RE: Must NOT Haves

Okay, I've been surfing makeup blogspotters and I couldn't help but noticed that a lot of them put down that the MAC holiday brush sets are a must NOT have.

I completely agree with the nondeniable fact that the quality, well..SUCKS in comparison to the full size brushes....and here's where I step in and give you a nice little TIP!

Holidays come around and you find that your local MAC store just came out (or hasn't yet sold out) on the holiday brush sets. What I suggest? GET THEM... especially if they're just going to act as dup brushes to the ones you already own (it's a pain to take full size brushes everywhere you go in your purse for those touch ups) or if you just want to save yourself a buttload of money. Cmon, 4-5 brushes for the price of ONE?

HEAR ME OUT.

Out of the brush sets I own, there are particular brushes that stand out the most with their bad quality. The 129 face brush and ESPECIALLY my notorius 252 eye brush. In a nutshell: THEY'RE ROUGH AND HURT MY SKIN!

Sound familiar?

Okay so here's the TIP:
Make sure you have ALL day for your brushes and you won't need them until TOMORROW at the soonest.

Wash them thoroughly. Then take some leave in conditioner (I used Pantine Pro-V) and just SMOTHER the brush in it. Make sure to get it all the way down into the bristles where they meet the metal, all the way into the center, on the outside, on the top, EVERYWHERE. If you can still see any black (or whatever colour the bristles happen to be) you have NOT put enough leave in conditioner!!! Leave them in for a couple of hours. The longer you leave it on, the softer your brush will be....so I reccomend ALL day.

Wash off, pat down on a paper towl and air dry...and presto! Noticably softer brushes!


Another tip: I also tried out my ISO conditoner. For Costco's price of $22 I found out this product is an expensive piece of JUNK...but great on my brushes!!!! If you find this brand's hair conditioner for a bargain price (i.e. Costco for a huge bottle or a wholesale beauty supply) give it a try, if not just skip it. It's a creme conditioner, and although it did NOTHING for my hair it did a great job at hydrating and conditioning my brushes :)


Give it a try!

<3
Fluidity

Cream of the Crop: Primers

Okay, so like many of you gals out there, I've been in the fight to find the PERFECT product that just makes me want to fall on my knees and thank God for creating such a product.


...and like most of you, with no prevail.



BUT! there is hope! Here I'll let you gals in on some of the products that I have tried. My faves and ....not ...so...faves. Best of all! I'll be covering all products I've tried from every aspect of the money spectrum! This post will be on primers :) If you want to know about my must haves and must have nots on any other makeup topic, just send a request at:

RageMakeup@gmail.com

PRIMERS

FACE PRIMERS







Smashbox Photofinish Primer LIGHT.


Cost: $36.00 USD




Found At: Sephora, Smashbox Counters


Pros: Light weight, non greasy, keeps your makeup in place!


Cons: THE PRICE. For $36.00 USD you get... 1 oz. (I think, correct me if I'm wrong); either way that's freaking EXPENSIVE.

Why I like it: Although I haven't tried the original regular formula, I used this and it is AMAZING. I have oily, acne prone skin and my pores easily get clogged and this feels so good on my skin. It keeps my makeup in place and makes everything long lasting with a smooth, even finish.

Tip: Before you run out and break the bank for this primer, go to Sephora or your local Smashbox counter and ask for a sample. There's no reason you should fork the cash for something you find out you can't live without.





Sephora Professional Perfection Makeup Base


Cost: $12.00 USD


Found At: Sephora, Sephora.com


Pros: It's a good price compared to Smashbox, MAC, etc. with $12.00 for 1 oz. A little goes a long way with this stuff! It gives a subtle glow and keeps your makeup on.



Cons: It's not the toughest primer on the block. It gets the job done, but don't expect to not touch up your makeup even a little by the end of the day/towards the evening.


Why I like it: It's considerably light and it combines 2 steps into ONE with those who like to use artificial light. It has a pink pearl iridescent to it which gives you a subtle, healthy glow to your face. It doesn't come off as shiny or glittery at all. And for those of you who I know are concerned: no, it does not make your skin/makeup look pink.








Monistat Anti-Chafing Cream


Cost: N/A
I got mine a while ago, so I don't know the current price. (I'd guess around $8-$9 USD)

Found At: Local Drugstores


Pros: For normal skin, it will keep your makeup on and help keep it matte. Yes, it will sound weird to use this as a primer (but probably not because the word's on fire now, especially from Vanessa at http://nessasarymakeup.blogspot.com/ and a few others.) but if you take the time to notice, it's the exact same consistancy of MAC's Matte Gel and Smashbox Photo Finish Primer and has some of the same ingredients found in them.


Cons: Combination/oily skin may find that this stuff makes it feel like you have about 10 pounds of mud on your face. It gets real cakey, mainly in oily places.


Why I don't like it, but you might: I came across this stuff about 4-5 years ago at the store and noticed that it had the EXACT same texture and finish on my skin as MAC Matte Gel. I tried it as a primer (mainly in oily places to help keep it matte) and it does work to keep it matte...but caution to oily/acne prone skin types: it will get cakey/thick where it absorbs oil and can easily get smeared/scratched off. I highly don't reccomend it for these skin types.


Tip: If you decide to try out this product as a primer, carry around some rice paper/blotting tissues just in case you find out you feel the same way as I do.

EYES

Urban Decay Eye Primer Potion (UDPP)

Cost: $16.00 USD

Found At: Sephora, Sephora.com

Pros: Eyeshadows stay in place...for a while.

Cons: Everything.

Why I don't like it, but you might: Okay, so I know just about EVERYONE uses this primer and EVERYONE raves and makes hype about this product...which is why I ran out and bought it. My feelings about it: it's going right back where I got it from. I'd rather spend the extra 50 cents for a MAC Shadestick.

This product (in my opinion) sucks and has created a lot more hype than it deserves. My eyeshadow, I felt, was harder to blend. It stayed in place for a little bit and then I notice that it gets kind of....muddy...like all the colors that touch just run together and it looks like a total Monet painting >.>

But for all fairness, I'll give it another shot just to see if I change my mind..but after the past couple of experiences with working with it... I HIGHLY doubt I will.


TIP: Save the receipt.

Mac Beige-ing Shadestick

Cost: $16.50

Found at: All MAC counters & free standing stores, maccosmetics.com

Pros: Your eyeshadow will NOT budge with this stuff on! Color is brighter and truer and best of all, crease proof. Another pro is that MAC Shadesticks come in a good variety of color.

Cons: None...except maybe the price, but only if you wanted a shadestick in every color.

Why I like it: I use MAC Shadestick in Beige-ing, a neutral color. Shadows are more vibrant and truer to color. Shadesticks come in a bunch of other colors too which can transform or inhance the color that you put on your eyes. It's crease proof and LONG lasting! It's absolutely great for those of you who crease easily and/or eyelids that tend to get a little oily. You can wear shadesticks alone or as a primer. Use it on the go, or for when you're waiting for your date. (LOL, if you get what I'm saying.)

LIPS

MAC Prep + Prime Lip

Cost: $14.50 USD

Pros: Keeps your lipstick on ALL DAY. No bleeding, no fading, no feathering.

Cons: None.

Why I like it: I absolutely LOVE this product. My lipstick doesn't budge, smudge, bleed, fade or feather. It stays exactly where it should: on my lips! It keeps liner, lipstick, pigment, virtually anything and everything ON. And most importantly, it helps keep my lips hydrated, soft and smooth :)

Tip: To help ensure that your lips stay moisturized and for an even more smooth application of lipstick, wear some lip balm/chapstick before you put on the prep + prime. After you let your lip moisturizer of choice set for a little bit, apply the prep + prime and allow THAT to set. It really makes a difference. Letting it set (it's like the equivalent to letting lash glue get tacky) gives the lipstick something to cling to. If you try to rub your lips together it's more difficult. This allows your lipstick to stay put :)

Chapstick Medicated Lip Balm

Cost: $7.00 USD at Costco. (Comes in a pack of..I want to say 12...with 3-4 of the Chapstick Medicated.)

Pros: 2 in 1. Prime AND moisturize your lips before you put your lipstick on. Has menthol in it for a nice cool, refreshing feeling on your lips :)

Cons: It doesn't last quite as long or gives as true of color compared to MAC or other primers.

Why I like it: I use this stuff for times like these and can't find my MAC Prep + Prime Lip. I apply it the same way as I would with MAC. Let it sit. After you let it sit, there's this texture to your lips (similar to MAC) that gives your lipstick something to cling to and stay on. (I always want to say a "tacky" texture, but that's not quite right...oh well, try it and you'll know what I mean lol)

TIP: I found this could also be manipulated into an eye primer too. Just make sure that you use a very sparing amount by rubbing a clean ring finger on the (sanitized!) chapstick and dabbing it on your eye, making sure you don't get any IN your eye, on or near the tear duct. Eyeshadow will be a little hard to blend, but hey, when you're in a hurry and can't find your normal primer or simply need to improvize on the go, grab this baby.

But careful! I don't have the box saying if it's been tested or anything for this kind of use. Just don't get it in your eye.

Alrighty, there are my favs and not so favs for primers. Try it out and let me know what you think :D Or if you have any of your own reccomendations/reviews I'd love to hear them!!!

Send all requests/reviews to RageMakeup@gmail.com

Happy Makeup-ing!

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