Primers . . . a dangerous subject. ! :)

So, I have been wearing a full face of make-up (meaning concealer, mascara and eyeliner) since I was in grade five - or maybe even four. Wich I believe would have made me ten or eleven? Correct me if I am wrong!
Oddly enough, I only found myself employed in the cosmetics industry a little over a year ago! And up until that time, I honestly had NEVER heard of a primer! How pathetic is that?!
It was never suggested to me by any beauty consultant and I guess I just sort of skipped through articles and blogs written about primers.
So this is where the real question comes in - are primers really neccessary?
Do you want me to tell you the truth?
There is not a chance in the world that I would be wearing a primer every day! Why, you may ask? I am already putting soooo may layers of product on my face that I honestly just couldn't be bothered! Secondly, if you have a good quality, long lasting foundation and your skin is in good condition, it really may not be neccessary for every day use.
Having said that, there are individuals who suffer from the following skin conditions in which a primer is EXTREMELY helpful: super oily skin, large pores, extremely dry or dehydrated skin, extremely red skin or even acneic skin.
For me, the most important thing a primer can do is enhance the longevity of any foundation.
Other than that, my foundation always blends PERFECTLY when I use a primer - the colour stays truer.
I like that there are options for radiance enhancing primers (MAC strobe lotion/cream, Smashbox Illuminating Primer, Aargon Oil illuminating primer, etc), so you don't actually have to put anything shiny on your face (amazing for pictures)!
And obviously the importance of mattifying and hydrating primers go without saying.
However, the reason I am really writing this particular post is that I noticed something - on Wednesday I tried the Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation for the first time. I absolutely fell in love with it!
So, of course, I wore it again on Thursday and took several other photos of my make-up that day. But I ended up deleting them because there was just something about them that I was not satisfied with.
Then I wore the make-up again today, and I have to say that I am not as thoroughly impressed as I was that first day. It finally dawned on me that the only thing I did different on Wednesday was apply a primer!
It really filled in my pores and my acne scars and helped my make-up stay truer longer! If you must know, I was wearing the Laura Mercier original primer - which I was initially not that impressed with but I guess it must be great!
And my final consensus - a primer for every day? Absolutely not, unless you deal with one of the skin conditions mentioned above.
Is a primer neccessary? Absolutely! For flawless make up, a primer is the way to go!
Stay tuned for my favorites!!!!

Daily Makeup Photo!

Matte Nude Lips - as suggested by Chris Barnes (Jennifer Lopez MUA), not sure if I am a huge fan of this look on me! I need a little gloossss

A light smokey eye - I need to learn how to commit and just really go for it!
A daytime look with peachy lips - BIG trend this season! Also, the previous look was created from this one. Easy transition from day to night: a little bit of black shadow and nude gloss!

Full Coverage Foundations!

Full coverage foundations are one of my top three favorite make-up items. Although they can be almost as impossible to find as an igloo in the desert!

Many foundations that claim to be full coverage are actually labelled "moderate-to-full", which means that with extra product and more blending the foundation has the option to provide full coverage.

This is where the majority of people get confused into thinking that full coverage foundations are always cakey and unnatural looking - this is NOT true!!

Though most women are rarely in need of a real full-coverage foundation on a day-to-day basis, it is always imperative to have a flawless canvas when doing any sort of dramatic make-up for special occasions (smokey eye, red lip, bright cheeks, etc).

So here is a short list of my favorite full coverage foundations:

1. Lancome's TEINT IDOLE ULTRA

This is my favorite full coverage foundation. It is oil-free, SPF free - so it photographs perfectly (this is an American picture, which is why the bottle says 'SPF 10)! It is also transfer resistent and has a colour true technology, so the colour does not change under the heat of your skin. It's AMAZING!

2. Dior's DIORSKIN EXTREME WEAR FLAWLESS FINISH MAKEUP SPF 25

This foundation is not as long wearing as the Teint Idole Ultra, and the SPF 25 makes me a little weary of what it might photograph like under harsh lighting - it looks amazing in natural daylight. This is one of the only full coverage foundations that I know of which doesn't have a completely matte finish - but more of a natural silk finish. However, it can get a little greasy by the end of the day.

3. Guerlain's PARURE EXTREME LUMINOUS EXTREME WEAR FOUNDATION

This would realistically be my number one or number two choice, if it weren't for the minimal colour selection! The lightest colour available (unless you happen to be shopping in the Guerlain Boutique in Yorkville) is Beige Clair 20, which is super, super dark on my fair skin. However, the finish, coverage, and wear-time of this foundation is second to none. It is absolutely flawless!

4. Chanel's PRO LUMIERE PROFESSIONAL FINISH MAKEUP

Amazing, again colour selection is limited. This foundation (where I have been shopping - Holt Renfrew, The Bay, etc) also does not come in extremely light, or extremely dark colours. However, it is Chanel - it is a luminous, matte, long-wearing, flawless finish with an SPF that doesn't photograph strange in pictures! You look naturally beautiful and flawless at the same time.

5. Clarins EVERLASTING FOUNDATION

My favorite for brides, but next to impossible for every day. This foundation will hide ANYTHING, due to it's thick consistency and great pigmentation. It fills in pores and does not crease in lines, however it is not the most natural looking foundation for every day. Again, very limited colour selection.

6. Lancome's PHOTOGENIC LUMESSENCE

Another favorite, this one can be compared to the Diorskin Extreme Wear - but it is being discontinued! So if you like it, grab whatever the stores have in stock!!

There are a few other full-coverage foundations out there (let's not forget Cover FX or Vichy), but nothing that I would really reccomend for photography, or even for a natural every day use. Remember, you can make your full coverage foundation work for you every day by mixing it with your moisturizer or primer for a sheer finish! And no powder on top unless it is TRANSLUCENT!

Have a beautiful make-up day!