On top of foundations, I'm always on a look out for a good primer. Not just for the face but also the eyes as my lids are really oily and any eyeshadow will crease within a matter of a couple of hours. I have a few eye bases and primers but they don't really work well especially after a long day at work.
There are a few cult favourites amongst makeup artists and beauty bloggers and one of them is the MAC Paint Pot. I have neither Urban Decay Primer Potion (UDPP) nor Too Faced Shadow Insurance (TFSI), which I can now get at Sephora in KL, that is if I finally go there. But MAC is easier to pick up at a nearby mall and I chose Painterly because I've read that this shade fits most skin tones.
The Paint Pot comes in a substantial glass jar and contains 5g of product. It may not seem like a lot but you'd only need very little each time so a jar will probably last more than a year depending on how much is used. To prevent the product from drying out, just ensure that the cap is screwed on tight when not in use.
Many people are not fans of the packaging but I like it. The glass jar feels solid and expensive. For a semi-hard cream based product, I suppose this is the best way to package it.
The shade is described as a "nude beige" and it appears a little brighter in my photos due to the lighting. It is a pink toned, flesh coloured shade that seems to suit my eyelids well. I am between an NC20 to NC25 but my lids are a little darker.
I swatched using a grey L'Oreal eyeshadow from a palette released last year, which I really like but has a tendency to fade and crease rather badly on my lids. The colour with the Paint Pot is smoother and more vibrant.
So, how does it perform and what do I really think of it? (find out after the jump!)
A highly pigmented eye colour that goes on creamy but dries to an intense, vibrant finish. Long-wearing, colourfast. Creates seamless coverage without weight or caking. Blends smoothly over the lids. Cream-based, can be mixed with M·A·C shadows and liners.
My thoughts:
I really like the L'Oreal eye palette for a smoky look but the shadows have never stayed put on my lids, even with a base or primer below. I was hoping that the MAC Painterly will remedy that and be the "ultimate" eye primer in my collection.
As a primer, it does help the eyeshadows adhere better and provides a smooth and even canvas on the lids. It looks great when freshly applied! The texture is creamy but dries down fairly quick to a matte finish.
I even had a smile on my face as I was prancing about in front of the camera! My husband thinks I'm a little mad with all this beauty stuff but he never says a word about it because he's the quiet sort.
So, I happily trotted off to run some errands and popped by the parents' for a homecooked lunch. After a bout of gossip, coffee and wine, I returned home 5 hours later to find this...
The eyeshadows are somewhat faded and there was creasing at the... well, crease. I had to blot my face before taking the photo because it was a little icky. I am a little disappointed that the shadows didn't hold up well but now I think it could be due to the quality of this particular palette. It may be better with higher quality eyeshadows.
Overall, it is an improvement over the other primers I have but I think it won't withstand a long day, especially in this crazy hot and humid weather we've been having.
Pros:
- creamy but dries down to a matte finish
- enhances eyeshadow colours
- comes in many different shades and finishes so you can play around with different looks
- one pot will last a good long time
- provides an even canvas for eye makeup
Cons:
- can be considered expensive
- eyeshadows still creased but my lids are oily
- may dry out if not stored properly
Availability:
Paint Pots are available at MAC counters / stores for RM70 each.
