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10 Makeup Primers You Can Build a Good Base With

It’s prime time.

Now I know what some of you are thinking.

Makeup primers are a scam! They add nothing to your makeup routine. I’d rather spend that money on a new lipstick or even better, FOOD.

To that, let me lay out a situation that I’m sure most of us would be able to relate to.

You just got out of the shower, ready to apply makeup on your face. You go straight to your trusty foundation. Swipe on your hand. Apply all over your face. And then you see it. Tiny particles from your foundation settled cosily into the pores and lines in your face, leaving you with a less-than-polished speckled appearance.

Just as wood needs to be sanded before being varnished to achieve that beautiful polished look, if you want your foundation to glide smoothly over your skin and last for the rest of the day, makeup primers are your best friend.

And I’ll just go on to add that, in this climate, where makeup can literally melt right off your face, it could be your safest bet.

Still not so sure? Have a look at these 10 make-up primers we’ve got stacked up for you, and take your pick!

Best mattifying primer
Check Benefit The POREfessional: Matte Rescue Gel 50ml price below:

Don’t let oily skin drag your spirit down with this water-based gel primer by Benefit; the one and only POREfessional Matte Rescue Gel. Hey, the name speaks for itself.

The gel consistency gives your make-up a nice smooth base to glide over. This primer also contains diamond powder, giving your skin an even matte finish. Even so, it’s so lightweight that you should expect to feel nothing but refreshed and confident when wearing this product.

Best primer for combination skin
Sephora Collection
Best primer for combination skin
Check Sephora Collection Beauty Amplifier Smoothing Primer price below:

Those of us with combination will know how confusing it can be to choose products that are suitable for our skin type. Thankfully, some formulas were created as gifts from heaven. This lightweight primer from Sephora is extremely versatile, and works for all skin types. Also, good news for all you clean freaks out there, this product comes with a pump applicator, meaning you don’t have to worry about getting your primer (and face) contaminated.

Best hydrating primer for dry skin
Best hydrating primer for dry skin
Check Too Faced Hangover Primer price below:
add_circle Blends easily
add_circle Has a good smell
add_circle Compact size makes it suitable for travel
add_circle Doesn’t clog pores
remove_circle Can be quite sticky once dried

Imagine having the perfect makeup routine, but…what is that poking through your foundation? Flaky dry skin. Some of us know this struggle too well. But don’t fret, because Too Faced has got you (and your dry skin) covered. This primer is a genius concoction of the most hydrating ingredients, including coconut water! Talk about paradise on your face.

The next best thing about this product? It’s free of all those harmful chemicals and preservatives you’ve probably heard about (e.g. paraben and phthalates), so your skin will be kept healthy and glowing.

Best primer for pores
Check Benefit The POREfessional Plus Pearl Primer price below:

Another POREfessional product? What can I say? Benefit is really killing the primer game. And for good reason. This time, Benefit has revamped their legendary POREfessional primer formula with the POREfessional Plus Pearl Primer. This product includes the same lightweight and smooth pore-minimizing formula that we loved in the original product, but this time it goes a step further with the addition of a glowy pearl pink effect for added radiance.

Best for normal skin
Smashbox
Check Smashbox Photo Finish Primerizer – 15ml price below:

When it comes to primer, Smashbox is a household name. This particular formula is a primer + moisturizer mixed into one convenient package. It contains niacinamide (try saying that 10x fast) and hyaluronic which both act to retain water, keeping your skin happily moisturized throughout the day. Amazingly, at the same time, it also manages to cling onto your make-up, providing it with a smooth base that’ll keep you looking your best.

Best smoothening primer for fine lines and wrinkles
Cover FX
Best smoothening primer for fine lines and wrinkles
Check Cover FX Anti-Aging Primer price below:

Most good primers are able to conceal pores, lines and wrinkles. Cover FX’s Anti-Aging Primer does that, and more. This product is basically a tube of magic, consisting of ingredients that not only conceal but also protect the skin. Vitamins C, E and F help counter skin inflammation, diminishing redness, while the hyaluronic acid helps keep the skin moisturized to fight against the formation of new lines and wrinkles. Oh, and it’s also paraben, sulfate and phthalate-free.

Best drugstore primer
Check L’Oreal Lucent Magique Primer price below:

L’Oreal’s Lucent Magique Primer boasts a formula that will give you a “radiant 3-dimensional glow”. This product will give your skin a healthy glow, akin to the dewy, hydrated look that continues to persist as a trend in most Asian countries.

Besides being incredibly light-weight and effective in producing a soft, luminous finish to the skin, it can be used on all skin types. Of course, the elephant in the room is that it has a very attractive price tag and is readily available in most drugstores, which is always a plus.

Best cheap makeup primer
Etude House
Best cheap makeup primer
Check Etude House Fix and Fix Primer 25g price below:
add_circle Contains SPF33
add_circle Good colour-correcting performance
add_circle Covers pores well
remove_circle No mention of it having good hydration

This product is great for you ladies out there who want a good product that is easy on the wallet. Etude House’s Fix and Fix primer comes in a soft and light formula that instantly gets absorbed into the skin, leaving you feeling refreshed and looking flawless. To add on to that, it contains ingredients that help control the level of sebum on your skin, making this a good choice for those prone to acne breakouts.

Check BECCA Ever Matte Poreless Priming Perfector – 40ml price below:

This primer’s reputation as the “liquid blotting paper” says a lot about how effective it is in controlling the oil on your skin. This bad boy is said to keep your skin at its prime (pun intended) for up to 12 hours. With its impressive skin-mattifying and pore-minimizing effect, say goodbye to shine and hello to flawless skin.

Best primer for sensitive skin
HOURGLASS
Check Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer price below:

Do you have sensitive skin that makes you reluctant to try out new skincare products? Rest assured, this mineral-based primer by Hourglass will not do you dirty. Besides being able to cover up a significant amount of redness, as well as concealing pores and wrinkles, this primer is packed with sun protective ingredients (SPF 15) to shield you from harmful sun rays that could do serious damage to your skin.

Additionally, it also contains zinc oxide, which repels water, keeping your make-up intact and long-lasting. The formula itself is lightweight and gentle, suited for those of you out there with skin that is a little bit more sensitive.

Disclaimer: The pricing shown is just a good indication of how much these products are worth. The prices could change based on the e-commerce promotions that are going on. If some of the products are not available, do email us at [email protected]. Thank you!

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