Primped VIP: L'Oreal Paris Studio Secrets Primer

Once again the lovely ladies at Primped HQ have sent over another package of goodies for review.

First up this month is the new L'Oreal Paris Studio Secrets Professional Smoothing Resurfacing Primer.
Released in Australia in around October 2009, L'Oreal's new range of Studio Secrets products are said to deliver 'all the secrets of studio make up to you'.

With the advent of mineral make up, and the drip down of department store brands to chain stores like Target (such as the NP Set range in Australia and others available in US locations, such as Jemma Kidd's JK Range, and Pixi by Petra Strand), the popularity of make up primers has grown ten-fold. Products such as make up primers are no longer expensive extras only to be found in department stores.

This new primer from L'Oreal delivers superior results at a (relatively) pocket friendly price tag of $39.95.

While writing this I can hear you muttering "why do I need (another) product?"

Primer is a worthy investment as it creates an invisible barrier between your skin and make up - ensuring that your pores don't "eat" your carefully applied slap over the course of your busy day, and that it stays looking fresh all day long.



Primer not only improves the performance of your make up, but also improves the overall texture of your skin - diffusing wrinkles and open pores. Most formulas include silicone (dimethicone) which acts as a sort of "spak filla" for your skin, creating a smooth surface for make up application.

L'Oreal's latest offering is a great choice for anyone concerned about wrinkles, open pores or dry skin. It has a silky, light texture, and won't dry out skin over the course of the day. Make up applied over this product goes on smoothly and stays put. It diffuses wrinkles, and practically makes pores disappear.

Oily skinned folks beware - this does nothing to diminish shine. Prior to receiving this I purchased the oily skin variant from this range, which was only slightly superior to this one in terms of the shine factor. You will still need a powder retouch during the day.

After moisturising, apply a small amount of the L'Oreal Paris Studio Secrets Primer to problem spots, smoothing on in gentle circular motions. I try to focus on my cheeks and nose, which are my main areas of concern. Allow about thirty seconds for the product to settle, then you can proceed with the rest of your base. As this primer has a silky texture, it works well with both liquid and powder/mineral foundations.

The formula of this L'Oreal product is almost a perfect duplicate of Clarins' Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch Makeup Base, which was released around 2005.

As an aside, L'Oreal Paris Studio Secrets Professional Smoothing Resurfacing Primer is quite a mouthful of a name. Which, I have to say is worth noting, beauty gods above!

Ever noticed the uncanny ability of fans of a product to abbreviate a name into something easier to remember, and easier to name when typing (particularly when sharing the love world-wide on blogs and bulletin boards)? A perfect example - Urban Decay's (famous) Primer Potion, or as you may know it - UDPP. I'm not sure "LPSSPSRP" has quite the same ring to it.

Long name aside, this is a nice product which delivers great results at a good price.

Available now from Priceline locations, AUD$39.95.



P.S
Please remember that when using silicone based products, you should always take extra time when cleansing, or use a cleansing oil (My favourite? Refer to this post). Primers are wonderful for filling in pores. Don't think these products won't stay there if you don't remove them properly! After all, it's what they're there to do.

First Base.

Click for product information!

I am a creature of habit when it comes to the slap I put on every day. I rationalise that this is to be expected, given that I start each working day around 7am. While I am perfectly happy eating my breakfast at my desk, the one thing I cannot bear to part with in my morning routine is the make up.

As a result, I have whittled it down, to the point of sheer perfection. With the help of some friends ...

• Nude by Nature Mineral Foundation - I was iffy about the marketing (A Home and Away actress? Come ON!) But I have to say this is a great find. Talc and bismuth free. Good colour choices (if you're not lily white or ebony hued) and well priced. Good coverage, lasts at least 10 hours or more (I kid you not).
  
• MAC Mineralize Skinfinish - I use a shade called So Ceylon, which is sadly discontinued. But there's other goodies available online. Somewhere between a blush, highlighter and bronzer, I find a swipe of this is all I need to look less like death dressed as a public servant.
  
• MAC 187 Brush - Use it for the MSF. Use it for foundation (dry or liquid). Use it for blush (cream, if you dare). Use it for everything!
  
• Artiste by Manicare flat contour brush and bronzer brush - I like these for the Nude Minerals. See this post by Stephanie for the deets.
  
• Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado - This sneaks into the 'first base' post, even though it's actually skincare. I use this under my eyes regularly, and found that applying it post moisturiser, leaving it to sink in while dressing, and then applying mineral cover on top gave flawless results! It was like super special lightweight non-cakey concealer. It works on all manner of other blemishes before the spackling of mineral foundation. Try it!

These are The Goods I use everyday - and they've served me well. I haven't deviated from this carefully coreographed bunch of products for months and for me that's quite a feat!

Primped VIP: Estee Lauder Ultimate Red

Images via Primped

Next up in the Primped package is some classy stuff from Estee Lauder - a Signature Eyeshadow Quad, Opulent Shimmer Gloss and Turbolash Mascara.

Updated product information (provided by Primped): Ultimate Red is a limited edition Colour story launching in November and is a fun, party look that’s all about sexy reds and glimmering golds and smoky eyes and, of course, the shimmery gold lashes. There’s two looks, Ultimate Red, or Lavish Plum and also in the collection was the Opulent Shimmer Powder for highlighting the face and a Gel Eyeliner and the Signature Lipstick.

Face: Nude by Nature Mineral Foundation, MAC MSF - So Ceylon
Eyes: Urban Decay Primer Potion, EL Signature Eyeshadow Quad - Gold Opulence, Maybelline Colossal Volum Express Mascara - Glam Black, EL Turbolash - Gold Effects
Lips: EL Opulent Shimmer Gloss

I was pretty excited to see the Turbolash in the parcel - however in reality I find it lacking. Looking at this formula, I think it's intended to "gild" the lashes rather than lengthen or create volume. The gold flecked pigment is pretty - but not your go to if you want length or volume. As for the vibration effect ... I suppose it could be good for lifting and separating of the lashes, but that effect remains to be seen, as this formula lacks the oomph of a regular mascara. There's not really any need for the additional technology.

The eyeshadow quad will go to good use, but I found the colour payoff wanting - I'd actually use this during the day (with a restrained hand when it comes to the dark bronze and grey-black shades) for a natural but put together look. There wasn't quite enough pigment in the deeper shades to satisfy my needs when creating a smoky "evening eye".

The lipgloss offers plush texture - minus stickiness, and the colour I received is a very wearable orange-red which works for me. I like the brush applicator - for some reason sponge tip wands gross me out.

I wanted to like these products - I mean they're just so shiny.

They look very glam on my bathroom counter. I guess these are great finds for lots of consumers - I can see why everyone I know thinks of Estee and says "Oh, my Mum has always worn their make up" ... It's because there's something inherently "safe" about these products - no matter how much deep bronze or grey-black eyeshadow I put on, there was little I could do to increase the depth of colour.

I found these lovely to use and look at (because who doesn't like a bit of gold?) - but I didn't find anything here that I didn't already have from my usual go to brands.

In summary, some key points:

• Colours - Nothing ground breaking, but definitely wearable. Colour pay off - Not convinced about any of the eye products, but the lippy is a keeper.
• Packaging - Certainly a plus, if you like bling.
  
• Technology - a vibrating mascara. Just call me "underwhelmed".
  
• Textures - Good, particularly the lip gloss.

P.S - My eyeshadow looks really wingy even though that was not what it looked like at all. I think the lighting and angles were doing something a little weird here!

Huzzah, Poppy!

Scoot over to your nearest Kit, and you will be rewarded with The Lipstick Queen, Poppy King's latest offering - Chinatown Glossy Pencil.
The colours are fresh, and the texture is fantastic. Very wearable sheer brights. And while that sounds like an oxymoron, in true Poppy style, she makes it work.


And because I know you love a product with a story, this range is based on Roman Polanski's 1974 film of the same name.

Will be channeling Evelyn Cross Mulwray while I am wearing it.

P.S
I bought 'Genre', and it is every bit the cheery bright orange you see in the photo above. Only less like a crayon, and more like something that peps up my standard work-day uniform of black on black.

Three things...

Which reflect my current colour obsession, which was caused by this fair lady, and her stellar choice of lip colour:

* Incidentally these products have since become additional obsessions.
At least everything in my hand bag is colour coordinated.

brow envy

[1. image: imdb.com ... 2. make-up: me]

The brows are a little too dramatic for everyday,
But one can channel Ms. Taylor for photographs.

(she's not Mrs Fortensky any more, is she?)

attempting authenticity

(via flickr)

McQueen for MAC

via thebeautifullydamned.com

Loving the Elizabeth Taylor eyes.

Alexander McQueen for MAC
October 4th, 2007 [US/Canada]

Note - Packaging is said to be black with the MAC logo & Alexander McQueen’s signature in gold.

Eyeshadow

• Haunting - Sea green (veluxe pearl) (LE)
• Nile - Soft royal blue with white pearl (veluxe pearl) (LE)
• Pagan - Yellow lime green with yellow pearl (veluxe pearl) (LE)

Lipstick

• Masque - Rosy pink (satin) (LE)
• Archtype - Light gold (lustre) (LE)

Lipglass

• Nothingless - Baby pink with white pearl (LE)
• White Magic - White gold with yellow pearl (LE)

Kohl Power

• Black Karat - Black with gold pearl (frost) (LE)
• Feline - Rich black (LE)
• Jealous - Black with green pearl (LE)

Paint Pots

• Electro Sky - Royal intense blue (LE)
• Pharaoh - Creamy yellow green (LE)
• Otherworldly - Mid tone sea blue (LE)

Eyebrow Pencil

Mineralize Skinfinish

• New Vegas - Golden beige with bronze pearl (LE) (repromote Gold Play ‘05)

Lashes

• #20
  

via specktra.net

If You See Something, Say Something

Peter Carlino, James Doohan & Deni

As part of the Revelation Film Festival The Breadbox Gallery is hosting the new video installation If You See Something, Say Something by WA artists Peter Carlino, James Doohan & Deni. Focusing on the absurdity of the impending notion of catastrophe within contemporary life, If You See Something, Say Something is an exhibition exploring our histories and future. In a world of cautionary tales, urban legends, there is a rich territory of themes, transgression, phenomena, prophecy, morality, as well as heeding (or not) of such stories.

Dodo's and animated decapitated heads (the ones i did!) take on an absurd tongue-in-cheek symbolism of unheeded cautionary tales, which perhaps have more relevance today than ever before, as some of the themes of the works showcased will include environmental damage and animal extinction as caused by the advancement of modernity.

If You See Something, Say Something, opens Friday July 6 from 6 pm.

6th Jul, '07 to 28th Jul, '07

via artrage.com.au/breadbox

C-SHOCK

photo: Raquel13 via specktra.net

I'm marking it in my diary. MAC's new collection C-Shock comes out July 16.

Sure, the lipgelees and lipsticks are alright for some (and i do think they look nice), but when it comes to eyeshadow ... lets just say i find it extremely hard to just say no.

What's $30 multiplied by eight?