The key to flawless makeup application starts at the base—and we’re talking beyond your BB creams and moisturizers.
Starting with a good primer is a necessity, but it seems like there’s always a new primer to try. Whether it’s a makeup brand’s new primer, a new shade or tint or even a new primer for different parts of your face, they’re everywhere. The products are truly never ending and can be overwhelming for beginners. For those who are new to the primer game and even those who are seasoned pros, this list of primers and what they do will help you on your next shopping trip.
Mascara Primers
A lot of the time, mascara primers go unheard of. Think of mascara primer as basically a conditioner for your lashes. Not only will they moisturize your lashes, but they can also extend the life of your mascara. Unfortunately most drugstore brands have yet to adopt this sort of primer into their collections. The good news is, some of the higher end brands of makeup sell them at relatively affordable prices. Clinique, for example, carries a primer—Lash Building Primer—that costs $15 and promises to hold your mascara for a longer period of time without flaking. For $19, you can get Smashbox’s Layer Lash Primer for volume, conditioning and strength.
Lip Primers
Arguably one of the least popular types of primer is the lip primer. This product locks in moisture to create a smooth base for any color lipstick of your choosing and provides lasting color. Unlike mascara primers, some drugstore brands carry a lip primer, which will allow you to buy the product without breaking the bank. NYX carries a lip primer, which comes in two different shades—both nude—that only costs $7. On the higher end of the spectrum, the prestige cosmetic line, Too Faced, sells Lip Insurance Lip Primer. It can be found at Ulta or Sephora (among other stores) for $20.
Eyelid Primers
Although they are less common than skin primers, eyelid primers are more bountiful than lip and mascara primers. Eyelid primers promise to keep your eye shadow and liner in place without creating that dreaded crease. For your drugstore brands of makeup, L’Oréal sells their version—De-Crease—by promising to correct color and create a smooth finish for a flawless shadow application. You can get it for the reasonable price of around $8. Those with a major crease issue may want to try a brand of makeup with more prestige. In that instance we recommend Benefit’s Stay Don’t Stray. The product comes in two different shades—light/medium and medium/dark—for $26. In addition to keeping your eye makeup in place, the primer also promises to even out your complexion around your eyes (and yes, that includes dark circles under your eyes).
Skin Primers
Now for the mother of all primers: skin primers. Primers that are meant for your entire face are the most common primer available. In general, this product will help diminish the look of fine lines and large pores. It will leave your skin looking and feeling smooth for an easy and even foundation application. However, there are different primers based on what problem you may want to see fixed with your complexion. The primers can be broken down into three main categories:
If you have fine lines, wrinkles or large pores, you’ll want a primer that will help even out your skin. For a high-end budget, try Too Faced’s Primed and Poreless. For the cost of $30, this product promises to make your makeup last longer, create smooth skin by diminishing the size of pores and fine lines, while also making your skin appear brighter. For the girl on a budget, try Rimmel London’s Fix and Perfect Pro Primer for about $6. The product promises to smooth, brighten and even mattify, among other benefits.
If you have red skin because acne scarring or rosacea, you’ll want to find a face primer that is tinted in color. By applying the tinted primer, it’s almost as if you are starting from scratch and giving your entire face a base coat. The downside to this primer is that you have to apply it all over your face instead of just in problem areas. Otherwise, you might not get that even skin tone you were hoping for. Maybelline makes a primer called Master Prime Blur + Redness Control for $9.99, which will even out your skin tone and help control redness. If you’re willing to spend some money, Smashbox makes a Photo Finish Foundation Primer Color Correcting Adjust for $39.99. This primer will reduce redness, fill in fine lines and wrinkles, as well as cover up dark spots.
If you have oily skin, you’ll want to find a primer with mattifying agents. NYX brand, which can be found at just about any drugstore, has a primer specifically for shine called Killing Shine, for $14. If you’re looking for a higher end product to do the trick, try bareMinerals’ Prime Time Oil Control Foundation Primer for $24, which will help with excess oil, while also minimizing the look of pores and fine lines.
