Best Makeup Primers for Your Skin Type
Makeup Primers are a must part of any beauty routine, it provides a silky soft feel to the skin and acts as a base for the foundation to glide on.
It is very important to learn makeup artist course in India about the primers, its importance, types and how to choose as per your skin type and the perfect application. We at Brush Up by Vanshika have tried to cover all these points in this article so that you can really lay down a flawless base.
What is a Makeup Primer?
A makeup primer is a really unique product that neither fits into makeup nor skin care product. It works as a layer between the makeup and the skin preventing any of its ingredients being absorbed by the skin. A primer is applied after completing your skin care routine and before applying foundation.
Their job is to even out the skin texture by filling the pores, minimizing the wrinkles and smoothening the skin. They help in turning the skin into a smoother and even canvas for your foundation application. It also keeps your makeup intact while looking smooth and flawless all the day.
Why do I need a Makeup Primer?
A makeup primer is a very important step in makeup and one should not miss it.
- A primer helps you in getting a smoother and even skin texture for foundation application by filling the large pores, fine lines, scarring or wrinkles. It also helps in smoothening out the dry and flaky skin.
- It helps in increasing the longevity of your makeup by locking it and looking fresh and flawless throughout the day.
- If you have oily skin or only the T-zone and it looks shiny even after setting with powder then it’s always advisable to apply a mattifying primer on the oily area of your face to prevent oil secretion.
- If your foundation normally oxidizes then also a primer can help to minimize the intensity of oxidization.
- You can also use colour correcting primers to even out the skin tone.
Types of Makeup Primer:
Like other makeup products, a makeup primer also come in different types and formulas to cater every skin type and the issues.
Below are few of the most popular types of primer listed to choose from.
- The Foundation Primer
A foundation primer is meant to be simple primer that is suitable for all skin types. These primers are normally either silicone or polymer based, that helps to give the skin a diffused and smooth finish. It helps in minimizing the look of pores and wrinkles without mattifying the skin.
They help to keep the foundation intact for longer period of time looking fresh and flawless. They work for almost all the skin type like, normal, oily, dry and combination. If you are starting and don’t want to invest in too many primers, then these primers are the best to start with.
2. The Mattifying Primer
A mattifying primer is the best for people with oily or the combination skin. These primers are silicone based with cyclopentasiloxane, that is by far the best pore-filling and mattifying silicone.
Apart from minimizing the look of pores, these primers also help in preventing the skin from becoming shiny throughout the day. You can use a mattifying primer only on the area of the face that become too oily or greasy.
3. The Illuminating or Strobing Primer
For that ethereal and glow from within look, strobe creams are a must. They give a slightly reflective finish below the foundation that attracts light and gives an illusion of illuminated skin.
Some strobe creams have subtle shine that can work with all skin types, however, some other are super shimmery and glowy that works best with normal and smooth skin. They don’t work well on skin with large pores, wrinkles and uneven textures as the shimmer particles in these creams draw attention to them.
4. Silicone Free Makeup Primers
Silicones in the makeup primer are responsible for that velvety and smooth finish on the skin. Silicones are usually mild and safe, however few people’s skin are allergic to it and does not tolerate them. Sometimes silicone doesn’t complement the skin care product that has been applied underneath it. So, there is a need for silicone free makeup primers and there are many brands that make it. Silicone free primers are also a better choice for people with dry skin.
5. Colour Correcting Primers
Colour correcting makeup primers are used to neutralize the skin tone. They have a very light tint of a colour like yellow, peach, green, lavender to colour correct the skin tone that does not require too much of colour correction.
To get your colour correcting primer, you need to follow the colour wheel to check which colour neutralizes the effect of which colour pigmentation. A colour wheel will guide you that yellow neutralizes purple, peach controls blue, green neutralizes red, while lavender brightens up sallow skin.
6. Hydrating Makeup Primers
Hydrating makeup primers are also silicone free makeup primers with fabulous hydrating ingredients. Many brands are coming with hydrating primers by adding vitamins, essential fatty acids and antioxidants.
They are upgrading their primers to make them hydrating that can be used on mature skin as well and at the same time gives a proper base to the foundation to glide on.
Choose the Right Makeup Primer for Your Skin Type:
To get the best result from your makeup primer, it’s very important to choose the makeup primer as per your skin type. The same makeup primer that works on your friend’s skin may not work for you.
Below we are listing few tips that will help you choose the right primer for your skin type.
Makeup Primers for Normal Skin
You have a normal skin type if your skin doesn’t tend to be either too dry or oily. Normal skin has small or medium sized pores, does not break out often and does not easily become irritated.
Priming a normal skin focuses more on correcting the texture to create a smooth canvas and the longevity of makeup. This type of skin type does not need excess hydration or oil control, they just need a little bit of both at once.
Mostly, all the makeup companies create primer for normal or all skin type.
MAC has flawlessly combined the high SPF with a really effective priming formula in this primer. The primer has just a hint of silicone that makes it light and easily glide on the skin. It blurs the imperfections really well and gives a smooth canvas for foundation application. Works with almost all skin type.
2. CoverFX Anti-Aging Primer
This primer is a two-in-one primer that combines the best elements of the primer and the anti-aging products, but still works beautifully on all skin types. It has extremely effective antioxidants, pore filling and wrinkle blurring silicones. It gives a smooth finish that is neither too matte nor dewy but the balance between the two.
3. Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base
This cream from Bobbi Brown is one of the best moisturizer. It combines the benefit of moisturizer with a primer, and is both hydrating and softening at the same time. It’s formula is oil free and feels almost weightless on the skin. It is perfect for all skin types.
Makeup Primers for Dry Skin
A dry skin is identified by relatively smaller pores, dry patches, and it rarely becomes greasy or shiny. Dry skin has the tendency to become dull, sallow and irritated in comparison to other skin types.
Those with dry skin should use the primer that gives the hydration and moisturization to the skin. You should look for reflective primers that will give your skin a dewy and diffused finish. Primers with tons of shimmer should be avoided as the shimmer tends to emphasize the look of dryness.
Clinique Superprimer is one of the best makeup primer for dry skin. It’s texture is creamy but it doesn’t make your face look or feel greasy. The primer is enriched with antioxidants and is also great for sensitive skin. It leaves your skin looking hydrated and healthy.
2.Becca Backlight Filter Face Primer
It’s a perfect illuminating primer that gives a healthy glow to the skin that is not too shimmery or sparkly, just simply dewy. It brightens up the appearance of dull-looking skin, which is often caused by dryness. It’s formula is silicone free.
3. Too Faced Hangover Replenishing Face Primer
The primer is silicone free and so makes foundation to glide smoothly, leaving a dewy finish. It has a ton of beautiful skin care ingredients like willow bark extract ferment and coconut water to nourish the skin. It not only brings back your lost moisture but the creamy texture also helps the makeup to adhere better without being sticky.
Makeup Primers for Oily Skin
Oily skin have larger pores, especially in the T-zone and tends to become oily as the day wears on. When foundation sits on an oily skin, it tends to oxidize quicker than the other skin types.
Silicone based makeup primers suits best on the oily skin, as silicone has the ability to minimize the look of pores and give the skin a matte finish. These primer also act as a barrier between the oil that the skin secretes and the foundation, hence preventing the oxidization of foundation and makes it long lasting.
This primer is slightly tinted and is the best concealer for your pores. It’s loaded with silicone that helps to fill in the tiny pores and instantly reduces their appearance. It’s formula has a silky texture that help the foundation to blend easily and increases its longevity. It mattifies the skin, help control oiliness and keeps shine at bay. This primer is highly recommended for oily to combination and sensitive skin types.
2. Innisfree No Sebum Blur Primer
This primer is perhaps one the most popular face primers in K-beauty. The primer is infused with mint and minerals from Jeju island and helps to balance the skin’s moisture levels to reduce excess shine. It also helps in hiding visible pores and unevenness its smoothening and lightly brightening tint.
3. Smashbox Photo Finish Primer
Smashbox Photo Finish Primer is a cult favourite primer for oily skin. It is silicone based and slides on skin smoothly with a velvety finish without looking greasy. As it mattifies the skin, it helps in toning down the high shine on the skin and also helps the makeup sit better.
Makeup Primers for Combination Skin
Combination skin is the combination of two or more skin types. Few area of the face may be drier and the other may be oily. In most of the cases the T-zone tends to be oily with normal to drier cheeks.
People with combination skin types can either go for a balanced makeup primer or can use two different primers on their face like a mattifying primer on the oily areas of their face and hydrating one for the drier areas.
- Tatcha Silk Canvas Primer
Tatcha Silk Canvas Primer works really well on combination as well as sensitive skin type as it prevents breakout and minimizes the look of large pores. It’s formula is velvety balm like and it creates a blurring effect that keeps makeup from fading throughout the day.
2. Make Up For Ever Step 1 Equalizing Primer
This Make Up For Ever primer helps in smoothening out the rough texture and filling in the pores. But the right way to use it to warm it up and press into clean skin, especially in the areas where you have large pores or texture. It also prevents any makeup slippage.
3.Glossier Priming Moisturizer
Glossier Priming Moisturizer fully hydrated your skin without being heavy. It spreads effortlessly and absorbs well into the skin leaving a healthy and natural glow. It’s one of the best moisturizing face primer as it also works as an excellent base for powder foundation. One of the best primer for combination skin type and works well in summers also.
Makeup Primers for Mature Skin
People with mature skin should always apply a primer before makeup application as the primer helps in filling the crevices and wrinkles into which foundation might settle. Makeup primer will also help to diffuse the skin imperfection and will make it more even for foundation application.
The most suitable primer for a mature skin should be hydrating with some anti-aging ingredients. It is also advisable to avoid shimmer or sparkly primer for mature skin as it will emphasize the wrinkles and unevenness.
- Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch
Mature skin need something smoothening and filling in for the areas where wrinkles and crow feet are common. This primer dramatically fills in and smooth out fine lines and enlarged pores. It can be used for spot treating , only on the specific areas of the face that need it. You only need a little of this primer.
2. Hourglass No. 28 Primer Serum
This is a combination of primer and serum, has a lipid rich plat oils that helps in moisturizing and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. When worn in the day, it protects from UV damage as it is rich in antioxidants like vitamin A, C and E. At night, it can be used as your regular night serum.
3. Stila One Step Prime
This primer is very lightweight and oil-free. It instantly gives you the right amount of glow while making your skin look radiant and plump. It also hydrates the dry patches on the skin and evens it out. The consistency of this primer is perfect, it’s neither too thick nor too liquidy and has zero fragrance. It is a blend of 15 vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. It really works well on the aging skin that is sensitive and more on the combination side.
Makeup Primers for Acne-Prone Skin
It’s not necessary that only an oily skin can be prone to acne. Any skin type can suffer from breakouts and a primer can help in minimizing the effect of breakout and making the skin tone even.
A green or yellow tinted primer can help to hide the redness caused by acne and keep foundation from fading over it. Few makeup primers also contain ingredients like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide that helps to combat acne.
- e.l.f. Cosmetics Blemish Control Primer
This primer has a gel to lotion like consistency, which spreads on the skin evenly. If you have sensitive skin with concerns like redness, acne and blemishes, then this primer for e.l.f. is must try. Once you apply it, your skin will feel smoother and calmer than before that helps the flawless application of foundation and last longer too. The primer contains Salicylic Acid, Tea Tree and Vitamin E to help counter blemishes and breakouts. The primer is best for oily to combination skin type.
2. Jouer Anti Blemish Matte Primer
This is a silicone free primer that is not very mattifying but works well on acne prone skin. It contains Salicylic Acid that helps to combat blemishes and breakouts, and Witch Hazel that is a pore tightening ingredient. These both ingredients come together to make a primer that is more on a skin care side. You should choose this primer if you have acne prone but normal to combination skin type.
3. bareMinerals Blemish Remedy Mattifying Prep Gel
The primer is a mattifying gel that is very light- weight and does not make your skin greasy. The primer is rich in antioxidants and plant extract like Aspen bark and tea tree oil that helps to combat acne. It is silicone based and gives a matte look and even canvas for foundation to glide on. It also helps to hide imperfections caused by break outs and acne. It is formulated without any paraben and hence is safe for sensitive skin.
Makeup Primers for Sensitive Skin
Makeup primers are helpful for people with sensitive skin as it acts as a layer between the skin and the makeup and prevents any harmful chemical from the makeup to penetrate into the skin. If have sensitive skin that easily gets red or irritated, then you should opt for primers with very simple formulas that has less complex ingredients.
You can choose makeup primers with skin soothing ingredients like green tea extract. A sensitive skin also tends to become irritated and red easily, so a primer with green or yellow tint also does the job of colour correction thereby reducing the amount of foundation you have to wear.
1.Nyx Cosmetics Skin Elixir balance Tea Tree Primer
The primer from NYX contains tea tree oil, which once applied gives you a cooler and calmer effect. It rejuvenate and balance your skin. It’s texture is somewhere between gel and lotion that gets quickly absorbed in the skin leaving it hydrated. It minimizes the appearance of pores and calms puffiness and redness. It’s quite affordable as well.
2. REN Clean Skincare Perfect Canvas Primer
This is a probiotic rich primer that mattifies and plumps the skin while filling the fine lines and pores. It’s natural ingredients help to boost the skin texture and balance the good bacteria that reduces breakouts. It is silicone free, helps to smoothen the skin and gives a long lasting glow. The Agava extracts and the alpha-glucans in the primer make it easy for your skin to breathe.
3. Neutrogena Shine Control Primer
This primer is a very lightweight, smooth and non-greasy and is formulated with rice protein technology that acts like a sponge and absorbs all the excess oil from the skin. It also contains Silica that act as an anti-inflammatory ingredient and helps to blur fine lines, reduces wrinkle, fill in large pores and makes your skin look glowing and healthy.
How To Use a Makeup Primer?
A makeup primer gives an optimum result if applied correctly. Below are the few steps to follow to get the correct application.
- Before applying the primer, make sure that the skin is clean and all the impurities from the skin has been removed. You can either follow a full Cleansing-Toning-Moisturizing routine or can just swipe a cotton pad saturated with micellar water.
- If you have an oily skin then try using a quick absorbing moisturizer before applying a primer. Apply it to the skin in circular and upward motion and then wait for 5-10 minutes for it to get fully absorbed in the skin.
- If you are going out in the day, then a sunscreen is must. Apply a sunscreen and wait for at least 15-20 minutes so that it can sink into the skin. The waiting will ensure that the primer does not disturb your sunscreen and water down its SPF.
- You don’t need a lot of primer, just a pea sized drop is enough for your face.
- Using your fingers, dot the primer along your forehead, cheeks, nose and chin. With smooth motions, beginning from the centre of the face and working outwards, spread the primer evenly on your skin.
- If you are only using primer, without any base, then you are ready to go. But if you intend to wear makeup then you should wait for 5 minutes to let the primer fully settle on the skin. Once the primer settles, finish off with your foundation and the other base applications.
To maintain a healthy skin, moisturizers, exfoliators, day and night creams and a good quality foundation are very important. You can also not ignore the importance of a makeup primer in your makeup routine. It is very important to use a good makeup primer to make your base flawless and long lasting.
With this article we have tried to help you to find primer as per your skin type and that addresses your skin concerns. Hope that the article helps you to get that flawless skin.