Do you want your makeup to last all day? The best primer is a must for your beauty kit
When you’ve taken the time to get your makeup right, wouldn’t you love it if it stuck all day or night? This is almost impossible without using the best primer.
This often-overlooked step does more than keep your makeup in place. In addition to locking in makeup, primers can tackle all kinds of skin concerns, from boosting radiance to hydrating and even filling in pores and fine lines.
Why is the best primer such an essential step?
“Primers are an essential part of my personal makeup routine and a must have in my makeup kit as they are the first step to a flawless base!” says the professional make-up artist Cher Webb. “It’s a game changer that works in harmony with skin and foundation, blending and blending for a seamless complexion.”
If your only experience with primers is those heavy silicone-based formulas that can cause an itchy pill, then it’s time to get reacquainted. These days many primers come with skincare benefits that help take care of your skin while also helping your best foundation stay in place for longer. Ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamin B3 (often in the form of niacinamide) and witch hazel extract are now common in modern primers. Fortunately, you can now forget about that feeling of a thick layer of something over your skin.
“Primers are designed to adhere to your foundation and can deliver amazing results when you use the right primer for your skin type,” adds Cher. “They act as an instant filter reducing the appearance of redness and adding instant glow and radiance while blurring imperfections.”
With that in mind, we’ve done our research and tried and tested many of the best primers on the market. Below you’ll find Marie Claire’s curated edit of the best formulas to shop now – and we’re sure you’ll find a new makeup bag staple. Happy priming!
Types of makeup primers
Today’s best primers can even absorb excess oil and blur blemishes. They are able to camouflage the appearance of large pores and smooth out uneven skin to help your makeup apply more evenly. If you struggle with hiding redness or rosacea, there are color-correcting primers that will neutralize it. There are now some formulas that even protect your skin from the sun’s rays, with the addition of a high SPF.
Basically there is a primer for every skin type and concern. To help you on your way to finding the best primer, here are all the different types:
Cloudy primer: “If you want to minimize pores, apply a primer designed to blur them,” it begins Naoko Cinctu which has dolled up the likes of Jodie Comer, Karlie Kloss and Florence Pugh. They continue: “Apply the product to the center of the face or where you naturally produce more oil.” The best blurring primers contain plenty of emollients to leave your skin smooth and pore-free.
Frosting Primer: Fat girls, this one’s for you. A matte primer will not only reduce the appearance of pores, but also control oil production throughout the day. Silicone is the ingredient to watch out for if you’re investing, however, our advice is to go light with primer to stop your makeup from pilling.
Hydrating Primer: Want to look like you’ve relaxed, but don’t want to use copious amounts of your best moisturizer? Say hello to a hydrating primer. Naoko’s favorite primer in her kit, she says: “A primer that adds as much hydration as possible instantly improves the look and feel of skin and is a perfect base for makeup.” Look for something with hyaluronic acid if you’re looking for hydration.
Color Correcting Primer: Championed by makeup artist Rose Gallagher, who uses a green primer in her rosacea makeup routine, primers that correct skin color and tone are ready for foundation. Redness isn’t the only color they fight, you can get blue primers to even yellow tones and pink to blue.