Eye Shadow Primer

Hi lovelies! 

So something recently came to my attention while working at a wedding this weekend. I had a bride who was concerned at our makeup preview about the eye makeup staying on. She claimed, no matter how much eye primer she puts on, her eyeliner still travels! 

Sound familiar?? 

If this is you, look no further. I'm here to help! 

Some of you may be thinking, what is an eye primer?? 

While others may swear by it (I'm one of those!), let me tell you everything you need to know about this product and how to assure that it WILL work! 

1. What is an Eye Primer?

An eyeshadow primer is a great great product that is used as a base for your eyeshadow. I think this is such a wonderful tool in your kit if you need long wearing eye makeup. It helps to lock shadows in place as well as prevent moving, smudging, creasing and increases longevity. 

The part that gets complicated is what products you are pairing with the primer. My bride claimed she used the primer but still had her eyeliner move on her! No matter how much primer she used, she still ended up with the liner at her crease.... which brings me to... 

2. Use the right products.

Turns out, my bride uses an eyeliner crayon. 

Anything that is super creamy can still move and crease, even with the primer. While it may be less moving or creasing, it can still happen over a long period of time. 

So to prevent that, you can try topping it with an eyeshadow of the same color to lock it in. Or you can opt for a different type of liner. 

Gels are wonderful! 

*and my favorite!* 

They are so versatile, you can create a smooth clean line with them or smudge them out for a soft, smokey eye. The best part about them is that they are waterproof and won't budge once they are set. Liquids and long wearing pencils are great too :) 

3. Which primers work? 

There are a couple brands that have great eye primers! Some even come in a shade or with some iridescence-- which I've used if I'm in a hurry and want to brighten my eyes. 

Here are my favorites... 

Too Faced Shadow Insurance

$20

*Photo c/o HSN.com

I've been using this stuff for years! I use it for all my clients, of all skin tones and it works wonders! Nothing travels, moves, or creases with this stuff. A small dollop goes a long way- be sure to apply a thin layer and you're good to go. They also have a couple versions, one for glitter, one with shimmer, etc. But the classic is great. 

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion

$20

*Photo c/o urbandecay.com

This is another great no budge primer! They have a few different shades that work beautifully. Sometimes, on my lazy days, I'll take their shadow primer in Minor Sin and apply it all over my lid to brow-- follow with some mascara and call it a day! It's perfect for warm weather days when you just need a quick pick me up without breaking out the shadows and liners! 

Aside from my lazy hack ;) This stuff works wonderfully at holding things in place all day. 

I hope this helped you to understand eye shadow primers and their importance/role in the makeup world! If you have a favorite primer, feel free to share in the comments! 

Hola!

I'm currently on vacation on the beautiful beaches of Playa Del Carmen... 

yeeeeeeeessssssss!!!!

So since I'm busy relaxing on a beach and giving my brain a break from all things makeup, I figured this post would be dedicated to a really fun beach shoot I did last year.

I haven't had the chance to show this off, but I'm quite proud of it. Our team spent a very hot July day perusing the beaches on the north side of the city. It was a LOT of fun! And we all left that day with a tan and an editorial :) 

TEAM: 

Photographer: Kyle LaMere

Model: Madeline Ford

Art Director: Nicholas Santore

Wardrobe/Styling: Karyn Dethrow of Dethrose Vintage

Makeup/Hair: Jen Brown

Madeline was a dream to work with, very easy going and willing to sit through the heat outside while we did quick makeup/hair changes! She has PERFECT porcelain skin, so it didn't take much to create her look... No foundation was used. 

Products Used: 

Skin: Vichy Ideal Soleil SPF 50

Embryolisse lait Creme

Eve Pearl Salmon Concealer

3 Custom Color Concealer

Senna Vivid Cheek Palette

NARS Laguna Bronzer

Makeup Forever Uplight

Eyes: It Cosmetics Gel Pencil Liner

MAC eyeshadows in various matte, earthy hues. 

NARS liquid pen

Ardell Individual lashes

Blinc Mascara

Lips: Rosebud Salve

Nika Vaughan Forever Matte Lipstick

Halftime Princess: Madonna

Everyone can agree that no one does it like Madonna. She is a true icon and even at 54 years old, she was dancing around, and doing flips on stage at the Superbowl! AMAZING! 

I thought it'd be fun to reminisce through Madonna's style transformations. When it comes to re-invention and playing with makeup, she is the Queen.

1982-1984

                                           

Oh the 80s... where there were never too many accessories and your hair couldn't be bigger! The make up was pretty intense during this time... it was loud, and dark and heavy! Smokey eyes up to your brows and dark reds on the lips were never too much! Let's not forget about all the heavy contouring of those cheek bones in shades of fuchsia! 

Madonna in her "Like a Virgin" gear. Since this is a more "bridal" look, she's opted for a more neutral toned lip to accompany her dark rimmed eyes and contoured cheeks.

1985-1988

                           

Channeling her inner Marilyn, Madonna extends her dark brows, adds a super red pout and keeps a clean face. Lashes were definitely a focal point with a soft cat eye and a very clean, bright shadow on the lid. And that BLONDE hair!

Vogue

1989

"Like a Prayer"

To fit the theme of the song, Madonna's makeup look is soft, clean and ethereal. She goes darker than her natural brown hair and lets her curls run wild! 

1990

                                       

                                         

How could anyone forget this look? The pointed bustier is definitely easy to remember, but that was just part of it! The long blonde extensions pulled into a tight pony is quite a statement. Madonna keeps her 50's inspired eyes of soft light shadows on her lid, a soft crease and slight cat eye. She plays with her lip color throughout the tour, all reds ranging from bright cherry hues to deep berry ones. 

1996

                         
                         

Evita. Madonna plays the role of a strong and passionate woman, which calls for the same characteristics of makeup. From a strong eye look (left), to a more natural, clean eye (right), she keeps the powerful statement of a red lip... my favorite. 

1998

                           


The above photos showcase Madonna's influence of her Kabbalah beliefs, decked out in traditional Henna tattoos on her hands and wrists. She is adorned with classic Indian face paint, almost in the shape of what (and where) a traditional Indian head piece would be worn. Her eyes kept soft with a thin liner on her top lid, curled lashes, and white liner on the inner rim to tie in the face paint. Lips were adorned with a pinky-red gloss. Her brows are much more groomed than that of the 80s!


                                  

Here is a very different look from the same year, plucked from her "Nothing Really Matters" music video, she sports a dark, sleek, long bob. She is inspired by the geisha, but it's much more toned down than that of traditional geisha makeup... (see below)
Her makeup look is also very fashion friendly. With more of a fuchsia color on the outer corner to the center of her lid, a pale complexion, and a red lip.

2000

The Millennium has hit! 

Modern, soft waves in her blonde again hair, sporting a natural makeup look with soft brown liner, pink glossy lips and a very neutral palette. 

2005

DISCO IS BACK!

This may be my favorite look...

Sporting some Farrah Fawcett waves with her honey toned hair, she has a bronzed palette with pops of color! Pink glossy lips, and playful colorful eyes. I LOVE this look! Will probably do a tutorial at some point showcasing this look :) 

Fast Forward to 2012

Madonna has been sporting a very classic, clean face lately. From the Golden Globes to the Superbowl, she looks timeless. Usually sporting a porcelain complexion, soft peachy blushes, neutral lip and soft eyes (with a kick of liner and lashes), this girl knows how to do it right! 

Now if only I could move like her... 

xoxo Jen