These days I’m fascinated by the commercials for the new lash growth product, Latisse. Maybe it’s because of how gorgeous Brooke Shields still is, or it’s because of the fact that they have found a way to make eye lashes to grow but still can’t give balding men back their hair. Or, maybe it’s because of the laughable way they so casually state the side effects, “May cause eyelid darkening which may be reversible. May cause increased iris pigmentation which is likely to be permanent.” Errrrr seriously? I’m sure it’s a great invention and all, but I’m leaving my irises alone.

For those of you that are looking for ways to make their lashes appear thicker and longer but don’t wish to dabble in the potential destruction of your irises, there are plenty of other things you can do. My primary recommendation would be to try out the eyelash primer I swear by (CLICK HERE), but there is another secret practiced many celebrity makeup artists that uses a product you most likely already have at home – face powder. Yes, I said face powder.

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Here’s what to do:

1) If you use an eyelash curler, curl your lashes. If you don’t, you can skip this step.

2) Apply a quick thin coat of mascara to your lids.

3) Dip a fluffy shadow brush into your face powder (loose vs. pressed doesn’t matter) and quickly brush onto the underside of your upper lashes and the topside of your lower lashes (i.e. the sides you put mascara on so the mascara covers the visible powder).

4) Put on a second coat of your mascara, which should stick to the powder. The extra coating of powder around each lash should result in thicker, longer lashes!

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Some ladies apply the powder first before any mascara, but I feel the between coats method is best. This is because the powder adheres to the first coat and provides a better base for the second. Be sure not to get any powder in your eyes and you should be good to go. It’s cheap and simple, and doesn’t result in darkened lids from any growth serums.

Try it out and let us know how it goes!

There are two main benefits of eye primer:

1) Does your shadow either fade away during the day or crease so you have a cakey line on your lids? This doesn’t just happen to oily-skinned girls, we all have natural oils on our face that make our shadow almost melt away. Primer combats this in two ways: 1) It helps to protect your lids from oils by forming a barrier between your skin and the makeup. 2) Primer acts as an adhesive so your shadow sticks to the primer rather than your moisture-filled skin. Your shadow lasts longer and color stays truer.

2) Have you ever been disappointed because the color in the pan doesn’t quite come out the same on your lids? Eye primer provides a neutral canvas on which to apply your shadow. Everyone has undertones and discolorations in their skin that interfere with how the color appears on your lids (this is especially true for desi ladies) – the neutral primer evens out these undertones and allow for the true pigment of the shadow to show, deeper and richer than before. Do a test: Apply a streak of shadow on the back of your hand. Then next to it, apply a little primer and put the same shadow on top of that. See the color difference?

So, why can’t I use foundation? Well, you can if you don’t want to spend extra $$$ on another product, however, foundation is formulated to be lighter to allow your skin to breathe. It does not have as much hold as eye primer or concealer. So, while your skin tone may even out, the lasting power will be as though you are wearing nothing at all. What about concealer? Concealer is an acceptable replacement for primer, but because it’s created for the under eye area where there is no natural moisture, concealers tend to be creamier. This means that while your makeup may stay on because of the thick consistency, your shadow will most probably crease.

Here are some of our recommendations:

- Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion (pictures left) – this is the industry favorite and is best for loose pigments. We advise you to get in the “Original” (nude) and skip the “Sin” (champagne shimmer). Silicone based for smooth application. $17 urbandecay.com and sephora.com .

- MAC Cosmetics Paint pots in “Painterly” and “Soft Ochre” are very popular $16.50. We personally prefer the light feel of the paint tubes in “Untitled” and “Bare Canvas” $16.50. Skip the regular Prep+Prime product – we found it too cakey. maccosmetics.com

- A great drugstore dupe of the Urban Decay: Lumene Beauty Base Eyeshadow Primer. Can also be used as a lipstick primer. Lumene.com

- If you want to save $$$ and want to go for a dewey look, some suggest using Vaseline. We have not personally tried this – sounds too greasy, but it has worked for many. Another great alternative that we personally like is Chapstick – it’s less greasy and adheres better, plus it’s super cheap – check out our previous post on using Chapstick as a primer HERE.

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.**Application tip to remember: a little primer goes a long way – you only need a dab or two for the entire lid. Anything more will result in a cakey look, defeating the purpose of using a primer.**

We and the other readers would love some more ideas of primers that actually work! So, go ahead and share what you use in the Comments section

Photo Credit: cvs.com

As much as we all love shopping to satisfy our makeup/shoes/clothes obsessions, parting with $$$ in this recession is not so fun. But, don’t worry, there are plenty of beauty products available to satisfy multiple needs at less than $5. One of our recent favorites is regular old Chapstick. Not only can you use it to moisturize your lips, but it also makes a great base for eye shadow.

The great thing about Chapstick is that it’s slightly emollient but not greasy like Vaseline. Apply a thin coat onto your lids and then apply powder shadow. The sheen from the Chapstick will give your eyes a dewy look that’s perfect for the Spring/Summer time, and the slight tackiness from the wax content will grab the pigment for longer hold.

Quick Notes:

- This should also work for you if you have oily-skin, but if you feel it’s too rich for your skin type try a regular primer like Urban Decay’s Primer Potion or one of MAC’s paints.

- You can also use Chapstick as a base for your lipstick – it’s perfect for turning matte lippies into creamy for the warm months.

- Make sure to not use the flavored/mint ones – eyelids are sensitive and the tingly sensation may irritate your lids – so be sure to use the original formula!

Many ladies have bypassed this product because they feel they don’t need it, but I assure you, primers have many advantages and you are missing out if you choose to go without one! A primer is a silicon gel or water based lotion that is applied to the face before foundation, blush or highlighters. For those ladies who don’t use foundation or powder, you can still use this product – it’s great on both bare faces as well as under makeup. Primers work to fill in pores and also even out any fine lines and wrinkles. So, even if you wish to go bare faced – you will instantly have smoother looking skin. Trust me you will notice the difference!

Primers create a barrier between your face and the skin, which is important for several reasons:

- Your makeup adheres to the primer, not your face. Have you noticed that after a few hours of applying your makeup it looks like it’s been rubbed off? This is because your skin tends to absorb most of your makeup due to your natural oils and the fact that your skin is like a sponge. Having the primer in place causes your makeup to last and look fresh for hours longer.

- For oily-skinned girls – a good primer will mattify your face by absorbing any excess oil.

- For dry-skinned girls – your face will appear less flaky and will feel more hydrated with the silicon in the product. Just like your heat styling products for hair contain silicon to protect and trap in moisture, the makeup primer does the same.

- Your makeup will go on more smoothly, and it will help prevent the color of your foundation from turning throughout the day.

- For the ladies living in hot climates – the primer will help your makeup stay on longer. I used a silicon-based primer for my cousin’s Lahore summer wedding with great results.

- Having a barrier between your face and makeup helps your skin from absorbing all the chemicals in your cosmetics.

How to apply:

- After washing your face, apply your favorite lotion. Any kind of makeup always works best if your face is well moisturized. Wait for your face to dry.

- You don’t need very much of this product. Squirt out about a dime sized amount on the back of your hand. You can always add more if you need it.

- Using a foundation brush (you can use your fingers too but make sure your hands are washed!) smooth the primer on your face like you would lotion. Avoid the eye area.

- Wait a few minutes for the primer to dry and then apply foundation. If you don’t use foundation, just apply your blush/bronzer and you’re ready to go!

One note: As much as I adore makeup primers, just like with foundation, I feel as though they should not be used everyday. While cosmetics companies insist that they are all right for daily use, you should allow your skin to breathe once in a while and try not to clog your pores. For this reason, I use my primer on the weekends when I go out and for special occasions.

Recommended Primers:

There are many different types of primers out there, the two main types being silicon-based and water-based. They come in both colorless and sheer. If you have trouble matching yourself with foundations, I would recommend getting the colorless one.

The most popular silicon primer is the Smashbox Photo Finish. It comes in multiple formulations, light for acne prone, SPF, color correcting. In terms of variety, this is probably the way to go. However, the price tag is slightly steep at $36 for 1 oz. But, it’s one of the best high-end primers available.

If you don’t like the feeling of silicon on your face, you can try out the water-based Laura Mercier Foundation Primer. You will not be left with the same silky smooth feeling you get with a silicon-based primer, but the Laura Mercier claims to contain “vitamins A, C, & E [that] act as antioxidants & protect the skin from harmful, aging effects of the environment.” It runs at $30 for 1.7 oz.

There are several drugstore primers that have been making headway in the market, however they leave a lot to be desired. I have found the Revlon primer is semi-decent, but leaves the skin feeling a bit tacky and does not last as long as other primers. The version by Rimmel is slightly colored and is not silicon based, so is more like a tinted moisturizer than anything.

If you ladies love the Smashbox version, but don’t want to spend the $$$, there is another option. The makeup community has come upon a secret product that mimics the Smashbox perfectly, but can be found at less than half the price – Monistat Soothing Care Chafing Relief Powder-Gel. Now I know what you’re thinking, Monistat? On my face?! Yes, ladies. This gel is not the same as the feminine products from the Monistat line. It was created by the brand as a protectant that forms a barrier on the skin to prevent rubbing and chafing. It contains the same ingredients as Smashbox Photo Finish (Cyclomethicone and Dimethicone). Ladies all over the country have been using this as a replacement and swear by it, myself included! I will never spend $40 on a primer again. At $8 for 1.5 oz, I am completely content and my makeup looks fabulous! You can find it at your local drugstore or on www.drugstore.com

So, ladies let us know what has worked for you and if you’ve tried out the Monistat gel. If you have any other recommendations we’d love to hear them!

Photo Credit: www.thebostonbazaar.com

I used to spend $65 on my mascara. Yes, you read that right. Sixty-Five Dollars. You’re probably wondering what was in this product, was it made of gold? Did it spill ruby powder on my lashes? Did the world fall at my feet with every blink? Yes. Yes. And Yes. It was all that and more. But, then, like many other love affairs, this one came to an abrupt end. I finally realized that I was spending more on a mascara than my monthly cell phone bill. So, I set out on the search for the ultimate mascara. It was then that I realized that it’s not the mascara that really matters (unless you pay 65 bucks of course – then it BETTER matter), but it’s actually what goes on underneath. Just like foundations and eye shadows look better with a primer and lipsticks last longer with a liner base, eyelashes look 5x better with a protective coating underneath the mascara.

Now, I know that most of you out there have mascaras that you absolutely love and are faithful to, and over the course of time I hope to discuss all of them with you, YSL Faux Cils, Lancôme’s Ôscillation (with the vibrating wand), etc etc. But, with the eyelash primer, you can use any drugstore brand mascara and end up with similar or even better results.

Why eyelash primers are so necessary:

Photo Credit: www.clinique.com

1)    Primers keep your eyelashes healthy – they protect and nourish with the moisturizers and vitamins they contain. This is very important if you’re a regular user of mascara which can dry out your lashes. The mascara adheres to the primer rather than your actual lashes.
2)    Primers build volume and length. You will need to curl your eyelashes less, and you will need less coats of mascara thanks to the base you apply before.
3)    Applying a primer causes your mascara to clump less and also helps prevent the dreaded raccoon look; you know the one I’m talking about – when your mascara ends up under your eyes. Be warned – it HELPS but it is not foolproof, especially in those with oily skin. If you are naturally oily, use waterproof mascara for best results.
4)    Your mascara will come off easier at night, which means less tugging at the eye area, i.e. preventing really bad future wrinkles.

Just like any other product, you have to find the primer that works for you. I used Smashbox’s primer and was less than impressed. It wasn’t thick enough and smelled like glue. I’ve had great results with Clinique’s Lash Building Primer and at $13 it’s affordable. In total (with my mascara) I spend less than $20 to make my lashes look more amazing than with DiorShow or MAC mascaras (which I think are just awful overall).

I personally love my primer so much I just use drugstore mascara on top and I get the same results as my $65 mascara. For those of you that want to stick to the brands you love most, try them out with the base, trust me, your lashes will pop like never before. The best way to apply primer is to brush on a thick coat, you should play with the thickness to make your lashes look as full as you personally like them to, you may prefer a more natural look than others. Some brands tell you to wait until it dries before applying the mascara, but with the Clinique I have had the best results applying the mascara right after the primer while it’s still wet.

Yes, I do miss my darling $65 mascara, but, in all honesty, it’s mostly because the packaging was so pretty. Other than that, my lashes look just as spectacular.

Photo Credit: www.dailymail.co.uk

**UPDATE** In a recent comment, user “jtm” brought up an important point which I wanted to share with all of you. “i knew but didnt believe this until the mac guy showed me…if you line the inside of your upper lid, what is it called, the upper waterline?, it really makes your lash line appear thicker, darker, fuller. a little uncomfortable to do, but hey, worth the illusion.”

This is VERY true and a step I never leave out of my makeup routine. Here’s what to do: if you use a pencil just slightly lift your lid and line the upper rim like you would your bottom waterline (if anyone is wondering, the waterline is the inner rim of the eye where liner never seems to stay!). Be careful not to line inside the actual lid, the waterline is the thick line of skin right under the upper lashes (or above the lower). Do the same if you use gel or shadow liners, i wouldn’t recommend liquid liner for this. Wait a few moments to dry and then let your lid go. Also, as mentioned in the Smudge Brush post, wiggle your liner between your eyelashes it’ll help with the fuller lash look and will look more polished as it will fill the  blank spaces in between.