the Hannah Hardy

—Claims: Creates an even & almost poreless complexion; the perfect base for any makeup application; makeup applies more evenly and lasts longer; keeps skin hydrated; minimizes puffiness under the eyes; smoothing
—Price: $5.99 at Ulta, essencemakeup.com
—Pros: Cruelty free; affordable; vegan; silicone-free; little goes a long way; creates a smooth base; blurred pores; ingredients—coconut oil & hyaluronic acid
—Cons: Availability
—Final Verdict: I don’t like traditional putty primers because they tend to cause my makeup to break apart and they do nothing for my pores. I tried this because it said it was silicone free and I liked the tube packaging. Only need a little bit because too much will cause it too peel up. This creates a smooth canvas and ACTUALLY blurred my pores.

—Claims: Instantly boost lashes; lift, lengthen, and add an invisible layer of lushness
—Price: $24 at origins.com
—Pros: None
—Cons: Expensive; not cruelty free
—Final Thoughts: I am so glad I got this at Marshalls for $8 because it’s awful. It literally does NOTHING for my lashes. It was a waste of $8, but I’m glad I didn’t pay $24 for it! Get the LOreal, it’s cheaper and it actually works.

—Claims: High-spreadability; high coverage; real skin finish; smooth finish; avoid the heavy ale up look
—Price: $5.80 at Ulta
—Shade Range: 36
—My Shade: 1.0N
—Pros: Cruelty free; affordable; very pigmented; little goes a long way; agree with all claims; shade range; vegan; oil, alcohol, parables, sulfate, and fragrance free
—Cons: Availability—Ulta or online only
—Final Thoughts: Thicker formula I wouldn’t recommend using under the eyes; I used it to spot conceal and the tiniest bit completely covered everything

—Claims: Mattifying; long-lasting & extends the wear of makeup; no transfer; no smudge; lightweight; sheer coverage; non-drying, non-cakey, non-ashy; for all skin tones; skin texture looks smoother; minimize oil & shine
—Price: $8 at Ulta; $7.97 at Wal Mart; $7.99 at Target
—Shade Range: 12
—My Shade: Fair & Bright Translucent
—Pros: Affordable; easily accessible; cruelty free; sleek compact packaging; sets/locks makeup in place; doesn’t look cakey; smoothing
—Cons: Packaging can be hard to open
—Final Thoughts: I thought this might be too matte on my dry skin, but it isn’t at all. It locks makeup in place and doesn’t look cakey. My skin looks smooth and filtered with this powder. I use the Bright Translucent to set my under eye concealer and I use Fair to set all over.

—Claims: Highlighting mica for shine-free, luminous finish; mattifies and sets makeup while adding a natural glow
—Price: $12 at Ulta; $11.99 at Target, Amazon
—Pros: Cruelty free; vegan; affordable; mess free packaging; no talc, parabens, phthalates, or mineral oil; glowy; sets makeup in place; agree with all claims; didn’t cake up
—Cons: Availability; scented
—Final Thoughts: Horrible scent; skin looked radiant, but no glitter; almost looked pink/duo chrome-y on the skin; can’t decide how I feel about this, I like the luminous finish, but I’m not completely sold.

MEH

—Claims: Creamy, mousse formula; buildable wash of color; goof-proof application
—Price: $12 at Ulta, $11 on morphe.com
—Shade Range: 4
—My Shade: Wish
—Pros: Cruelty free; easy to blend; buildable; vegan; agree with all claims; long lasting
—Cons: Shade range; packaging
—Final Thoughts: Buildable pigmentation; love this soft pink shade; I wish the opening was a little larger, it’s kind of hard to get a brush in there; soft matte finish; no fading throughout the day, very long lasting