I hear so many women saying they use a primer, then ask what it does. Many women really don’t know why they are using a primer, other than ‘I was told it’s good before foundation.’
Primers are just like any other makeup item, there will always be some primers that are better and more tailored to your needs than others, and often in my work I use two to really get the best out of every makeup look I create. In saying that, there really should be one main concern you have with your skin; therefore there should be one primer answer for you…
I’ll break it down for you!
We all want perfect skin and most of us who wear foundation don’t really want it to be seen on our skin, so we try anything to allow it to sit closer, like a second skin.
Skincare is the number 1 tip to get your complexion looking its best. We still have too many women applying foundation with no prep, then wondering why it looks dry, has fallen into lines or disappears by the end of the day… Foundation needs a good base.
Primers have become the new pressed powder. Years ago we would automatically purchase a powder with foundation as they go together, but over the years we have discovered that powder used incorrectly or on a dehydrated/dry/mature skin, can age us, as matte skin has no light, freshness is lost and it can dull out our look, especially in photos.
Thus, primer was born! Primer is now the go-to product to buy (along with concealer) when purchasing a foundation, but just like foundation, there are different textures to suit each skin type and concern.
MB PRO TIP – A primer’s main purpose is to smooth the skin for a better surface prep before foundation. Some primers are oil controlling and some are moisture giving, depending on your skin type. The closer the foundation sits to our skin, the more realistic our foundation can look and even feel. If foundation is sitting on top of the skin, there may be a moisture in-balance, therefore making it more visible and even catching on rough, dry or pore prone areas.
Since the Alphabet Beauty craze of the BB and CC creams, I have definitely not used as much a primer as usual, mainly because I am using less foundation in my work and in some cases using the BB and especially CC creams as primers. They have pigment to even skin, skincare properties to help and smooth skins texture and SPF… Sounds perfect to me.
But, when applying a traditional foundation, I always use a Primer and now loving the new ‘Blur’ craze. A constant filter on your skin, its like instagram for beauty, blurring our fine lines and pores = winning!
Here are my fave primers in different categories/needs for the skin;
Mattifying/Pore Refining/Oily Skin
My go-to primer for reducing the appearance of pores and giving a matte, even skin tone is the Benefit Porefessional (RRP: $53)
Whenever I work with someone who has oily skin, even if it is only the T-Zone and especially if I can see visible pores, I lightly apply Benefit Porefessional and instantly you can see the difference. I often only apply it on the nose area, or only on areas with pores, not the entire the face, unless needed, as I like the cheek areas to look/feel a little more plump and radiant, using the Combination skin primer on these areas.
MB PRO TIP – If you have oily skin, you are looking for a matte finish primer. If the packaging of your primer says anything like, ‘Light Reflecting’ or ‘Radiance’ it is not the primer for you. You should be looking for the words matte, oil free, mattifying, pore refining.
The texture should also have a silky powdery feel, almost like velvet, not creamy or too moisturizing, as the whole point is to take out the shine and oil, not add to it, yet still smoothing the skin for the perfect foundation base.
All Rounder/Normal Combination Skin
For anyone that has no real issues with oily skin and is not a very dry or tight skin, but is more likely to be dehydrated if anything, I love the Napoleon Perdis Auto Pilot Primer (RRP: $55)
It has a very lightweight texture, it is almost cooling and fresh feeling, so to me it gives a great instant boost and plumping to the skin…
It does not contain anything to add extra shine and radiance, but because the skin is plumper, it allows for a great fusion between foundation and skin.
MB PRO TIP – Normal skin or dehydrated skin are looking for a simple quick fix plumper and booster.
Our skincare may take that little bit longer to awaken the skin, where is a primer with a hydrating, light, cooling texture instantly infuses the moisture into the skin, giving dehydrated skin a chance to radiant and very smooth. It’s all about plumping for this skin, not oil controlling, so the texture needs to be a little watery.
*I do often use BB creams under foundation if someone is looking for more coverage.
Dull/Dry Skin
When we have dry skin we need to nourish it, so it is important to find a creamy texture, this softens the dry areas and help further smooth the skin to allow foundation to sit closer to the skin, not catching on dry areas.
I also love for this skin type to have a little sheen, radiance in it, so my go-to Dry Skin primer is the Estee Lauder Illuminating Perfecting Primer (RRP: $48)
This primer has the creamy texture I love, but also contains a little golden under tone running through it to add lift and radiance – also good for a dry skin that suffers a little redness!
I sometimes also mix it into my foundation for better application if a skin is very dry.
MB PRO TIP – Always look for a creamy textured primer to allow for dry skin to soften and be nourished… A combination skin primer may feel hood at first application, but may not have enough moisture to go the distance of the day, leaving the skin dry again by 5pm.
BLUR – The new phase of Primer
I am a BIG fan of the blur products…
Someone like myself that has combination skin, some little pores on the nose and dehydrated areas with fine lines, this is perfect!
I have a little of everything, and the Blur really does a little of everything…
The only thing it doesn’t do well compared to other primers is adding a lot of moisture, but boy does it look good when you use it. #Photoshopped
A Blur, is to really do just that, give a blur effect to the skin.
So just like on Instagram when we choose a filter o make our skin look better, this new product can blur away your concerns, like fine lines, pores and dryness…
It instantly smoothes the skin giving a great base for any makeup over the top and I feel it allows your makeup to look better for longer.
My New fave makeup kit product, and even for myself is the Lancôme Visionnaire Blur (RRP: $62)
This instant perfector gives your skin a chance to look smooth all over and stops makeup from building up and creasing in expression lines. Blur definitely won my vote as I have tried other products and while many look great alone, they often change slightly once makeup is applied over them.
Cheers to smooth skin this weekend!
