5 Best Makeup Primers

Gone are the days when foundation was regarded as the only base makeup that mattered. Since surging to popularity in the past decade, makeup primers have replaced the classic foundation as the all-too-important first step to flawless makeup.

As you can probably tell from the dozens of new primers that come out year after year, makeup primers do make a difference. Makeup brands simply won’t attempt to outdo each other with their own specialty formulas if primers didn’t fly off the shelves, selling like hotcakes.

But the vast array of options available today can be a double-edged sword. On the one hand, there’s probably something out there for every skin concern you could come up with. On the other, the entire makeup primer shopping process has gotten quite overwhelming, to say the least.

But hey, that’s why this expert buying guide exists!

Now, before we dive right into helping you shop for the best makeup primer, here are a couple of things you have to list down:

1. Your skin type. Is your skin dry, oily, combination, or normal? Do you have specific concerns, such as acne, large pores, dry spots, fine lines, and wrinkles?
2. The look you’re going for. Are you looking for a matte, full-coverage, and party-proof finish? Or is the dewy, lit-from-within makeup look your thing?
3. Your favorite foundation’s formula. Is your usual foundation water-based, silicone-based, or oil-based? Your primer's formula has to work well with your foundation. After all, one is applied right on top of the other!
4. Your budget. This is pretty self-explanatory. Primers come in different shapes, sizes, and, of course, price points. Are you looking for a drugstore product or are you a Sephora loyalist?

What Does a Makeup Primer Do?

Obviously, a makeup primer “primes” your face for makeup. But what does that actually mean?

Depending on the formula you choose, a makeup primer can deliver all sorts of awesome benefits.

It can make your skin look flawless. Needless to say, most of us aren’t blessed with perfect skin. Usually, our imperfections affect how our makeup looks throughout the day. If you struggle with large pores and acne scars, you're probably used to seeing your makeup settling into the crevices of your face—which is not a good look, obviously.

Fortunately, there are makeup primers that specifically target textured skin—making it look poreless and more even.

It can extend the wear of your foundation. Oily skin and hot, humid weather can make your makeup melt faster than an iceberg placed in the Sahara. That said, long-wear primers can help ensure that your makeup stays on all day. No more unnecessary trips to retouch in the bathroom!

It can give you that envy-worthy radiance. Let’s face it: we all have dull days. No matter how much we try to maintain a top-tier skin care routine, the stresses of everyday life (or a night out gone wrong) can dim our skin’s glow. The right makeup primer, however, can bring radiance back to your face.

Oh, you didn’t get to sleep for more than three hours last night? Didn’t notice. *wink wink*

It allows you to experiment with different types of makeup bases. Have you ever felt the urge to try the newest foundation in town, but are discouraged because it doesn’t seem like it would go well with your skin type? We can relate.

Whether you’re an oily-skinned gal who wants to try a dewy foundation or a dry-skinned chick who’s curious about the latest full-coverage matte base, using a primer that will complement your chosen foundation will work wonders.

It lets you get away with using less concealer and foundation. A tinted makeup primer is a smart choice if you want added coverage. Using one will help even out your skin tone and make dull tones disappear—therefore letting you use a thinner layer of foundation and/or concealer on top. If your complexion is already pretty even, you can even skip foundation altogether!

Silicone-Based vs. Water-Based Primers: Which Is Better?

Makeup primers are basically divided into two main categories: water-based and silicone-based. So what’s the difference?

Silicone-based primers have a slightly thicker texture and are excellent for blurring pores, texture, and fine lines. The silicone ingredient makes it easy for the primer to “fill in” the indentations on your face, therefore making it appear smoother.

Silicone primers usually have a matte finish. To tell whether a specific primer is silicone-based, check out its ingredients list. You’ll find words ending in –cone, -siloxane, and –methicone in the first few ingredients. Otherwise, the primer is most likely water-based.

Water-based primers have a runnier or gel-like texture. They work well to hydrate and nourish the skin before makeup.

Thinking about which one to choose? Check whether your foundation is water- or silicone-based. As a general rule, you should use a water-based primer with water-based foundations and a silicone-based primer with silicone-based foundations.

While there can be exceptions, this is a simple rule of thumb that you can follow if you want to simplify the primer shopping process.

Makeup Primer Types

Smoothing and pore-filling primers, which are also called blurring primers, create a smooth canvas for your foundation. These are great if you struggle with visible pores, fine lines, and minor acne marks.

Hydrating primers give your skin a shot of moisture. If you have dry skin, using a hydrating primer will help prevent dry spots and flaky skin from messing up your base.

Mattifying primers are great for people with oily skin. It helps control oil throughout the day so you don’t end up looking like a walking oil mine by lunchtime.

Illuminating primers will save your bum on days when your skin looks dull and dreary. These primers contain light-reflecting particles that will make you look glowing and radiant.

Color-correcting primers are amazing at correcting an uneven skin tone. Green-toned primers work well if you have a lot of redness on your skin. Meanwhile, a purple primer will help uplift sallow skin to make it look brighter.

These categories are by no means exclusive. For example, one primer can be both color-correcting and hydrating at the same time. Different combos are available for various needs, which is awesome.

The Best Makeup Primer According to Your Skin Type

For mature skin, we recommend hydrating primers. They deliver a shot of moisture and plump up the skin to make lines and wrinkles less noticeable. Avoid primers with visible shimmer or glitter particles as these can emphasize uneven texture.

Oily skin will benefit from smoothing silicone primers. They make pores look less noticeable while giving you a nice matte finish. The silicones in the primer can also act as a barrier between your foundation and the oils on your skin, which helps avoid makeup oxidation.

If you have acne-prone skin, you probably deal with redness all over your face. That said, a color-correcting primer—specifically, a green-toned one—will help counteract redness and make your face look more even.

For dry skin, hydrating and illuminating primers will work wonders. The former will help control the appearance of dry spots and flaky areas on the face, while the latter will give your skin the dewy glow that it usually lacks.

Combination skin could be remedied by using a balanced makeup primer that works well with both oily and dry skin. But if you want to have all your bases covered, try using two different primers: a hydrating one for the dry parts of your face, and then a mattifying one for your oily areas.

For sensitive skin, try to go for primers with simpler formulas—the shorter the ingredients list, the better. If you’re currently fighting a bout of irritation, a green or yellow primer can help you with color correction.

Application Tips and Tricks

Sure, familiarizing yourself with all the different types of makeup primers might be a bit challenging at first, but primer application doesn’t have to be! Nailing a perfectly primed face is easy. Simply follow these steps:

1. Start with a clean, moisturized face. For the most flawless results, a clean canvas is key.
2. If you’re applying makeup for daytime, don’t forget to apply SPF. Wait for 10-15 minutes after the last step in your skincare routine before proceeding with your primer. This ensures that all the products you applied have been completely absorbed.
3. Squeeze out a pea-sized drop of primer and dot it along your forehead, cheeks, nose, and chin. You can use a little bit more if you feel the need to, but generally speaking, a tiny amount will do.
4. Quickly blend out the primer all over your face. Remember to be gentle and to avoid tugging on your skin. PRO TIP: Use tapping motions and light downward strokes to ensure that your facial hairs are laid down flat. Doing otherwise might make your makeup appear less smooth.
5. Wait 5 minutes for the primer to completely set. Finish off with your favorite foundation and the rest of your makeup—and voila, flawless makeup all day!

Can You Use a Makeup Primer On Its Own?

Absolutely! On days when the idea of putting on foundation sounds unnecessarily taxing, using a makeup primer on its own is a great alternative. Applying a makeup primer will do a lot to improve the appearance of your skin with minimal effort.

Makeup Primer Do’s and Don’ts

Do:

• Mix and match. You can strategically place different primers on different parts of your face—a hydrating one on dry areas, an oil-control formula on oily spots, and an illuminating one on high points like your cheekbones, brow bone, and nose bridge.
• Be mindful of your primer’s formula. These days, we’re blessed with countless primer options. But before you get too excited, don’t forget to take into account your skincare routine and foundation formula before shopping. For example, acne-fighting primers with active ingredients like salicylic acid now exist. But if you layer one on top of a skincare product that already has high-strength pimple-fighting ingredients, you might end up with irritated skin.

• Mix primer with your base if needed. Did you know that you can mix primer with your foundation to sheer out its coverage? Also, you can transform your natural-finish foundation into a radiant one by mixing it with an illuminating primer.
• Use your primer for other purposes. Layering a bit of mattifying primer on top of a lipstick will make it look matte. You can also make your own DIY strobing cream by mixing loose powder highlighter with an illuminating primer.

Don’t:

• Overdo it. While it’s not uncommon for some people to use several primers at a time, piling on layer upon layer could do more harm than good. You could end up with pilling foundation or even cause your makeup to slide right off.

• Forget to thoroughly cleanse at night. Primers have been formulated to adhere well to both your skin and makeup. That said, make sure to properly clean your face at the end of the day. Especially in the case of smoothing primers that seal your pores, skipping your makeup remover and facial wash can leave you with clogged pores and acne.
• Be afraid to use your fingers. When it comes to primers, applying using your fingers is better than using a brush or sponge. The warmth of your fingers will help the primer melt into your skin. A brush or sponge will just drag the primer around your face.