Sometimes we have to go back to the drawing board and re-evaluate our make-up routine, as changes in our skin or in our trusted go-to products result in the product not working in the same way we remember. I haven’t noticed a changed in my skin recently, but for whatever reason unbeknownst to me (maybe it’s a seasonal change), lately it doesn’t seem to react well to my kit essential Smashbox Primer. I tried converting to the lighter Oil-Free version, but still no such luck – my T-zone looks a lot shinier by the lunchtime mark (usually I was touch-up free until that afternoon break)!
I decided to give Cargo’s HD Primer a shot after reading great reviews about it by other bloggers. The result? Cargo’s Primer has become my go-to primer. The primer seems to be tinted when it initially comes out of the tube, but blends into the skin seamlessly, regardless of skin tone. It leaves the skin with a smooth, silky feel – all without being greasy. The formula itself is light (think of an almost whipped consistency) and non-scented. My foundation has reverted to the normal staying power, and my touch-up comes later in the day!
For my client applications, I’ve found that Cargo’s Primer works better on normal to oily skin types. For dry skin types, I still find Smashbox’s Primer to be the better choice.
ARTIST TIP: I’ve noticed in recent months that there’s alot of these primer samples being offered at either Shoppers Drug Mart or Sephora. Never hesitate to ask the sales associate if they have a sample of any product you’re interested in – it never hurts to try before you buy!