How You Can Use Your Primer To the Fullest

Ok, so we have always had a hunch that we might not be using our primer correctly. Either that, or we are just not using it to the best of its abilities. Therefore, we decided to connect with Makeup Artist and former TSS Senior Assistant, Mackenzie Brown, and former Dolled Up Contributor, Becca Ashmon to help us understand how to best use primer. Check out their explanations below and be sure to shop the products they recommend.

Mackenzie Brown (Kappa Alpha Theta, IG: @kenziemacbrown)
Site: www.youtube.com/kenziemacbrown

[Using your primer to the fullest] depends on the type of primer because they have different formulations. There is one from Hourglass that will help prevent oil buildup and I recommend that one to people who get oily in their T-zone because it will prevent their makeup from breaking up. If you mix that specific one with liquid foundation it makes your foundation waterproof. Some primers, like Urban Decay's Eyeshadow Primer when mixed with eyeshadow can help you use the eyeshadow as an eyeliner and it helps it stay longer. Some primers like the Porefessional are good if you have uneven skin texture because it evens it out. And Smashbox makes like 10 different primers for every sort of skin type and purpose. Also, if you put primer in your brows it makes it easier to use brow products because they won't budge and they'll be more pigmented.

Becca Ashmon (Tri Delta, IG: @beccaashmon)
Site: www.aprettyhotmess.com

Honestly, every face needs a good foundation and what makes a solid foundation you ask? Primer! Just like you prime a wall before you paint it, your face should be no different. Aside from giving your makeup a foundation to hold onto, primer can do a number of other things, from making pores appear smaller and reducing redness to helping reduce dark spots over time. So here is a list of some of my favorite primers and what it is they do!

1. Hourglass- Veil Mineral Primer 

Hands down my favorite primer of ALL time ! It is Jesus in a bottle (it saves) and goes on the face of EVERY bride I touch ! Hourglass is suitable for ALL skin types but if you are an oily girl like me then meet your new best friend. Veil is a mineral primer with an SPF of 15. Veil not only helps smooth and keep oils at bay, but it's also water resistant in case you happen to be a cry baby and tear easily at weddings and such (seriously I have cried through this stuff like ugly Kim Kardashian cried and managed to stay Beyoncé status...FLAWLESS). Bonus: It keeps makeup on my face for 12+ hours which is practically a miracle on this face !

2. Benefit- The POREfessional 

Aside from perhaps being one of the smoothest things to ever grace your face, Benefits POREfessional helps to minimize pores while also providing a surface as smooth as a baby's bottom.

3. Laura Mercier- Hydrating Primer 

If you're a girl with dry skin this primer is the one for you. All the benefits of primer plus hydration to keep you looking fresh.

4. Smashbox- Photo Finish Dark Spot Correcting Primer 

This primer does double duty as a makeup and skincare product and helps reduce the appearance of dark spots while also helping your makeup stay on and flawless .

How do you use your primer to the fullest? Share you primer tips with us in the comments below!

Celebrity Artist, Haley Buckner's 10 Must-Haves

My 10 Must Haves:
1. Moisturizer - If you have nothing else in your routine, at least moisturize. It will keep your skin looking youthful.

2. MAC Fix + Spray - It makes foundation look more like skin.

3. Beauty Blender Sponge - Get it wet with warm water before applying foundation and your skin will look perfect.

4. Urban Decay Primer Potion - A thin layer helps eyeshadow stay for hours.

5. High quality makeup brushes - If you invest, they last forever.

6. OCC Lip Tars - A little bit goes a long way and if you want, you can mix them together to create any color you want.

7. Loreal Voluminous Mascara (SALE!) - The best, hands down.

8. Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette - It's all your neutral blending colors in one.

9. Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer - For those days that you want a lightweight coverage.

10. Clarisonic Brush - Exfoliate.. It's worth the investment for radiant skin.

1. What do you love most about doing make up?
Meeting famous people and getting to work with them is so much fun and it really inspires me, but the greatest part of my job is that I get to help people feel beautiful. The most rewarding experiences I've had are helping people who have cancer and have lost their hair from chemotherapy. Teaching them how to naturally fill in their eyebrows and apply false lashes seems like such a small thing, but when they look in the mirror and are overjoyed because they feel like themselves again touches my heart in the biggest way.

2. How did you get started? What got you to the next step?
I always loved beauty, so I started working for Mac when I was 18 in Reno, Nv. It's where I learned the most about skin and makeup techniques. I dreamed of working with celebrities so I knew I needed to sacrifice being close to the ones I loved and move to a bigger city. A few years later I moved to Vegas and worked in Caesars Palace where I met so many people and was blessed with amazing opportunities.

3. What is one thing (foundation, mascara, eyeliner, lipgloss, etc.) that you feel every girl should always wear? why?
Every face is different, so I don't think every girl should always have a specific product. It's important to capitalize on your best feature. If a client sits in my chair with lips like Angelina Jolie I make them the primary focus of the makeup. If someone has long lashes and beautiful eyes, I think they should accentuate them with a great mascara.

4. What's in, what's out?
There are always changing trends in makeup. As artists we are always changing looks on our clients, but in my opinion a classic red lip is never out. Skin is also always important, and for summer a bronzed look is usually desired.

5. Who/Where do you look for inspiration?
I'm continually inspired by fellow makeup artists. I've worked with some of the best artists in the industry and when I see them do something mind blowing it makes me want to continue to push myself to be on that level. Since day one my biggest inspiration has been Mac Senior Artist Victor Cembellin.


A special thank you to Haley for her time and sharing us her beauty tips & secrets.  For more information on Haley, visit her site at www.haleybuckner.com and follow her on Instagram! 

Flawless {Makeup} Finish

Makeup: Victoria's Secret, MAC, Bliss Pro.

In the quest for a flawless complexion, our search is finally over!  From a fun night out, to looking perfectly polished everyday, we found 2 fabulous products that have become a staple in our makeup routine.  TSS Co-Founder, Ali, has personally been using both of these products for years... and we're all hooked!  

To start... if you're not already using a primer in your daily makeup routine, it's time to give it a whirl.  The Oil-Free Airbrush FX Face Primer made by Victoria's Secret not only protects your skin with SPF 15, but it creates a velvety smooth canvas for your makeup.  Ali is flat out obsessed with this product, and swears that she can't go a day without it.  Even on the days when you're wearing less makeup, it provides a clean look for your skin.  For the times when you're wearing heavier foundation, it's a must-have.  The primer provides a base for even makeup application (it even makes your pores less visible), and gives it all-day staying power.  

After applying the primer, MAC Studio Fix Fluid is the next step in the flawless complexion process.  This foundation is a bit on the heavier/full coverage side, but you can choose to either apply a little or a little more depending on the look desired.  Start small, and go from there if more of the foundation is needed.  Ali suggests applying the foundation first with a makeup brush, and then taking a beauty blender to smooth any lines created by the brush.  The beauty blender is also key to providing that "airbrushed" effect at home.  Pat down with the beauty blender all over your face, focusing on the areas around the eyes and nose, and you will create a beautifully smooth look.  Extend the foundation application a little under your chin, fading off onto your neck, as to avoid a harsh line between the coloring on your face and neck.

We hope you love our tricks for creating a flawless complexion.  Give it a try, and let us know what you think!