Building Your Beauty Kit: Primer

Primer oddly enough, is kind of controversial. Is it necessary? Won’t a moisturizer do the same thing? Doesn’t it damage the skin by adding yet another layer of makeup? As a big primer fan, I’m going to have to answer no to both of those.

Primers are a crucial step if you’re looking to achieve a flawless, smooth finish with your foundation and can actually act as a protective layer between your foundation (which newsflash; foundation isn’t all that great for your skin) and your pores to lessen the likelihood of breakouts.

Plus there are a ton of non-comedogenic (translation: it won’t clog your pores and ruin your skin) options out there that are solely meant to enhance the look of your foundation and make its application that much easier.

Below are a few of my all time favorites that can accommodate any budget:

1. L’Oreal Revitalift Miracle Blur ($25)

This is my favorite drug store primer and the only one I have been really impressed by. The formula is meant to smooth and blur imperfections, the appearance of pores and fine lines. The texture has more of a gel feel to it but it doesn’t ball up when you apply it. My skin feels instantly smoother and it really does make my pores less noticeable. I like to use this when I’m not in the mood for a full face of makeup as well, by applying it to blur out my pores and then using a little bit of concealer to get rid of any redness. It also has SPF 30 in it so it’s great for the warmer months. Get it here!

2. Benefit Stay Flawless 15-Hour Primer ($32)

I was obsessed with this primer when it first came out, I refused to use anything else. It gives the best finish and really does give your foundation amazing longevity. The application is a little different than most primers because it’s in a stick form and it dries quickly, so you have to be ready to immediately apply your foundation right after. Works best with full coverage foundations. Get it here!

3. Laura Mercier Foundation Primer • Radiance ($36)

If you have skin like the mojave desert like me, then you’re also probably trying anything to achieve beautiful, luminous skin. This primer is a great option if you’re looking to add luminosity to your foundation while still achieving a smooth texture. This gives the skin a healthy, natural glow that will help your makeup last for about 4-6 hours without moving or settling into fine lines. So not the best longevity out there but perfect for a light weight foundation or a night out where you won’t be wearing your makeup for 12 hours straight. Get it here!

4. Smashbox Iconic Photo Finish Foundation Primer ($36)

This was my tried and true favorite for many years. I have a preference to primers with a gel texture and this one really feels like a protective layer over the skin. Even my foundations that make my skin the oiliest (not an easy task) wouldn’t cause me to break out when I paired them with this primer. I still rotate it out of my drawer every few weeks because I know I can count on it to give me long lasting coverage and to prevent my makeup from budging; especially in my T-zone. Get it here!

5. Make Up For Ever Step 1 Skin Equalizer Hydrating Primer ($37)

Finally this is my current holy grail that I keep replenishing every time I run out. While most primers are meant to smooth and soften the skin to ensure a flawless foundation application the formulas can still be pretty drying for my skin type. So I was so thrilled to finally find a primer that not only makes my makeup stay in place forever (seriously, at least 14 hours) but also is very hydrating and beneficial for my dry skin. I’ve noticed less break outs, redness and dry patches since I switched to this primer and I couldn’t be happier! Definitely worth every penny. Get it here!

What is your favorite primer? Tell me in the comments! And stay tuned for my next post in this series!

Xoxo,

She