Product Review -- elf Hydrating Face Primer

I've mentioned before that I have a hard time finding a face primer that works for my skin concerns.

That's because my skin is dry but I also have enlarged pores that I want to minimize.

Hydrating primers don't tend to fill in texture that well, and pore-minimizing primers aren't usually very hydrating.

Over the past year, I've fallen in love with the Touch in Sol No Poreblem Primer, which somehow manages to do both of the things that I need it to.

But it is $18, which, while not super expensive, is a little pricey for everyday use, so I've been on the hunt for a slightly more budget-friendly option.

The elf Hydrating Face Primer seemed like a good place to start.

Product Review -- Touch in Sol No Poreblem Primer

I've mentioned it before, but I have somewhat contradictory skin care concerns.

As I've gotten older, my skin has transitioned from oily to more normal/dry. In colder months, it is often out and out dry, which means foundation can look cakey and patchy of I don't moisturize really well.

But because my skin was so oily when I was younger, I still have enlarged pores on my cheeks, and some foundations can settle in them and emphasize the texture big time, which isn't a very attractive look.

As much as I want to use a pore-filling primer, though, they are almost always designed for oily skin, so I don't feel like they're really compatible with my skin.

I can usually only use classic silicone-based pore-filling primers like the Smashbox Photo Finish Primer on my cheeks and then I have to use a second hydrating primer on the rest of my face.

That's not really a big deal, but it would be nice if one primer could do all the things that I need it to.

Enter the Touch in Sol No Poreblem Primer.

Product Review -- BECCA First Light Priming Filter Instant Complexion Refresh

I have kind of a hard time with primers.

Not because they irritate my skin or have any adverse effect on my foundation, though.

Instead, it's because I never really notice them doing much of anything.

I usually choose hydrating primers because my skin is dry and I mainly want a formula that's going to moisturize my skin a little bit so my foundation doesn't going on flaky or patchy -- and beyond that, there really isn't all that much to see, I suppose.

Still, I'm always on the hunt for a magical kind of primer that's somehow going to make my foundation look airbrushed and flawless.

Considering the texture issues I have with my skin (tons of enlarged pores on my cheeks from my acne struggles as teenager), that likely isn't ever going to happen.

But I still had high hopes for the BECCA First Light Primer Filter Instant Complexion Refresh.

Product Review -- COVERGIRL truBlend Face Primer for Dry Skin

I haven't had too much trouble finding a primer that works with my dry skin.

I'm a big fan of  the IT Cosmetics' Feel the Moment Primer Serum, Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Oil, and Hourglass No. 28 Primer, all of which features oils that really hydrate and smooth the skin, so it's ready for foundation application.

But while I love those primers, they're all pretty pricey, so I've long been on the hunt for a more budget-friendly option that would still work with my dry skin.

Fortunately, COVERGIRL has introduced a series of primers in their truBlend line that are targeted for specific skin types, including oily, dry, and combination -- so I was really excited to try the truBlend Face Primer for Dry Skin.

Product Alert -- upcoming bareMinerals More Than Meets The Eye TSV on QVC

In just a few days (March 22nd), bareMinerals has yet another TSV coming up on QVC.

And while this is more of "basics" kit in my mind, I had to go ahead and order it early because there were a couple of new products in it that had me intrigued.

You know it doesn't take all that much to get me excited about makeup.

The More Than Meets The Eye Collection contains 8 pieces:

• Prime Time Daily Defense Neutralizing Primer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
• Original Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 15
• Ready All-Over Face Color in Elation
• 5-in-1 BB Advanced Performance Mineral Veil Finishing Powder Broad Spectrum SPF 20
• 5-in-1 BB Advanced Performance Cream Eyeshadow Broad Spectrum SPF 15 in Blushing Apricot
• Hydrating Lip Stain in Elation
• Angled Foundation Brush
• Flawless Complexion Brush

Product Alert -- IT Cosmetics "New Year, Your Most Beautiful You!" 5-Piece TSV

Starting tonight at midnight (technically 12/28), QVC will be offering a new Today's Special Value (TSV) from IT Cosmetics that's pretty fabulous for the dry-skinned folks out there.

Over the past year, I've become a big fan of IT Cosmetics -- I actually have quite a few products that I've been meaning to review for a while now and just haven't gotten around to yet.  That's one of my New Year's resolutions, I swear. -- so this kit was calling my name right from the start, particularly since most of the products are a good fit if you have dry or mature skin.

It's winter so my skin is kind of like the Sahara at the moment, which means I need all the extra moisture that I can get.

The kit contains 5 items:

• Heavenly Luxe Sensory Sweeping Fan Brush
• Feel the Moment Anti-Aging Primer Serum
• Bye Bye Under Eye/Hello Light Liquid Brightener Dual Concealer
• Heavenly Luxe Double Airbrush Foundation Brush
• Celebration Foundation Ilumination

Laura Geller Beauty Off the Vine AD Shipment #3 from QVC

 Work has been a little hectic this week (Yeah, and it's only Wednesday...) so when my UPS guy showed up with a package from QVC this morning, it was just the distraction I needed from work craziness.

Today's package was the third and final installment of the Laura Geller Beauty Off the Vine TSV which was originally available in December. (You can read about the first and second installments here.) The products in these kits all supposedly contain powerful anti-aging ingredients that are derived from grapes, including grapeseed oil and resveratrol -- hence the wine theme.

Like the first two kits, the third installment contains the Spackle Supercharged Fortified Under Makeup Primer, Take Cover Anti-Aging Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF20 with Skin Self-Defense Complex, and a fun lip-shaped wine glass charm.

Tarte BB Tinted Treatment 12-Hour Primer SPF30 in Fair

It's so rare that a gimmicky product turns out to be any good.

And let's face it -- most of the so-called BB cream products on the market here in the U.S. are nothing more than gimmicks. 

They're glorified tinted moisturizers, but because there's so much hype surrounding true Asian style BB creams, American companies try to jump on the bandwagon.

Don't get me wrong -- there are a few good ones (the Smashbox Camera BB Cream is one of my favorite face products) but for the most part, I've given up even trying any of the American versions.

When I saw Tarte's entry into the BB "cream" market, though, I was kind of intrigued.

Laura Geller Beauty Off the Vine TSV

I am a sucker for cute packaging, and it doesn't get much cuter than the box for the upcoming Laura Geller Beauty Off the Vine TSV on QVC.

The kit features good-for-your-skin ingredients like grapeseed oil and resveratrol, which are - you guessed it - derived from grapes, so it only makes sense that it has a wine theme.

Hence the wine inspired box.

The kit will be featured on QVC on Friday, December 28th, starting at midnight.  It costs $54.96 (+ $6.72 s/h), and is available on auto-delivery, with future kits arriving in April and August 2013.

QVC Bare Escentuals Return to Radiance TSV AD Shipment #2

BE Return to Radiance AD #2

Back in March, I ordered QVC's BE Return to Radiance TSV, and because I'm a glutton when it comes to makeup, I signed up for auto-delivery. 

The second shipment arrived last Friday, and I am absolutely in love with it.

As far as which shipment I like better, the first or second, I'd have to say it's a draw - but that's really saying something because the first collection included a peachy-pink blush and peachy coral lip gloss and you know how nuts I am about any and all things peach.

This collection is just so pretty though.

Brand Spotlight - Hourglass

Hourglass Goodies

I had heard about Hourglass Cosmetics for a while before I actually tried anything in their line.

All the chatter was pretty positive, but the brand is kind of pricey, to my mind anyway, so I was hesitant to buy anything. Then one day, a friend and I were just kind of window-shopping at Sephora. When we passed the Hourglass section, I pointed them out to my friend and told her that I’d heard it was a really nice line. Just at that moment, a sales person came along - as they always seem to – and she talked me into letting her try the Illusion Tinted Moisturizer on me. I had no intention of buying it even as she was applying it, but once I looked in the mirror and saw my friend’s reaction (she insisted the girl try it on her right after!), I was a goner.

Holy Grail Found: MUFE HD Primer

I have been really and truly obsessed with makeup for nearly 20 years (yikes!), and in all that time, I’ve never really found a Holy Grail product. 

Not makeup, not skincare, not a hair product. 

Nothing.

Nada.