Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer.

I love discovering new brands and their products. I've known about Hourglass Cosmetics for quite some time, but never had the opportunity to try any of their products. After hearing about so many celebrities wearing Hourglass top events, I knew this was a line I had to check out. I can't think of a better way to check out the line than with one of their best sellers, the Veil Mineral Primer.

Veil Mineral Primer is said to "neutralize redness, minimize the appearance of pores, help soften the look of fine lines and wrinkles and repel water to ensure makeup appears fresh all day long."

This primer is elegant upon first look. It comes housed in a beautiful frosted glass bottle with a bronzed colored cap that covers an airtight pump.

The primer itself feels very liquid, and not like most primers as it is pumped out. But as it applies, it starts to get that silicone-ish powdery type of feel to it as it seems to blur the skin and make it look simply beautiful. I love the silky feel and how it makes my foundation apply effortlessly and very even. Imperfections and fine lines are definitely burred. It also helps to make my foundation, and entire makeup, look great all day as it helps it last longer than without primer.

It is important to note that this also contains an SPF of 15 which is great for additional sun protection. It is a physical sunscreen, which is the type of sunscreen that reflects the sun off the skin, so I wouldn't wear this if I knew I would be having my picture taken.

Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer comes in two sizes; 10 ml. for $18.00 or 30 ml for $52.00. You can purchase online at HourglassCosmetics.com or in Sephora.

Glow from the Get Go with Laura Mercier's Foundation Primer Radiance.

Long gone are the days of shimmer and sparkle for me. Shimmer powder may give me the glow that I crave, but they do something I don't want - they accentuate my fine lines. Ugh. It sort of defeats the purpose, especially as glow = younger. I want to look lit from within.

Laura Mercier must have heard my call as her newest foundation primer, Laura Mercier Foundation Primer - Radiance gives me the perfect lit from with in look while prepping my skin for my foundation and the rest of my makeup.

This primer applies clear, but diffuses any lines and wrinkles on my face while making it simply look better with a slight glow.  When I apply my concealer and foundation, my skin still looks diffused and radiant. A pearl sized amount is all I need to do my entire face and throat. Yes, I apply this on my throat (neck) as I definitely need the light diffusing help here. I do not look sparkley or shimmery. It is more of a mother of pearl looking type of glow. My skin is left silky smooth and primed for makeup application.

After my makeup is on, I can even dab and blend a tiny amount of this primer on the tops of my cheekbones and on my brow bone for an extra bit of light. Who would have thought a foundation primer could give me such a beautiful, soft glow from the get-go? Plus, help my makeup go on smoother and last longer, looking perfect throughout the day? Thanks, Laura! This product is certainly going to keep a spot on my vanity.

Laura Mercier Foundation Primer Radiance sells for $30 and is available online at lauramercier.com as well as Sephora and Nordstrom.

MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Complexion Starter Kit.

Looking for the perfect, flawless canvas to start your makeup? Instead of continually trying and mixing and matching brands, try this HD Complexion Starter Kit from MAKE UP FOR EVER and have your look changed - for the better.

Seriously, just think about the different combination of primers, foundations and powders you have tried in the past. Or maybe you are new at getting started with perfecting your makeup look. Both answers can boggle your mind. Finding not only the right shade, but the right primers and finishing powders that actually work with the foundation - not against them - are not as easy to find as you think. No more with this kit, which MAKE UP FOR EVER has perfected. The HD Complexion Starter Kit not only gives you the perfect primer and powder, this one actually gives you a choice of foundations. And not just a few shades. You can select from any of MUFE's full range of 26 foundation shades.

The HD Complexion Starter Kit contains:

• HD Microfinish Powder
• HD Kabuki Brush
• HD Microperfecting Primer
• HD Invisible Cover Foundation

The kit retails for $79, which is a great deal considering the foundation alone is $40.00.

Selecting one of the foundation shades is a breeze too. All you have to do is use MAKE UP FOR EVER's interactive shade finder: www.hd.makeupforeverusa.com/shadefinder. MUFE created the shade finder tool to help women find their perfect foundation match online. Since they hear from clients all the time that they are too afraid to buy foundation online for the first time because they don’t know what shade they are, this tool helps you find the perfect shade - the first time. It is just two steps, and it recommended the shade that I use, 120, which I had matched in the store.

The result from using all three products is pretty flawless.  I smooth on about a pearl sized amount of the HD Microperfecting Primer and rub it gently into my skin. After a minute or so, when it feels dry, I use two pumps of the HD Invisible Cover Foundation.  I actually squirt it on the back of my hand and apply it with my damp beautyblender sponge.  With a bit of the foundation I have left over, I apply a bit to the bottom of my cheeks with my fingertips.  I have a bit of redness here, and using my fingertips insures more of a full coverage, where I need it.  Finally, I finish with a very light dusting of the HD Microfinish Powder. The HD Kabuki Brush makes this process seamless.  I actually gently shade the powder, and swirl the brush into the cap.  You will barely notice any powder there, just a very light dusting, and that is really all of the powder that you need. The result, is a natural, beautiful, almost perfect looking canvas. It isn't too dewy or not too matte.  My skin looks and feels like satin, ready for the rest of my makeup. The best part is, it looks that way all day!

Just in case your new beautiful complexion has you feeling like a model, enter MAKE UP FOR EVER's first ever open casting call to find the model their upcoming unretouched ad campaign.  All you have to do is create your own picture-perfect make up look and then submit it for consideration via the microsite, www.hd.makeupforeverusa.com by February 1st.  All finalists’ photos will be posted on Facebook and the winner will be flown to NYC for a professional photo shoot in late February. How fun! If you enter, let me know.