Tag: eyeshadow primer

Brand Spotlight: Manna Kadar

Manna Kadar // Belle Belle Beauty

Did you know about Manna Kadar? I didn’t until about a week ago. The brand has even been featured in my beloved Birchbox and I just missed it! Well, this little brand packs quite the punch. I have been wearing two of their signature items and certainly won’t stop anytime soon.

First up is the sheer glo – fans of Armani’s Fluid Sheer, pay attention. I adore Fluid Sheer but always love recommending a more affordable option. Sheer glo is that same iridescent liquid that can be worn alone or mixed with your foundation. What sets it apart is its hydrating formula, making it work really well my drier skin. I also have been swiping it on my collar bones and down my shins for a little body glow!

Prime Time is very similar to the MAC Paint Pot I reviewed last week here, albiet in a much lighter shade than Painterly. At first, I thought it was too light. But it completely neutralizes any coloring before you apply eyeshadow. I’ve found that it transforms my metallic shades. And, as a primer should, it prevents smudging and creasing. If you have a big event or a photo shoot, try it as a lip primer. It will keep dark, deep shades from feathering and give a purity of color.

Next up on my list, is this amazing palette – Gold Digger Contouring Palette. How cool does that look??

Manna Kadar Gold Digger Contouring Palette // Belle Belle Beauty

You can find Manna Kadar products on their web page or at Birchbox.

AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE WAS PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY AND EVALUATED TO DETERMINE OUR OPINION OF THE PRODUCT IN THIS POST. PLEASE SEE THE DISCLOSURES PAGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING OUR POLICIES FOR USING EDITORIAL SAMPLES.

MAC Paint Pot

M·A·C Paint Pot // Belle Belle Beauty

Much like my obsession with MAC ‘Mineralize Volcanic Ash’ Exfoliator, I just can’t live without the MAC Paint Pot. I’d seen it on blogs, heard makeup artists rave about it and even tried it out at counters. But I never pulled the trigger until a gift card landed in my lap. Painterly was the shade of choice, although I am quite certain I would take every single shade.

I apply using my fingers. While the formula looks like a paste, it is creamy and slightly slippery. The opaque, highly pigmented color in Painterly makes for a great “blank canvas” and primer for other looks. I also just like it alone for a neutral, natural eye. For a while, I tried to embrace my darker lids, but I will always prefer neutralizing the purplish undertones, even if I am not wearing shadows on top.

The formula blends evenly without any tugging to a creaseless, seemless layer. And lasts all day long. I’ve been mixing the Paint Pot successfully with powder shadows, cream shadows and liners from just about any line. Rubenesque, Blackground and Bare Study are at the top of the list to add to my collection. Add another “can’t live without” to the books!

NARS Eyeshadows and Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base

NARS has a decadent selection of eyeshadows that I have come to love. But there are so many shades! Both singles and duos that are all so tempting. So I’ve narrowed down the collection to my current favorites – all of which are newer colors except one.

First, a bit about the formula if you haven’t tried NARS eyeshadows. I love the duos for their easy, fashion-forward and always complimentary pairings. They are well-pigmented but not hard to handle. And are great for blending. In fact, InStyle awarded the formula “Best Overall Eyeshadow” 2011 InStyle “Best Beauty Buys”. For the duos, I simply put the lighter color to my brows and the darker on the outer part of my lid.

  • Kalahari – bronze pearl/ milk chocolate. This is an easy basic with great shimmer.
  • Paramaribo (new) – metallic brass / metallic bronze. My current obsession. Not near as yellow or green as it appears in the pan.
  • Mandchourie (new) – bluish grey / denim. I love a wash of the lighter color on my lid and the darker blue as an alternative to black eyeliner. Great for a blue, smokey eye.
  • Lhasa – (new) A lavender, grey that is perfect all over the lid. A great neutral.

And I can’t mention NARS eyeshadow without mentioning their Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base, literally the best shadow primer out there. There is zero creasing and the shadows apply like a dream. Special deep-sea extract and an antioxidant rice extract keeps the lid smooth. Plus, the color stays vibrant all day long using a polymer and mineral-powder blend to grip the pigment.

(images of product and swatches from http://www.narscosmetics.com)