Keep Your Makeup On

Hello! What a busy week it has been for me, from events to shoots to events to shoots to catch-ups with a few good friends from my many different walks of life! A girlfriend has just given birth to a lucky baby boy on the 22nd of February, and guess what?! 2202 came out starters in 4D that very evening! Lucky lucky dragon baby! Let's wish Roanna, Leonard and their baby boy many happy healthy family days ahead! (When can we expect another one? *winks*)

Here's a sneak at one of the pictures I took this week, with Peggy from Thy-Dowager:

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I've been doing some read-up and experimenting with products this past week, and I found, tried, and now swear by another product (who says looking good is a no-frills affair?)!

If you have ever applied makeup on your face and then headed outdoors (yes, into the sun, and not just sit inside an airconditioned environment), and your makeup melts by the time you get to the MRT station / bus-stop / office, or it cracks under your eyes and where your smile lines are, your foundation disappears in blotches by mid-day, and you have scars and imperfections that are impossible to conceal, and you have done all your skincare right, I can relate to you.

I know, because I have encountered all of those. 

And I have found that incorporating one more step into your makeup routine will make all the difference in holding your makeup on for longer: 

MAKEUP PRIMER~~~

After doing some research online and actually reading up on makeup and beauty books, I found that makeup primer is a MUST for achieving the flawless makeup you see on fashion magazines, without having to go through actual airbrushing! 

Most makeup artists agree that applying primer is that one magic step for makeup that lasts all day. And so I put it to the test.

Let's just say that before reading up, I thought makeup primer was just some sales gimmick by the cosmetics industry and that it was a waste of time (for that one extra step) and money. Was I in for a surprise! I own the Ekanava Opening Enhancer by Hankook Cosmetics, and I have also tried That Gal by Benefit. I had no idea what real purpose they actually serve until about a week ago. I only remember that Kanny said my makeup was really nice and that I looked like I had a radiant glow during one event about a year ago, and I had the That Gal primer on.

So this past week, I alternated between a day of using primer and the next without, and the days when I used primer, I really noticed a difference!

- Makeup doesn't crack underneath my eyes and on my smile line as easily as before
- Makeup doesn't disappear around my nose and mouth by mid-day like it would normally
- Scars and redness (especially around the nose area) were much easier to conceal
- My makeup looked fresh for much longer, duration depending on which primer I used

So how does a primer work? 

It most likely contains silicone, which helps to fill in your pores and lines (so that your makeup doesn't do that and clog them instead!) It sets itself up as an adhesive surface for makeup to cling onto all day, and at the same time, acts as a barrier between your skincare products and the harmful external environment such as UV rays, smoke, dust and other irritants.

Always use your primer AFTER your skincare final step. It's like applying a waterproofing layer on your skin, if you apply moisturizer before, the primer seals in the moisturizer for your skin to absorb the benefits of your skincare all day, but if you apply moisturizer or your liquid sunscreen after primer, the products can't penetrate through to your skin.

Primers also keep oil at bay, fill in fine lines and provide a smooth canvas for the rest of your makeup, especially foundation, to stick to. Enough reason to use them?

I found some of the best primers (these had many good reviews!) that I personally like, and thought it would be nice to share them with you:

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SMASHBOX PHOTO FINISH PRIMER

This is supposedly THE favourite among makeup artists. Not the ones in Singapore though, as I've never seen them use it (to be honest I don't know of many makeup artists who bother with primers in Singapore - not a very good culture), but in the US and Australia, this one's a hit. 

Whatever condition your skin is in, it blends perfectly to create a silky smooth base for your make up. It even fills in fine lines and wrinkles, and it reviewed to be THE best, and makeup literally stayed on ALL DAY, and night! One reviewer even said that she tried it on a hot day running errands - "perfect conditions for a makeup meltdown" - and her makeup stayed on throughout! 

I think I want to give this a try.

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THAT GAL BY BENEFIT

As mentioned, this one really works wonders at brightening and giving the glow. I haven't tried using it in the day, so I'm not really sure how it would perform in the all-day-makeup department under the hot sun. Personally, I love the packaging, the fact that I can control the amount precisely with each use, the pinkish glow it gives me, and its rosy vanilla-ish bubblegummy smell.

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BARE ESCENTUALS PRIME TIME FOUNDATION PRIMER

 

A favorite among makeup junkies, this mineral primer is preservative-free and great for all skin types. Formulated to combat flaky, dry skin and rough patches, this primer also fills in fine lines and wrinkles providing a satin-like base for foundation. If you're into mineral makeup, this one has been reviewed to work wonders. 

 As a bonus, it's infused with soothing plant extracts, antioxidants and Vitamins C and E. Does not have parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrances or dyes, so this is perfect for you if you have very sensitive skin.

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EKANAVA OPENING ENHANCER

As mentioned in the last SSparkle Glam, I have the Ekanava Opening Enhancer, and this one works wonders by keeping the skin cool even under the hot sun. I love the smell, and the fact that it contains gold specks.

 Research has revealed that gold not only has anti-bacterial properties, but actually helps to transport oxygen molecules directly into the skin, influencing cellular functions and providing a new energy level. This helps to revitalise and rejuvenate the skin. Gold also helps stimulate lymphatic drainage and blood circulation, thus facilitating the removal of toxins and wastes and purifying the skin. All these help to improve the skin's normal functions, particularly that of regeneration of healthy new cells.

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Bet many of you don't know how important the primer actually is! These above-mentioned products are my favourites/those with great reviews I would personally like to acquire. I hope you make the primer a necessity in your makeup routine from now on! ^.^

A little tip: always apply your makeup AFTER your primer has set in and dried on your skin. This would greatly enhance the efficacy of the primer, and your makeup will stay on it for longer.

Happy Weekend!