Makeup Artist Collier Strong Teaches Us How To Use L’Oreal’s Magical N…ionista: Fashion Industry News, Designers, Runway Shows, Style Advice Send Tips Advertise 11/2/10 2:10 PM About Us Network search home fashion shows beauty style careers people/parties beauty Makeup Artist Collier Strong Teaches Us How To Use L’Oreal’s Magical New Primer shopping glossary sign up Your email address subscribe Get Fashionista updates in your inbox! By CHERYL WISCHHOVER 7 days ago Fashionista.com Like Like 30 people like this. Be the first of your friends. 10,911 RSS Twitter More subscription options … When I see a product that bears the word “magic” on the label I generally have two competing reactions. First, I get really cynical and snarky. Then I want to try it immediately. 23 This was the case when I stumbled upon L’Oréal Paris’ new Studio Secrets Professional Magic Perfecting Base. A few weeks ago I was finally cleaning out my goody bags from NY Fashion Week. As I emptied out the bag from the Project Runway finale show, I wasn’t surprised to see some L’Oréal Paris and Garnier products in there. We all know who the show’s sponsors are by now (no Piperlime shoes, unfortunately). 30 Share A small little pot of opalescent pink potion caught my eye. I don’t usually wear any base, foundation, or concealer, but for some reason I was intrigued by this. I swiped some on and swooned. Swooned, I tell you! I haven’t had a reaction like that since I tried Bobbi Brown’s pressed powder many moons ago. I’m not usually a gusher and I strive for objectivity, but this product is worthy of a gush. It looks like a mini pot of Duncan Hines frosting, and feels like a thick moisurizer when you first touch it, sort of like Crème de la Mer. That is where all comparisons end, though. When I put it on, it made my skin feel beyond smooth and silky. Then I looked in the mirror. Every fine line and pore had disappeared. My face was like Nicole Kidman’s in the Tom Cruise days. I quickly ran to every harsh and natural light source I could find. Yep. Perfect skin. And no heavy greasy feeling. I wanted to know more about this product, so I rang up L’Oréal Paris. None other than the dashing Collier Strong, Consulting Makeup Artist to L’Oréal Paris–and Project Runway make-up guru–answered my questions. Unfortunately he didn’t come to my home for a makeover, so I settled for these tidbits via email: First and foremost, depending on the condition of your skin, you can use this product alone to illuminate your skin and show a supple, hydrated finish. I like applying it with a sponge all over the face for a nice, even application. If you wear foundation, it is the perfect primer to apply beforehand, as it glides on the skin seamlessly. If you don’t wear foundation and only wear a touch of concealer, the same applies. If you wear both foundation and concealer, after you apply STAFF Editor Lauren Sherman Associate Editor Leah Chernikoff Contributors Steff Yotka, Cheryl Wischhover, Alice Pfeiffer, Jennifer Wiebking, Eliza Tucker, Ashley Jahncke, Sabrina Morrison, Emily Cronin, Dhani Mau, Elizabeth Jaime, John Ortved MOST COMMENTS 1 Exclusive: Marie Claire EIC Joanna Coles Responds to Controversial Fatist Blog Post 2 Fat-Hating Marie Claire Blogger Struggled With Eating Disorder 3 Trendspotting: What’s Up With Fashion People Wearing Jackets Like Capes? 4 Five Lessons Learned From Getting a Brazilian Blowout 5 Ten Questions For Project Runway: Season Finale Edition http://fashionista.com/2010/10/makeup-artist-collier-strong-teaches-us-how-to-use-loreals-magical-new-primer/ Page 1 of 4 Makeup Artist Collier Strong Teaches Us How To Use L’Oreal’s Magical N…ionista: Fashion Industry News, Designers, Runway Shows, Style Advice 11/2/10 2:10 PM 5 the Magic Perfecting Base, apply as little foundation as necessary for the amount of coverage needed. Then apply concealer only if more coverage is needed, for instance under the eyes, around the nose, etc. And finally, apply a light dusting of translucent powder on the skin to create a flawless finish. MOST READ In its October “Best of Beauty” issue, Allure named it the best primer, so clearly I’m not crazy. It retails for about $12.99, and a little goes a long way. I’m hoarding it in case it ever gets discontinued. 11 Comments Tags: Collier Strong, L'Oreal Paris related stories 1 Six Last-Minute Halloween Costume Ideas, Courtesy of Samantha Pleet 2 Five Lessons Learned From Getting a Brazilian Blowout 3 We Just Got a Peek at Marie Claire's Hate Mail 4 Lanvin for H&M: The Full Collection 5 Happy Halloween! Love, Fashionista TOPICS Ads Agyness Deyn Alexander McQueen Alexander Wang Anna Wintour Balenciaga Barneys Chanel Chloe Coco Rocha Diane von Furstenberg ELLE Fall 09 Fashion Paid Distribution What’s Up With That White Powder All Over Nicole and Uma’s Faces? We Solve the Mystery 14 Best Classic Beauty Products TotalBeauty.com Careers World’s Best Clothing Stores: The Fashionista Ranking this site this site Fashion Trivia Fashion Week Exclusive: Marie Claire EIC Joanna Coles Responds to Controversial Fatist Blog Post Kost Lanvin this site [?] Gap Gossip Girl Gucci Jeremy Karl Lagerfeld Kate Moss Louis Vuitton Magazines Marc Jacobs Models Net-a-Porter Prada Proenza Schouler Project Runway Rachel Zoe Rodarte sales Spring 09 Stella McCartney Style.com Target Teen Vogue Television TopShop Vivienne Westwood Vogue Vogue UK showing 11 comments Sort by Oldest first Subscribe by email WWD Subscribe by RSS shharvin 1 week ago Would anyone who has tried this say it's better than the Smashbox primer? Like Reply aysegul 1 week ago Indeed!!! http://aysegulsblog.blogspot.com HEADLINES FROM Like Reply Chloe 6 days ago I'd say it is! I'm a fan of Laura Mercier and Smashbox primers, but this one diffuses redness as well as smoothes. I was actually hesitant to buy it because I'm African American and was thinking it may appear ashy or dull, but it blends beautifully. 1 person liked this. Like Reply This Season's Hautest Nail Polishes: Goo… by Danica Lo - 4 hours ago Dare yourself away from the classic reds and wedding pinks with this season’s hottest polishes. This season, it’s ... Francesco Clark's Tips for Taking Care of Sens… http://fashionista.com/2010/10/makeup-artist-collier-strong-teaches-us-how-to-use-loreals-magical-new-primer/ Page 2 of 4