Professional Makeup and Cosmetic Product Reviews - IN MY KIT by Kevin James (KJ) Bennett Emmy Award Winning New York City Makeup Artist

FOUNDATION PRIMERS

Cover FX Cosmetics
Skin Prep FX

This multi-tasking tube of liquid gold is a priming serum AND a treatment product that prepares even the most sensitive skin for foundation application. It's chock full of anti-inflamitory ingredients, a mega dose of vitamins, firming agents and serious moisture boosting (thanks to a shot of hyaluronic acid). It's designed to allow the patented Cover FX Cream Foundation's DermaVeil Technology to glide on easily and still lock itself into place for all day coverage.
I'm Having A Breakdown: A drop or two of Skin Prep is perfect for thinning out full cover or cream foundations!

MAKE UP FOR EVER
Microperfecting Primers

High Definition Video (HDV) is here to stay. If skin is not properly prepared and color corrected (when needed), foundation does not apply smoothly and the complexion looks unnatural.
This new generation of primer addresses the need for improve skin texture and color correction...RIGHT NOW.
The skincare ingredients in here are potent and calibrated for immediate response (makeup artists don't have time for "cumulative effects") As the primer super hydrates the skin, it locks the moisture in and creates a velvety, light diffusing surface that foundation WANTS to adhere to.
The additon of primers in corrective shades (green, lavendar, etc.) address and eliminate the most common (and some interesting) discoloration issues INVISIBLY.

Korres
Face Primer

I've worked with quite a few actors who will only use "natural" products on their skin. Thanks to some pretty nifty mixology, Korres came up with a fast-absorbing, long-lasting primer that doesn't skimp on results. A blend of antioxidants, jojoba, sunflower oils, edelweiss extract, and vitamin E nourishes and protects skin. Silicone-free and 99 percent natural.
This skin soothing, antioxidant-rich face primer is also Ecocert Certified. So now you can go green and look gorgeous at the same time!
BONUS ROUND: They also make an Anti-Aging Primer that firms and fills fine lines!

Nars
Skin Smoothing Face Prep

A truly multi-use product that can be applied under or over makeup. As a primer it resurfaces and immediately smooths skin texture while minimizing the appearance of fine lines and pores. It creates a silky feeling matte finish and can be used throughout the day to banish shine and refine the appearance of skin...with no powdery look...AND it works on all skin types.

Smashbox
Photo Finish Foundation Primer

Another high profile player in the silicone primer category. Photo Finish does what all the others do (in clear, bronze and a host of 'corrector colors'), but they raised the bar by adding something new...Dermaxyl™ Complex.

Besides moisturizing the skin and prepping it for makeup application, Dermaxyl™ works to firm the skin's texture, reduce the appearance of fine lines and just for the heck of it, they added an SPF 15 for full spectrum sun protection. So you’re not only going to get a longer-lasting makeup application, but with continued use you’ll see positive anti-aging effects!

Laura Mercier
Foundation Primer

One of the first and still one of the best makeup primers. Introduced over a decade ago, this hybrid cream/gel formula creates a beautifully prepped surface for makeup application and provides a buffer between the skin and environmental stress.
LM Foundation Primer now comes in 3 different formulas...Original, Oil-Free and Hydrating.

Laura Geller
Spackle

OK...so it's not a very flattering name for a beauty product.
But that's exactly what it does...spackle on a whole new surface for a significantly smoother foundation application on rougher skin textures. The newest version contains white tea and other botanicals which help skin retain moisture and look even smoother than the original formula.
Bonus Round:
Round 1) Helps to mask the appearance of enlarged pores and fine lines.
Round 2) Enables foundation to sit on top of the skin rather than melting into expression lines and accentuating exactly what we're trying to disguise.
Extra Credit Round: Now in an air-free pump so you get every last drop.

Vincent Longo Water Canvas Makeup Primer

Vincent Longo
Water Canvas Primer

The first luxury primer to address the benefit of a surge of moisture to skin prior to foundation application.. And from the HUGE success of this product, it's clear that people found out how amazing that burst of water can be. It pretty much works under ANY foundation and the super hydrating microwater molecules create a perfectly moist and refreshed surface for a flawless makeup application.

Water Canvas Primer can be mixed directly with most water based foundations for a sheerer, dewier coverage.

EYE MAKEUP PRIMERS

Urban Decay
Eyeshadow Primer Potion

The folks at Urban Decay are so sure of how well eyeshadow will apply and wear after using their Primer Potion that they (their words) "DARE it to crease. (Double-dog dare it, even!)"
You know better than to DARE Blenderella. SO, I gave it the HARD road test on an actress with greasy eyelids on a humid day...OMG, it worked!
Silicone to smooth on easily and oil absorbing ingredients to keep the creases away and grab on to eyeshadow with a vice-like grip. Now that's a magic potion!
Celebratory News: Break out the bubbly, Primer Potion now comes in a Champagne Shimmer as well as the original.

Nars
Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base

This matte eye primer dries on contact and keeps cream and powder color looking fresh all day. You heard right...this works under cream shadows too!
No smudging, creasing or caking. A polymer and mineral powder blend set immediately to create the perfect canvas and extend the wear of eyeshadow, eyeliner and eyebrow pencil for hours and hours.
Bonus Round: The special finish maximizes color intensity of the eyeshadow you apply over it!

Too Faced Cosmetics
Shadow Insurance

The clever guys at Too Faced have created an eyeshadow insurance policy against all fading, creasing and hard-to-blend eye shadow. The silicone-based eyeshadow primer creates a seriously smooth barrier that absorbs skin oils and allows powder eyeshadow to blend easily and lock down perfectly until taken off.

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