I’ve been on a culinary kick lately, ya know, cooking more than usual, because as much as I love the frozen food aisle at Trader Joe’s, I think I’ve hit my upper limit for microwaveable bean burritos this year. And all of the time I’ve been racking up at the stove has also led to a startling discovery: lemon zest — the scrapings you get from running a lemon against a grater — that stuff is the muthu truckin’ shiz!
It contains all of these aromatic, flavorful oils that make it a great seasoning for dishes like fish, pasta, salad, and pretty much anything and everything else I’ve been adding it to lately.
I bet if I’m not careful, what is still just a zesty infatuation could explode into a full-blown lemon zest addiction.
And then what? Where would I be?
Oh, I know — probably thinking about lemon zest while I play with the new Too Faced Shadow Insurance Lemon Drop Color Correcting Eye Shadow Primer ($18). 🙂
It’s basically a pale lemon yellow version of the original Too Faced Shadow Insurance, a creamy eyeshadow primer designed to offset discolorations on the lids and extend the wear time of eyeshadows applied atop it.
I’ve long liked the regular version, even though the idea of it isn’t that revolutionary anymore. As far as similar lemony/yellow primers, Benefit makes one called Lemon Aid ($20) that didn’t really work for me, so I wanted Lemon Drop to rock. Plus, I kinda 
the name. The yellow tints are designed to neutralize redness in the skin.
Unblended (left) and blended (right)
As with the O.G. Shadow Insurance, powder and cream shadows grip this stuff like a grizzly bear, although I do detect some minor creasing after about six hours — not bad, but not quite up to the priming power of my current crush, NARS Pro Prime Smudge-Proof Eyeshadow Base, which I’ve worn with the same shadows for 12 hours without creasing.
Like Pro Prime, Lemon Drop also intensifies the colors of eyeshadows layered on top of it, but to a lesser degree (and much less than applying shadows wet does).
And then there’s the matter of the color. Unblended, it’s a gorgeous pale yellow — so pretty! — but blended it turns ashy and gray (same issue I have with Benefit Lemon Aid).
I’m guessing it’s just a little too light and cool-toned for my tan.
Cool-toned pale pretties should have much better luck. Even though it doesn’t really work well for me, I still think it’s an above average eye primer (but one taken to task by NARS).
PRICE: $18
AVAILABILITY: Available now at Sephora stores and also online
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B
Is it getting hot in here?
So…I’ve been trying to keep my trap shut about the latest True Blood episode to give you enough time to see it, but I’m dying to dish!
Did you watch it? What did you think? Of Sunday’s episode? I thought the writers (shirtless Vampire Eric scenes) did a great job (shirtless Vampire Eric scenes) with the story overall (shirtless Vampire Eric scenes), and it felt like the whole series (shirtless Vampire Eric scenes) got back on the right track. 🙂
Oh, and who else LOL’d when Eric mistakenly called Sookie, “Snookie”?
Snookeh!
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Oh my god, the “Snookie” slip-up absolutely made my day! And I have to agree with you completely on this one – the writing and dialogue (shirtless Vampire Eric repeatedly apologizing scenes) were absolute perfection.
The Snookie/Sookie scene was hilarious!! And a shirtless Eric is never a bad thing;) Too bad Alcide kept his shirt on. I’m bummed he got back with Debbie (is that her name?) Can’t stand her!!
OMG Karen! I keep joking with my bff that Eric is like a Sour Patch Kid. First he’s sour (killing Snookie’s *lol* fairy god mother) and then he’s sweet (saying sorry and looking all innocent afterwards). I LOVE IT.
Oh! And *hug* 😀
I loved that ‘whoops!’look he gave Sookie at the end of the episode. He looked like a puppy. A very sexy puppy.
It was such a good episode of True Blood! I love confused, innocent Eric. My hubby and I must have rewound the last minute of the episode at least 5 times; “You killed my fairy godmother!” and then the little boy in trouble smile. Epic!
I’ve always liked Eric… but now I think I’m in love!!
Shirtless Eric………yum……
That’s a shame about the primer turning ashy and gray when blended! D: I was matched to NC42 (but I think I may have become NC44…) so it’ll definitely do the same to me XD
On the topic of lemon zest: OMG I LOVE! <3 I once made lemon cupcakes with lemon zest in the batter and the frosting and it was AMAZING! The zest really makes the flavor pop in a way that lemon juice can't!
I heart lemon cupcakes! Do you happen to have your recipe around? Not that I need any more sweets in my life, but still. It never hurts to be prepared.
Sorry for the delayed reply! I had to wait till I got home because the recipe is in my cupcake kit book! For the sake of not leaving you a ridiculously long comment, I’ll message you the recipe XP
As a ginormous TFSI fan, I must try this!
Great, I hope it works for you! 🙂
Gah! I’ve turned into such a Truebie lately – it’s getting disturbing. Loving the fourth season so far, but it’s so annoying trying to watch it being in Aus, I have be cheeky and watch it online because it doesn’t come out here for SO LONG 🙁 Silly southern hemisphere.
Yes, it’s been really good! I wasn’t crazy about the last season, and right now things are looking up. 🙂
What a shame about it going ashy on you 🙁 My previous experiences with the TFSI are that they are too ‘grippy’ with matte shadows and make blending more difficult, so I actually prefer UDPP. Interesting concept though with the yellow corrector.
I totally get what you’re saying. For me, I have the opposite problem with the original UDPP — I have a hard time blending mattes with it on. I don’t really have that issue with their Eden Primer, though, which was my go-to before discovering the NARS one.
It sucks that this went ashy on you. If it’s meant to neutralize redness, maybe it’s meant for fairer complexions?
Speaking of lemons, I have to make my famous lemon cupcakes later on. 🙂
Yeah… it’s probably better for fairer, cooler skin tones.
Nom, lemon cupcakes sound delish! They are my second favorite behind red velvet.
True Blood is the best because of …. shirtless Vampire Eric scenes.
he is so so so so hawt! <3
oh if that primer doesnt work for you, im skipping it! 🙂
Yes he is! I would be tempted to invite him in if he showed up at my door… Tabs would probably be pretty P.O.’d, though. I’m pretty sure he isn’t down for being Eric’s pre-dinner appetizer. 🙁
he is pretty hawt.
plus — its adorable the way he plays the clueless, amnesiac vamp! it makes me wanna huggle him and tell him it will be all better soon! 😀
TEAM ALCIDE for me!!!
I don’t mind when he’s shirtless, either. 🙂
Ah, Eric. Amazing looking with a shirt on, and spectacular without. 🙂 I agree about the last ep being a little tighter. I think I’m going to have the same feeling about Marnie as I did about Mary Ann, though. She’s a necessary part of the plot but whenever she’s on the screen, I’m hoping it will quickly move on to the next storyline. In fairness, I’m also hoping the next storyline involves a shirtless Eric! 🙂
Oh, wait, did you review a product? HAHA! I’m a lemon fan, too. And lemon drop shots had a special place in my heart when I was younger. Too bad about the primer, though. 🙂
Re: Marnie — YES! Me too. I wish she wouldn’t whisper so much. It’s starting to drive me nuts.
I’m actually starting to feel really bad for Jason (“Ghost Daddy!”). It’s no fun being unwillingly turned into a were-panther!
I have the Benefit LemonAid and I have the same problem with ashy-ness, I can only imagine Lemon Drop would do do the same. My fave primer is Lorac Behind the Scenes Primer, it works amazing for me!
That one’s a good one. I like it too!
Lemon zest is the SHIZNIT. Do you have a microplane? Those are amazing at zesting lemons and limes.
Also, do you know if there are any cheapo drug store brand primers on the market?
I don’t! Do I need to pick one up? I will if it’s life changing.
As for drugstore primers… are you looking for one for your eyes or your entire face?
Yes!! A microplane is life changing if you love lemon zest!! So much easier to zest citrus, finely grate chocolate, parmesan cheese. Amazing!!
I have to say the more naked Eric is the better, but I don’t know if I like the whole lost puppy thing… I really liked the viking warrior, uber smart and confident Eric..but maybe that is just me, I do like a bad boy.
I totally caught the Snookie reference and cracked up! A sign of the times. Gotta love it.
Argh, I got distracted and forgot to ask if you like this shadow primer better than Urban Decay primers?? I love the UD ones, but am always willing to try something bigger and better.
I’m actually watching it again now 🙂
Snookie – that was awesome
I love the name & the packaging and I love the original Shadow Insurance, so I’m sure I’ll end up getting this once I finish my Benefit Lemon Aid. I feel like this one is a better deal, probably easier to use and a better product overall.
Snookie did crack me up. I thought the 180 on Eric was interesting, but I hope it doesn’t last very long. It’s fun for a while, but Eric’s confidence was what made him SO sexy. If he’s going to be a doormat or a lap dog, that’s really not sexy to me, even if it is Eric.
I love TFSI with a passion and I do love the new Candlelight too. So I want to try this out when it will reach Italy (I guess in September..)
Hi Karen. I recently got this product and love it. I am a fair redhead with red undertones especially around my eyes. At the same time as this, I got the new matte TF eyeshadow palette and I have to say the shadow insurance did a great job with the matte eyeshadows. No blending problems at all and after I took off my makeup at 8+ hours I had no creasing. This has replaced my Lemon Aid and my original TFSI as my new holy grail of primers. I’ve even using it under my eyes underneath powder concealer and that is working great. Maybe this is turning out to be a product for the fair skinned girls only.
love the episode 😀
thanks for the review