My Powder Foundation Routine

Back in February, I posted about my foundation routine. I planned on showing you my powder foundation routine soon, but... "soon" has a different meaning here on Miss Diorista than in the rest of the world, so you're getting my powder foundation routine now :)

I really like powder foundation, since it's quick and simple. Also, I'm young and I don't always need the heavier coverage that a liquid foundation gives me, but I still want something. So give it powder foundation a try if you haven't already!

1. First, I conceal my under-eye circles and any dark spots that have to be concealed. I really like the Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer, since I can use it both under my eyes and on my skin, because it doesn't have a pink undertone to it.
2. I set the concealer with a setting powder, very often my Dior Diorskin Powder. Sometimes, I also sweep a bit of this over my forehead, nose and chin to control any shine, before I put on the actual foundation.
3. Time for the foundation! I really like Hello Flawless! by Benefit, but I also have one by Dior which I really like. For both of these, I use a sponge (you can get them at the drugstore) for sweeping and patting them on. I also bring the powder down to my neck.
4. If I'm looking too powdery, I really like to buff the foundation in with a Sigma F80, which is a flat top kabuki. It makes everything look more natural and blended.

That's it! Finally, a nice tip to remember when wearing powder foundation, is that it never hurts to use an illuminator with it. You can either apply a luminizing primer underneath, or sweep on luminizing powder afterwards. Either way, you will look more glowy, younger and always fresh.

Love,

Miss Diorista

My Current Foundation Routine

Some of my favourite posts to read are all kinds of routines - foundation routines, skincare routines, blush/bronzer routine... you get the idea :)

So I thought I'd share my own foundation routine with you. This is my liquid foundation, I'll post my powder foundation one later (which is quite simple, though...). But let's get into it, hope you enjoy it ;)

1. First off, I prime my face with the Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer, using clean fingers. Now I love this stuff, but I've been hearing from people who break out from it, so be careful... try before you buy :) 
2. I like to put on foundation before concealer, so next up is my current go-to foundation, Dior's Nude Foundation. I prefer using my fingers for this foundation, I just make sure they're clean. I can't say enough about this foundation!
3. Now my foundation is in place, I can see where I need some extra coverage. I'm currently using Bobbi Brown's Creamy Concealer under my eyes, but I also use Benefit's Erase Paste. If I have anything else than has to be concealed (for example redness on my nose and/or chin), I generally use the "green" side of Make Up Store's Cover All Mix. This stuff really hides redness. Again, I use my clean fingers for both concealers.
4. For a setting powder, I've been using Dior's Diorskin Poudre Compacte in "Transparent Light" for quite some time now. I use the included sponge for this powder, and I feel it actually does a great job.

That's it! Really quick and simple, and I've been using this same routine for a little over a month now... ever since I got the Dior Nude Foundation actually :)

What is your fave foundation routine? Please tell me in the comments! Oh, and don't forget to include your favourite foundation, I'm always on the hunt for new ones to try out.

And finally: Have you tried Sigma brushes? What did you think of them? I'm looking into buying a brush kit from there...

Yours,

Miss Diorista

Eyeshadow primers - Comparison

Some days... or weeks (what do I know, time flies!) ago, Hebriden Sprite requested a review for the eyeshadow base by Manhattan, which I hauled in August (check the haul out here).
So I put on my thinking cap and decided that instead of a simple review, I'd do a comparison.

The shadows are a deep purple/plum/wine shimmer one by Dior, and a grey matte one from BB's Denim and Rose Palette.

The primers I compared are the following:

Bobbi Brown - Creamy Concealer (yes, a concealer, I know)
Manhattan - Eyeshadow Base (in nr. 1, only think there is one number, though...)
None, just e/s on skin.
Benefit - Stay don't stray! eyeshadow/concealer primer

Below, you can see those. They are in the same order as above, starting with BB to the left.


Strongest colour
As you can probably see, BB's creamy concealer is the winner when it comes to colour. I really don't like it as a concealer, but here, it works so well! Works wonders on those e/s you regret buying because they look pretty in the pan, but don't give any colour. However, the concealer doesn't stay on for long, so I would recommend using another primer underneath the concealer.

How long did it last?
If "lasting" is your key word when it comes to e/s, then Manhattan's eyeshadow base is your best bet, of those I tried. It really took some tough washing to get the shadow off there! BB's concealer and the e/s on just skin went off very quickly, and Benefit's Stay don't stray! was the runner up.

Best for shimmery e/s
Definetely the Manhattan one, since it has a bit of shimmer to it. It even made the completely matte grey one, shimmery! So take care not to use it when going for a matte look.

Best for matte e/s
Of those, I'd say Benefit's Stay don't Stray! but it really works well for both shimmery and mattes, so it is a very good one to have. Only thing I don't like about it is the pump. It always gives me too much! I do, however, love the skin tone of it. When used as a concealer primer for the under-eye area, then you actually need a bit less concealer because of it.

So, judging from this, for really deep and intense colour that lasts all night, you should prime with Manhattan's base, then sweep on a layer of BB's Creamy Concealer. I haven't tried that yet, but will be doing soon.

Here is a little summary of those:

If you want intense, deep colour, go for... BB's Creamy Concealer in you skin tone.
If you want long lasting colour, go for... Manhattan's Eyeshadow Base
If you want a matte to be shimmery, go for... Manhattan's Eyeshadow Base
If you want a matte to be matte, go for... Benefit's Stay don't Stray!
If you want one product which does it all pretty well, go for... Benefit's Stay don't Stray!

And finally, a few words on Manhattan's Eyeshadow Base, since that is what this review what supposed to be about!

It is a very nice base. I quite like it. It lasts long, gives rather strong colours. I like the packaging, too, which is a pot. The consistency is nice, very creamy, but never greasy. Only downside (also a plus, though, just depends on what you want) could be that it makes all colours appear to be shimmery. So when going for a matte look, it can't be used. Also, it smells a bit weird. However, that cannot be detected once on lids.
Overall, this is a rather good primer and I would definetely repurchase.

Finally, I know this is getting super-long, but can you see the difference when wearing shadow with primer and then without it? Wow!

Hope you enjoyed this!
Yours,
MissDiorista

P.S. What is your fave e/s primer? I know a lot of people like UDPP... haven't tried it, UD isn't sold here... but I'd love to know your faves!