NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base

NARS Pro Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base

"This lightweight primer creates a seamless canvas that keeps cream and powder colour looking brilliant, fresh and just-applied all day. No smudging, no creasing, no caking, no looking back. Ophthalmologist tested. Dermatologist tested."

Despite loving the Too Faced Shadow Insurance (post here), I recently decided to try the NARS Pro Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base. I have enjoyed everything I have tried from NARS and after hearing good reviews about this, I decided it was worth a shot. I picked mine up from House of Fraser (link here). 

The primer is whitish in colour, though it blends out easily and isn't noticeable. It has a bit of a thicker texture than the Too Faced Shadow Insurance or the Urban Decay Primer Potion. In terms of staying power, I have been really happy with its performance, helping eyeshadow stay creasefree and vibrant for hours. I tend to pair it with a Paintpot (post here) to increase longevity.

The one negative I have with the primer is the packaging. It has a doe-foot applicator and I prefer a tube that you squeeze the product out of. I feel its more hygienic and means you can use up every last bit of product here, which could be a problem here. Saying that the packaging isn't awful and it wouldn't put me off the product. 

So far I have been really enjoying the NARS Pro Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base and would recommend it if you are looking for a good eyeshadow primer. 

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Eye Bases

I wear eyeshadow pretty much everyday, even if its just a wash of colour across the lid. Even if I don't wear eyeshadow, I will always put on an eyeshadow base. Eyeshadow bases help even out the eyelid, make eyeshadows appear more vibrant, make eyeshadow last much longer and prevent eyeshadow creasing. I already have a post (link here) on the eye primer that I use, Too Faced Shadow Insurance, so I don't dwell on it now as the main focus of the post is the eyeshadow bases I use with the primer. 

I have three eyeshadow bases which I use on a regular basis, two Benefit Creasless Cream Shadows and a MAC Paintpot. Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadows are available in a number of shades, although they appear to be mainly shimmery from what I have seen, and retail for around €16 (link here). MAC Paintpots are incredibly popular in the beauty industry. They have a number of shades available with a good mix of matte and shimmer and cost around €19 (link here). I have heard that paintpots can have a tenancy to dry out and storing them upside down can help with that. I have reaching for Painterly the most recently as it is a simple matte nude colour that suits any eyeshadow combination.

Do you have any eyeshadow base recommendations?

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MAC Painterly Paintpot

I have already posted about my favourite eye primer (here) and today I thought I would talk about the MAC Paintpot in Painterly. I typically pair a cream eyeshadow with an eye primer before appling eyeshadow to enhance staying power and make the colours more vibrant. I wear an eye base most days I wear makeup, whether to under eyeshadows or on it's own, to even out the eyelid. I bought Painterly Paintpot mainly because of the huge hype behind it in the beauty community. 

Swatched heavily and not blended 

Painterly is a nude, pinky-beige colour with no shimmer in it. While it looks far darker than my skin tone in the photo, once blended out the colour isn't that noticeable on my skin. Because it does match my skin colour, it means I can pair any colour eyeshadow with it and I can wear it on its own without any worries. In terms of staying power, paired with Too Faced Shadow Insurance, it will last most of the day and prevent my eyeshadow from creasing. On especially long days, I do have some issues with creasing, though I have particular trouble with creasing. 

MAC Paintpots retail for €19 and are available from MAC counters. If you live in Ireland, you can also buy Paintpots online from House of Fraser (link here) 

Have you tried any Paintpots?

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Too Faced Shadow Insurance

 

I love wearing eyeshadow but not matter what brand I use, all shadows tend to crease like crazy on my eyelids. A decent eye primer is, therefore, a necessity. Shadow Insurance by Too Faced is my favourite so far.

You only need a tiny bit of product, meaning one tube lasts forever. I've had been for several months, consistently using it and still have a lot of product left. I find the amount shown above is plenty for both eyelids. Once blended out on the lid, the Shadow Insurance has virtually no colour. I tend to pair it with another base, typically as Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow or a MAC Paintpot. Paired with another base, my eyeshadow lasts all day and is still crease-free hours later when I remove my makeup. Eye primers also have the added benefit of making eyeshadows much more vibrant on the lid.

Too Faced can be a little bit tricky to find in Ireland, however, I have found it in larger Boots stores. I purchased mine online though I can't remember from where. It was either from Asos (link here) or from Beautybay (link here). It costs around €22 euro for the tube shown, however, I really do think it is good value for money as you get so much product. Once mine runs out (which I can't see happening anytime soon), I will definitely be repurchasing it straight away.

What is your favourite eye primer?

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