If you invest a considerable amount of time and money on wearing makeup, then you can’t skimp out on wearing a good primer underneath your all your powders and creams.
At the most basic level, a makeup primer creates an extra layer between your makeup and your skin.
It offers the benefits of making the application of your foundation smoother and helping makeup bond better to your skin, allowing it to last longer throughout your busy day.
The most basic primer will do the trick to prep your skin for makeup, but, in the world of cosmetics, there are endless varieties of specialized primers.
These primers, made for specific purposes or skin types can fix all kinds of potential beauty blunders– before you even apply your foundation.
Some makeup primers, referred to as matte primers, are designed to suit oily skin.
They work especially well to cut the shine on the parts of your face that tend to look greasy, even beneath a layer of makeup. Other primers are color-correcting.
This means that they are tinted to counteract any sort of odd tones on the face, so that these hues definitely won’t show through your makeup.
Here, we’ve compiled the best makeup face primers, from the most basic to the most specialized for women of all skin types. Check out our list and find one to meet your beauty needs.
1. Becca Backlight Priming Filter
For radiant skin, Becca Backlight Priming Filter provides a blurred, smooth base for your makeup. The vitamin E formula also helps fight signs of aging so that you look younger over time.
2. Benefit Cosmetics The POREfessional Pore Minimizing Balm
Minimize pores and even skin tone with Benefit Cosmetics The POREfessional Pore Minimizing Balm. Diminish fine lines to smooth your skin out before adding your perfect match foundation.
3. Bite Beauty Changemaker Skin-Optimizing Primer
Whether you have normal, oily or dry skin, prime your skin with Bite Beauty Changemaker Skin-Optimizing Primer. With two options based on your skin type, hydrate or get a matte finish for your makeup to grip to for flawless application.
4. Charlotte Tilbury Wonderglow Face Primer
For a dewy look that also fights the signs of aging, Charlotte Tilbury Wonderglow Face Primer will rehydrate skin while reducing wrinkles. This can be used on its own, or use as a primer under your favorite foundation.
5. e.l.f. Tone Adjusting Face Primer
No matter your skin type, e.l.f. Tone Adjusting Face Primer is weightless and goes on smooth for your best makeup base. The natural matte finish allows your foundation to shine, so to speak, while toning down redness for an even skin tone.
6. Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Primer
Stop shine from poking through your makeup with the help of Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Primer. The formula aborbs shine and is so lightweight you’ll forget you are wearing it.
7. Hourglass N° 28 Primer Serum
This oil blend serum is hydrating to smooth skin for flawless makeup application. Hourglass N° 28 Primer Serum contains 14 essential oils that moisturize and blurs your pores for naturally perfect looking skin.
8. lilah b. Aglow Priming Oil
Multi-use makeup is always best. With lilah b. Aglow Priming Oil, you not only get a primer, but also a moisturizer and serum to smooth your skin tone. Get a smooth primer that won’t give you dry spots with your foundation.
9. Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer
Hydrate and smooth your skin while prepping for flawless foundation with Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer. The hemp-derived cannabis seed extract adds needed moisture to dry skin, while the blue agave extract smooths your skin texture for silky, blurred pores.
10. NARS Radiance Primer SPF 35
Protect your skin with NARS Radiance Primer SPF 35. Warm your complexion with just this primer, or wear under your foundation for lasting wear for a flawless look.
11. NYX Professional Makeup High Glass Face Primer
Never put your foundation on without the perfect base. NYX Professional Makeup High Glass Face Primer goes on smoothly and feels like silk on your skin, prepping it for a fresh look of foundation that will last with a hint of shimmer.
12. NYX Professional Makeup Studio Perfect Primer
Not so happy with your complexion? Use a primer to smooth your skin tone and texture with NYX Professional Makeup Studio Perfect Primer. This cruelty free primer will give you a matte finish so you look natural and not oily or shiny.
13. Smashbox Photo Finish Primerizer Primer + Moisturizer in One
Don’t add extra product, with Smashbox Photo Finish Primerizer Primer + Moisturizer in One you can add directly to fresh, clean skin before adding your foundation. No need for another moisturizer, this hydrates while priming your skin for a lasting makeup look.
14. The Ordinary High-Spreadability Fluid Primer
Regardless of your skin type, The Ordinary High-Spreadability Fluid Primer provides a smooth, flawless base for young and mature skin. Give your foundation a boost to help evenly spread and look like your skin without dark spots around problem areas like your eyes and mouth.
15. Too Faced Hangover Replenishing Face Primer
Brighten your tired skin while locking in hydration with Too Faced Hangover Replenishing Face Primer. Not only does it help rejuvenate your skin, but it sets it up to be glowing with or without makeup for a gorgeous look all day long.