Additional Products

Here's a quick post about some additional products you can use so your makeup will last longer and/or look more vibrant.  Also some products you can use to fix or remove your looks.

Makeup Removers
You can use whatever you like.  Some people use baby wipes, some use drugstore brands and some use expensive department store brands.  I'm going to be purchasing MAC Pro Eye Makeup Remover and MAC Gently Off Eye & Lip Makeup Remover.  I'll do a full review of each when I do.  The reviews I've read have definitely recommended both.  For those of you who are considering purchasing either of these (or both), below is a comparison.

• An MUA at MAC told me if you need a quick fix while you're creating your look at the beginning of the day, dip a q-tip into the MAC Pro Eye Makeup Remover and fix your mistake.  It's water-based so it won't leave behind a residue that will not allow you to apply more makeup.  MAC Gently Off Eye and Lip Makeup Remover is a two-part solution that removes everything, including waterproof formulas.  This is something you can use at the end of the day to completely demolish your look.  The MUA said it does leave a slight residue on your skin that will cause applying additional makeup a little difficult (which is why it was recommended to me as an "end of the day" remover).

Mixing Mediums

• You can purchase a mixing medium (like the ever-popular MAC Mixing Medium $18.00) or you can view numerous Youtube videos on how to make your own Mixing Medium. The jist is 1 part glycerine + 3 parts water = homemade mixing medium! Keep in mind the homemade mixing medium shelf life is pretty short. I've heard 2-3 weeks max. This is because homemade mixing mediums do not contain preservatives. I have heard MAC Mixing Medium can last a year or two.

Eye Shadow Primers

• I use Too Faced Shadow Insurance (TFSI).  I used to use Urban Decay Primer Potion (UDPP).  Those are the ones I hear the most.  I switched because I noticed UDPP creased quite a bit after about four hours.  I'm guessing because I'm obviously not staring at my eye shadow every second.  By the end of the day, my shadow was seriously faded and creased to an awful mess.  I've been using TFSI for about a week and it seems to be lasting like it is supposed to.  I'll update this as I go if anything changes.

UPDATE:  I definitely prefer Too Faced Shadow Insurance to Urban Decay Primer Potion.  The shadow definitely adheres to my lids better.  I do still notice the shadow seems less vibrant after it's been on for 8 hours.  It's like it's rubbed off although the eyeshadow itself doesn't really migrate and I don't rub my eyes so I'm not sure what's happening.  At the end of my 8 hour day, the eye shadow can just look a little worn.  I do notice a little bit of product gathering in the deeper line on my eyelids.