Makeup primer is one of my favorite steps within my makeup routine, as it can make such a difference to how your makeup looks, feels and how well it’s going to last throughout the day.
There are many different types of makeup primer, designed for different skin types or benefits, so it can be overwhelming trying to decide which primer is going to work for your individual skin type and skin concerns.
What Does A Good Makeup Primer Actually Do?
A good makeup primer works like a layer between your skincare products and your makeup products. Primer usually gives you a smoother skin surface so your foundation, concealer and other makeup products will apply and glide on more evenly, rather than clinging to any dry patches you might have or settling into fine lines.
Not only will a good primer make your makeup look better, but it can prolong the weartime of your makeup products, by giving your makeup something to grip onto throughout the day.
Depending on the primer formula you choose, your makeup primer can help blur the appearance of your pores, control your shine levels, boost hydration levels or give your makeup a soft and radiant finish.
Primers don’t need to feel heavy or mask-like on the skin, providing you choose a primer that works for your skin type. Although, many people use multiple primer formulas at once, treating different problem areas or skin concerns on your face.
Identify Your Skin Type – Dry, Oily, Combination or Sensitive
When you know what skin type you have, and the skin concerns you’re dealing with, it’ll help you decide the type of primer that’s going to work best for you.
If your skin feels tight, looks flaky or dull, it’s possible you have dry skin that will work best with a hydrating primer formula to give you comfort and radiance all-in-one.
Oily skin types will show shine quickly, especially around your forehead, nose and chin, so you’re going to be best going for a mattifying or an oil-control primer which will help keep your makeup in place for longer.
Combination skin is a mix of skin concerns, where some of your areas might be more oily, whereas others might be more dry. This is where a balancing primer might be the best choice, or, as I mentioned above, using a mix of different primers on the different problem areas.
Sensitive skin usually reacts easily and suffers with redness, stinging or irritation, so a gentle and fragrance-free makeup primer is going to be the best option.
Matte, Dewy, Radiant, And Blurring Primer Finishes Explained
Matte makeup primers are designed to reduce your shine levels and make your skin look smoother with a more velvety finish. They’re a good choice if you get oily throughout the day, and want to keep your makeup looking matte and keep oils at bay.
Dewy makeup primers (my personal favorite) give you a fresh and hydrated sheen, and can make your skin look more plump and dewy which works wonders if you have dry skin, whereas radiant primers give you a soft glow without looking too shiny or wet.
Skin blurring primers are for those that have textural issues, helping you to soften your pores, fine lines and any uneven areas (like scars or blemishes), to give you a smoother and more uniform base for your foundation.
Your perfect primer depends on your natural skin type/s, any skin concerns you might be dealing with (like blemishes, scars or lines) and your makeup style preferences. You can always use different primer formulas on your different problem areas, rather than using one single primer all over your face.
How Much Primer Should You Use & Where To Apply It
More is definitely not better with primer, as too much primer can mean your makeup will slip and slide on top, and won’t set properly.
It’s best to start with a pea-sized amount, which is often all you’ll need if you’re using a smoothing, gripping or mattifying primer formula.
Start with a small amount, and adding a little more wherever you need it. Focus on the areas of your face that your makeup usually fades the fastest, or creases, separates or clings.
This usually means your T-zone, around your nose, the center of your forehead, your chin, and any areas of your face with more visible pores or textures.
If you have dry patches, gently press a hydrating primer into these areas, rather than rubbing, so the primer sits on top of the dry flakes, rather than clinging to them.
Always let your primer settle for at least a minute before you apply your makeup, so the primer has enough time to grip and smooth your skin.