How do I prime my face

Over the recent years applying primer has been one of the most important steps taken to make make-up last longer, control oiliness, and fill in fine lines and pores. Well, you might have heard many other bloggers raving about certain products and highly recommending them; and I have been that one person that will try anything that I can under my budget to attempt to get the best results. I have officially found the best primer combination for my skin type. First off, I have combination/oily skin which means I can become extremely greasy in the the t-zone area but I especially become dry on my forehead and cheeks sometimes. So, the only thing that will really change in between the summer and the winter would be how much I apply of each product and depending on my skin that day I may omit one step. Enjoy my routine!

1. After washing my face, I apply Clinique Moisture Surge around my whole face. It is a smoothing gel formula that your skin just soaks up and keeps you moisturized all day! I have very sensitive skin when it comes to face creams and since I have been using this I have noticed less dry spot areas and smother looking skin. The smother looking skin may not be attributed to this skin product alone but I swear by it! It is pricey and ranges from $12-$52 depending the size you get. You can find it here: http://www.clinique.com/product/1687/5089/Skin-Care/Moisturizers/Moisture-Surge-Extended-Thirst-Relief

2. This is L'orel Youth Code Texture Perfector Pore Vanisher. So, technically L'oreal markets this product has a moisturizer, but it has the same consistency that the Benefit's Porefesional. It is a little pricey as it is marketed online for $24.99 but contains 1.5 or 1.7 oz, can't remember. But, it is still cheaper than the Porefesional and you get more product. I mainly only use this product in my nose area because I do have huge pores and this helps minimize them and makes that area a little more smooth to allow a better application of my foundation. You can find it here: http://www.lorealparisusa.com/en/Products/Skin-Care/Treatments/Youth-Code-Texture-Perfector-Pore-Vanisher.aspx

3.  Next, I use Mary Kay's Foundation Primer with SPF 15. I've been using this specific primer ever since I was 17 and I am now 22. This has a silicone feel/texture to it, and a little bit goes a long way. I have strayed away from this primer and I always tend to come back because it is reliable for me and doesn't break me out. The best comparison to this product is smashbox photo finishing primer, the only difference is that I found the Smashbox primer to be a bit thicker. This works great and doesn't dry out your skin, as I have unfortunately encountered with other primers. You can find it here: http://www.marykay.com/en-US/Makeup/Face/Primer/Mary-Kay-Foundation-Primer-Sunscreen-Broad-Spectrum-SPF-15-/110601.partId?eCatId=10548

4. Be prepared because this step is AWESOME and out of the box, but I swear it works WONDERS!
After applying my primer, I take a loose translucent powder and press a little on my t-zone area and the rest of my face. WHAT?? POWDER UNDER YOUR FOUNDATION!!! I know crazy, but this tip I took from a Make-up professional and YouTube'r. Please make reference to his video below has Wayne Goss is the one who convinced me to place this into my foundation routine. THIS FOUNDATION TIP WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE <--- Subscribe to his YouTube page for great tips and he is WONDERFUL at what he does. So the powder I use Mary Kay Translucent Loose Powder lightly in my T-Zone area and then after putting my foundation on I lightly go over my t-zone area again and this trick makes my makeup stay ALL DAY!  You can find it here: http://www.marykay.com/en-US/Makeup/Face/Loose-Powder/Mary-Kay-Translucent-Loose-Powder/111250.partId?eCatId=10008

5. And finally I apply my Ready Set Gorgeous foundation in 205 Natural Beige on top and oh does make up stay all day long!!!! You can find it here: http://www.covergirl.com/beauty-products/face-makeup/foundation-makeup/ready-set-gorgeous-oil-free-foundation

So there is my quick run down on my primer routine, I know it seems excessive. But, taking these few extra steps does make a world of difference on how long your makeup last and how long it stays intact. Stay tuned!

-Alicia

Changing it up

Originally this blog was going to give an insight into my struggle of depression. I had full intent of being able to continue this but I couldn't. Reminiscing in memories that cause pain was actually worse for me. That is because I would loom further into those emotions without realizing how badly they were affecting my mood swings. Soooo, after many many months of hiatus I have decided to come back full force but with a different direction. There are few things that I am passionate about in life and one of them is makeup. Makeup is like paint...you can use makeup to enhance one's natural beauty or even just to try something. I am a firm believer that you do not ALWAYS need to have makeup or that life revolves around it or that it is needed for beauty. You will be amazed of all the things you can do with makeup... stay tuned!

-Alicia