Category Archives: Primer Reviews

Hard Candy Sheer Envy Primer Review & Pictures

Hard Candy Sheer Envy PrimerI’ve been going a little bonkers over primers lately because I’m discovering more primers that don’t contain Bismuth Oxychloride, which is an ingredient that I’m allergic to. And anything that I can use to improve the way my makeup looks and how long it lasts is fair game.

This time I bring you a Hard Candy Sheer Envy Primer review! I’ve been testing it out for a couple of weeks straight, so I’ve got a good idea of how it performs.

Let me just say that this primer blew me away completely! Now I understand what all the hype surrounding this product is about.

The one major drawback, however, is that it seems to only be sold at Walmart. That’s a store I hardly shop at because there isn’t one near me and also because I watched the documentary The High Cost of Low Price.

But for the Sheer Envy Hard Candy primer, I made the out-of-the-way trip to Walmart!

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L’Oreal Studio Secrets Magic Perfecting Base Review & Pictures

** This post was written by Fiona. She no longer blogs for Swatch And Learn. However, Mary still continues to blog and will be happy to reply to your comment. **

When I first saw the L’Oreal Studio Secrets Magic Perfecting Base, I laughed. “Secrets?” “Magic?” C’mon! With words like that in the name, this product is setting itself up for failure… Right?

Or so I thought. I saw it on sale for almost 50% off at the drugstore, and I couldn’t resist picking it up. It’s no miracle product by any means, but I am now a believer in this magical secret. It’s a quick and easy step in my makeup routine that makes me feel better about my skin. Come see exactly why. Continue reading

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NYX Eyeshadow Base White Review & Swatches

** This post was written by Fiona. She no longer blogs for Swatch And Learn. However, Mary still continues to blog and will be happy to reply to your comment. **

Before I begin, I’d like to mention that NYX Eyeshadow Base White is not a primer. It is a base. What’s the difference? Both prepare the eye but for different purposes.

A primer smoothes out the lid’s surface and protects the shadow from any oil your skin naturally produces. The result is your eye makeup stays on longer without creasing. A base’s main goal is to intensify your makeup’s color. Some primers also act as bases; some bases act as primers.

Even though NYX White Eyeshadow Base claims to help your makeup last longer, it doesn’t. That’s why I want to make it clear that it’s a base, not a primer. Find out more. Continue reading

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Make Up For Ever All Mat Face Matifying Primer Review & Pictures

Make Up For Ever All Mat Face Mattifying PrimerYou want your personality to shine…not your face. Looking like you spent hours working in a greasy-spoon restaurant with your face over the deep fryer is never sexy.

My combination skin loves to get super shiny especially in the t-zone. But I dislike putting on more powder on my face – I already wear loose mineral makeup. So when I saw the oil-free Make Up For Ever All Mat Face Matifying Primer, I felt compelled to try it. (The power of primer compels you! Insert makeup exorcism here.)

Does the Make Up For Ever matte primer work wonders? Or does it leave me disappointed and thinking what ever possessed me to plunk down my hard-earned cash? There’s only one way to find out! Continue reading

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NYX HD Studio Photogenic Primer Review & Pictures

** This post was written by Fiona. She no longer blogs for Swatch And Learn. However, Mary still continues to blog and will be happy to reply to your comment. **

Those of you who have heard about the new NYX HD line might already feel that it’s trying to copy another brand. Well, at least that was my first impression when I saw it online. I placed my order hoping that NYX was able to copy the quality while offering the products at slightly lower prices.

The product that I got was NYX HD Studio Photogenic Primer. While I like some aspects of it, there are many that I don’t appreciate very much. It is definitely not my favorite face primer. Continue reading

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Smashbox Photo Finish Lid Primer Review, Swatches & Pictures

Smashbox Eyeshadow PrimerThey say that you never forget your first. But I did until now! It was only after I was reorganizing my makeup stash that I came across this neglected little tube of Smashbox Photo Finish Lid Primer.

This was the first eye-shadow primer I ever tried. And my motivation for buying it was plain and simple – it didn’t contain Bismuth Oxychloride. That’s a known allergen, and I’m allergic to it.

I discovered this eye primer before Urban Decay Primer Potion in Eden sashayed into my life and landed Holy Grail status. (In my Smashbox Photo Finish Lid Primer review, I compare it with the Urban Decay equivalent.)

The Smashbox eyeshadow primer does a good job at preventing creasing and for concealing discoloration on the eyelids, but find out why I’ll never buy this again. Continue reading

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Swatch And Learn 2010 Beauty Awards – Best Supporting Role, Best Duet & Best Group

Welcome to the first ever Swatch And Learn 2010 Beauty Awards! Best Supporting Role, Best Duet & Best Group is the 3rd of 7 award posts.

No one beauty product stands alone when it comes to achieving makeup perfection. Today, we salute the beauty products that give it their all without asking for credit… the products that understand it’s all about support and teamwork. Today, we show our appreciation.

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