Cover FX Gripping Primer The Cover FX Gripping Primer has a clear gel-like formula that visibly firms the skin, grips makeup for all-day wear, and creates a glass-like finish. The formula is enriched with kelp extract that smoothens the skin and creates a perfect makeup base. It also has a plankton-derived polymer complex that smoothes fine lines, reveals youthful complexion, and micro-algae extract (rich in vitamins and amino acids) that reduces signs of aging. Suitable For: Normal to dry skin Pros ● Long-lasting ● Alcohol-free ● Vegan ● Paraben-free ● Phthalate-free ● Fragrance-free ● Gluten-free ● Talc-free ● Mineral oil-free
smashbox Photo Finish Primerizer The smashbox Photo Finish Primer Sizer is a unique 2-in-1 product that also works as a moisturizer. It gets absorbed quickly into the skin, delivers 24 hours of hydration, and preps your skin for makeup in just one step. The formula is enriched with niacinamide and hyaluronic acid that plumps and moisturizes the skin. This non-greasy and quick-drying formula makes the foundation last for hours, smoothen dry spots and fine lines, and prevent makeup from settling into creases. Suitable For: All skin types Pros ● Silky texture ● Lightweight ● Non-greasy ● Quick-drying formula ● Cruelty-free ● Vegan
Murad Skin Primer The Murad Skin Primer has a velvety-smooth finish and blurs, primes, and protects the skin for 12 hours of makeup wear. The primer glides over skin and reduces the appearance of pores, fine lines, and uneven skin tone. It is non-comedogenic and is formulated with mushroom peptides that fight the visible signs of aging and restore skin firmness and elasticity to give a youthful appearance. Suitable For: All skin types Pros ● Non-comedogenic ● Paraben-free ● Sulfate-free ● Gluten-free ● No animal-derived ingredients ● Formaldehyde-free ● Petrolatum-free
FENTY BEAUTY Filter Instant Retouch Primer The FENTY BEAUTY Filter Instant Retouch Primer is suitable for all skin types. This pore-diffusing primer smoothes the skin for better foundation application and lasts long with an instant retouch effect. Its oil-free formula minimizes the look of pores, visibly evens skin tone, smoothens texture, and instantly reduces shine without making your skin dry or chalky. The lightweight primer has a cushiony, touch-me-now texture that mattifies skin for a full-on sensory experience. It creates a filter-like blurring effect and melts instantly into all skin tones without a trace. Suitable For: All skin types (especially oily skin) Pros ● Lightweight ● Gets absorbed instantly ● Cruelty-free ● Oil-free
smashbox Photo Finish Protect SPF 20 Primer The smashbox Photo Finish Protect SPF 20 Primer has a gel-like formula, offers protection against UV rays, and creates a smooth and flawless makeup base. The formula contains vitamin E and other antioxidant-rich ingredients like green tea and grapeseed extracts to protect the skin from environmental pollutants. It has a lightweight texture that does not leave a white cast, and your skin is left with a silky, smooth feeling. Suitable For: All skin types Pros ● Lightweight ● No white cast ● Broad-spectrum SPF 20 ● Cruelty-free ● Vegan
Charlotte Tilbury WONDERGlOW Create an effortlessly dewy look with Charlotte Tilbury WONDERGLOW instant soft-focus beauty flash primer. The primer creates a smoother-looking canvas under your foundation. It can be used alone to turn around the look of tired, dull skin. The fluorescent core light diffuser in the formula re-emits light around the face and creates a soft-focus to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and imperfections. The primer contains bionymph peptide that makes the skin smooth and plump, wild pansy extract (rich in oligosaccharides) to reduce wrinkles; hyaluronic acid to moisturize the skin for up to 24 hours; rosehip oil to revitalize the skin, and camellia oil for a dewy-look. Suitable For: All skin types Pros ● Vegan ● Gluten-free These are the 21 best primers for women available on the market. Now, let’s learn about the correct way of applying a makeup primer: How To Apply A Makeup Primer? ● Wash your face with a mild cleanser. ● Apply your regular cream or moisturizer evenly all over the face. ● Squeeze a tiny bit of the makeup primer and use your fingertips to apply. ● Focus on the T-zone to fill the pores and also along the lash line. ● Use gentle, circular motions and blend it outwards. ● Once you’re done, let the primer sit on your skin for 2-3 minutes. ● When the primer sets on your skin, you can go ahead with your makeup routine. Before you buy a makeup primer, these are the following factors that you need to consider. What To Look For In A Face Primer: Buying Guide? ● Determine Your Skin Type Pick a primer based on your skin type. Go for a hydrating primer if you have dry skin. Look for primers with words like “soothing,” “hydrating,” or “replenishing” mentioned in the label. Choose a mattifying primer if you have oily skin. A mattifying primer formulated with silicone, which can control oil and fill in pores, could be your best bet. Look for keywords like “pore eraser” or “shine control primer” on the label. If you have sensitive skin, look for primers devoid of parabens, artificial fragrances, and other harmful ingredients. Finally, go for a nourishing and antioxidant-rich primer if you have mature skin to cover wrinkles and blotchiness. ● Address Specific Skin Issues Choose a color-correcting primer if you have dark spots, patches, redness, and pigmentation issues. For example, a green makeup primer will help reduce redness; a purple primer will work if you have yellow undertones; a pink primer will add a slight blush and illuminate your look; a yellow one will help cover up bluish veins, and a peach-colored primer will hide pigmentation and dark circles. Go for a “non-comedogenic” primer if you have oily and acne-prone skin. For example, hide enlarged pores with a “pore minimizing” primer or get a “sweat-resistant” primer if you are active all day. You can also get a separate eyelid primer if you want your eye makeup to stay in place. ● Choose A Primer With SPF If you want your skin to look beautiful even during the summers and don’t want to go for a separate SPF before applying makeup, you can use a primer that has SPF in it. A makeup primer with SPF is excellent to be used all year round. During the summer, the higher the SPF, the better it will be for your skin. A face primer is the first step of your makeup routine because it imparts an even look to your skin. However, it is essential to ensure that you’re using a suitable product for your skin type and concerns. In the list mentioned above, you’ll find all kinds of products to suit your different skin needs. So go ahead and pick the one that appeals to you. What are makeup primers and how do they work? Makeup primers are nothing but a base on which the makeup sits better. These primers are coats that you apply on your bare skin, even before you apply your foundation. Primers are available in the form of powders, lotions and gels. The primers are primarily used to protect your skin against the heavy makeup that you apply. It has been in use in the entertainment industry for a long time. The actors have long applied face primers under their makeup to keep your skin healthy. The rest of us have only recently discovered this wonderful product. Makeup primers also elongate the life of the makeup and keep it longer on your skin, giving you a fresh and beautiful look for a longer period of time. Makeup primers also help to cover up acne spots, skin blemishes, wrinkles and fine lines. You get primers for your face, your lips, your eyelids as well as your nails.
How is a makeup primer different from foundation and concealer? Before we answer this, let us explain what each of these beauty products is used for: ● Concealer: A concealer is a pigmented cosmetic spread that is used to cover up prominent skin blemishes. A concealer is applied specifically on the spots where the blemishes show, but is distributed on the entire skin as well. Concealers are available in various forms such as powders and gels. You must choose the correct concealer, based on your skin type. ● Foundation: Foundation is also a pigmented cosmetic. Its main use is to give the skin an even tone. It is therefore spread across the face in equal proportions and the makeup is applied on top of it. Foundations too are available in different forms. You can choose a water based foundation, a powder based foundation or a gel based foundation. If you have oily skin a powdered foundation is ideal and similarly, for dry skin, the water based foundations are more suitable. ● Primer: The main objective of a primer is to allow the makeup to stick on better and therefore last longer. Foundations and concealers are often applied on top of a coat of makeup primer. So as we can see, the three different types of beauty products have different objectives. These therefore are the main points of difference between the three. This apart, we get primers for the face, eyes, and also for the nails. Concealers and foundations are, in most cases, limited to the face. You might also want to read: Top 5 Tips for Applying Foundation Flawlessly
How do you use a face primer? Makeup primers are very useful. However, you need to know how to use them correctly to get the best results. Follow these simple steps for proper application of your makeup primer: ● Clean your face: Before you begin, rinse your face and pat dry. You can use a mild face wash to wash off the grease and dirt. ● Take a pea-sized portion: Primers need to be used in small amounts. Too much primer will affect your overall look and make the makeup look messy. So take a dot of primer and apply it evenly on your face. ● Message in an outward motion: It is highly advisable for you start at the middle and massage outwards. Apply the primer to the center of your check and using your finger tips, gently spread it outwards. This will ensure you have an even application and it will also give you a healthy face message. ● Allow it to dry: The primer takes a very short while to dry, but you must be patient and wait for it. Applying foundation to wet primer will not fetch you the desired results. So just let it dry out before you proceed to the next step. Follow these simple steps and you will be able to apply the makeup primer perfectly each and every time.
What color makeup primer to use? Makeup primers are available in clear shades as well as in colors. The clear primers are useful if you have an even skin tone without too many blemishes. The coloured primers work on a very scientific logic. They use the concept of a color wheel, where colors on one side of the wheel correct the colors on the corresponding side. So the green primers are effectively used to counter red spots on the skin. The blue makeup primers work well to neutralize the tired and unhealthy tones of the skin. So you need to use a makeup primer in a shade that suits your skin. You might also want to read: 5 Game Changing Beauty Tricks If You Suck At Makeup
Do primers clog your pores? If you have been worried that a makeup primer can clog your skin pores, you need to think again. While some primers do clog your pores, most don’t. The trick here is to choose your primer wisely. Makeup primers contain silicon. The silicon helps to provide a smooth look and also helps the makeup to stick on better. However, too much silicon can be bad for your skin. It can travel to the pores and clog them. So look for makeup primers that have a lower content of silicon. You may have to pay a higher price, but you will definitely do your skin a huge favor. Makeup primers have become a norm these days and if you want to look flawless, you need to apply them. It therefore is a wise decision for you to invest in a good product.
Which comes first: primer or moisturizer? To understand this, let us once again take a look at the main objectives of a primer and a moisturizer: ● Primer: A makeup primer, like mentioned above, is used as a makeup base. Its sole objective is to allow the makeup to stick on better and in a more uniform manner. A face makeup primer does not intend to go beyond the surface of your skin. ● Moisturizer: The chief aim of a moisturizer is to hydrate your skin and supply it with the nutrients it needs. It travels deep into the layers of the skin and moisturizes it from within. Understandably thus, a moisturizer needs to be applied before a makeup primer. You should ideally wash your face, apply some moisturizer and then get on to the primer. Your skin will feel fresh, hydrated and soft thereafter.
Can you use a primer without foundation? A primer and a foundation should ideally complement each other. If you are going for a very glamorous look, with a lot of makeup and want it to last you the whole day, it is advisable for you to use both the primer and the foundation. As we know, the primer acts as a base and the foundation evens out the skin tone. So both are important. However, you can use a primer without a foundation too. Primers also help to even out the skin tones, although not with the same intensity that foundations do. When you are going for a light makeup look, you can very well skip the foundation. If however you have many skin blemishes, opt for a coloured makeup primer to get the maximum impact. Choose the primer carefully and ensure it suits your skin type. Pro Tip: If you are skipping the foundation, your primer should be able to keep your skin tone even. To prevent dryness or excessive oiliness, select the right primer. Get a water based or gel based primer for dry skin and a powder based makeup primer if you have very oily skin. You might also want to read: Is your foundation failing you? Here’s why
Do primers work for all types of skin? Yes, primers work for all types of skin. There are many different types of makeup primers. You just have to be careful and select the correct primer. You have clear primers for even toned skin. You have the coloured primers for the various skin blemishes. You also have anti-aging primers that help combat the early signs of aging. Let us take a look at the various kinds of makeup primers and which types of skin they complement: ● Primers for normal skin: If you have normal skin that isn’t too dry or too greasy, you will find many options when you go shopping for makeup primers. The primers for normal skin are usually in a matte finish, though you get them in a dewy finish too. The normal skin primers are rich in SPF and give an added sun protection too. ● Primers for oily skin: There are many primers available for oily skin too. Oily skin requires a special kind of primer. The pores are larger on oily skin and so you need a primer with a pore minimizing effect. The oily skin primers are almost always available in matte finish as they prevent your skin from looking greasy and shiny. ● Primers for dry skin: You have to be very careful while choosing a primer for dry skin. The primer ideally needs to be rich in moisturizer and give your skin a dewy look. If you don’t apply the correct primer on your dry skin, it will start to flake soon enough. So as we can see, makeup primers work for all skin types. You however have to spend some time selecting the right primer. There is no single product available for all skin types. Understand how your skin is and buy a product accordingly.
Is there any substitute for makeup primer? Makeup primers are essential by products and ideally need to be applied. However, you can, at times, substitute a primer with the following: ● Milk of magnesia: This may sound odd, but give it a try! Just take some milk of magnesia on some cotton wool and apply it on your face, before you apply your makeup. The makeup will stick on for many hours and you won’t have to reapply it every few hours. ● BB Cream: BB cream has long been used as a makeup base. It won’t give the same effect as a primer. However, it will allow for a smooth coverage and an even application of the makeup thereafter. ● Aloe gel and moisturizer: Aloe gel mixed with a little moisturizer works as an effective makeup base for oily skin. The aloe helps soothe the skin discomforts and the moisturizer prevents the flakiness. Give this primer substitute a try if you need a quick-fix remedy sometime. Always try using a proper primer but at times of emergency, these substitutes may definitely be used. You might also want to read: How To Apply Makeup Guide: 10 Simple Steps To Get The Perfect Finish
Are there any homemade makeup primers? You can make a quick makeup primer by mixing some aloe gel, moisturizer and some foundation. Take about two teaspoons of moisturizer. However, if your skin is very dry, increase the amount of moisturizer. Next, mix in some clear aloe gel, about three teaspoons. To it, mix a couple of spoons of foundation. You have to be very careful and choose a foundation that matches your skin tone. Give it all a good stir and apply on your face and neck. You have to mix the three ingredients very well, otherwise your homemade primer will become patchy and hamper your overall look. Do not put a lot of this primer. Take a couple of drops on your fingertips and massage in an outward motion. You will get a good result and your makeup will stick on for longer too.
