The reason I started trying makeup primers roughly 15 years ago was less to do with my makeup and more to do with having bad skin at the time. I was on the search for the perfect primer that can really protect my skin so that foundation would not seep into my pores and create even more skin irritation and spots. I have tried so many and at so many different price points and I will continue to do and it will always be part of my routine. Why? When you find a great makeup primer, the rest of the makeup process just glides on and lasts no matter what the weather or the amount of hours ahead.
What is a Makeup Primer?
Makeup primers create a protective barrier between the skin and our foundation, allowing our skin and base to stay fresh and flawless. This is the theory anyway. Some primers can do it and others fail miserably. A good face primer will help fill in enlarged pores for a smoother finish, colour correct if needed, mattify or add shine, smooth out fine lines and give our foundation some added staying power. We can apply primer with our fingertips, a sponge, or a brush after finishing our morning skincare routine but allowing some time for all of our serums and creams to absorb before applying.
By using a primer, our foundation and makeup goes on smoother and lasts longer!
I Don’t Have Time For Another Step In My Morning Routine
How many of you thought this?! Yes it is an extra step in your morning routine but it saves so much time during the day. When we find the right makeup primer for our skin, during the day touch-ups are a thing of the past. Our makeup stays fresh all day.
The First Makeup Primer I bought
The first makeup primer I bought was from Smashbox around 15 years ago and it was the Photo Finish Foundation Primer. I still have it in my collection today and will reach for it more for evening or special event makeup. This primer has a fiercely loyal following, so much so that the brand has launched an entire range of alternative versions to suit every skin type and requirement. The original is second to none and gives skin a soft-focus finish and silky texture.
Take your pick at all the available Smashbox offers here: https://www.smashbox.co.uk/products/6038/Face/Primer
Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer costs £26.00 / €29.50
Other Makeup Primers I Have Tried and Recommend
There are lots of primers on the market. These are primers I personally own and use depending on my skin needs.
Rimmel London Fix & Perfect Pro Primer, Transparent, 30ml – £6.99 / €7.99
This primer smooths skin to minimise pores, resurfaces for an even complexion, brightens skin, mattifies and eliminates shine, and protects skin from environmental aggressors. It can be worn on its own or under makeup for a soft-focus effect. The non-greasy, oil-free formula creates an even canvas by filling in lines and creases and also mattifies skin for a flawless look. Think seamless skin that’s velvety soft and shine-free.
This primer offers a good result for the price. It is an economical primer to use on a daily basis however it does contain talc. If you are sensitive to using talc on your face then try something else on my list.
Benefit Cosmetics The POREfessional Face Primer, 22ml – £27.50 / €32.00
This is the UK’s no. 1 best selling face primer (NPD Data). It quickly minimize the appearance of pores & fine lines and delivers really smooth skin! It can be applied alone, under or over makeup. The translucent oil free formula contains a vitamin E derivative known to protect skin from free radicals.
I love the fact that this primer suits all skin tones. It is transparent but it has a slight colour to it. If at any point during the day, skin is feeling and looking dry or shine and pores begin appear, take a very small amount and dab on top and gently blend if needed rather than adding powder.
BECCA Backlight Filter Face Primer, 30ml – £32.00 / €37.00
This is one of the finest, skin-perfecting formulas on the market and that I have ever used, BECCA’s gorgeous Backlight Priming Filter is the secret to a gorgeous glow. This primer will be in my makeup collection for as long as it is available to buy and I wish I could buy it in a much bigger size. This primer offers a soft focus blur effect on the skin to give a lit from within look. It gives the BECCA glow. It is a super light consistency that just melts into the skin and contains vitamin E (antioxidant) and liquorice extract (pore tightening)to provide a photographic filter in a bottle. I adore this primer!
The Ordinary High-Spreadability Fluid Primer, 30ml – £5.50 / €6.50
This is a new generation of primer. It is a lightweight, serum-like formula which creates a flawless base and helps make up blend and spread more seamlessly. Perfect for avoiding uneven accumulation of pigment around the eyes and on dry skin, it creates a hydrated, naturally dewy look that’s just as good worn alone as it is under make up.
This primer is free from alcohol, water and oil, great for all skin types and the price is amazing!
STILA One Step Correct, 30ml – £24.00 / €28.00
Stila’s brilliant One Step Correct features three colour-correcting brighteners, suspended in an anti-ageing skincare serum. With green tones to neutralise redness and blemishes; lavender to counteract sallow undertones and peach to brighten and illuminate, this quickly disguises shadows and imperfections while the lightweight formula does not clog pores or settle into fine lines.
This primer offer an anti-ageing formula with it’s ‘Youth Revival Bio-Available Mineral Complex.’ It contains a cocktail of easily absorbing, skin conditioning minerals which leaves skin looking clear, fresh and luminous whether worn alone or under your usual make-up.
This is a very clever primer which adapts to whatever my skin needs are on that particular day. My complexion is cared for and flaws are disguised. This is my go-to every day primer in the winter.
BECCA Ever-Matte Poreless Priming Perfector, 40ml – £28.00 / €32.00
For anyone that has super oily skin, this is an amazing primer to try. The BECCA Ever-Matte Poreless Priming Perfector is a velvety-textured, oil-absorbent fluid, enriched with BECCA’s signature ‘Evermat’ complex. It soaks up excess sebum to leave skin looking balanced and perfectly prepped for foundation. This is a lightweight and completely free from oil and silicones. It will not clog pores or exacerbating congestion, so skin remains shine free and make up looks fresh until bedtime.
This primer can be applied all over the skin or just on the T-Zone. For touch-ups throughout the day, warm a small amount of primer on the fingertips and pat over makeup to tame the shine and the oil. This is always in my summer makeup bag.
Some Primers Next To Try On My List
There are three primers currently on my wish list. Once I try them, I will let you know how I get on:
1 – Tarte Clean Slate Poreless 12-Hour Perfecting Primer – Waterproof primer that helps makeup stay in place for longer and does not crease in fine lines and wrinkles.
2 – YSL Touche Éclat Blur Primer – For radiance & luminosity.
3 – Guerlain L’Or Radiance Primer – 24-carat gold-infused cooling gel sinks into the skin, retaining moisture.
If you have any questions, please send me a message.
Have a fabulous weekend!
