Beauty: Get camera-ready with primer, HD powder – The Orange County Register
During a moment in time where the 2013 Oxford Dictionaries Word of the Year was “selfie,” it’s becoming uncomfortably clear that it’s an Instagram-, Facebook- and Twitter-verse. In the spirit of “If you can’t beat them … ,” we share makeup primers and HD powders to help you look your best when being captured forever on camera.
Emmy Award-winning, makeup artist Melanie Mills, who used to be the makeup department head for “Dancing With the Stars,” where she helped create a multitude of winning celebrity looks for the cameras, shares tips. PRIMERS “Primer is great,” Mills says. “Primers do help you look younger and better on camera. Basically, the science of primer is that it fills in pores and creates a clean canvas for the foundation to go on to minimize the appearance of pores and fine lines. Your face appears to be more flawless.”
POWDER
She has a short list of favorites.
“La Prairie has an amazing primer. It’s luxurious and expensive but amazing (La Prairie Cellular Emulsion Matte Pore Minimizer, $225, shoplaprairie.com). I also love Laura Mercier (Laura Mercier Oil-Free Foundation Primer-Protect Broad Spectrum SPF 30/PA+++, $32, lauramercier.com).”
She says to start with a fresh face, then use a toner. “It also helps to seal up the pores,” Mills says. “Then apply your serums and moisturizers – then your primer.”
Mills recommends applying a thin layer of primer so that the multiple product layers don’t become too thick and gunky. “I, as a professional, apply primer with a Beauty Blender type of sponge ($20, sephora.com),” Mills says. “But at home, you can certainly just put it in your hands and apply it like a moisturizer.”
Mills has her own face and body makeup line called Gleam By Melanie Mills Radiance Face and Body Makeup ($15-$40, gleambymelaniemills.com). She says the product looks amazing on camera because there’s a shimmer to it, and even if you use it just on the body, it’s something to consider if you want to look camera-ready from head to toe. “Everyone at holiday time is a little dry and pale and wants to add a little glow,” Mills says. “It’s kind of fun to have a little warmth.” Although she doesn’t think you necessarily have to buy a separate primer for the eyes, there are several eye primers on the market, and they really do help eye makeup go on more smoothly and professionally. Before using your regular face primer on your eyelids, just make sure to check with the brand and/or a doctor that it’s safe to do so.
There are a myriad of face primers on the market, so look for primers that address your specific needs. Smashbox alone has primer for dark-spot correcting, blemish control, luminizing, hydration, color correcting and with SPF. If possible, try on your primer in a natural light before purchasing. You may want to see it under your foundation to make sure it gives you the desired effect. Also, many primers are meant to work best with the product line’s foundation, so you also might consider keeping it in the brand family.
HD POWDERS
“I love the MAKE UP FOR EVER HD loose powder ($34, makeupforever.com). I think it’s stunning, it works for any skin tone, is really light and feels really good,” Mills says. “A lot of people say that powder can make you look older because it settles in, but the looser, finer powders will be less obvious.” Not only are there powders marketed to help you look better on camera, but they also actually mimic camera and Instagram filters.
You absolutely can “use your primer and powder like an Instagram filter,” says Lijha Stewart, MAKE UP FOR EVER artist and educator. “After your foundation has been applied, add warmth with our color-correcting primer. Apply using a large kabuki brush, start at the hairline, then apply to your cheeks and jaw. Whatever you have left on the rest of your brush, use through the center of your face. Next, finish and blur imperfections with our HD Pressed Powder. Use a fluffy brush, then press and roll through the center of your face and stretch outward. Take your powder to go for an Instagram filter in your purse. Your skin will look healthy and flawless all day.” Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder ($45, hourglasscosmetics.com) even comes in shades such as Diffused, Dim and Mood to mimic certain lighting effects.
There’s a lot of other alchemy that can help you look good on camera: a genuine smile, being in a relaxed, happy mood, knowing your best angles and good posture are at the top of the list. Primers and HD powders add a little more polish.
Contact the writer: Alene@thebeautywriter.com
