Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Beauty Bonus: NARS Pro-Prime Pore Refining Primer


I've had a few reader questions lately about my makeup routine, so I thought I'd start a little extra series about my favorite products--the ones that fall into the failsafe, can't-live-without-it, worth-every-penny, Holy-Grail-of-Beauty-Products category. (Bonus: seldom-seen close-ups of my face--who doesn't want that?)

First up is an unlikely superstar: foundation primer (specifically NARS Pro-Prime Pore Refining Primer). Although I'd read about it in magazines and noticed it as I browsed through the aisles at Sephora, I have to admit that I wasn't really into the idea of primer. I didn't like the concept of adding another layer of goo to my face, thinking I was just upping the potential for my oily, sensitive, breakout-prone skin to have a complete meltdown by the end of the day.

My first experience with primer wasn't a happy one, unfortunately. A sales associate convinced me I should give it a try, and I haplessly spread a thick layer of a the non-oil-free (oil-ful?) variety over my skin and caked a layer of foundation over it. By the end of the day, the predicted oily meltdown and subsequent breakout were a reality. I swore off primer forever.

Against my better judgment, I gave it another try when I got a big sample of the oil-free formula in a NARS gift bag. I use bareMinerals READY foundation (likely the subject of a future Beauty Bonus), and I noticed immediately that the powder went on much more easily and smoothly. It had the same effect as buffing extensively with a kabuki brush, leaving the powder evenly spread over my skin. The finished look was smoother and more dewy-looking, which I loved, but I wasn't sure it was going to last. When I looked in the mirror at lunchtime, I was pleasantly surprised that it looked about the same as it did when I left the house. Later that evening, I was thrilled to discover that, barring some excess oil, my makeup was still holding strong, blush and all.

I kept using the Pro-Prime over several days (the true test), and my skin seemed to tolerate it really well--no extra breakouts, redness, or sensitivity. I was hooked. At $34 a tube, this new addition was not an inexpensive addition to the repertoire, but it was a great one that has continued to perform really well (it's my Photoshop for real life).

Do you have any amazing products you think I should try? Let me know--I love experimenting!

P.S. Make sure you stop by here tomorrow--I have a very exciting collaboration and contest I can't wait to share with you!

Note: I was not compensated in any way for this product review--I just love this primer that much.

   

9 comments:

  1. I have never tried a NARS primer, maybe I'll test it or try it;) Thanks love!

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  2. Thanks for sharing your make up favourites with us! Looking forward to read more in the future!

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  3. I've been eyeing MDSolarSciences Mineral Tinted Creme SPF 30. Reviews indicate that it feels like a primer. I haven't tried it yet, though.

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  4. i love your eyes here! i don't use a primer out of pure laziness. but your skin looks amazing. i'm excited to see what other products you use

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    1. Thanks, Amber! I think I've been doing my eye makeup the same way since high school. I'll share my (wallet-friendly!) HG eyeliner soon.

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  5. Oh my gosh, this post was for me. I have very oily skin and large pores and I've been endlessly searching for a good primer. I will promptly be going to get a sample of this asap!!

    x
    Rachel

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    1. I would have never guessed you had oily skin! Your makeup always looks absolutely flawless on your blog. You do glam makeup so well!

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  6. I agree no two primers are the same!! Lately I been using BB cream that has primer since it is summer...but it does get oily. I used to use Nars primer back in the day...but this pore refining must be new.

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