Bourjois Happy Light Luminous Serum Primer

Bourjois Happy Light Luminous Serum Primer

I used to think primers were an unnecessary step in a make-up routine; until I tried one. At the time, is was the super cheap Fix & Perfect primer from Rimmel, and after one day of using this underneath my foundation I realised: hey, my foundation hasn't slipped off my face! I am now a primer convert. They really do help your make-up look better, and stay on longer; it is known.

At the moment I'm loving the Bourjois Happy Light Luminous Serum primer (man, that is unnecessarily long), which is designed to illuminate the skin and maintain hydration throughout the day. There's also a matte one available, but it was the hydration aspect of this one which drew me in, because I do suffer from dry patches with certain foundations.

The serum-like texture is easy to apply, and doesn't leave that thick and slimy feeling that other primers leave behind sometimes. This one is unnoticeable, and there are no illuminating particles in the formula either, so there's no unnatural shimmer. I was worried this primer would be too hydrating for my skin, but it never once made my skin look or feel oily. I think this primer is a great fit for those (even with slightly oily skin) who suffer from dehydration or dry patches. Overall, this primer really helps keep my make-up looking fresh and dewy all day long. 

I purchased this primer during a sale, but it regularly retails for $21 AUD. Is that a bit much for a drugstore primer? Maybe, especially since it comes in such a tiny bottle. It doesn't seem to last long. Unfortunately, because of this, I can't see myself repurchasing it again in the near future. Not until, that is, the next Priceline sale comes around.

Etude House Goodbye Pore Ever Primer Review

Etude House's Goodbye Pore Ever 'Pore Primer Essence'

Just thought I would do a quick review on one of my favourite primers this summer. This primer has been fantastic in keeping my oily skin away during the long, hot days.

This is actually the first Etude House product I've used, aside from a nail file but that doesn't count, and I'm pretty impressed. There's definitely a lot more too them than there cutesy packaging, that's just a bonus. What I love about this primer is it doesn't give a greasy, silicon feeling to the skin like other primers I've tried (smashbox photoready, I'm looking at you). It feels nice on the skin, it mattifies nicely without being too drying, and it feels quite smooth and soft. I've heard it's also supposed to help minimize enlarged pores. I personally haven't noticed anything like that and it doesn't bother me. If it keeps the oil away my pores won't get any bigger, right? Without a doubt my BB creams and foundations look a lot smoother with this primer. I personally love using this with my BB creams, because most of them are quite moisturising, this primer makes them last longer through the day. It's also very affordable. I paid $15 for this on Yesstyle (on sale), a hefty difference when I compare it to the western primers I've bought, but I've seen it even cheaper on other Korean skincare sites.

The only con is the tiny bottle, which is the size of an eye primer. It seems to go really fast, but has still lasted the season. I probably won't have much use for it after summer, and I hate it when I have to wait another year (usually past the expiry date) to use a product. So I guess that means less clutter in my makeup drawer, which is something I really need to cut down on this year!

Innisfree Eye Primer Review

Innisfree Eye Primer

One should never underestimate the power a primer can do for your makeup. Well, I know I definitely won't again. I always wondered what the point of using one was. Sure, it makes your shadow last longer, but forking out quite a bit of money on something like that didn't make any sense to me. Everywhere I go eye primers all seem to range from 40-60 dollar mark, Urban Decay, Smashbox, Too Faced. I couldn't make myself part with that money, especially when there were so many other things I wanted for the same price. So when I found Innisfree's eye primer on RoseRose's Store for as little as $4 I decided to give it a go. Here are the before and after shots:

Innisfree Eye Primer before/after

An eye primer really does help enhance the longevity and colour of your eye shadow, and I really wished I had found this out sooner. You watch tutorials on youtube and they always tell you to apply primer, but they rarely tell you why. Oh well, now I know!

Overall, I've been extremely happy with this primer. My shadow lasts all day when I use this, with very little fall out. For someone with oily lids, this has been my saviour. There's nothing particularly showy about the formula either. I know some primers can be a different colour, scent and glittery, but Innisfree have gone with a creamy, light pink shade that blends into the skin easily and doesn't feel heavy. It also smells like peach ice tea (nomnom). For someone on a budget, I highly recommend this!