Mamamia Managing Editor Lana writes: After dealing with (and solving) our lip balm woes last week, Zoe’s back with her second reader question. Well she’s back with the answer which is even better.
Today’s question comes from Lucy Gardener who wants to know which goes first – primer or mosituriser.
Over to you, Zoe.I am listening because I have no clue
For those of you who are unable to watch the video right now watch it when you get home but just to keep you in the loop for now – it is moisturiser first and primer later. Any treatment product before any make up product.
Zoe’s pick for primer is the Napoleon Perdis Auto Pilot Pre-Foundation Primer ($55) which you can get here.
Do you use primer? Does it help your make up stay where it’s meant to be?
Zoe's amazing book, Amazing Face
Zoe Foster is an author and columnist and Contributing Editor for Mamamia. She has previously been the beauty director for both Cosmopolitan and Harper’s BAZAAR magazines, and the Editor at Large of Primped.com.au. Zoe has published four books; Air Kisses, Textbook Romance (which she wrote with Hamish Blake), Playing The Field and Amazing Face. You can follow Zoe’s tumblr here and her Twitter here. You can and should buy Amazing Face here.
Comments
85 Comments so far
Future question for Zoe…Can you please recommend a good pair of tweezers? I have tried half a dozen recently and they don’t pull out the eyebrow hair from the root and I’m left what looks like stubble. Any ideas? Thanks.
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Future question for Zoe
I know in your book you give a run down for those with under 10 mins of time … but to reduce this further … for the SAHM whose highlight of the day is school run / grocery shopping – what can be done to look good but with minimal effort?!
Thanks
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Do you know what I’m curious to see – INSIDE ZOE’S MAKE UP BOX. I can imagine it would feel like a magical christmas shop with every beauty product a girl could dream of!
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Hearing you girls talk about your make up questions makes me and my questions seem not that silly.
How do we ask Zoe questions? Because I’d like some advice on the best way to use eye shadow for day time and party time.
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Ask here or on our Facebook page…
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I used to think primer was a crock. Been using the Nars one until it ran out and now Napleon Auto-Primer (is that what it’s called?).
Good under foundation. Zoe has taught me much about ‘layering’ my products – something I used to be very afraid of. Much braver now.
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thanks also for saying so politely just to recap… primer is….. cos you might think we all know this by now, but DUH!! not me….25 years of make up and still NFI!!!
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Zoe, how do get/retain such lovely white teeth?
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I am not Zoe but pretty sure I know the answer to that one. Don’t smoke, don’t drink coffee, tea or red wine and if all that fails, get them professionally bleached. Expensive but it works.
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If only I were so virtuous!
Unfortunately the answer is: Zoom Advanced Power. The strongest of all the teeth whitening services, and around $1000-ish. HowEVER, I did get it back in 2007 and it is still, as evidenced by your lovely comment, going pretty strong. I wrote a story on it, and all I remember was only being able to eat baked potatoes and sour cream (WIN) and drinking coffee through a straw (LESS OF WIN BUT DEFINITELY NOT A LOSE) for a few days after.
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I always love these posts – I seem to be a late bloomer when it comes to make-up and Zoe is bringing me up to speed, I ordered Zoe’s book and am hoping to having before the weekend.
I really need help with sunscreen though. Every sunscreen I put on my face (so far almost all have been part of a moisturiser) causes my very oily skin to break out and just feel really awful. I have tried the sunscreen/moisturisers for oily skin from a number of different brands, the result being a drawer full of hardly used products because they have not been right for me.
HELP! Please give me your advice. I need people other than the brand-specific sales women I usually ask to give me some new ideas and let me know what has worked for other people. Thanks!!
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You’re not alone with the sunscreen issue, finding the right one is hard!
The Clinique City Block SPF 30 is UVA/UVB and is in a word: fantastic.
Another cheaper option that I love is the Neutrogena UVA/UVB sunscreen has quite a nice feel and texture, I tried it at Priceline the other day but they’d run out of stock (dammit!). I’ve also used the Nivea Daily Face Veil 30+ sunscreen is good under makeup, I’ve never experienced oily residue from it. Hope that helps!
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QUESTION….
Zoe!!!
I’m so glad your hair has gone lighter because I would LOVE to know your answer to regrowth problems. Eg. tricks to hide it or delay my colour appointment for another week or two without looking ridic.
I feel like my foils never quite get close enough to the root. Do toners assist?
Too many questions! So little Zoe!
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I went to a evening and day make-up course run by a professional make-up artist. She said you DON’T need primer. Girls…your wasting your money. A good moisturiser but if you spend at least $30 min on foundation (her words…not mine)…than you should be fine…it’s all in the foundation. So..what? You spend $55 on primer…then another $30 min on foundation? It’s a con job. And making people Napoleon Perdis richer.
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For me, primer has definetly helped my makeup last the distance. I use a $70 Dior foundation and a $10 primer from Face of Australia. The foundation is gorgeous, and lasts well enough during the day, but for night use primer really makes it last the distance and keeps my skin moisturised (win!). Some skin types, like mine, benefit from having something for the foundation to stick to. My skin tends to ‘eat’ my makeup so primer is my saviour!
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haha we have the same skin Emma! My nose and forehead love eating foundation.
Your right though Elizabeth- not everyone needs primer. I know lots of my friends don’t use it and their makeup looks perfect at the end of the day but as someone with combo skin whose makeup doesn’t I have found it really makes a difference.
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I have a weird relationship with primer. Sometimes it’s wonderful but sometimes it does nothing, or even seems to make things worse. Hmm. I think its because my integumentary system is such a moody little bitch.
Meanwhile, Zoe, I think it may be time for you to tell me what my hair should be doing over Summer. Are we still enjoying the collarbone length? I like your length but not for my face. Any exciting breakthroughs in colouring?
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Hi Zoe love your makeup tutorials. Have you thought about releasing a makeup DVD?
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No. But thank you. So so many girls do such such a better job!
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Hi Zoe! Why don’t you wear primer during the day? Personal preference or are you scared of product overload? I would like to wear primer for work because I want my foundation to stay put and not slide. Do you think this would be a problem?
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Yep, i only just got round to watching this vid. I def agree with your question!
If i wore primer it would be as any everyday work type thing… not a night time thing!
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Zoe’s orangey lipstick ….. divine!
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Zoe, I would love to know about cheaper orange lippies. I don’t want to spend that much on a product I’m not going to wear all the time, but I would love one to wear on nights out!
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At Priceline you’ll find some great cheap lipsticks, it’s my go to place for ‘trendy’ colours that I’ll only wear every now and then (though Zoe has converted me and I now wear bright lippies nearly every day!).
Definetly check out Revlon Colourburst lipstick, they’re so moisturising. There’s a great peach shade that should suit just about anyone. Maybelline also has some nice orange shades and there’s a few so there’s sure to be one to suit you! I’m partial to ‘Coral Pop’ it’s grey day pick me up lippy. Covergirl does some great apricots and oranges to. I think both brands are $20 and under.
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Zoe, I’d LOVE to hear from you what are the essentials / cheaper products for a woman on a TIGHTER than TIGHT budget. I’m a mum of 2 with no income currently and to say I can’t afford a lot (actually anything) is generous. I’m a convert of your book, but a bit depressed that it all costs so much. As I’m sure there’s other Mamamia readers out there just like me, please help us with a list of everyday/cheaper items…. Please!
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Cath I am so on this, that I am in danger of being too on it, and it inverting on itself. Stay tuned. Seriously. DO NOT LEAVE THIS WEBSITE UNTIL I POST AGAIN.
I’ll be watching.
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Yes I’d love to know some cheap makeup as well. I honestly think that some things are better the more you spend but there are also products you can spend much less on.
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Eeep my question was answered! Actually my question was whether both moisturiser and primer are necessary – but you ultimately answered that for me anyway, so thank you Zoe!
Ps – in regards to sunscreen application – do you still apply sunscreen first if you’re using a physical blocker (zinc based)? And what if it’s a combo sunscreen – still goes first? So confusing!
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I’ve heard Napoleon Auto Pilot and the Face of Australia primer are the EXACT same product from the same supplier, just packaged differently. Is there any truth in this?
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apparently yes! I am all for spending on products that work, but buy the FOA one instead and spend the savings on a new lipstick!
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Yes the FOA primer is amazing – feel so nice and you can always get it on sale!
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I actually think the FOA is better than the NP one!
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Yep, I’ve heard so much that they’re the same thing, and as we have both products in my house atm, I’m pretty confident they’re the same! I personally love the FOA. Cheap as and it does the job!
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FOA from kmart right?
i have so much to learn….
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Big W – $11!!
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Always wear primer when going out out.. works a treat (Nars – face & Smashbox – eyes). And now wear Estee Lauder tinted moisturizer everyday after zoe recommended it… its wonderful so i have stocked up while living in North America… so cheap!!!
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ooooh need to know exactly what Zoe has on her eyes in this video please!
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or alternatively, I could just scroll down
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And where can we submit our questions to you please, Zoe?
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here…
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For all the gorgeous, interested squids asking, in this video I’m wearing:
Estee Lauder Daywear Sheer Tint Release (tinted Moisturiser)
Benefit Boing concealer under the eyes and on blemishes/scars
Gorgeous cosmetics white liner on the lower waterline
Revlon CustomEyes in sweet innocence on the eye lids (used with a wet brush as liner also)
Bobbi Brown perfectly defined mascara
Napoleon Perdis Hara lipstick
Bobbi Brown bronzing powder
Benefit Chachatint cheek stain as blush
Chanel Peridot nail varnish (current polish obsession; will be worn for next 88 videos)
Rollerblades
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That reminds me, could you do a cheat sheet on who can wear orange lipstick?
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no mascara or eyeliner?
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she says Bobbi Brown mascara
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Can you pls help- what if I am wearing tinted moisturiser- is primer of no use under it?
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Hi Zoe
I was going to suggest after your last post (after several queries regarding your nail polish colour) that you list the make-up you are wearing in each video at the top of the post…
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Hi Zoe, I am wondering whether you would be prepared to divulge whether botox is also one of your beauty products/secrets?
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Yes, I would also love to know this. You can spend all the money in the world on all the best products but if you are using botox your face is going to look different/younger/better? to someone who is using all the said products but not botox.
(No judgement from me, I couldn’t care less what people do to maintain their face, would just be interesting to know)
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I use either Face of Australia or Australis (both available from Big W) and are both around $10 – $15 and both are fantastic! I swear by MAC products for foundation, powder, blush etc but the price difference for primer is crazy when the cheaper products are exactly the same.
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ps…have just fallen in love with Tinted lip balm!!! Burts Bees do an organic one thats perfect and comes in 5 shades – pinky, red, dark plum and tangerine colour are amongst them!
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I have that in Hibiscus (the pinky one). Love it!
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i love Zoe’s Posts!! :O)
i use Mac Primer and its spf as well and does the trick!
Would like to see some natural/organic beauty posts!!
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Zoe, to stop a million people asking the same questions every time you post a video, you should just give a quick run down of your makeup and nail polish. It will save everyone a lot of time.
ps- digging the lighter hair…
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Zoe you look fabulous. Love your lipstick and nail polish. Can you please tell us what you are wearing.
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Zoe – i think you are amazing and your book is something that cannot be put down!! Great video!! Same with everyone below: What colour/brand is that lipstick – its amazing!!!
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Anyone have any recs for primers with no silicone? Products with silicone really do a number on my skin, and it seems every primer is full of it.
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I use the Mac primer and it stops the greasy / shiny face (some call is dewy) that makes me feel slimy. And it keeps my makeup in place for longer
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I use the Napoleon primer as I have fairly dry skin and found my foundation would sit on top of my skin and look very obvious even though I regularly exfoliate plus moisturise daily. I was recommended the primer and have found it def helps the foundation to blend in and look more natural.
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The only primer I use is eyeshadow primer. I use “Too Faced Shadow Insurance”. It is AWESOME! Makes virually any eyeshadow last all day. It’s almost still completely perfect after an hour sweating it out at the gym. Can’t recommend it highly enough!
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Hi Karyn, Where do you buy it? Sounds great!
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Kit sells too faced
their eye shadow palettes are pretty amazing too!
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Buy it online, so much cheaper. $35 from Kit, $13.50 from Beauty Bay.
Nars makes the best eyelid primer imo.
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I use and recommend Elisabeth Grant Moisturising Stick.
Ideal for those occasions when the lips start to dry.
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Zoe- LOVE LOVE that lipstick. What colour is it?
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and blush! love that colour-what is it?
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Yes, I love the lipstick and blusher! Would love to know what it is.x
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yes! I started using a primer about a year ago and it definitely helps my makeup stay on longer.
A make up artists who works for Napoleon told a friend of mine that sorbolene works just as well as a primer so I use that now instead – bucket loads cheaper!
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Great tip re sorbolene, thanks!
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Zoe, your skin looks amazing in this vid (I’m sure it looks like that all the time lol) so whatever you are doing must be working!
Can you do a piece on serums (what they are for, what types you can get, how often should I be using it etc)? It would also be awesome if you could (maybe not as a vid but as a list) tell us what you do for your skin on a daily, weekly and monthly basis. Basically a list of products and procedures.
Excited you are on MM x
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YES serums please!! I love the idea of adding a super-charged HIT of benefit in my skincare, because heavy creams always make me break out (dry but breakout prone) whereas serums do not.
But there are SO many out there!
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I agree! I would love to know more about serums!
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Rosehip oil! It’s fantastic, and can be used in the place of a serum. Cheap and you’ll see the results so fast, I swear by it.
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Yes I already use that (passed down from my Mum) but given my age (25), I am not sure that it exactly suits my needs for right now. Although my Mum looks bloody fantastic and most people tell me I look much younger so maybe it is what I need lol.
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Pseudo, that sounds exactly like my skin. I tried rosehip oil, about a thousand different moisturisers, nothing helped and my skin was basically cracking- so dry and sore all the time. I’ve been using The Body Shop vitamin E moisture serum and then their carrot moisture cream for the past 5 months- AMAZING! Not too expensive if you want to try it
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come on guys – give us people at work a hint at her advice
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Sure will – will add it in now
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Yeah, I wish there was a transcript as well as video
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i use a primier only when i have a long day and need the makeup to stay nice for the duration ie wedding.
I use the Loreal Professional Secrets one – its in a tiny tiny tub, its pink and has a bouncy marshmallow like texture and its awesome. You only need the tiniest amount, the tub last for ages (ive had mine for over 6 months and have used maybe 10% of it).
PS Zoe i just read your book and loved it – im still very scared about bronzer but if i ever get the courage i now know which products to buy and how to apply using the backwards 3 trick – awesome stuff.
Questions to add to your long list to answer for us who love you:
What are your recommendations for face sunscreen and body sunscreen?
What are your thoughts on the Clarisonic?
What are your thoughts on the lash and brow growth things (i use Mavala it seems to be working)?
And MOST importantly:
When are we going to see Meowbert head?
xoxox
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I haven’t watched this video yet because I am at work but I just have to say that the best primer is by Face of Australia which is available from Priceline- its so cheap (about $10 I think) but works exactly the same as the Nara and smash box primers for a fraction of the price!. Ive been using primer for maybe a year and it totally makes a difference- I was in a rush for work this morning and didn’t put any on and i know my makeup will look pretty crappy by the time I get home tonight!
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Ella89 I second that! The Face of Australia primer is fantastic and a total bargain.
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Agreed! Apparently the Face of Australia primer is exactly the same as Napoleon who repackages his items…but I go by experience. My mum uses the N primer I use the FOA. Same consistency, smell, colour, result but mine is a quarter of the price. Score!
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WHAT!?!? Oh yes, I am going to Priceline very soon…
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priceline… here I come! Thanx
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I use face of australia too – it is exactly the same as NP! Also a fan of Rimmel – it looks to be tinted, but it goes on soooo well – love it!
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I didn’t like the rimmel one
But I really like the revlon beyond natural one from big W (not that I wear makeup that often though!!)
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