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.

About face.

I've noticed a lot of women spend an endless amount of time and money on products based on which celeb is spruiking it, the hype, and the shiny packaging.

I don't claim to be immune to this - certainly not, because nothing gets my attention like a bit of carefully placed bling, or a shiny haired, poreless spokesmodel.

But I've come to realise that over time I keep going back to a group of go-to products which has withstood the test of time.

These are the goods (IMHO), and are worthy of your attention.

Click for product information!

Here's some of my picks ...

• Neutrogena cleansers - I like to rotate within the range. A personal favourite is the Deep Clean Cream Cleanser. I think I love it more cos you can buy it in the supermarket!
  
• Neostrata Ultra Smoothing Lotion - An absolute winner. No nonsense. All action. I like it!
  
• Paula's Choice BHA liquid - I've tried numerous other "skin smoothers" of this ilk, and The Paula's is still the best, naff packaging and all.
  
• Kiehl's Microderm scrub - I'm sounding like an exfoliant addict now... But it's really good. And I use it (only) once a month.
  
• Neutrogena sunscreen - See my review for Primped here
  
• Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Gold Capsules - I apply one of these maybe once a week before bed, and awaken with amazingly soft skin. And they come in delightful capsules you can stash in your travel kit! A great choice for in-flight hydration.

It should be noted here that I have combination skin. This list makes my skin sound schizophrenic. And most days it is - so there's a little something in this list for everyone!

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!

Primped VIP: Nelsons Pure & Clear

The lovely ladies at Primped sent out a care package to me, laden with loot for review as part of their Primped VIP club.

In my test batch is Nelsons Pure & Clear Purifying Daily Facial Wash (aka zingy fresh face gel) and Acne Pimple Gel (aka cream that takes away the ouch).

I do wish I was blessed with perfect skin that didn't require all of this, but alas...

I tested out the Purifying Daily Facial Wash, after removing my make up with my trusty Neutrogena Make up Remover.

Ingredients: aqua, polysorbate 20, disodium laureth sulfosuccinate (vegetable source), cocamidopropyl betaine (coconut source), chondrus crispus (carrageenan seaweed) extract, phenoxyethanol, arnica montana extract, benzyl alcohol, calendula extract, hypericum extract, xantum gum, tea tree oil, lavender oil, limonene (essential oil source), grapefruit oil, linalool (essential oil source), petigrain oil.

• This stuff feels and smells remarkably fresh like I just washed my face in a garden bed of herbs. But in a good way.
• It made my skin feel squeaky clean - it was satisfying to see the dirt wash away, but didn't leave my skin dry.
• The light foaming action was probably what they were aiming for when they made this range sodium lauryl sulphate free. It also has a cool jelly texture from the addition of seaweed as the base ingredient.
• Tea tree oil, Arnica and Calendula are the "active" ingredients. I normally find Tea tree oil products way too drying, but this seems to be doing the trick.
• Arnica is an old-school remedy for bruises - having used it in creams for that purpose before, I'm interested to see if the addition to this range improves the overall ickiness of blemishes.

To follow up, I used the Acne and pimple gel post-cleanse on top of my usual Neostrata Ultra Smoothing Lotion.

Ingredients: aqua, alcohol, tea tree oil, arnica montana extract, calendula extract, hypericum extract, triethanolamine, carbomer, limonene (tea tree oil source), linalool (tea tree oil source)

• Great texture. Maybe it's just me, but treatment creams always seem to be a bit too runny to truly stay where I put them. This has a thick gel consistency which certainly met it's mark (the horrible blind mofo on the tip of my lip).
• Smells strongly of Tea tree oil. This doesn't bother me too much, but might be an issue if you're sensitive to that kind of thing.
• It absorbs quickly and dries to a matt finish - see great potential for this as a pre-makeup fix.
• Also contains Arnica - in this case, intended to calm and soothe red spots. I think this actually worked in this instance.
  
• Only gripe is the ethanol base. This is probably acting as a preservative, and also speeds up evaporation of excess moisture (from the product), but sensitive skinned folk beware - this could dry you out. So use with care.

All in all I found these products nice to use - good packaging, reasonably priced - about $20 clams retail, and seemingly chockers with good natural ingredients.

I am impressed with the no-nonsense very clear ingredient listing, which is often my major gripe with "natural" skincare brands. Most consumers don't know what Melaleuca alternifolia oil is, and Nelsons have (kindly) remedied that by putting the conventional names clearly in brackets next to each botanical listed.

Props Nelsons! The Beauty Brains would be pleased, regardless of how efficacious your product is.

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.

Loving

L'oreal paris Derma Genesis
Pore Minimising Smoothing Serum

Hair-spiration, where art thou?

Every year I seem to find myself in the same pattern of hair abuse ...

1. Summer: Embrace excellent haircut by new exxy stylist.
2. Autumn: Decide to ditch haircut because of insert lame reason here
3. Winter: Get stuck in a major hair rut, influenced by the now growing out hair cut and cold weather (read: over-enthusiastic blow dryer use and long hair = split city!)
4. Spring: Hit rock bottom. Completely un-inspired. No idea what to do with now overgrown mop, and no plans to change it.

I am now completely convinced that if I want to break this cycle, like any good addict (lazy person), I need to launch a pre-emptive strike before spring.

So far, I have enlisted the help of these lovelies:

Kerastase Lait Nutritive Sculpt

L'oreal says: 'Provides light-weight nurturing, softness, hold, and detangling ease. Reinforces the hair fiber to help protect against damage caused by blow-drying and heat styling. Hair is left shiny and smooth.'

Verdict: It's all that, and more. I'd call this my desert island product. I think the lightness is the key here, because I seem to have delightful hair that looks dirty after one day. This doesn't add to that, but instead gets me by for another day and a half.

Matrix Sleek.Look Iron Smoother

Matrix says:

• Protects against heat damage up to 400ºF
• Seals in high-shine finish
• Long-lasting style memory
• Easy, spray-on application
• Locks in sleek finish, locks out humidity

Verdict: Oh, hai, did I mention that besides delightfully dirty locks, I also suffer from naturally coarse, and strangely kink/curl-prone straight hair? I know it sounds like an oxymoron, but I kid you not. In any case, this stuff works a treat when I'm blow drying or using the ghd.


So while I may still have no idea as to what I should do with my hair, I can rest assured knowing I've tried my hardest to keep my locks going all year (or at least until spring/summer).

But it's definitely time for a trim in lieu of any real plans.

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.

Non-squeaky Clean: Cleansing Oils

Those in the know will tell you oil-attracts-oil.

While we rely on detergents to wash away the grime on our dirty dishes, the same should not be true for your face - in an ideal world.

I confess I am shamefully lazy at the end of a long day of work, and will happily use (gasp) soap in my too-hot shower to scrub off the grime.

But when I wish to be saint-like where skincare is concerned, I spring for one of these babies...

My personal fave is MAC Cleanse Off Oil, $37.

Sure, I am always slightly alarmed when I rub this into my dry, uncleansed face - remembering not-too-distant teenage years where this sort of thing would have been "natural", but add water and all the days sins disappear. This oil actually emulsifies with water. And all that remains is (non-squeaky) clean skin.


One pump will do you fine - any more seems like overkill.


Further reading on a similar method.