Smashbox Photo Finish Oil Free Primer

Smashbox Photo Finish Oil Free Primer*

When it comes to primers, I am quite clueless if they actually work for me. I have tried several different primers in the past, and I much prefer the silicone consistency of ones like this. 

My make - up lasts well when I use this primer underneath it. It doesn't leave my skin feeling greasy; which is something I find with a lot of primers. I like how this primer doesn't clog up my pores, just smooths the face ready for an easy make - up application.It is very silky soft on the skin and leaves the face feeling smooth. You only need a tiny amount of this product (a mistake I made the first time I used it) as a little does go a long way. I would recommend this product if you fancy spending a little extra on a primer, as it is on the pricey side. 

You can purchase the travel size 12ml of this product for £12.50 at Smashbox 

Products I Regret Buying

Products I Regret Buying

As a beauty blogger and self - confessed make - up junkie, sometimes I buy things hoping for the best and I am left disappointed. I love reading rave reviews about products, but I find it so helpful when I find a blog post about things that have left the consumer disappointed. It gives a good heads up to think more about picking it up myself. I have devised a post sharing with you four products I have been disappointed with. Off  - course this is all of my own opinion, others may love these products but this is me giving my two cents.

MUA Matte Perfect Primer

Being a huge fan of MUA products, I bought this hoping it would be a great product. Unfortunately, for me, it seemed to just clog up my pores and really didn't work for me. I didn't like the consistency of the product, and didn't feel it controlled my oily skin at all, as it is advertised to. I think it is probably because it is a matte primer, which is probably not the best for my skin type, so this off course is not MUA's fault. I was just a little disappointed it didn't work for me, but hey-ho, you win some you lose some! 

Revlon Precision Lash Adhesive

I picked this up in hope to improve my false lashes staying put for a longer amount of time. I picked out the clear drying white version. Thinking this would be better than the tiny samples you get in a pack of lashes, I gave this a whirl and was left a little disappointed. I found the adhesive didn't hold false lases down well at all, in fact it seems the same quality as the sample adhesives included in cheap eye lash packs. I tried the glue with various cheaper and higher ended false lashes, but I had the same problem. Maybe I am just not cut out to wear lashes, or I am awful at applying them (I am) but I felt a little disappointed with Revlon as a brand as the products I have purchased from them before have always been of an outstanding quality. 

Soap and Glory Arch De Triumph

I was disappointed with this eye brow product which aims to help highlight and shape your brows. The brown side of the pencil was not pigmented enough to fill in my brows. This was the only colour available, so I wasn't sure whether the product is aimed for people with lighter coloured hair, or perhaps it is aimed for those with fuller brows that don't need quite as much filling in as I do. I found the highlighter end of the pencil quite chalky and didn't blend well at all. I would not purchase this product again.

Jelly Pong Pong Wide Awake Palette

Firstly, I was very confused about this palette. It includes 3 shimmery shadows designed for eye brows, is it just me that finds this odd? I did try these colours on my eye - brows and frankly it looked ridiculous. My sister has used them as eye - shadows and says they are OK quality, I just don't understand why they have been designed for brows, as I cant imagine ever using them for that purpose. Along with this, there are mini tweezers and brush which are of quite a good quality, The palette also includes a highlighting cream and illuminating cream which are of a decent quality. They don't do the greatest job and I wouldn't buy it again, but the creams are the best part about this palette. The packaging is very cheaply put together, and the stickers are ripped and not straight. I was really disappointed with this, as I know packaging isn't everything, but this particular product retails at £15 which is pretty expensive for something so poorly made. Maybe it was just a on - off, but I found it very disappointing and a waste of money. I do wonder what on Earth the creator of this palette was thinking, as putting these products together to aim for a 'wide awake' look doesn't make sense to me. 

Are there any products you think are not worth buying? 

MUA Matte Perfect Primer

MUA Matte Perfect Primer 

I am sure if you have been following my blog for a while now you will know I love a good bargain and Hate spending more money than I need to. For beauty, I often look for cheaper brands that are good quality. I use a selection of MUA products every day and the majority of the products I own I think are fab! They are so inexpensive with products ranging from £1 to the highest £8. I usually take advantage of the Online Offers when they have them on as they are too good to miss. I picked this primer up in there 50% sale I believe.

I am quite fussy when it comes to primers. The only one I never have any problem with is the Loreal Studio Secrets Primer, but that is pretty pricey so I thought I would give this one ago, costing only £4.

As you can see from the name of the product, it is a matte primer. It promises to 'control oil and reduce shine' so that your make up looks perfect.

For me, though, I have found it clogs up my pores and imperfections and my skin looks really cakey, even though I only use the recommended pea size amount. I do think the product reduces shine, but I dont find it soft on the skin and I just didn't get on well with it. I have very, very oily skin so this may be why.

I am after a great primer, have you any recommendations?

You can purchase this Primer for £4 at MUA online or at Superdrug.

Nivea Express Hydration Primer

Nivea Daily Essentials

Express Hydration Primer

Dry & Sensitive Skin

Information:

 This product aims to moisturise your skin and to absorb instantly so that make up can be applied straight away. It aims to keep our skin feeling moisturised all day and to keep your make up stay put. It is contained in a 50 ml glass jar. It retails for around £5.05. This particular Primer is for Dry/Sensitive Skin.

Packaging:

As you can see, the product is held in a small little glass jar, with a pink lid which initiates what skin type it is aimed for. The box has information about the product which I have since thrown away.

Product:

 The product feels and looks like a light moisturiser. For me, it suited my skin type even though I have quite oily skin, I bought this as I have had very dry skin the past two months and it works great for me. If applying too much though it doesn't work well for me, so I would suggest using a small amount.

My thoughts:

For me, I had to use the tiniest amount of this primer every time I used it as it would make my face look super greasy. It applied nicely and made my make up stay on all day which is good. The only downfall which really struck me was that it was definitely not a product which absorbed instantly. Whenever I use it, even very lightly, I have to wait at-least 15 minutes before applying my make - up which is kind of annoying if you are in a rush! In general though I do quite like the product itself and would consider buying it again in the future.

You can purchase the primer from Superdrug.

Have you tried any of the new Nivea range yet?

Collection Primed & Ready Make-Up Primer

Collection (2000) Primed & Ready Smoothing Make - Up Primer £5.99

I bought this primer a few months ago when it was first released by Collection (around the same time when they were in one of the beauty boxes) as my favourite L'Oréal Paris Studio Secrets Smoothing Resurfacing Primer had ran out, I wanted to try a cheaper alternative to priming my skin read before applying make - up. 

The packaging to the product is quite nice for a cheaper product, it is in a black tube with bright pink writing. I like that it is is not in a glass tub as it is easier to use from a tube applicator. 

The texture is silicon and is a clear colour, which I much prefer to skin coloured primers. It is smooth and is easy to apply to the face, For me personally I think it is an okay primer, it makes my make - up stay on for a longer time, but I don't think it is the best primer out there, because if you apply too much onto the face it ruins my foundation application. I don't think it helps to hide any blemishes or pores on the face, either.

In conclusion, I think it is a decent primer for the price. It makes make - up apply a little smoother and last longer, but the amount of product you use has to be very little for it to work well (for me anyway) and doesn't really cover an blemishes. It does the job though and is a really good price for a primer, I would probably purchase again but it wouldn't be a 'ust have' holy grail product for me.