polly esther: mail bag

Following my recent review of eye shadow primers I received a few questions about the use of these products that I'd like to address.

QUESTION: Do you allow primers to dry before applying shadow?

ANSWER: Yes & no.

This depends on both the primer and which type of shadow you are using. With a primer that starts out tackier - such as Urban Decay's Primer Potion - you want to allow the primer to dry slightly before applying shadow. This really doesn't take long at all. In the time it takes to gather your shadows and brushes your primer should be dry and ready to go. Primer/bases like MAC Paint Pot really require no drying time.

Now, with loose pigments or minerals - such as Bare Escentuals, MAC pigments , or Make Up For Ever Pure Pigments - you'll want to act more quickly and take advantage of the sticking power of the primer while it's still wet or tacky. Pack a flat shader brush with the loose powder and pat it onto your lid to avoid fall-out.

This is actually a comment from my mom

QUESTION: You told me if use an amount about the size of a rice grain.

ANSWER: If you use a primer from a tube - such as Too Faced Shadow Insurance that had no applicator-a good tip is that you''ll need an amount that is about the size of a grain of rice.

So, have you tried an eye shadow primer yet? I've love to know! Leave a comment.

polly esther: eye shadow primers

Here's a makeup tip you can quickly and simply add to your daily routine. It has really changed the way I wear my makeup and become an indispensable part of my everyday ritual. Eye shadow primer!

So, what’s the deal with eye shadow primer and why is it an essential? Think of it like a primer you’d use when painting your walls.

First, shadow primer evens out the tone and texture of your lids. It’s different from concealer or liquid foundation as it’s made specifically for the thin and delicate skin of your eye area and it formulated to last, last, last. More specifically, it gives your shadows something to adhere to - which means they will stay in place and you’ll get longer wear and less fading and creasing.

Primers also make your shadows look more vibrant so you can really enjoy the color payoff of richly pigmented shadows. Just like the primer you’d use on your walls, tinted/colored primers really make your shadows pop! And they can make your shadows more blend-able.

The two I use most often are MAC’s Paint Pot in Painterly and Urban Decay’s Primer Potion.

MAC PAINT POTS

$16.50 (0.17 fl oz)
MAC currently offers 13 shades of Paint Pots. If you’re looking to invest in one shade for your makeup kit I recommend one close to your skin tone or one that compliments the shades you wear most often. Painterly is one of MAC’s top sellers in Paint Pots and is a pinky beige fleshtone. Similarly, Ochre is a versatile shade with yellow tones. Paint Pots also come in colorful like Delft (a deep teal), Girl Friendly (ruby fuschia), Indianwood (bronze), and Blackground (blackish grey).

URBAN DECAY PRIMER POTION

$17.00 (0.34 oz.)
My other everyday favorite is Urban Decay’s Primer Potion. This seems to be one
of the most popular eye shadow primers among makeup enthusiasts. The original Primer Potion is a creamy yet sheer fleshtone that easily goes on with a doe foot applicator. When first applied it goes on tackier than MAC’s Paint Pots - so it’s great to use with shadows that contain shimmer or with loose pigments.

Recently Urban Decay released a shimmery champagne Primer Potion in a shade called “Sin”. Oh Urban Decay and your ingenious color names...! This is a great example of how a tinted shadow primer can enhance the color of your eye shadows. A mini Sin Primer Potion came with the Urban Decay Get Baked set I got about a month ago. It really brings out the layers of tones in the golden shadows (Baked + Half Baked) in that palette.

I’ll briefly talk about two others I’ve tried in the past.

L’Oreal Paris De-Crease Eye Shadow Base

$7.99 (. 2 fl oz)
If you’re still not sold on eye shadow primers and want to start with a cheaper, drugstore version I recommend L’Oreal’s De-Crease. This primer is a bit similar to the UD Primer Potion. But I must be honest and share that, in my experience, the consistency is thinner and the wear is not as long lasting. In the long run, you get less product in both amount and effectiveness.

BENEFIT LEMON AID COLOR CORRECTING EYELID PRIMER

$20.00 (0.09oz)
It’s been awhile since I’ve used this, but any time I’ve used a Benefit product I’ve been more than happy with it. For whatever reason, I just got out of the habit of buying this brand. Lemon Aid is a happy creamy yellow cream that quickly evens out the color of your lids.

Other eye shadow primers I’ve heard great things about…

• MAC Paints $16.50 (.23 oz)
• Too Faced Shadow Insurance $17.00 (0.35 oz)
• Benefit F.Y…Eye $22.00 (0.25 oz)
• Smashbox Photo Finish Lid Primer $20.00 (0.1 oz)
• Bare Escentuals Prime Time Eyelid Primer $16.00 (0.05 oz)
  

With the exception of MAC, most of these products can be found at cosmetic stores/websites such as Sephora, Utla, Cosmetic Market, and Beauty.com as well as the boutique stores and websites of each brand.

So, how do you wear these products? Some come with an applicator. But they can also be applied with your fingertip (the warmth of your skin will actually warm the product and help it go on smoothly) or with a stiff synthetic shadow brush.

First, apply the product to your lid. Then to the area above the crease, up to the brow. Finally smooth into the crease. A small amount of primer can also be added to the corners and lower lash line – be sure to smooth things out!

An eye shadow primer is a valuable investment. I think you’ll find it to be a fantastic addition to your daily makeup routine. And will help you get the most out of your eye shadows and keep you looking smashing all day long.