Lorac Behind the Scenes Eye Primer

I am a reformed Urban Decay fan. About two-thirds of the way through the professional size tube of UDPP, I had to realize that it wasn't working. My eyeshadow was creasing no matter how much or little I used, despite my "perfected" system of UDPP topped with a cream shadow and finished with powder. I would get creasing after 6 hours or so. I needed something that could last 12 hours, because I will often work 10 hours a day and still wanted to be able to go somewhere after work without looking like I had worked 10 hours. I had read good things about Behind the Scenes, and decided to try it out.

 Packaged in a sleek charcoal tube with silver lettering. You get half an ounce for $21.00, or you can often find mini-sizes packaged with Lorac palettes, like the recently released Pro Palette. The applicator is a slant tip, like what you find lipglosses. Behinds the Scenes is available everywhere that Lorac is sold, include Sephora, Ulta, Lorac's website, etc. Sephora's website states:

Behind The Scenes Eye Primer is a crease-resistant formula that holds pigment in place for long-lasting, stay-true color. It easily glides on the eye lid and the silky-smooth finish minimizes flaws and imperfections on the lid.

The product is a milky, pink tone gel-cream hybrid. It applies giving the barest of coverage. I find that it does even the skintone on my lids, but not in a substantial way. I sort of expected the primer to have one of those super-silicone velvet feeling effects, but it doesn't. 

While I haven't been super impress with Lorac in the past, I really, really love this product. I was so surprised at how well it worked. I can even skip using a cream eyeshadow under powder shadows and have the look last for several hours, which is unusual. If I use loose shadows, I don't need to add mixing medium to ensure the shadows will last all day on my lids. I have found that the primer collects on the applicator surface, as seen above. But that's not a big deal.

My only issue with this product is that it seems I use it extremely fast. I don't need to use a ton of it, but it still seems like my supply is dwindling very quickly. It could be that I am used to the huge amount of UDPP from the professional size tube so my frame of reference is poor. Nonetheless, I felt it was important to note.

Overall, I'm very pleased with this product. I will definitely repurchase once my tube is empty.

Clinique Quick Eyes Cream Shadow - Review

I have oily eyelids, so Urban Decay Primer Potion is a must. But, UDPP alone does not work for me, so I have to turn to a second primer or something in addition to powder eyeshadows. Alternatives include Benefit Creaseless Cream Eyeshadows (which crease on me), MAC Paint Pots, and the topic of the day: Clinique's Quick Eyes Cream Shadows.
These retail for $15.50 for 0.17 oz, and are available anywhere Clinique is sold. Clinique markets them as a "crease proof cream eyeshadow," which is not quite true. Clinique also states they will last up to 10 hours on your lids, which is also not quite true. They do crease alone on me, but since everything does, that's not a huge suprise. After about 9 hours, they fade on me, which again, is nothing I'm suprised. These are packaged in tubes like MAC's lipglasses, complete with a doefoot applicator.
I have the shades "Rock Violet," a "muted silvery violet per Clinique, and "Sunlit Palm," a "soft forest green with gold shimmer." I would agree with both color descriptions. Both of these colors are shimmery, not glittery, and work fabulously as color bases.

These have a mousse-feeling to them, however they don't have that "whipped" look in the tube. What makes these great is you can sheer them out if you wish, or layer them for a more intense color. Keep in mind, though, all of the color descriptions include adjectives like "muted" or "soft." I don't believe these are meant to be piled on for a fully opaque, high colored look.

I seem to prefer the creaminess these have, rather than the feel of Paint Pots (although some have a great texture, others don't). I can blend these really well with my fingers, while I feel with Bare Study, for example, I can't move the shadow around on my lid.

I typically wear Rock Violet under purple eyeshadows, like MAC's Shale or Quietly pigment. Sunlit Palm I wear under Sumptuous Olive, or any khaki/green eyeshadow. Both cream shadows help enhance the tone and depth of the color of the shadow being applied over it. I tend use a sheer layer, in an effort to decrease the creasing potential that is inherent in cream shadows.

Clinique has a solid product here. So far, with the two I've used, I really like these and look forward to gathering the other shades the Quick Eyes Cream Shadow comes in.