Starting out in Makeup : Part 1 - Using Primer

Face - Creating the Base

I've met so many ladies who don't wear any makeup but really want to. The problem is that they don't know where to start. 

You'll find millions of different makeup products out on the market ranging from inexpensive to very expensive all declaring they can do amazing things. It can be confusing and intimidating for those who don't know much about makeup to know just where to start and to work out if it is worth paying extra for the luxury brands . Plus some makeup shops (and staff -ha ha!) can be really intimidating...

The best way to enter the makeup world, is starting off with the basics. I'm going to help you cover all the basics starting with the "Face" and breaking products into little sections so it isn't too overwhelming. I will also cover brows, eyes and lips once I've finished with covering the face

Lets gets started!

Face Primer

The purpose of using a face primer is to help your BB cream/foundation last longer, blend easier and look smoother. It also fills in fine lines and pores and can help control oil for those who have a oily skin type. 

Primer is used after your moisturizer and before your BB cream/Foundation.  It creates a base for your foundation and I consider it an essential product in summer as it really helps your foundation last through the heat of the day.

Affordable Options: 

• She Pure Magic Primer (all skin types ) 

• Rimmel Stay Matte Primer (oily skin)

Splurge Options: 

• Smashbox Photo Finish

• Mac Prep and Prime Natural Radiance

Personally sometimes I skip using primer in my makeup routine...  Some day I just want to do wear a touch of makeup but I can really tell the difference in how long my makeup lasts and how fresh it looks.  So if you want your makeup to last all day I really recommend using a primer first and you will be able to see the difference.

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DUPE ALERT : MAC Matte Finish Lipstick - Lady Danger

MAC Matte Finish Lipstick in Shade Lady Danger vs.
NYX Matte Lipstick in Shade Pure Red

Image credit - http://beautyproductsaremycardio.com

Quite some time ago I purchased a MAC Matte Finish Lipstick in the shade Lady Danger.... I don't often wear red lipstick but of course everyone needs to own one red lipstick that flatters their skin tone! I found this warm-toned red, super flattering and lovely to wear on a special occasion when I wanted to rock standout lips :)

Unfortunately I mislaid this perfect lipstick and due to budget constraints have not replaced it - even though I would have loved to.

So I did what every sense girl would do and started looking for a more economically replacement. As NYX is now more readily available in NZ I was thrilled to learn that the NYX Matte Lipstick in Pure Red is often recommended as a dupe. So for a small outlay I purchased a new lipstick and agree that it seems to be the perfect dupe for Lady Danger :)

The colour is almost totally identical and it feels great on my lips! Personally I can't really tell any difference between the MAC and NYX lipsticks once I've put them on and both seem to last well on my lips.

Obviously it is lovely to wear MAC lipsticks and they feel luxurious in their little black bullet casing however when you are looking for a cheaper similar product I definitely feel like I've hit the jackpot with the NYX Matte Lipstick.

Do you love dupes as well?  Let me know your favourite....

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DUPE ALERT - MAC Lipstick

MAC vs LA GIRL

 MAC 'Heroine' vs LA Girl  'Love Triangle'

Sometimes it feels ultra depressing when it seems 'everybody else' is wearing MAC lipstick and my budget just can't stretch far enough to afford this luxury :(

Of course it is no secret that MAC has achieved the status of 'holy grail of cosmetics' and has definitely become a status symbol. Their lipsticks with their signature vanilla scent, bullet inspired case and excellent quality have become a favourite of celebrities and girls on the street alike. 

MAC are constantly working on their lipstick range and tempting us with more gorgeous shades...  However if you are keen to achieve the MAC look without blowing your budget I suggest you look towards the many dupes available. 

Dupes (in the makeup world) are a "fantastic alternative" to the original product. While I'm loving purple lipstick just now I couldn't bring myself to pay the big bucks for MAC as I'm not sure this love affair is going to last!

This winter I've been wearing the LA Girl Matte Flat Velvet Lipstick in the shade 'Love Triangle' as a dupe for MAC 'Heroine'...

Have you got a favourite dupe shade for a MAC lipstick?

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An expensive habit...

Loving Makeup can prove to be an expensive habit...

There is so much hype around makeup & unfortunately we are often led to believe that only high end makeup lines create great products & all quality makeup is expensive.  The big  cosmetic firms have massive advertising budgets & are tempting us to pay an arm and a leg in the vain effort to find that one cosmetic product that we just can’t live without.

The truth is that is possible to get the feel of high-end makeup without paying HUGE money & drugstore makeup was actually comparable to high end products...  Believe it or not!

Now I'm not saying all cheaper makeup products are great & that they are all comparable to the pricey designer cosmetics you so often covet from afar. But there are definitely  drugstore makeup alternatives that are absolutely awesome without costing the earth.

So over the next while I'm going to concentrate on sharing drugstore dupes that I LOVE & that I hope you will LOVE!

I hope you will share your favourite dupes in the comments section below too

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