Last updated on January 26th, 2022 at 05:19 pm
First, what is a makeup primer? It’s the first layer you put down when starting your makeup. It’s going to help your foundation last longer, and can help with other skin “issues” you want to address, like redness or hydration (among many!).
Makeup primers will work with your foundation so your skin looks gorgeous all day long.
There’s a lot of different formulas on the market, and it can be hard to pick out which is right for your skin type.
The best way we’ve found to apply primer is with your fingers, albeit with one exception that we’ll get into below! And make sure you let it sit for at least a minute, so it has a chance to meld with your skin, and to reduce the chance of it pilling up or getting patchy.
If you’re not sure of your skin type, check out our post on “What’s the Best Face Wash for Me?”. We help you figure it out.
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Best Silicone-Based Primers
These are sort of the OGs of makeup primers (think Smashbox Photo Finish), and are a jack of all trades. These primers tend to be on the thicker side, and are great for filling in fine lines and wrinkles.
If you have sensitive or acne-prone skin, you might want to try a different formula or get a sample to start with and see how your skin reacts.
Best Primer for Mattifying
If your skin tends to be on the oilier side, a mattifying formula might be worth checking out. These formulas will help to prevent oil and shine breaking through your foundation throughout the day.
Steer clear if you have dry or mature skin, as this will likely enhance any fine lines or wrinkles on your face and dry you out even more.
Best Hydrating Primer
On the other end of the spectrum, if you have dry skin, check out a hydrating formula. These may not do a lot in terms of line and pore filling, but they’ll help keep your skin and foundation from getting flaky throughout the day.
Best Pore-Smoothing Primer
If you are looking for a formula that will minimize the look of pores, take a look at these formulas. Use them all over your face, or just use them where they’re needed the most – like your nose or cheeks.
With most primers, you apply them with your fingertrips, but the e.l.f. Cosmetics Poreless Putty also has a brush that Jen really likes.
Best Primer for Color Correcting
A color correcting formula is a great option if you want to even out the tone of your complexion. Thinking of the color wheel, the color opposite of what you want to neutralize is what you’ll use. For example, if you want to counteract a red skin tone, use a green formula.
Best Illuminating Primer
In addition to creating a smooth base for your foundation, an illuminating primer will give you the look of a glowy complexion with luminous particles in the formula. If your skin tends to be on the oily side, be a little weary of using this product.
If you have an oily t-zone and want to use an illuminating formula, try using it on your cheeks and see if you like how it looks under your makeup!
Best Primer for Acne-Prone Skin
If you have acne-prone skin, there’s some options to help keep acne at bay while keeping your foundation looking beautiful. This could even be used on just problem areas with a different forumula for your skin type all over the rest of your face.
What Jen Uses: Her Favorites:
I have a couple face primers that I keep in pretty consistent rotation.
My number one primer I use the most is the e.l.f Cosmetics Poreless Putty Primer. I’ve found it works really well under all different foundations, and keeps my foundation looking flawless. I also love the brush that can be purchased to use with the primer. It’s perfect for scooping out product, and blending it into the skin.
If my skin is feeling on the dryer side, I like using the Laneige Glowy Makeup Serum for a boost of extra hydration before applying my makeup.
What Dianne Uses: Her Favorites
I have two issues with my skin: redness and dryness. Depending on the day, one of them can be worse than the other. If my face has a lot of redness, I will use the e.l.f. Toning Adjusting Primer. It helps with evening out my skin tone. But my “go-to” is the Laura Geller Hydrating Spackle. That is the one that use the most when I need a flawless look.
One thing I do want to add is that when I really want a flawless look, I apply my foundation with the Beauty Blender. I am almost obsessed with it. I would say that almost every time I’ve gotten a compliment on my skin, I’ve use the Beauty Blender. The combination of the Beauty Blender and primer is a winner!
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