Category Archives: Primer

Temptu Airbrush Makeup

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When I was in LA I visited Temptu with the same enthusiasm most kids have for visiting Disney Land. The popularity of their at-home airbrush kit at Sephora along with their professional airbrush line exploded in recent months and put the line firmly on the map as a heavy-hitting contender that gives great face. I’d heard all about their silicone based airbrush makeup with a beautiful finish and just the right amount of coverage. It’s an airbrush line with a twist because you can spray it though the gun or use it the traditional way with fingers, brushes, or a sponge. I have several airbrush foundation lines in my arsenal, but this is my absolute go-to on skin that’s dry, mature, or damaged since the silicone formula rests beautifully on even the most challenging surfaces.

Whether I’m working on brides or on set, this formula stands up to lights, heat, and many hours passing by. Now this is the professional S/B (silicone based) formula I’m talking about, it’s also what I used to make the video below. You can get a flawless airbrush makeup look every day with this at-home system that’s blowing up at Sephora. It’s a smaller, more manageable compressor that’s perfectly sized for everyday use with easy to manage cartridges that you buy in your shade of foundation and blush.

Temptu is a smart, modern cosmetic company that understands the needs of artists and everyday women. If you’re a makeup artist, check out their pro line, otherwise you can try out their at-home airbrush system at Sephora stores.

Here’s a few pics I snapped from their LA store.

They have an impressive list of pro artists who use Temptu and have photos showing their work using the products.

My video using the line.

Temptu

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Stila One Step Makeup

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I haven’t given the green light on a Stila liquid foundation in the history of HOB. I like their Illuminating Powder Foundation, but haven’t tried a liquid one of theirs since the long discontinued Complete Coverage. The buzz alone on One Step was enough to get me to try this foundation which has quickly changed my tune about Stila’s ability to give good face.

One Step is a revolutionary new foundation that gives the benefits of 4 products in one; primer, foundation, concealer, and powder. It has a really unique consistency that’s almost like a mousse with a light powdery feel and coverage that can be built from medium to full.

For a little more coverage after you’ve used it as a foundation, use a concealer brush to dab it over blemishes and red spots to get a concealer effect because of its rich density.

Does it take the place of a powder? No, it isn’t drying on the skin, but using a powder to set the makeup and keep it in place isn’t necessary. It primes the skin, covers what you need it to, and sets itself.

In true Stila form, the color has a tinge of luminosity to it, nothing harsh though, just enough to where it isn’t flat looking on the face, and having a silicone-based primer built right in helps with the appearance of fine lines,

My skin tends to be normal to slightly shiny in my t-zone and I felt the formula was well suited for me. If you struggle with overly dry skin, you might find the formula a little drying, but I can see most skin types being able to wear it.

Bottom line- One Step gives complete coverage and a pretty finish, all in one little bottle.

Stila One Step Makeup

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Erno Laszlo Regular Normalizer Shake-it

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Erno Laszlo’s Shake-it is the perfect non-foundation foundation. Shake the bottle to blend the pigment together with a skin perfecting toner that absorbs oil and makes  pores disappear. You can use it as a primer if you want a little more coverage, but I use it alone when I want natural, great looking skin. I was really surprised how seamlessly it disguised redness and how long it lasted especially when the formula seemed so light and watery. It’s just not like anything I’ve used for coverage on the face.

You can use a cotton ball, but I just use my fingers to apply and rub it in. It’s one of those products you have to try to believe how great it looks. Next time you’re passing through a department store that carries Laszlo, have them put it on you so you can wear it around and see for yourself that ‘coverage’ doesn’t mean what you thought it did.

Erno Laszlo Regular Normalizer Shake-it

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NP Set Primers and Memory Foundation

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Target has really expanded in the cosmetics category by bringing in big name makeup artists to develop reasonably priced, high-quality cosmetics exclusively to their stores. ‘NP’ stands for Napoleon Perdis, the uber Hollywood makeup artist whose prestige priced line has caught fire since its inception in 1995. I was so happy to see this little sister line in Target since NP Set’s primers and foundation (for which he’s known) are some of the best around.

Case in point- his Pre-Foundation Pore Perfecting Primer which mattifies and minimizes the look of pores before your foundation or on its own to perfect bare skin. It’s paraben free and filled with antioxidants and natural moisturizers like soybean oil and flax.

$30 Target and Target.com, DermStore.com

When a line has only one liquid foundation- you can bet it’s as close to perfect as it gets. Memory Foundation melts into your skin so easily and quickly, it’s the fist foundation I’ve used in a long time that I didn’t manipulate with a brush or sponge. The coverage is light to medium and the weightless consistency is suitable for all skin types. Whether you’re oily or dry- you’ll find that it rests comfortably into the skin with a natural looking finish.

7 Shades from Extra Light to Extra Dark, $30, Target and Target.com, DermStore.com

Add a little color first with the new Pre-Foundation Bronzing Primer. You’ll get a generous amount of non-shimmery (YAY!!!) bronzing fluid that will prime and prep your face for foundation giving it a hint of color that looks totally natural. I’ve been using it on my neck and declote as well since it’s so hard to find a shimmer-free bronzer. Keep your winter foundation working well into the summertime by mixing in just a shot of this to match your newly bronzed skin.

$29, Target stores and Target.com, DermStore.com

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Smashbox Photo Finish Lid Primer

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I love Shadow Insurance, and went through a few tubes of it, but my loyalty was recently tested with Smashbox’s Photo Finish Lid Primer.

I missed the ease of a wand and a thicker, more matte creme. It rids your lids of any redness and preps it for a crease-free shadow experience. The new formula, available only through Sephora, boasts a patented delivery system which ensures all ingredients are absorbed into the skin for maximum benefits. Oily lids will find it matte enough to keep shadows in place, and dry or more mature lids will love the soft focus pearls which reduce the appearance of fine lines.

Smashbox Photo Finish Lid Primer

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Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch

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You know a product is top notch when it’s offered in packs of 2. Clarins’ Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch can be purchased singly for $30 or you can pick up two for $50, which is the most popular option since women who use this skin primer, swear by it.

Used either before, instead of, or mixed into foundation, you’ll get the closest thing to flawless skin there is. Acacia Micro-Pearls are the secret ingredient that go within fine lines, pores, and other skin imperfections absorbing moisture and increasing in size so the porous areas remain filled giving an even appearance.

The effect is gorgeous even around the eyes. You might just find that this and a little bronzer is all you need for days when you don’t need a lot, but enough to leave the house.

Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch

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