As you learn about makeup, you’re bound to wonder whether face primer is necessary. It seems unnecessary after putting all your skincare products on your face, especially moisturizers. However, face primer is a must if you plan on wearing a full face of makeup.
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What Is Makeup Primer?
Makeup primer is a product designed to prime your face so that it is ideal for makeup application. Your face is naturally bumpy. Everyone’s face is. You might not have an even skin tone or have slight microscopic imperfections like everyone else. No one has an entirely smooth face when you look close.
That’s where face primer comes in. Primer for your face will help to smooth out any imperfections. It will give you the perfect canvas to create your desired look.
Benefits Of Using Makeup Primer
Not only will this give you a smooth canvas to work with, but you’ll also notice quite a few benefits to wearing makeup primer. Most face primers give you so many benefits that you’ll wonder how you function without them!
Face Primer Helps Your Makeup Last Longer
Face primer combined with setting spray is the perfect formula for makeup that lasts all day. This is because it grips your makeup, keeping it in place longer than just your skin can.
SPF Included
A lot of face primer products have other ingredients included. One common ingredient that you’ll see is SPF. Your sun needs protection from the sun to prevent skin damage and fight the signs of premature aging. A primer for face makeup almost always has extra ingredients to maximize your benefits.
Makeup Primer Helps Manage Skin Conditions
If you have oily or dry skin, using the right makeup primer can help you control your skin condition. There are super hydrating face primers like HydraVeil from Illamasqua that are known for helping dry skin. Likewise, other primers can control excessive amounts of oil, eliminating that annoying sheen you get in the middle of the day.
Less Sweating
Face primers are known for decreasing sweating through your pores. It’s because you push primer down into your pores, effectively preventing sweat from reaching the surface. While this isn’t good for your skin, it does help your makeup last longer.
Your Makeup Looks Better
When you wear makeup primer, it creates a smooth texture over your pres. The result is that your makeup glides over your skin for a velvety look that you can’t accomplish without primer.
Skincare Benefits Of Using Primer
When you use primer for face makeup, it gives you some fantastic skincare benefits. Face primer can have moisturizing properties. Then, it seals the skin to lock in moisture and keep your skin from drying out. Likewise, it prevents oil from covering your face, which can help minimize breakouts.
Is Face Primer Before Applying Makeup Necessary?
No, it’s not. If you don’t want to use it to address skincare concerns or other concerns, like large pores, and your makeup stays all day, you might not need primer. Wearing primer can give you an airbrushed look, but makeup can still look fabulous without primer.
Does Oily Skin Need Primer?
Oily skin doesn’t necessarily need primer any more than dry skin does. When deciding if you need a primer, look at what you want the primer to do. If you have excess oil that messes up your makeup, a primer for oily skin could benefit you. However, if you have oily skin but it’s not oily enough to mess up your makeup, you might not need a primer.
Test this one at home to determine if a primer suits you. Pick up a trial size of a primer for oily skin. Then, wear makeup one day without it. See what happens. The next day, try wearing makeup with primer. This test can tell you whether you need a primer or not.
If you don’t have patience, consider not wearing makeup for a day. Halfway through the day, pat your face with a tissue. The more oil there is on the tissue, the more you need to control the excess oil production, so it doesn’t interfere with your look.
Our Recommendations
Finding the perfect face primer is key to making sure that you enjoy all of the benefits of face primer. If you have oily skin but pick up a hydrating face primer, it can result in your makeup sliding off your face by the idle of the day. We’ve picked some of the best primers for you to check out. This comprehensive list has something for everyone!
Cover FX Gripping Primer ($16-45)
Cover FX Gripping Primer is available in a mini for $16 and a full-size version for $45. Its unique gripping technology clings to makeup for a long-lasting look that you’ll love! This silicone-based primer is infused with good-for-your-skin ingredients, like Kelp Extract, to nourish your skin while keeping your makeup in place. It’s also gluten-free!
Why we love it:
- One of the best gripping primers on the market
- Cover FX is both vegan and cruelty-free
- Transparent color is suitable for all skin tones
Cover FX also has a dewy primer, matte primer, green primer to neutralize redness, and travel sizes are available.
Check out Cover FX primers here!
Dr. Brandt Pores No More Luminizing Primer ($38)
Dr. Brandt Pores No More is a luminizing primer that delivers impressive results! Wearing it daily helps shrink pores, visibly reducing shine and making makeup application a breeze. I was so fascinated with the results I picked up a few of these after first using it!
Why we love it:
- Minimizes the appearance of pores
- Silky finish glides seamlessly onto skin
- Promotes an even texture
- Instantly delivers a radiant glow
Wear this primer alone or underneath makeup!
E.l.f. Putty Primer ($10)
E.l.f. Poreless Putty Primer went viral months ago, and it has never stopped being one of the most trending products on the market. It glides across the skin like butter. It’s affordable. It almost instantly delivers a poreless look to make it look like you’re walking around wearing a filter!
Why we love it:
- High-quality makeup at a drugstore price
- Instantly minimizes pores
- Easy application
- Hydrates skin
Poreless Putty Primers by e.l.f. Cosmetics are suitable for every skin type, and can be worn alone or under makeup. Several versions are available, so you can find the perfect putty primer to meet your needs.
In Conclusion
Face primer is magical for most of us. I love a primer that can minimize the appearance of my pores. However, that doesn’t mean that it’s necessary for everyone. If you don’t need to address specific concerns, such as your makeup fading as the day goes on, you might be okay without primer for your face. To learn more about primers, read this complete guide on primers.
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Cover FX Gripping Primer Review
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