Appealing both to inexperienced makeup users and makeup professionals, the face primer plays an important role in the final result of your look. In order to explore their best potential, it is critical to choose the perfect one for your skin needs. They vary not only in texture and shade but also according to your skin type and result preferences. Use the face primer before your makeup to improve the result or alone to instantly embellish your skin… they are incredibly versatile and you may find more than one suitor. Good luck with choosing the best face primer for your needs!
On this post:
- What is a face primer?
- Does face primer really make a difference?
- Can I skip primer if I use moisturizer?
- Our top 9 best face primers
What is a face primer?
A face primer is a makeup product that was born to improve the overall result and performance of your makeup looks, especially when it comes to complexion makeup. Depending on the formula you choose, it may contain soothing actives, blurring particles, green pigments… your needs dictate the type of primer you should use. The textures are usually what you’d call a cream, and can be applied easily directly with your hands or with a brush, before your foundation.
Does face primer really make a difference?
Primers answer the specific needs of your skin and, as a result, they enhance your complexion makeup. If you have a dull complexion and you want your skin to look glowy, there’s only so much skincare you can apply without compromising the longevity of your makeup—and the same goes for dehydrated skin. With oily skin, the problem is the opposite; even with a matte moisturizer, your skin may end up looking brighter than you want in a couple of hours. Each specific skin need would allow us to create an example, and for each one, the answer would be to use a primer tailored to your specific needs.
TLDR: YES! Primers are the makeup product that allows you to adjust your skin needs, and enhance the relationship between skin and makeup.
Can I skip primer if I use moisturizer?
Skincare answers your skin needs without considering the relationship between skin and makeup. No doubt that your moisturizer is an essential base for your makeup, and it’s not replaceable by a primer. However, most moisturizers are not formulated to make your makeup last longer—actually, only a few refer to be makeup-compatible.
Even though a makeup primer is not essential to have a great makeup look, it’s the one product that makes complexion makeup look its best while extending the longevity of your makeup—a moisturizer won’t be able to do that.
Our top 9 best face primers
With the power that the primer has to revolutionize your makeup results, it’s worth the effort! You just need to find the one that answers your needs and incorporate it into your makeup routine:
NYX Pro Makeup Shine Killer Primer
Best primer for oily skin
NYX Pro Makeup Shine Killer Primer
When it comes to makeup, the biggest struggle for oily skin is to keep your look free from excess shine throughout the day. This primer provides a complete action that ruins any chance of displaying excess shine. It coats your skin with a comfortable matte layer that also absorbs excess sebum. It extends the longevity of your makeup all the while keeping it matte and shine-free!
Makeup Revolution Pore Blur Primer
Best primer for large pores
Makeup Revolution Pore Blur Primer
If you’ve been playing around with makeup for a while, you might have noticed that pores and texture are the hardest things to smooth out. Tinted products don’t seem to be of any assistance, and makeup with shine or too much texture highlights uneven texture even further. That is why this is such a special product! It smooths pores away and blurs skin texture. As a result, the skin looks even as your makeup looks flawless.
Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base All-In-One Primer & Moisturizer
Best primer for dry skin
Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base All-In-One Primer & Moisturizer
Enriched with hydrating actives, this primer provides lasting and fresh hydration, all the while preparing your skin for makeup. Featuring shea butter and hyaluronic, it deeply moisturizes and grants long-lasting comfort for all skin types. It not only hydrates and provides comfort but also facilitates makeup application and allows a beautiful, healthy-looking result.
Filorga Time-Flash Express Smoothing Active Primer
Best primer to smooth wrinkles
Filorga Time-Flash Express Smoothing Active Primer
Featuring a unique smoothing texture, this primer feels like liquid velvet. Its texture instantly smooths skin texture and fine lines all the while lifting the skin. Each application grants a blurring effect that refines texture and pores, preparing the skin for an even foundation application. Thanks to blurring micro-powders and four active anti-aging ingredients, this formulation delivers both flash and lasting results.
Hello Sunday The Illuminating One Glow Primer SPF50
Best primer with SPF
Hello Sunday The Illuminating One Glow Primer SPF50
Applying SPF is unarguably the most important step of your morning routine. If you want to cut a few steps in the early hours without endangering your skin, then this is the product for you. It smoothes the skin leaving a velvety touch, prevents excess shine and also shields with SPF50. As a result, it improves the appearance of your makeup and protects the skin from harmful aggressions at the same time.
Flormar Illuminating Makeup Primer Plus
Best illuminating primer
Flormar Illuminating Makeup Primer Plus
Whether you have dull skin in need of a glowy rescue or you’re a fan of dewy complexion, this is the one for you. Each application infuses your skin with visible radiance as well as with incredibly fine shimmery particles that look flattering and natural. The formula blends in a translucent perfection effortlessly, leaving a healthy-looking glow on your skin that improves the result of any foundation that follows.
Clarins SOS Primer Green
Best primer for redness
Clarins SOS Primer Green
If you’re relying exclusively on a foundation to camouflage redness, then you’re probably using more product than you would if redness was not an issue. Knowing that green neutralizes redness, Clarins developed this primer that not only soothes but also helps to even out the complexion before applying foundation. This formula also contains Microbiote technology, to provide the skin with a prebiotic action while reinforcing the skin’s natural defenses.
Catrice Ten!sational 10 in 1 Dream Primer
Best drugstore primer
Catrice Ten!sational 10 in 1 Dream Primer
Most of the time, primers perform wonders under makeup, without being the star of the show. If you’re looking for a face primer that looks awesome with or without makeup, this one is for you. It hydrates and protects the skin with SPF15, all the while preparing and embellishing the skin. With a radiant finish, it instantly perfects the skin and promotes a luminous lasting look!
Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré
Best multi-tasker
Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré
Ideal to prepare the skin for a beautiful makeup look, this product offers more than you’d ask from a primer. A favorite of makeup artists all over the world, this moisturizer instantly nourishes the skin all the while boosting radiance and making the best make-up base. It’s perfect if you’re looking for an all-in-one that would offer visible improvements on the overall appearance of the skin!
If the face primer is incredibly helpful to improve the longevity and result of your makeup, the same is true for eye primers and lip primers. In addition, you should set your makeup for good with the best makeup setting spray for your skin! Use the power of these amazing products to your advantage and keep the makeup looking fresh throughout the day.
