Primer VS Primer

Now it is time for my first Tristan's Beauty Boxing Match up. In one corner we have the champion, my trusty go-to everyday eyeshadow primer Urban Decay Primer Potion

If you watch my videos, are a friend or client of mine, then you have heard me rave about this product. So I decided to put my beloved primer to the test. 

So, in the other corner we have the challenger, Too Faced Shadow Insurance.

I have heard so many people say this is their go-to eyeshadow primer. So I had to put it to the test. 

I am a loyal Urban Decay Primer Potion gal. I love it. I've tried other brands (except Too Faced) and they don't even compare in my opinion. Then Too Faced came out with a Glitter Glue version of their primer (which I own and love) which you can gently pat on over eyeshadow to adhere glitter too. So I thought I'd give Shadow Insurance a go. 

So one day I did my right eye with Too Faced Shadow Insurance and the left eye with Urban Decay Primer Potion. I wore them under my eye makeup all day. I have pretty much tested UDPP for a few years so I know that stuff really well. The results were interesting in only that I did not see a difference after 8 hours. Not one difference. 

So, kind of a boring match up right? Well, there are differences to the products as well as similarities. I wore Too Faced Shadow Insurance on both eyes for a few days to give it a real trial run against the UDPP that I have worn for years. While they both held up lovely all day here are the differences I noticed in them.

First, TFSI is slightly different in texture and it seems slightly less sticky to me. Second I also found that I used a bit less of the TFSI than the UDPP. But just a bit less. However, those tiny bits of less product can add up. Also they are priced differently. TFSI retails for 18$ and has has .35 ounces of product. UDPP retails for 20$ but has .37 ounces of product. The difference between the ounces is minimal. Maybe one extra application in the UDPP. 

The similarites are that they both have the same payoff and longevity. The packaging is the same as well with both being squeeze tubes. I would totally buy both of them again to use on myself and also on clients. 

So in my mind it is a tie, but we may have to go to the cards on this one. And if you look at the cards Too Faced Shadow Insurance wins but only by 1 point. And that 1 point would be price. For 2$ less you get the same amazing eyeshadow primer with nearly the same amount of product at the Urban Decay Primer Potion.

I almost feel like I'm cheating on my UDPP by liking the TFSI so much. I would highly recommend them both. I think the consumer would be completely satisfied with either product. It just comes down to price in this situation. Although, I have been buying UDPP for a least 4-5 years now and it used to retail for 18$. So who is to say the the TFSI won't end up at 20$ in the next couple of years.

Urban Decay De-Slick in a Tube Mattifying Gel

For the last year or so I've always been on the lookout for either a primer or foundation that worked well with my interesting sensitive and combination skin. There are lots of good primers out there, but my search has just ended. 

I read about the UD De-Slick and was intrigued. So I bought it around Christmas time and even a friend I was shopping with bought one as well. The first time I tried it I was in shock at its awesomeness. It really did mattify my skin, but it also lasted almost the whole day!

I now have tested it out for over a month and a half and I am completely satisfied with it. So I decided to share with you all. This stuff feels interesting on the skin, but if that doesn't bother you then you are good to go. A little goes a long way but it dries quickly so you have to work fast with it. Those would be my only 2 complaints about this stuff. 

What I do is put a little pea size on the back of my hand and then use my fingers to put rub it into my T-zone (forehead, nose and chin).  Then I pat it in as it dries. Once it is dry it is best to leave it alone and proceed with your choice of foundation. And I mean pretty much any choice of foundation. I've worn it under 3-4 different ones to test it out. It works really well with Fresh cosmetics liquid foundation. That might be my favorite combination right now. However I am planning to try it under MAKE UP FOR EVER's HD foundation which is one of my favorite foundation right now. It also works well with MUFE's Mat Velvet foundation which is great for oily skin. Another foundation I tried it with was the Maybelline Age Rewind foundation (which I'll might post about that stuff later. I'm not super impressed, but I think it will be awesome on someone with normal to dry skin and mature women 40's+ It was just too light of a coverage in a foundation for me. Which is why it is great for normal/dry or mature skin.)

I'm giving this product 5 stars and highly recommend it if you have combination or oily skin. However I believe it wouldn't work well with normal skin and it is a definite no for dry skin. It is available in Sephora stores, ULTA stores, Sephora.com, ULTA.com and UrbanDecay.com for 28$. Totally worth the price, and mine has lasted me a while and I still have a lot of product left. 

Urban Decay Naked Palette!

I have been patiently waiting to get a hold of this palette for the longest time. It has been sold out online and in Sephora for months. It is such a versatile neutral palette. One of the best I have ever seen. I have read rave reviews on so many other fellow beauty bloggers posts, seen YouTube videos, ect. When I received an email from Sephora just over a week ago saying it was back in stock I jumped right on my laptop and ordered it.

Well it came to my doorstep yesterday! YAY! It is GORGEOUS! So I have a tutorial for you using 3 of the shadows from the palette. And I already have a few more in mind to do in the future. I hope you enjoy the tutorial!

Here are your close ups and finished look.

What do we think of the liquid foundation? I think it actually photographed really well. I will have to compare photos side to side to see a difference between my Bare Minerals and this liquid foundation. (I will reveal the name when I give it a full chance to review it. It is a drugstore brand though)

Urban Decay Naked Palette is available at Sephora or Urban Decay

And who knows for how long. They are so popular!