Matte Foundation Primer & Anti Acne Treatment Gel

Primer!

Last year I asked for a sample of different primers, that way I could try a couple different kinds and see which one I liked the best. The one primer that stuck out the most to me was the Clear Prep FX Matte Foundation Primer & Anti-Acne Treatment Gel. 

It has 1% Salicylic Acid to aid in the prevention of acne and creates a barrier between your skin and your makeup. On the bottle it says that it helps to prevent shine and pores, but I noticed that my skin was still slightly oily (I do have fairly oily skin though, so I think it might depend on what your skin type is). 

After cleansing your skin, apply the primer and allow it to dry for a minute or two, then apply your makeup like you normally would. I was pleasantly surprised at how smooth my makeup went on and how much of a difference it really did make. Plus it helps to fight acne, which is great for an acne prone gal with oily skin like me!

There are all sorts of primers on the market today, from drugstore to high end. If you are still skeptical about wheather a primer is the right fit for you, just go into your local Sephora or Ulta and ask for a sample to give it a try. A little bit of product goes a long way, so you'll have time to see if you like the sample or not. It's worth a shot right? After all, what could you lose? : )

Mac Paint Pots

I have two Mac Paint Pots and I really like them, so I thought I would share them with you all!

On the Mac website they are considered an eye shadow, but I use them more for priming my eyes for eyeshadow, occasionally I'll use them as just an eyeshadow. They help to prevent creasing when using eyeshadow and they last all day long.

 I currently have two Mac Paint Pots, one in Painterly (nude beige-cream/matches my skin tone) and one in Rubenesque (golden peach with gold pearl-frost). You can use both as primers for your eyeshadow during the day to really make your eye shadows last and pop, or you can just leave them as is for a more simple look. I love using Rubenesque in the summer time just as is on my eyes, and using painterly when I use winged eye liner.

(above) Painterly

(below) Rubenesque

You can buy Mac Paint Pots at a Mac counter near you, or you can get them online at maccosmetics.com. They come in a wide range of colors, so you're sure to find the PERFECT match. Each Mac paint pot is $16.00, and I know it seems a bit pricey, but they last you a long time(I've had both of mine for over a year)! Each paint pot is 5grams/0.17fl oz so it's a good amount and they are highly pigmented.

(left-Rubenesque)  (right-Painterly)

They are a good value and they really do help with making an even base with no creasing for eye shadows or just as an eyeshadow themselves! Try them out at a local Mac counter near you, you'll love them!

Kat Von D Concealer

I'm an addict when it comes to watching anything makeup related on YouTube. I had seen a couple of makeup gurus (JLovesMac1 and MissJessicaHarlow) doing reviews and talking about the Kat Von D concealer. I was almost out of my regular concealer and was interested in trying something different (I like to mix things up a little).

 

Both gurus talked about how little of the product you needed and how good of a coverage you receive with it. I was very intrigued as it is a little more expensive ($25.00). I decided that I had to try it out, and when payday rolled around I gladly walked into my nearest Sephora eager to make my purchase. I quickly found where all of the Kat Von D products were located, and found the perfect shade for my skin tone (porcelain). 

The next day I was so excited (it's a little sad, ha ha) to try my new concealer! I was surprised at just how little of product you need to cover your under-eye circles, and how well the product covered up my redness around my nose, the dark blue-ish color of my under eye circles, and acne that I had. The product is a little thick which can make it slightly difficult to blend out, but the coverage is amazing!

I don't think it's meant to cover tattoos, I think it more just goes along with Kat Von D and her style (after all she does love her tattoos!) I tried to cover half of one of my tattoos and it didn't come close to covering it. It works well on my face though.

On the left eye, I applied the Kat Von D concealer, and the right eye has absolutely no makeup at all.

If you're looking for a great concealer that does it's job and will give you some bang for your buck, I would recommend the Kat Von D concealer. If you're still a bit skeptical, at least do yourself a favor and  go test it out  at your local Sephora or Ulta (they dont have it available on the Ulta website, so I would check your nearest store). 

I hope this helped you out! Happy Concealing! :)

Urban Decay Naked Palette

I heard a couple of reviews on the Urban Decay Naked Palette and was very intrigued. A majority of the Urban Decay palette's come with fun, bright, and exciting colors, so to hear that they had a neutral, fun, everyday palette was like Christmas for me.

The Naked Palette comes with twelve undeniably jaw-dropping colors, including five new shades. The textures of the shadows range from matte, some shimmer, and glitter, what girl wouldn't love that!? The palette along with the twelve shadows, comes with a double ended eye liner in Zero (black) and a new eyeliner in Whiskey (brown), and a mini EyeShadow Primer.

If you were to buy each shadow individually, along with two eyeliners (they don't come double-ended, and they don't have the Whiskey eye liner), and the eyeshadow primer (that doesn't come in a miniature size), it would bring up whopping total of, $256.00!!!

You could buy all twelve eye shadows, a double ended eyeliner in a rich creamy black and brown, and a miniature eyeshadow primer for only $44.00!!! That's a HUGE difference! Not to mention that each individual eye shadow in the Urban Decay Naked Palette is the exact same size as buying them individually! 

Here are what all of the shadows look like on top of the primer potion, including the eye liners as well.

Starting from left to right: 

Zero eyeliner(black)

Virgin

Sin

Naked

Sidecar

Buck

Half Baked

Whiskey eyeliner (brown)

Gunmetal

Creep

Hustle

Toasted

Darkhorse

Smog

If you tell me that it's not a great deal, you're out of your mind! Each shadow is just as pigmented as the last, bringing endless possibilities for fun and exciting new looks each and every day. This palette will never get old for me and if you don't already have this palette, hop on in to you're nearest Sephora and at least take a look.

Something New

Hello

My name is Samantha, and I have a passion for any and just about all beauty products...or maybe it's an obsession? I haven't exactly decided yet, ha ha. I want to share my love of beauty with any and all who are willing to listen.

Everyone's entitled to opinions, and I want to share my honest opinions about beauty products I try. Maybe it will help you to find that special something you're looking for (I could only hope!). 

I would like this blog to be a positive, warm, and welcoming space to all that may stumble upon it. :)

I hope you enjoy and that you're day is full of happiness and smiles!

XXX

-Samantha  <3