5 To Try: Primers

''Put simply, primer is exactly what its name implies: It's a preparatory product that's applied after your skin care to create an ideal canvas to hold onto whatever makeup comes after''

Primer works wonders for me and without using one I am lost! Here are 5 to try if you are interested in buying one.            

#1 The Ordinary High-Adherence Silicone Primer £3.90

I love both silicone and non-silicone based primers and this says it in the name really! The texture of this is very lightweight compared to the others mentioned in this post, it doesn’t have any particular scent either. The primer comes in an easy to use squeezy tube, which is a life saver and for the price you get a great deal of product. 

Compared to other silicone primers, this one doesn’t have a powdery feel, it also doesn't give you a matte finish if oil is something that you need to control. It gives the skin quite a fresh/dewy look and leaves it feeling ready for makeup. For me, it almost acts like a primer/moisturiser hybrid and makes my skin feel hydrated and soft. 

#2 Urban Decay All Nighter Primer - full size £27, mini £12

The UD Setting Spray is a holy grail for me and when the primer was launched I couldn't wait to try. I've had this small mini for a while now and it is still going - doesn't seem to be running out! This is fabulous if you want your makeup to last, no matter what skin type. It glides on to the skin and really locks everything in place ready for makeup. I tend to stick to using this in my t-zone as this is where makeup just seems to disappear, this is perfect. 

#3 Elf Mint Melt £8

My go to, my favourite, my ride or die. I wasn't too sure with this primer due to it being a minty feeling, but I have to say I really like it! If you've tried the Milk Hydro Grip or have always wanted to, this is perfect. It has a cool, minty feeling but nothing powering, it has just the right amount. It's a gel consistency, that comes in a pump tube making it super easy to control how much you use. When you first pump it out, it comes out as a lighter green colour, once you apply it to your skin it goes on clear. It feels extremely sticky at first, then dries within a few seconds and the sticky feeling turns a little tacky. It leaves your face smooth and provides a perfect base for your foundation that stays put all day! I can't get enough. 

#4 Becca Backlight Priming Filter 

My heart breaks every time I think about Becca as a brand going away later on this year, they have some incredible products and their primer is a cult classic. Even with my really oily skin this primer gives me a glow like no other. My skin doesn't appear shiny or sweaty, its more golden and glowing. I love the fresh and awake filter it gives to my skin and works really well under foundation. I love applying this to my cheeks area and then something more mattifying to the t-zone.

#5 Erborain Pink Perfect Creme

I bought this little tub from Hawaii over three years ago and we're going to have to part ways soon as its nearly empty. It definitely makes me want to try more things from Erborain as this has really impressed me. I love using this on my nose as it hides/blurs all my horrible pores as best as it can, which none of the other primers achieve. I love that its pink but very thick, you only need a small amount and it smears everywhere without any issues.

I love a good primer and without any of these, I would be lost! I love applying them individually but recently pairing them up has been revolutionary. If you love primer, I hope you find a new one to try from this 5 to Try post, if you don't tend to use one - tell me your long lasting makeup secret!! 

IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Foundation Review

Early last month, I was very lucky to receive some amazing PR from It Cosmetics. A brand that I've not really tried much from but always heard such wonderful things. Initially, I thought it was just to try their newest launch the 'Your Skin But Better Foundation'. However, a whole bunch of goodies arrived at the doorstep and I am still working my way through each one. For today's post, I am going to give you my overall views and feedback on their newest launch and to tell you all the details about how it wore, looked and lasted on my oily skin! 

YSL All Hours Oily Skin Review

 You know when you find THE foundation, well I think that's what has happened with me. I love my current foundations and I am still using them on a daily basis but there was something about the YSL All Hours that has captured my heart. Its fast become my go to 'full coverage, flawless' base and for some great reasons too.                                             

Products I Reach For When My Skin Is Freaking Out

I have a few days around when my time of the month where my skin is just horrible, its dry, sensitive and has the odd breakout around the jaw. Its on these days that my body also wants to drink gallons of coke and all the food it can see. When this time of the month does happen, these are the products that I instantly reach for because I just know they will do their job and help me out in someway. PSA: breakouts are normal, they're human, don't worry about them or be afraid of showing them.                 

                                        

> Mask

Whenever my skin starts to freak out, I slather on the NO DRAMA mask from Funderm*, its a red clay mask that helps to treat breakouts, balance out my skin and add hydrate it all at the same time. Unlike other clay masks, this doesn't dry the skin out. I love using this a few times a week as it really helps with pesky breakouts and skin texture. 

>Spot Treatment

Over the years, I have tried out numerous spot treatments. Before, they used to be something I used all over my face. Now, I use WAS BAD from Funderm* only when I get those under the skin, painful bumps. They never come to the surface but haunt me forever! The main ingredient in this is salicylic acid along with other pre and probiotics that just work wonders for painful things on the face. 

> Retinol

Pixi do ranges really well, they give you the choice of a range of products with one hero ingredient. Their newest range is perfect for breakout prone skin - I need to get my hands on it. In the meantime, their retinol overnight oil* works wonders for the skin. I use this when my skin is really really bad, red and sore. This oil soothes, calms and controls all the craziness that is going on. I do find its very heavily scented though which is a shame :( 

> Hydration

Its taken me yonks to realise that my skin is not oily but super dehydrated. I tend to use these last two products all the time, not just during the time of the month. The Rose Ceramides cream* hydrates the skin to the max! I don't what magic in is in this but it gives my skin such elasticity and suppleness. This Monday Child's Oil is something I bought after seeing it on the gram, its still pretty new to me but when I have used it, I've loved the results. It smells incredible and is filled with a variety of oils that gives the skin a glow and boost in hydration. I've loved wearing this under makeup and mixing the tiniest bit with EL Double Wear to make me all dewy yet matte - such a beautiful finish! 

I hate the hormonal skin freaks out and all I want to eat is pure sugar stage but these products do really help keep my skin in check. What are your go to products when your skin freaks out?

*pr products

Revolution Conceal and Hydrate Range on Oily Skin

You might be reading the title and thinking - what on earth is Parie on about?! Well its true, I am test out a hydrating range from Revolution on my very oily skin. It sounds like a skincare nightmare but as my skin starts to turn more dry in the winter, I thought it was time to put something to the test. The Revolution Conceal and Define range is a firm favourite of many. The concealer from the matte range, is a great dupe for the Tarte concealer, which I blogged about early last year. This 50 shade range however is infused with hyaluronic acid to hydrate, provide a plumping effect and create a gorgeous smooth, satin glow finish to the skin.Let's go on shall we...

UD Stay Naked Foundation Oily Skin Review

There are a lot of foundation launches at the moment, its kind of hard to keep up! Majority of them seem to be hydrating/glowy ones which I would love to try out but I just know that my oily skin will not like them at all. I've been on the hunt for a new foundation for a while now as I seem to using the L'Oreal 24 Hr Fresh Wear far too much! Urban Decay are a brand that I love, their eye products and setting sprays are some of my favourites, but face products are something that I've never quite dabbled in. That was until they released their newest Stay Naked foundation...                 

All About Urban Decay’s Stay Naked Foundation

Urban Decay have brought out a foundation that claims to exactly match any skin tone, but its a little bit harder than usual. There are three steps to finding the perfect shade and trying to navigate this on my own was a challenge and I didn't want to risk choosing the wrong shade. Instead I headed to a UD counter and picked up a sample in 50NN which is my perfect shade for now. 

This foundation is: 

* Vegan, build able medium coverage liquid foundation

* Real-skin matte finish that lasts up to 24 hours

* 50 shades with 9 shade intensities, 3 master tones, and 7 undertones to a precise colour match

* Waterproof, long wear

* Breathable, flexible formula

* Stay-true colour, which minimises the appearance of pores

* 100% cruelty free

* 1 oz/ 30mL £29

Packaging

The foundation comes in a elegant bottle, which is actually plastic! I love this as it is so much easier to travel with than a glass bottle. It also comes with a pump, which I think every foundation needs. I find that this one sometimes spits out the product, so you have to be careful. The gold embossing and sleek bottle is matching to the concealer that they have brought out with this foundation too. 

The Verdict

Now, I picked up a small sample from Debenhams before purchasing the full size because I wanted to make sure the shade was right and this formula was worth the money. The shade is a perfect match for me which I couldn't be happier about and I used the sample one day and then ordered the full size bottle the next. It is just incredible. 

It isn't runny or thick, just in the middle. It is a medium build able coverage foundation that can be catered for whatever your need. I need to use a total of two pumps to get the coverage and finish that I like, to cover all scars and uneven skin tone. I require the tiniest bit of concealer around my chin area and then a bit of powder in the tzone area just to set everything in place. It looks amazing on my skin and lasts just as well. I've worn this at several family get together, long days out shopping and in the heat and it does not budge. It stays put, doesn't get oily or shiny, feels lightweight on the skin and wears better as the day goes on. My biggest critic is my mum, and she loves when I wear this foundation. In fact when I switch to something else - she can tell straight away! I don't have a negative word to say about this beauty! Its fabulous and if you have oily or even combination skin then this is ideal. If you are more on the dry side, I don't think this would work for you as it sets matte even with a hydrating primer underneath. 

Comparisons

I've seen a lot of people on line comparing this to some of my other favourite oily skin foundations but I don't really agree...

Estee Lauder Double Wear is more of a full, heavy coverage compared to this. I wouldn't say they are the same at all. 

The L'Oreal Fresh wear might have the same ingredients but is completely different. You can feel it on the skin, whereas this is undetectable. 

                                          

The above pictures are of my skin just after applying the foundation and the rest of my makeup. Then after 11 hours wear, during which I moved a whole classroom round and went IKEA shopping. It held up well, in fact I think it looks better around my chin and pores after then it did before! 

Thank you for stopping by, let me know what you think or if you have your eye on any of the other foundation launches! 

                                                                                             

The Glowy Makeup Edit for Oily Skin

When the summer months come around, I give my makeup a switch around to give me more of a glow. However, I am an oily skinned girl - achieving that glow is hard when your body just wants to produce oil and make you look like a greasy mess. I've compiled together some products that give me a lovely summer, bronzed, glowy look and it doesn't take much either. I did a similar post last year, the year before and the year before that too!  Apologies now for the over use of the words glow, glowy, dew, dewy, shiny, oily ect...       

4 Affordable Powders for Oily Skin

Powder. Some hate it, some love it - my oily skin needs it. For years I have been a royal lover of Rimmel Stay Matte. I first discovered it in the late years of high school (over 6 years ago) and have not switched to anything else. It works well with every single foundation that I have ever owned but last year, it was time to venture out and I ended up finding 3 additions that have blown me away and they're all under £10!  

Cover FX Power Play Foundation First Impressions

I'm always really wary of trying a new foundation. I have the fear of wearing it and my skin becoming really oily during the day and I have no way of saving it. Then I always panic about it breaking me out. Basically, I get scared. I need something that's medium to full coverage to cover everything, that will last me all day at work and not look or feel really heavy on the skin. I mentioned in my haul not that long ago that I managed to bag the Cover FX Power Play Foundation for a really good price. Its been loved by many beauty gurus on line, therefore I have very high hopes for trying it. Read on to find out my first impressions...                              

Pixi Rose: What Worked and What Didn't

I can't even express the excitement every time I get a Pixi parcel delivered to the door. Such a well known, high quality brand and little old me receives there gorgeous products to try - MIND BLOWN. A couple of months, the entire rose range arrived in a lovely pink, personalised travel bag. There was so much to choose from that I really wanted to get my teeth into all the products before sharing my thoughts. After a lot of trial and error, I've managed to put everything into a pile of works amazing and not so amazing/I can't seem to make them work. Some things work for some people and for others they don't. 

Special Occasion Makeup Must Haves

My calendar is currently filled with so many different events! In two weeks is my graduation, then I have lots of birthdays, a wedding or two and then we're going away on holiday which is a whole other occasion in itself. When packing my makeup for any of these events, there are things that I always take with me no matter what, the ride of die products that work so well they can't be missed out of my bag. 

                                             

Long Lasting Everyday Makeup

There is one thing that I aim to get out of my everyday makeup, it needs to be a) long lasting b) look full coverage to an extent c) control oil and shine and d) be comfortable to wear and not heavy. I have been wearing the exact same face for a while now and I thought about sharing it on here to talk you through how I achieve a long lasting, flawless face - this whole looks takes me no more than 10 minutes on a good day and 20 minutes on a bad! We all faff a little in the morning - the best thing about this look is that I can apply it at 7 in the morning and it will still be intact at around 7 at night. 

Skincare for Oily Skin

Skincare is the canvas to your makeup, it is such an important step whether you wear makeup everyday or not, your skin has to be looked about. The hard thing is finding the right products for your skin and knowing which works. It is all a trial and error process, I am constantly finding out what my skin loves and loathes. After what seems like forever, I have found products that work but still love trying out new ones and seeing what they are like. Today, I am talking through a few bits that are perfect for oily skin, they work a treat.