Top 10 Face, Lip & Eye Primers.

Makeup primers are essential when it comes to makeup. I think a top makeup primer is one of the best cosmetic innovations ever!  A makeup primer will not only help makeup go on more smooth, minimize pores and fine lines; makeup primer ensures that your makeup lasts all day long — even through heat and humidity. Makeup primers are not just for the face either, there are now great makeup primers for the lips and eyes too. Makeup primers are part of my daily makeup routine and they should be just as routine as your daily skincare.

These are the top makeup primers for face, lips and eyes.

FACE

1. NARS Pro-Prime Light Optimizing Primer - I use this face primer more than any other because it not only locks in my face makeup all day long, this face primer fill in my fine lines and pores creating the ultimate smooth surface that preps and primes my skin before makeup application. It does so while adding a bit of radiance to my skin with the brands exclusive Light Reflecting Complex so it gives skin a little bit of glow making me look awake, even when I am not. It contains SPF 15 which adds to my daily sunscreen, which is an added bonus. Buy it for $35 from narscosmetics.com, Sephora or NARS counters at Nordstrom.

2. Laura Mercier Foundation Primer - Laura Mercier is known for her face products, including this primer. This is an amazing primer and one of my favorites that I recommend often. It comes in a few versions like Radiance, Radiance Bronze, Hydrating or Oil-Free, I prefer the standard or original formula because this vitamin-rich formula simply works. This primer creates a smooth and even surface that invisibly locks foundation and the rest of your makeup into place seamlessly and beautifully. It somehow and amazingly makes any foundation look and remain color-true all day. Buy it for $36 from Nordstrom or Sephora.

3. Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer - This primer is a very luxurious primer that outperforms any other primer by far. I reserve this one for longer days, special occasions or photography because it is expensive and a little heavier on the skin BUT it does something to makeup that no other primer can do. This primer creates a uniform and smooth surface, but it also somehow makes your makeup water resistant and looking fresh, as in just applied all day long. If it was just a bit lighter on my skin AND wallet (like the others I have listed here) I would certainly wear it every day. Buy it for $52 at Sephora.

4. COVERGIRL Outlast All-Day Primer - This primer is extremely similar to Laura Mercier Foundation Primer. So similar in fact, that if I were blind tested, I don't think that I would be able to tell the two apart. This primer creates a very smooth surface where it fills in pores, fine lines and wrinkles and locks in foundation and makeup for the day. It truly helps makeup outlast your day. It's the easiest on your pocketbook too. Buy it for about $10 at your favorite drugstore or mass retailers like Target.

5. Smashbox Photo Finish Hydrating Foundation Primer - When my skin is really dry, I turn to this primer because it really is hydrating while having some of the famous capabilities that Smashbox is famous for. It is not so silicone heavy so it's no irritating like a lot of the other Photo Finish primers. This one simply fills in pores and lines while quenching the skin with a burst of moisture which is great for dry skin. It is refreshing on the skin. Buy it for $42 from Sephora, Nordstrom or Macy's.

LIPS

6. MAC Prep + Prime Lip - This lip balm-like lip primer creates a silky smooth base that locks in lip color and ensures lip colors look better without creasing or fading throughout the day. Buy it for $16.50 at maccosmetics.com, Macy's or Nordstrom.

7. NYX Cosmetics Lip Primer - This is a nude colored lip crayon that helps to create the perfect canvas for lipstick or other lip products. It helps to ensure that lip products last longer and adhere better to the lips. Buy it for $6.99 at Ulta.

8. Too Faced Lip Insurance Lip Primer - This creamy lip primer helps to prevent lip colors from fading or bleeding outside the lip line. It provides a smooth base for application. Buy it for $20 at Sephora or Macy's.

EYES

9. Urban Decay Primer Potion - This cult-favorite provides 24-hour wear and ensures that shadows adhere to the lid and goes on and stays on without creasing. When using, colors seem more vibrant and look freshly applied all day long. The original formula is a nude shade, but there are other formulas available. Buy it for $20 at urbandecay.com, Nordstrom, Macy's or Sephora.

10. Too Faced Shadow Insurance - This eye primer not only makes your eyeshadow fade-proof and crease free all day long, this eye primer turns your eyeshadow into a waterproof formula that doesn't budge until you remove it with cleanser. Buy it from toofaced.com or Sephora.

An InLinkz Link-up

MAC Charlotte Olympia.

If you are looking for an upscale collection from MAC, look no further than the new Charlotte Olympia collaboration. With limited edition cartons and packaging that exudes class and glamour, I am nothing but impressed.

"Inspired by pin-ups, silver screen sirens and the bygone era of old Hollywood glamour, British luxury shoe and accessory brand Charlotte Olympia collaborates with M∙A∙C on an unapologetically nostalgic collection of retro-glam colour."

The lipsticks in red hues are classics and if you like reds, these are not to be missed. Retro Rouge is gorgeous! I really want to see Starlett Scarlet in person too, because anything that is described as a True Red speaks to me.

I love how the products feature the Charlotte Olympia gold spider web logo.

The packaging on the studio nail lacquer is my favorite though! White nails have been very popular the past few years and this creamy white nail shade is a great one to add to your collection.

The entire MAC Charlotte Olympia collection:

Lipstick - $18

• Leading Lady Red - Deep red (matte)
• Retro Rouge - Deep brown-red (matte)
• Starlett Scarlet - True red (matte)

Lip Mix - $16

• Red - Primary red
• Crimson - Dark blackened red

Pigment - $23

• Overdressed - Fleshy beige with pearl

Pro Longwear Lip Pencil - $21

• Kiss Me Quick - Yellow-red
• He Said, She Said - Brick red

Cream Colour Base - $23

• Golden Age - Metallic antique bronze
• Sepia - Dirty chocolate-brown

Liquid Eye Liner - $22

• Nearly Natural - Deep brown

Studio Nail Lacquer - $13

• Old Fashioned - Deep burgundy red (cream)
• Good Old Days - White (cream)
• To Have or Have Not - Orange red (cream)

Beauty Accessories

• Blot Film - Shine From the Inside! - $17
• Eyelash Curler - $23
• Mirror Compact - $13    
• 249 Eye Shader Brush - $33    
• 204 Lash Brush - $16    
• Makeup Bag - $35

MAC Charlotte Olympia is available now at all MAC locations including MAC stores, online at maccosmetics.com and MAC counters in department stores such as Macy's and Nordstrom.

5 Hair Problems SOLVED.

Everyone has different hair and unless you were blessed by the hair God's, you most likely have some sort of hair problem. Luckily, there are thousands of hair products and tools designed to help with just about every hair problem imaginable. I'm breaking down some of the most common hair woes and the latest solutions that I've found to work really well to solve these hair problems.

PROBLEM: Dandruff

Everyone has a buildup of fungus on their head. Yes— even YOU! It's normal; dead skin, oil and yeast are common in the hair. It's when an overabundance of these things build up and slough off and form into flakes that become dandruff. If you have dandruff, I am sure you have tried a multitude of products to get rid of it. A lot of these products are just not very gentle on the hair. Enter Head & Shoulders Nourishing Hair & Scalp Care. Infused with lavender essence, this shampoo and conditioner not only guarantees that your scalp will be 100% flake free, it leaves hair beautifully soft and shiny — with a great scent to boot.

PROBLEM: Dry, Color-Treated Hair

If you regularly color your hair and that has caused it to dry out OR it is simply dry to begin with, you need to treat it with extra special care. Pureology makes an amazing shampoo and conditioner duo formulated specifically for this condition and it works wonders. I should know, because I have very dry hair and I color and highlight my hair! Pureology Hydrate Shampoo and Conditioner are concentrated sulfate free formulas that feature the brands exclusive AntiFadeComplex. With natural extracts including Peppermint, Sage and Rosemary, hair is left super soft and manageable without being stripped of it's color. In fact, I swear my color looks more vibrant the longer I use it.

PROBLEM: Limp Hair that Needs Texture and Hold

Fine hair or a lot of hair that is thin (like mine) might have a hard time holding volume. If this sounds like you and you've tried everything, listen up; try a Texturizing Spray. 

PROBLEM: Hair that Craves Volume

If you've tried a lot of tools that promise volume and just aren't getting the results you want, get your hands on the InStyler MAX. This rotating hot iron is like unlike that I've ever used. Yes, it straightens or curls your hair depending on how you use it, but I've been using it to add volume to my hair. I do it by rotating the iron through my hair and holding it at my roots for about five seconds before gliding it through the rest of my hair (which I do so quickly). Using it this way adds a bit of a wave and a ton of body. The Instyler MAX works by way of a specially patented design and a tourmaline ceramic polishing rotating cylinder which is easy to control right or left. This combines with ionic bristles that separates your hair as it styles it; it's really unique. I like that there are four heat settings so I can be assured that I am in control and never frying my hair. It heats up fast too — in 30 seconds! I like the larger 1 1/4" barrel which is good for volume and wavy hair styles, but the InStylerMAX is also available in a smaller 3/4" version for curls. Choose from black, purple or pink to suit your personal style.

PROBLEM: Hair that is All Out of Sorts

If you are simply having a lot of hair problems and you can't put your finger on it, you need to reel it in and bring it back to the basics. I do this every few months and give my hair a good "cleansing". Think of it like spring cleaning for the hair. I like to do this with a gentle, more natural shampoo and conditioner that is generally good for all hair types like Aveeno Pure Renewal Shampoo & Conditioner.  I usually only have to do it for about a week and then go back to specialized hair care. I choose this because it is sulfate-free and gentle. It is a no-fuss system that doesn't promise anything specific, but it washes away the bad and locks in the good to refresh and rebalance the hair. Do it and get your hair back and track. If you have pretty normal hair or don't color or chemically treat, this is a great everyday shampoo and conditioner to use.