Are make-up primers worth the money? Are they worth adding an extra step to your morning routine? These were some of the thoughts going through my mind as I looked at a tube of primer. However, once I used primer, I became a convert. I have also found that the older I get, the more use I get out of the product. A product that multi-tasks is always a good thing!
If you have ever tried to paint an object without priming the surface first, you know the results are disastrous. The color may bleed; chip, flake, and damage underneath will show through. It isn’t pretty, and painting without priming is a waste of time, money and effort. Make-up primer works much in the same way.
Make-up primers have been around forever, a staple on movie and photo sets. They really didn’t come into the mainstream until 1995 when make-up maven Laura Mercier made them available on the common market. Make-up primer will fill in fine lines and close large pores, allowing foundation, concealer, and make-up a close to perfect base to glide across and not fall into lines or crevices. They keep make-up fresh, allowing the colors to stay true. It will soak up extra oils, and in case of dry skin, the primer will hydrate the skin and keep it dewy. I find I use less foundation and concealer because they bond to the primer, instead of layering on my skin. Primer is pretty forgiving. I am able to cover imperfections easier.
How do primers work? The majority of the make-up primers on the market are silicone-based. The two most common used ingredients are Cyclomethicone and Dimethicone which are gotten from silica. Cyclomethicone is used in many hair conditioners. They are known to soften and improve comb-ability, feel, texture, softness and lessen frizz by holding wetness in the hair. It works in a similar way on skin. Dimethicone is also in many skincare products. Dimethicones are unmodified silicone oils. They are too large to penetrate the skin, so they stay on the skin’s surface and provide a protective barrier and act as an adhering source. As in any makeup product, it IS IMPORTANT to do a test strip to make sure that you are not allergic to any of the ingredients. If you are in anyway sensitive to the products, then they will not work for you!
While using a primer is a must if you want make-up to last all the way through a late day, primers can also perform many uses. If I am not doing anything special during the day, I will forgo foundation and wear primer. On lazy days, it acts as a quick complexion smoother. It will make your skin look dewy and help lock moisture in. I also use it as a mask on airline travel. Other beauty experts agree. Sandy Linter, of Lancôme believes that primer is a step that any woman over 40 can’t afford to skip. It will take years off your age. Makeup artist Mally Roncal, who has tended to some of the world’s most famous faces states in March 2011 Glamour Magazine, that she uses primer over her moisturizer at night to seal it in the moisturizer while she sleeps to help her skin glow.
One of my favorite primers has to be Youngblood’s Mineral Primer. Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics was started by Pauline Youngblood who started her career as a licensed Medical Aesthetician specializing in paramedical treatments, working with prominent doctors and plastic surgeons in the Beverly Hills area. Here she was in daily contact with people with severely traumatized skin, from cosmetic surgeries, harsh laser treatments, acne, and rosacea. It would often take patients skin months to return to normal. Not being satisfied with the cosmetic options available, Pauline began working with chemists to develop a suitable option-a cosmetic that would cover raw, inflamed or discolored skin, but allow it to breathe and heal.
Youngblood’s Mineral Primer is a translucent blend which has real staying power. It goes from silk to powder touch within seconds making pores and lines disappear effortlessly. Formulated with minerals and vitamins, the primer also protects skin from environmental damage. The Mineral Primer provides skin protection, a flawless complexion and makeup that is able to last all day. The primer is one product in an incredible mineral makeup line.
For more on Youngblood Cosmetics, see ybskin.com.
