Is it just me or is makeup getting more and more complicated? Everyday new products are put on the market claiming,”to change it all!” So what’s the scoop on primers? Are they worth the hype? Do they actually make a difference? Is it something you really should have as a makeup bag essential? So what’s the answer? Yes or no to primers? Well, my answer is YES! How beautifully your foundation looks on your skin is dependent upon how smooth the canvas is. You could have the most expensive and incredible foundation on the planet, but if your canvas(or face) is not ready for the product to lay on, then it just will not look as great as it could!
Types of Primers:
There are two different types of primers. Face primers and eye primers. In sum, a face primer is meant to get your face ready for your makeup. It smoothes out fine lines, fills in pores, improves skin texture, and increases the longevity of your foundation. Eye primers have a similar effect in that they are meant to prep your eyelids for eye shadow. The main benefit to eye primer is that it most definitely makes your eye shadow last longer. It also can make the shadow color appear bolder or truer to its actual shade. And some eye shadow primers have a little bit of neutral coverage to them.
How to choose the right primer:
Face: What face primer you should chose is dependent on your skin type. Dry skin types should pick a foundation primer that hydrates their skin. You want to add as much moisture as you can so that the base (foundation) can lay without clinging to dry patches or areas. Oily skin types want to pick something that will not clog their pores and prevent the makeup from slipping around on their skin. Normal or combination skin should just chose something that will increase the wear of their makeup and smooth any minor skin imperfections. Dry skin types should look out for key words such as hydrate, radiant, luminous. Oily skin types should search for phrases like oil-free, pore minimizing, long-lasting. Normal skin types should just key in on words such as smoothing, light-reflecting, prime.
Eyes: Eye shadow primers really just come down to personal preference. What are you looking to do? Conceal veins before your shadow? Increase the boldness of the colors? Or just prep them for a long-lasting makeup look? If your looking to conceal anything on your eyes, you will want a primer that has a little coverage. I like MAC Pro long wear concealer or MAC painterly paint pot. Using primers with a little coverage will also increase the boldness of your colors. If you are just looking to prep the lids for long wear, there are a number of different options on the market.
I picked a few of my favorite face and eye primers!
1. Laura Mercier Radiance Primer– Great for dry skin
2.Smashbox Photo Finish Primer- Good for oily skin types
3. Benefit POREfessional– Good for oily and normal skin
4. Make Up For Ever HD Primer– Good for all skin types
5. Too Faced Primed and Poreless– Great for normal skin types.
1. Lorac Behind the Scenes Eye Primer– Basic primer that increases eye shadow wear time
2. Urban Decay Primer Potion- My ultimate favorite
3. Benefit Stay Don’t Stray Eye Primer– Adds a little coverage while holding your shadow in place for many many hours
4. Too Faced Shadow Insurance– Another basic eye primer
5. MAC Pro Longwear Concealer– Technically this is a concealer. But I loved it for primer because it really conceals any redness and veins and acts as a eye shadow primer.
Although some of these items may be slightly pricey, you must remember the product will last you a very long time. You use such a small amount of the product (a pea size about of face primer and only a dot of eye shadow primer) that it takes you a long time to use it.
What’s your favorite primer? If you know of any great drug store options please let me know!