Ready, Set, GO! January 31, 2017 14:55

Ready, Set, GO!

Want a look that lasts around the clock? Or are you confused about what priming product does what? Here we’ve picked the best beauty buys to help your hair and make-up go the distance…

 PRIME EXAMPLE

Some see a primer as an unnecessary extra step, but make-up experts would tend to disagree. “A primer is so important,” says freelance make-up artist Seb Tomlinson. ‘It creates the perfect base by smoothing the skin and evening out the texture as well as acting as a barrier to stop your make-up from being absorbed,” she says. Other great benefits include your foundation looking flawless for longer and the fact it can be tailored to your skin type - more moisture for drier skin types or more of a matte finish for oilier skin.

Try: Bourjois Happy Light Matte Serum Primer, $25, Maybelline New York Superstay Primer, $24.99

 EYES HAVE IT

Not only does an eye primer make your eyeshadow go on smooth and vibrant, it also helps it last all day. Our eye lids can get quite oily so a primer helps prevent creasing and your shadow from fading throughout the day or night. It can even be used underneath the eyes to help prevent your concealer from creasing!

Try: Benefit Air Patrol BB Cream Eyelid Primer, $50

 LAYER UP

For longevity, always seal your make-up with powder to help it stay put. Nude by Nature’s Clint Dowdell, suggests using a mineral veil as your very last step before a setting spray. ‘It creates a very subtle smoothing of the skin and has light reflecting minerals that give a so ft focus helping to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles,” he says. “It not only extends your make-up wear it helps to absorbs excess oil and shine too.”

Try: Nude by Nature Mineral Finishing Veil, $49.95

THE FINISHING TOUCH

Finishing sprays are used to hold a hair style in place, smooth the hair and block out humidity. You can get light-medium hold or a firmer hold depending on how much movement you want to your style. When it comes to application try spraying from about 30cms away from the hair, any closer than that and the product could feel too wet and sticky.

Try:  Redken TRIPLE TAKE 32 EXTREME HAIRSPRAY High-Hold spray without the crunch. Long-lasting lift and body with 24-hour control and humidity resistance.

SPRAY & WALK AWAY

Think of a setting spray like the topcoat to your make-up. Like a hairspray for the face, a mist of this should be your last step before leaving the house. Depending on the formula you choose, some help to hydrate skin while others will even keep you cool on balmy days. 

Try: Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray, $54

CARE FOR LONG-WEAR

When looking for your next foundation consider a long-wear formula. Depending on your skin needs, you can look for ones that are fuller coverage, have a matte, dewy or satin finish and that can seamlessly blend to your skin tone. “For me a perfect base needs three things – an even skin tone, flawless cover/texture and subtle luminosity,” says L’Oreal Paris NZ Make-up Director Lisa Matson.

Try: L’Oreal Paris Full Coverage Longwear Foundation, $37.99