Face Primer Review: Smashbox vs. bareMinerals

Hi Guys!

Today I am reviewing 2 kinds of foundation primer. First is the “Prime Time” by bareMinerals and second is the “Photo finish” by Smashbox. 

 I have used both kinds back and forth over the past few months. All you need it a pea size dot to blend all over your face, you will not look greasy if you use the correct amount! What I found with the Smashbox primer was that if my skin was dry it would look flakey once I applied my foundation. I didn’t even realize my face was that dry especially since I use moisturizer religiously. (and you should too!) The worst thing a skin product can do is enhance a problem rather than help fix it.  Whereas the next day when my skin was just as dry and I used the bareMinerals primer, my face looked smooth with no flakes!  Needless to say I’m definitely favoring the bareMinerals over Smashbox.  Maybe now that the winter dryness is over I’ll give smashbox another try.

I know that some people say a primer really isn’t that important but I find it does help your makeup apply smoother and last a little bit longer.  If you’re not 100% about buying a product see if they have a smaller sample size instead.  I hate spending a lot of money on a product i’m unsure about and end up hating.  Sephora and Ulta are really good about highlighting the On-the-go items near the checkout, I wish they had more!

As far as price goes...

Smashbox can range from $16 for the 0.5 oz. to $49 for the 2 oz.

vs.

bareMinerals starts off at $14 for the 0.5 oz. to $21 for the 1.0 oz.

Overall, bareMinerals primer is one of my must haves. Have you tried it before? What are your thoughts on face primer, need it or leave it?

xxoo Michelle

NYC IMATS

A week ago today a few friends and myself had just arrived in NYC for the IMATS.  Sadly not all of us had tickets for the first day so the rest of us shopped around for a good part of the day.  The next morning we finally got inside, and it was nothing like i had expected.  Luckily my friend who went the day before knew exactly how to get everywhere so we didn't waste anytime wondering aimlessly.  When we got to the floor with all booths it was insane.  You pretty much had to fight your way to the tables to even see the products.  Lots of of items were sold out, but were available online minus the discount.  I had originally planned on buying lots of product but didn't come close. 

What i ended up getting was:

12 eyeshadows from Yaby (palette by Nigel Beauty Emporium)

Brushes from Cici Fashion Brush

2 Mehron Celebré PRO-HD cream foundations, face smoothie

applicator, and retractable lip brush

Overall, it was a fun experience especially getting to visit New York for a weekend.  I would go again but maybe only go for the first day.  My favorite part of the whole event were the seminars they offered.  I was expecting the seating to be much more crowded but the stage and screens were placed so  everyone could see.  We sat right up front for the seminar Valenté Frazier held on a red carpet makeup.  He was great and answered tons of questions from the audience but i personally wasn't crazy about the look he chose for being "red carpet".

Lastly, was a Saturday Night Live panel discussion with Louie Zakarian (head MUA for the show) and his team.  I really enjoyed hearing their stories about the craziness that goes on behind the scenes. Then as a suprise they brought out Kenan Thompson to show the audience how fast they could do a bald cap application. After that they turned him into a bearded character(not sure what they called him) then into Whoopie.

xxoo Michelle

First Post! :)

Hello Everyone!

I finally decided to start a blog! (with the encouragement of Camille from nevernaked) The name MakeUp Your Mind came from a shirt I saw in H&M about a year ago while shopping with a friend.

H&M shirt

At the time I was trying to decide if I should take a makeup class so of course I thought it was really cute and funny since i was trying to do excactly what the shirt said.  I’m sad I didn’t buy the shirt but I did end up taking a Professional Makeup class with the fabulous Debra Macki (debramacki.com) and I couldn’t be happier!

In this blog I plan to review current products, new products i come across and give my thoughts, also share my staple makeup items I can’t live without.  I’ll be posting tips, tutorials and events i attend as they come.  I appreciate and welcome any feedback!  Every now and then I already know I’m going to want to make a post about other things (fashion, design, ect.), I hope you enjoy what I have to say and thanks for reading!

*Reviews coming soon!*

                                                                                              xxoo Michelle