, providing the coverage i wanted, where i wanted it. the shadow is as soft as satin, just at the name suggests and the pot rouge {isn't that such a fabulous, classic word? rouge...love it!} gave my cheeks the perfect flush of color right where i applied it.

another fabulous thing about 100% Pure products is that they're loaded with antioxidants and skin-loving ingredients {fruits, teas, vitamins} that help skin on a deeper level, hence the smile on my face! ;)

visit their website, 100percentpure.com, and discover for yourself these, and many other {like their body lotions!!} gems...

pics taken by me :)

Total Beauty: Fabulous Makeup Primers

i have my favorite primers-- what are yours? did they make this list?

12 Amazing Makeup Primers

Keep your makeup from melting off your face with these primers

This is a TotalBeauty.com best and worst makeup products article Makeup primers are crucial for keeping oil at bay, filling in fine lines, and providing a smooth canvas for your foundation to stick to. So, if you don't have one yet, choose from these reader-approved favorites. See the best

No. 12: Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Inspired by Carmindy Luminizing Face Primer, $19.99

TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 7.8

"I love that post-gym workout glow and I can achieve that (minus the workout on those lazy days!) with Carmindy's Luminizing Primer."

No. 11: Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer SPF 15 with Dermaxyl Complex, $42

TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 7.9

"My makeup stays on all day and night. And, it also minimizes my pores, which is a plus."

No. 10: Bare Escentuals Prime Time Brightening Foundation Primer, $21

TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 8

"I have tried many primers and this one actually does what it says! I am a Mineral Makeup girl, and this definitely sets it for the day."

Want to see what other primers made the list? Click here!

flawless beauty: HD Complexion Travel Kit

when it comes to makeup, HD is where its at. my favorite brand for these formulations? Make Up For Ever, of course. i love this line! my last purchase: the HD Complexion Travel Kit.

in this kit you'll find three MUFE travel-size, best-selling HD products: HD Elixir (a gel serum that boosts skin's moisture and keeps it hydrated all day), HD Microperfecting Primer #0 Neutral (this oil-free, silicone-free base helps support foundation for a long-lasting, smooth effect) and HD Microfinish Powder (made of 100% mineral silica powder, gives skin the best soft-focus effect).

all of these products work well on their own, but together are a winning beauty team! the sizes are small, but worth the price. so, if you've been curious about trying any of these gems, this kit is the way to go.

fing the MUFE HD Complexion Travel Kit is at Sephora and sephora.com.

xo
pic taken by me :)

Covergirl & Olay Simply Ageless Serum Primer

Covergirl and Olay have outdone themselves by creating a fabulous product, the new Simply Ageless Serum Primer. it's an anti-aging serum. it's a primer. it's a brilliant light moisturizer that i simply can't get enough of.

i was first introduced to this beauty by Molly R. Stern at the CoverGirl Lounge event in los angeles back in may. she used it to prep Rashida Jones' skin for the gorgeous look she ultimately created. Molly herself, a makeup maven, admitted that she wasn't too thrilled with the idea of a primer-- she never used them before (good moisturization of the skin works just as well as a primer in most cases, fyi)-- but after using it, and seeing the results it gave, she became a fan.

i, on the other hand, was beyond thrilled to know that CG was stepping it up and adding this to their Simply Ageless line! i couldn't wait to try it myself.

i've been using it for a couple of months now, and i adore it!

it's made with Olay Regenerist ingredients, of course, so my skin doesn't just get prepped for foundation, but is also given an anti-aging treatment every time i use it (multi-tasker alert!). i love its delicate consistency and the way it quickly smooths over my skin without a hint of oil. it doesn't leave my skin matte, but rather looking fresh, pretty and lightly moisturized. i don't have any serious wrinkles, so i don't know how it would be in treating them, but i do know i like the way my skin has been looking since using this.

hope you'll give it a try! look for it soon in your local drugstore.

xo
product featured given to me by representatives of the CoverGirl brand at an event mention in this post.

Beauty Must-Have: L'Oreal Magic Perfecting Base

if you're looking for a new makeup primer that won't break the bank, i suggest you try L'Oreal's new Magic Perfecting Base, part of the new Studio Secrets Professionalline. it gives skin a beautiful finish and smooths out any rough appearance your skin may have.

while a little bit on the pricey side for a drugstore product (yes, i bought this myself), i think Magic Perfecting Base is completely worth it. it can be worn alone to give skin a better-than-bare look, and of course, under makeup. i love how the mousse-like consistency makes my foundation look so much better and last longer. i also notice that it controls shine with its matte finish-- such a fab thing if you have oily skin!



the only thing i'm not really a fan of is the fact that it's in a jar. it would be great if they would switch it over to have a tube instead (so much more sanitary, and if you're a germ-a-phobe, you probably agree).

other than that, based on results, i think it's a beauty must-have. next time you're at your favorite drug or mass retailer, grab it. i've noticed it's been sold out more than a handful of times, and for good reason! :)

visit lorealparisusa.com for more info.

xo
pics taken by me :)

Jan Marini Age Intervention Prime Face Primer

primers are a must-have and are especially so when you want to achieve a long-lasting finish for your foundation. Jan Marini Age Intervention Prime Face Primer does this and also has the added benefit of being and anti-aging product (gotta love that!). i've been using it for a little less than 2 months and have become a huge fan.



anti-aging ingredients like co-enzymeQ10, peptides, pomegranate and green and white tea extracts work to fight off free-radicals (they leave skin looking dull, tired and older-- they are not our friends) while hyaluronic acid keeps moisture in the skin, making it appear more plump (this is good since our faces lose volume as we age). the effect upon first application was that of a more "soft-focus" finish to my skin.

the primer itself feels super smooth and dries to a powdery consistency after application. i've noticed that over the past few weeks it has helped in improve the texture of my skin. it looks smoother and more polished before and after i put on my foundation. i'm so thankful to have been given the opportunity to try this new product-- my skin is thankful too! :)

for more information about Jan Marini Age Intervention Prime Face Primer visit janmarini.com

xo
product sent to me by the brand for review
pics taken by me :)