If the oil on your face does nothing to keep your makeup from having smeared across your face by midday, take heart because all is not lost. While there might be a host of us who still don’t buy into the idea of primers and what it claims to do, the truth is that a good primer is very much capable of acting as a layer between your skin and makeup - helping the latter to last longer.
What is a good primer then? Find out below!
Although this primer was initially developed to help cure hangover skin, it is popularly loved by makeup and beauty enthusiasts for its silicone-free formula - an ingredient commonly known to cause congested, dull and dehydrated skin. Instead, this primer is enriched with skin-loving properties such as coconut water to restore lost moisture and radiance to your skin.
A cult-loved primer, the Porefessional by Benefit Cosmetics has a silicone-y, almost rubbery texture that is perfect for filling up large pores and locking your makeup down. A pro tip: instead of applying it in a swiping motion, try patting it so that your pores are properly filled.
Dubbed as a dupe for Smashbox’s trusty old Photo Finish, this primer by NYX has a silky finish that smoothens and blurs fine lines. Lightweight, it doesn’t settle into any wrinkles, and also comes in 2 other color-correcting variations: green and purple respectively.
This weightless gel primer doesn’t just keep your skin matte and your pores blurred throughout the day, it also addresses your blemishes and acne issues with its 1% Salicylic Acid content. This primer is also vegan and free from harsh chemicals such as parabens, sulfates, phthalates, fragrances, talc, gluten, and mineral oil - all of which could potentially clog your pores and further irritate your skin.
If you’re keen on reclaiming that baby skin that has been long gone, we’ve got good news for you! While most primers for oily skin are dead matte, 3CE has created one that keeps your skin matte while still adding a nice sheen to result in a healthy-looking effect. On top of that, this primer also contains micro-optical blurring powder to give you airbrushed, baby-smooth skin.
Rimmel’s Stay Matte range of products is generally known for being cheap yet being able to work nearly like their higher-end counterparts. Likewise, this primer works well under all types of foundation, over makeup or even worn alone. There’s no room for slip and slide, not with this primer.
Did you know that eyelids secrete more oils than the rest of the face? Hence, why eye primers were invented for a sole purpose: to keep your eye makeup in place and to maintain pigment intensity as when first applied. This eye primer by Fenty Beauty is your best bet in the oily skin department. It is also crease-proof, fade-proof and colour-boosting.
Sometimes finding the right primer is a mission in itself due to the complexity of skin types. Oily, combination skin are as such because you might have an oily T-zone but super chapped cheeks, and vice versa. One primer that might help: Hourglass’ Veil Mineral Primer.
The oil-free formula of this primer feels incredibly lightweight. It claims to increase makeup durability, minimise the appearance of pores and wrinkles, and conceal redness. It comes with SPF15 protection too!