What I’m Loving Right Now (April Faves)

I decided to kick back up my month-to-month favorite beauty & lifestyle products. Do you love it? Let me know!

Korres Silicone Free Face Primer

Korres Silicone-Free Face Primer has been my go-to primer/moisturizer for the past couple months. I’ve been using it religiously since my Vegas vacation. What I love most about it is that it contains grapefruit oil and vitamin E — both are skin-savers that fight acne and hyperpigmentation — and that it indeed keeps makeup in tact all day. (korresusa.com)

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3 Great Makeup Primers

If I’m wearing makeup all day or going to be in pictures, a makeup primer is a necessity for me. A good primer should fill in pores and fine lines, smooth your skin, and balance oil production on your skin so that makeup goes on smooth and stays in tact all day. I have three favorite primers which I choose according to the occasion…

Best Makeup Primer for Everyday

Korres Face Primer – This primer does an awesome job of filling in my pores and leaving my skin smooth for foundation application. The formula is 99% natural and contains no silicone, plus is suitable for all skin types. This primer also never clogs my pores nor makes me break out. It’s great for basic, everyday use for errands, school, or the office.

Best Makeup Primer for Photos

Chanel Base Lumiere Illuminating Makeup Base – If I weren’t so concerned about using up this primer (due how pricey it is) I’d be using it like everyday! Chanel Illuminating Makeup Base primer makes skin look totally flawless worn under foundation. Pores seem to disappear, skin glows, and I don’t have a problem with oil control all day. It’s amazing.

Best Makeup Primer for Combination/Oily Skin

Illamasqua Matt Primer SPF20 – To keep mild-moderate oily skin under control, Illamasqua’s Matt Primer will do the trick. If you have moderate to very oily skin I would suggest using a mattifying moisturizer underneath to extend the oil-control benefits to last the day.

Editor’s Note: Product(s) featured in this post were provided by brand PR to Frappelattes Beauty & Lifestyle Blog for editorial consideration. However, please know that we would never feature a product that has not been tested and approved.

FOTD: Lumiere Cosmetics Eye Pigments, Korres Lip Butter

I conjured up what is, for me, a great daytime autumn-esque eye using shades of Lumiere Cosmetics eye pigments (check out Lumiere Skin & Beauty Bar if you’ve never heard of them). As a base pigment on the lid I used Helitrope. In the crease I used Espresso Shimmer. To highlight beneath my brows I used Cappuccino. For the coppery peach pop of color I used Dulce de Leche. To line I used Wet ‘n Wild MegaLiner in black on top and Stila 24t Smudge Pot in Golden Noir on my bottom lash line.

On my cheeks I used Stila Lip & Cheek Stain in Mango Crush.

Since receiving my Korres shipment the other day which I was too excited about, I’ve introduced two Korres products into my routine and in this FOTD. First is their Silicone Free Face Primer which seems to keep my oil at bay all day. Loving it. I’m also solely wearing Korres Lip Butter in Jasmine on my lips. It has a bit of glossiness to it, which I love. What I love most about Korres is that their products are all-natural, so you’re doing something good for your skin.

By the way, if you’ll be purchasing any Korres products from KorresUSA.com before Sept. 15, you can use this Frappelattes coupon code at checkout to receive 30% off your entire order. If you’re new to the line and have a Sephora nearby you can experience it there before you buy.

What do you think of this makeup look? Too much? Just enough?

Urban Decay Primer Potion Review / Tutorial Video

After my sweets Kia expressed concern that UD Eyeshadow Primer Potion wasn’t blending as well as she liked, I knew I had to do a video, a) to show how I personally blend the stuff and, b) because readers have been asking for more videos and tutorials for a while now. Here goes!

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In My Bag: Urban Decay Primer Potion

I may be the last of the cosmetic-savvy to try Urban Decay Primer Potion. Primer Potion promises to be “an ultra-sheer, totally nude [eyeshadow] base that glides on with the wave of a wand and then disappears instantly,” and this is what it delivers. Even against my dark skin, Primer Potion blends in with no chalkiness or harsh lines. I adore this primer because it truly keeps eye color from creasing and colors stay true-to-hue all day. I tested this formula with Urban Decay’s own shadows and the fabulous color feedback has stayed put for hours. This photo doesn’t even do it justice!

Rear spoilers, check them out.

Personal Digest #2 (Makeup & Retail Therapy)

There are few cosmetic staples that separate low-fuss beauty from high-maintenance glam, in my opinion. False lashes and highlighting/contouring products are best left forgotten if you’re in a hurry (well, maybe…), but there is one product that is so borderline essential that it should be deemed of same importance as your daily moisturizer. That’s right: a foundation base (or primer).

My once forgotten bottle of Chanel Base Lumiere Illuminating Makeup Base now has a special place in my makeup bag. I dispense a dime-sized amount onto my fingers, mix with a little of my favorite serum or moisturizer, and massage it onto my entire face. I now have a nice glow going on, but it gets better. Everything that goes over it – foundation, blush, eyeshadow, whatever – stays put all day long with minimal touch-ups! My usually oily skin is beautifully matte, yet glowing. Containing marine extract to minimize imperfections, this potion leaves your face looking and feeling like a million bucks.

My girlfriend Janine would be delighted to know that, with using a makeup primer, her Wet ‘n Wild blush will stay put along with her Body Shop eye colors. Primers enhance staying power of cheap to steep makeup, saving money on product and minimizing the need for frequent touch-ups.

Steeper	Cheaper
Chanel Base Lumiere $38.50	MAC Prep + Prime $22

I am absolutely in love with fall/winter styles this season. They’re amazing. I get to go color and print crazy well into fall, and then transition back to my default business fab wardrobe of blacks, whites, greys, & silver. The great thing about shopping for fall pieces is that they’re all on sale right now before wintery gear rolls in – more deals & steals!

Urban Outfitters has a rockin’ sale going on, so naturally I ransacked the place and came out with brilliant pieces by Lux that I purchased for less than half of retail price:

» Green/blue print tunic: $48 $15
» Tangerine shirt dress: $53 $20
» Black kimono dress: $53 $20

…As well as a few accessories and two pairs of Havaianas flip flops – a celebrity favorite comfy thong that resists wear, essential for when you live in flip flops as I do.

Tonight’s running around has got me pooped, so I’m going to finish up my tea and hit the sack. Office dwellers will appreciate the fact that tomorrow is not only jeans day for most, but a half day for most, also (a stellar opportunity to break in my Havaianas and run some pre-weekend errands).

Have a blessed holiday weekend, everyone!