Think you don’t need a primer? Prepping your skin before putting on your foundation is a major step.
The Ultimate Guide to Color-Correcting Primers. Green primers are best for skin tones prone to rosacea. Pur Color Correcting Primer in Peach and Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer in. Dec 14, 2018 - Browse through our collection of the industry's best face primers that. We love makeup primers with multiple cosmetic purposes, so MAC's. Wet N Wild Photofocus Primer is the best dupe for Fenty Beauty Primer I have found so far. Primer Dupes. 10 Primer Dupes for expensive brands like Chanel, Benefit, and Smashbox! Drugstore Dupe for MAC Bare Study Paint Pot. Maybelline Color Tattoo in Barely Branded-Lovely Dalliances Drugstore Dupe for MAC Bare Study.
Here’s why – adding this magical element to your daily makeup routine not only helps your makeup last longer but it also creates a protective barrier over your skin. The result is a smoother, more flawless makeup application. A good primer formula combines the benefits of both skin care and cosmetics and is always non-comedogenic. Want to know more? Read on to find out what your skin needs and which are the best makeup primers out there.
Best Foundation Primers And Their Reviews These are our top picks of makeup primers for all your skin concerns. Here’s what we’ve got. Best Makeup Primers For Mature Skin. Best Makeup Primers For Sensitive Skin. Best Makeup Primers For Combination Skin.
Best Water-Based Makeup Primers. Best Makeup Primers For Mature Skin 1. Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Primer Skin Transformer Pros.
Leaves you with a dewy finish. Minimizes the appearance of large pores. Silicone-based formula. Makeup stays for up to 3-6 hours longer. Affordable Cons. The formula claims to leave a subtle pink glow, but it does not Review The Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Primer is one of the best formulas you’ll find at a humble price at your local drugstore.
If you have aging skin with fine lines and wrinkles, this clear formula takes care of your issues by helping you create a smooth and soft surface. Also, if you have dull skin, it works great to add a healthy glow to your skin. A little goes a long way! This comes in a single shade and is best suited for mature skin which leans towards a dry to combination skin type. NYX Pore Filler Primer Pros. Instantly minimizes the appearance of pores.
Talc-free and oil-free formulation. Contains Vitamin E.
Cruelty-free. Affordable Cons. If you have very oily skin, you’ll need to blot your face after three or more hours Review The NYX Pore Filler Primer has a light, peachy tint to it.
If you’re someone with a medium to dark skin tone, you might not like the effect it leaves on your skin. Its formula is lightweight and easy to apply, and it does a great job at reducing the appearance of huge pores. It also helps control oil and keeps shine at bay. If your skin concerns include fine lines, wrinkles, and large pores, this primer will do you good and is worth a try.
Pros. Lightweight and non-greasy. Leaves your skin feeling smooth and hydrated. Minimizes the appearance of wrinkles.
Travel-friendly packaging. Affordable Cons. Using too much can result in a greasy feeling Review The Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser is one of the most popular drugstore primers, and we get why it’s such a great product.
From its price to its performance – everything is exceptional. The primer comes in a small, stylish blue tube and Maybelline wasn’t kidding when they named it “Baby Skin” for it completely transforms the look and feel of your skin by making it incredibly soft. The translucent gel primer is great for anyone looking to create a matte and flawless canvas – it fills in pores, hydrates your skin, and increases the longevity of your makeup for up to 6-7 hours. Mature skin that needs some extra hydration will love this stuff! Rating: 4.9/5 Read: 4.
Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer Pros. Easy to apply. Lightweight and oil-free. Long lasting.
Non-comedogenic. Leaves you with a beautiful, matte finish Cons. Price may be a concern for some Review This is a holy-grail primer not just for mature or aging skin but every skin type. It leaves your skin feeling silky and keeps shine at bay for most of the day. If you have textured skin, this does a lovely job of smoothening it out and creating an even, flawless surface. It’s a transparent gel formula that also helps in eradicating redness and minimizing the appearance of blemishes and pores. If you have a lot of fine lines on your skin, especially around the eyes, you need to try this as your skin will immediately look younger, more radiant, and invigorated.
Rating: 4.9/5 5. Stila One Step Prime Pros. Lightweight and oil-free. A blend of 15 vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Infused with 50% water. Formulated with Stila’s Youth Revival Bio-Available Mineral Complex. Paraben-free Cons. If you have very oily skin, this may not work for you.
Price may be a concern for some Review Are you worried about your skin looking dull, tired, and flawless? This primer by Stila instantly gives you the right amount of glow, while making it looking radiant and plump. If you have dry patches, it hydrates the areas and evens your skin out. Its consistency is perfect – neither too thick nor too runny and it’s also fragrance-free.
If you have aging skin that’s sensitive and more on the combination side, this one by Stila is a must-try! Rating: 4.8/5 Best Makeup Primers For Sensitive Skin 6. NYX Cosmetics Skin Elixir Balance Tea Tree Primer Pros. Contains tea tree which is a blemish-fighting ingredient. Absorbs quickly. Minimizes the appearance of pores. Calms puffiness and redness.
Affordable Cons. Strong smell Review This primer from NYX is infused with tea tree oil, and it leaves your skin feeling cool once you apply it. It claims to rejuvenate and balance your skin. Its texture falls between a gel and lotion, which absorbs very quickly into the skin, leaving it hydrated. A little goes a long way – make sure you apply a pea-sized amount and spread it all over your face. If you have sensitive or acne prone skin that needs a bit of calming, this primer by NYX works well and leaves you with a matte effect.
Rating: 5/5 7. Benefit POREfessional Face Primer Pros. Reduces the appearance of lines and pores. Silky texture makes for easy blending. Lightweight and non-greasy.
Suitable for all skin types. Great packaging Cons.
If you have dry skin, this may not work well for you Review The Benefit POREfessional Face Primer comes in an attractive and travel-friendly tube. Its formula has a silky texture which helps your foundation blend easily and stay put all day long. If your T-zone is very oily, this will help control oiliness and will also keep shine at bay. This primer suits all skin tones and is highly recommended for oily to combination and sensitive skin types.
Rating: 4.9/5 8. Cover FX Mattifying Primer With Anti-Acne Treatment Pros. Does not clog pores or aggravate acne. Contains salicylic acid. Foundations don’t oxidize when applied over this primer. Contains hyaluronic acid and silicones Cons. Not suitable for dry, dehydrated skin Review If you have an oily to combination skin and battle with shine for most of the day, this primer by Cover FX is just what you need.
It keeps your skin looking shine-free and matte, decreasing the need to blot or powder. If you’re prone to acne, this won’t cure it, but it surely won’t cause more issues or break you out as its formula is free of the inflammatory five. Rating: 4.8/5 9. E.l.f Cosmetics Blemish Control Primer Pros. Non-greasy. Fragrance-free. Clears up spots within a few days.
Easy to apply Cons. Very little quantity Review This has a gel to lotion like consistency, which spreads beautifully. If your main skin concerns include redness, blemishes, and acne – this primer from e.l.f is something that you absolutely need to try! Once you apply it, your skin instantly feels smoother and calmer, so your foundation goes on flawlessly and lasts for longer. It contains Salicylic Acid, Vitamin E, and Tea Tree to help counter breakouts and blemishes. This primer is highly recommended for oily to combination skin types.
Rating: 4.7/5 Best Makeup Primers For Combination Skin 10. Chanel Le Blanc Brightening Makeup Base Pros.
Diminishes the appearance of pores and fine lines. Illuminates skin. Helps with redness. Contains SPF 40 Cons. Contains alcohol and won’t suit very dry skin Review This primer base from Chanel is designed to instantly brighten your complexion while evening out your skin texture. It’s ranked high as one of the best primers in the market, and we see why – not only will it make your foundation application easy and flawless, but it will also help the foundation stay on through the day. If you have combination skin and are looking to control shine on that T-zone while giving your skin the perfect glow, this is something you must absolutely check out!
Rating: 4.9/5 11. Glossier Priming Moisturizer Pros. Fully hydrates without any heaviness. Does not irritate skin. Paraben-free.
Cruelty-free Cons. It has a strong smell Review The Glossier Priming Moisturizer comes in a travel-friendly tube, and it has a thin, slightly runny consistency. It spreads effortlessly and absorbs well into the skin. Its formula leaves your skin looking healthy with a natural glow. It works as an excellent base for powder foundation. This one’s great for combination skin types and works well even during the summers.
Rating: 4.8/5 12. Lancome La Base Pro Primer Pros. Easy to apply.
Smoothes out imperfections. Oil-free. Lightweight Cons. Not suitable for very oily skin Review This Lancome primer comes in a glass bottle with a pump dispenser. You only need a drop to cover your entire face.
The formula feels incredibly light on the skin and instantly hydrates your skin, giving it a healthy appearance. If you struggle with an oily T-zone, this serum-like primer formula controls oil and prevents that much-dreaded shine. Also, your makeup lasts longer even on hot days. Rating: 4.7/5 Best Water-Based Makeup Primers 13. Clinique Superprimer Pros. Lightweight and oil-free. Allergy-tested.
100% fragrance-free. Does not dry out skin Cons. Does not provide sufficient oil control for very oily skin Review The Clinique Superprimer comes in the signature Clinique packaging – minimal and sleek. Its tube is functional and travel-friendly.
The formula comes out white, but once you blend it into the skin, it’s completely clear. When we talk about its texture, it’s rather cream-like but it won’t make your face look or feel greasy.
Enriched with antioxidants, this non-comedogenic formula also leaves your skin looking hydrated and healthy. This primer from Clinique is great for sensitive and dry skin. Rating: 5/5 14. Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water Pros. Gives your skin a luminous glow. Easy to use. Cruelty-free.
Quick-absorbing Cons. Price may be a concern for some Review This primer spray from Smashbox is free of silicone, alcohol, and oil. You can use this before and after applying your makeup. The formula feels very refreshing, and it provides a veil of hydration to your skin without the greasy feeling.
It’s especially great for hot days when you want to keep your makeup to the minimal. Also, it’s great for all skin types. Rating: 4.9/5 15.
MAC Prep + Prime Fix + Finishing Mist Pros. Easy to use. Contains green tea, cucumber, and chamomile. Gives your skin a boost of hydration. Can be used as a setting spray Cons. Pricey Review This water-based primer + setting spray from MAC is a very versatile product for anyone looking for a bit of dewiness and glow.
To use – hold the bottle 12 inches away from your face and spray it to create a hydrated base with a little sheen. This suits all skin types well and even more so on hot summer days. Rating: 4.8/5 To keep your skin healthy, using moisturizers, exfoliators, day and night creams, and high-quality foundations is very important. It is also just as necessary to use a makeup primer with some extra goodness when it comes to the ingredients of the formula for an ideal complexion. Find a primer that works for your skin type and addresses your skin concerns to make the best of it.
That was our roundup of the 15 best makeup primers available in the market. Do you use a primer? If yes, which is your favorite one? Let us know in the comments section below. Recommended Articles:.
We know you've heard of makeup —hell, you're probably wearing one right now. Our favorite new formulas don't just fill in lines and help your makeup stay put, though; they can conceal specific skin concerns, like redness or dullness, before you even reach for foundation. They come in all colors of the rainbow but are all based on a pretty basic principle. 'Think of the color wheel: Colors that are opposite from one another will help cancel the other out,' says makeup artist Molly R. For example, if you're battling redness, go for a green primer.
A purple one gives sallow (yellow) tones the knockout. We worked with Stern—and the color wheel—to figure out exactly which shade fixes what. Consider this your official color-correction (and complexion-perfection) cheat sheet.