I recently asked this question about your favourite face primers on Twitter and Facebook and I received quite a good number of suggestions and recommendations. I thought it would be fun to have a proper post where you could share with us your favourite face primers and why you like it 🙂
I haven’t found a favourite myself, because I’m actually quite new to using face primers on a regular basis. I never used to back in the day when I had oilier skin because I just wasn’t as educated as I am now 😛 I also used to use powder foundations more often because they stayed on my skin better than liquid.
These days, I’m using liquid foundation quite often and I recently started dabbling in face primers, and the results have surprised me… in a good way 🙂
When I use a face primer, I find that in general, my foundation has a better base to hold on to and stick to, so you actually end up with a smoother finish. Some primers have better oil and shine control than others, and so, I found that by the end of the day, my makeup would look as fresh as when I first put it on in the morning.
The other up side, is blush stays on longer too and if you have a pore problem, you may find that using a face primer results in a much smoother, pore-free visage.
I haven’t tried many primers and the one I’ve used the most is the Smashbox Photo Finish primer which I have been quite impressed with overall. Pair it with the Smashbox Photo Set Finishing powder and you get makeup that truly lasts all day if you need it. I’m also dabbling in a couple of other brands to see how they fare.
I will however caution that if you do use a primer, to ensure that you take off your makeup properly at the end of the day, to prevent pore clogging. Also, if you are sensitive to silicone, the number of primers available to you becomes markedly less because the core ingredient in most face primers is silicone.
Your Say: Do you use face primers regularly and if you do, do you have a favourite? Why do you like it?
Paris B
I have tried a lot of primers and I still haven’t found one that I love. I am currently using the Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer. It does make my skin silky and makes my liquid foundation apply sooo smoothly but I am still searching for a better more hydrating option.
I happened to see someone mentioning the Hourglass mineral primer on twitter. It sounds amazing based on your description though 🙂 We don’t get Hourglass here but I shall take a peep the next time I visit a country that carries it 😉
As much as I like primers for their ability to hold makeup well & smooth out obvious pores – my favourite is from Kanebo Impress – they are usually chokeful of silicones which break me out easily. So weighing the pros & cons, I don’t use them unless I have special functions to attend and need to be photographed often.
Kanebo Impress *makes note* I love Kanebo makeup so I will take a peep 😉 I will agree with you though that primers aren’t for everyone because they can really break out the skin. I don’t use them all that often but I’m always amazed when I do 😀
I’m pretty lazy when it comes to using primers, especially when I’ve put on moisturiser and sunscreen it’s just another annoying step however I really like the Laura Mercier one and I tend to just use primers when I’m going out for something special and want my makeup to stay in place nicely. Day to day I tend not to bother!
After I got over the thrill of “OMG! My makeup stays on ALL DAY LONG!” I stopped wearing primer everyday too 😀 As you have said, its quite a bother although the extra step doesn’t quite bug me. I just don’t want to break out from wearing primer everyday (just in case)
I’m too lazy to use a face primer daily, but for special occasions it’s a must. My favourite is Pupa Professionals Smoothing Foundation Primer. It helps to make my skin look flawless and my makeup last longer.
We get Pupa here Gio! 😀 Thanks for sharing
Im use bb creams or sunblocks mostly so I don really use much of of primers but when I do I usually reach out for definit’e’s water based primer it works ok with my combi oily skin. I see that you have etude house nymph aura primer there, is the primer good? I read that it makes your skin glow and I like that but I can’t justify spending on something that I won’t reach out often for heee
I’ve been testing out that Etude House Nymph Aura primer and although its quite early days, I think I quite like this! It does seem to add a glow to the skin and helps my foundation stay on longer. Will test it a bit more before I report in with a review 😉
I use sunblock as my base everyday. I have only 1 base/primer which is called maquilage styling base (I think). Bought that on a wimp. Use that for night out when no sunscreen is required. Not sure what it does for me. So I guess it’s ok if I don’t use it.
My face is not that oily, so I don’t have a bad need to use primers. I only blot once a day and I kinda like that therapeutic action in the afternoon. It’s like…recollect myself and taking a breather in the bathroom in the middle of a work day.
Hehe I think I’m one of those people who never blot 😛 Perhaps the shiny nosed look becomes me. It just struck me that I may have been using a “primer” all along, just that its called sunblock 😛 I do find that in most Japanese makeup, the base usually contains sunscreen and can double up as sunblock, but they don’t quite help makeup last as long as the western type primer primers. I also find that Japanese bases are lighter in texture while Western ones tend to be heavier. If that makes any sense at all 😛
Absolutely! ;D
Some physical sunblock are not good bases though. Too dry.
Definitely the Laura Mercier foundation primer
With so many fans, this must be a good one!
Is it really that bad when you don’t use a primer?! I only use one for my eyeshadow..
Nope it isn’t Stephanie 🙂 I personally do not think a face primer is necessary for everyone. For those who have very oily skin or need help covering pores and lines, it will help. Just as you should not put paint directly on a wall without first applying a primer, so too the skin. However, its pretty much a personal choice as to whether you “need” it for daily use 🙂 I don’t use one for eyeshadow because I don’t feel the need to.
I love primers but simply don’t have the time to wear it daily. I find with a good primer foundation is not really required as well – smoothed and evens out my skin tone so well just blush and loose powder and I’m good. My primer of choice is Chanel’s White Essentiel in 10 Rosee. It was introduced to me with my vitalumiere aqua and I’ve since discovered it works well with Bourjois Healthy MixSerum too!
Hmm… this is the first time I”ve heard of that Chanel one. I’ll go take a look and I haven’t really tried going with just primer and light makeup. I’m going to try that! 😀
Thanks for the review!
And im so happy to read the comments from many girls too.
I have super duper oily face (read: Oily by 11am in an air-conditioned environment!). Which is sad..
I normally wash my face in the office after lunch and reapply make-up. Currently using Mac Prep + Prime but looking for alternatives..will prob try MUFE or Smashbox 🙂
Don’t you love all the help we get in the comments? 😀 I hope you find a primer that suits you 🙂
Benefit’s porefessional!! love it even before I opened it! hehh… it blurs out my hideous and ginormous holes on my nose~ Love the texture too… it blends into a smooth and slightly powdery finish… hard on the wallet but it lasts a long time 🙂 I’m barely halfway through my tube…
I’ve heard a lot of good things about Porefessional! Thankfully I don’t have much of a pore problem, but this is very helpful for those who do 🙂
Hi there,
I like to read your blog to find out the latest beauty products and cosmetics:) and you give honest opinion and not being bias.:)
I am a professional freelance makeup artist and I do and must carry primers in my makeup kit. My holy grail primer is Laura Mercier primer ( the old and the 1st one in the Market). It’s especially good when my customers having a breakout or really oily face, too oil to hold the foundation. I have also the Paul and Joe one, slight shimmering with light reflecting pearl, so good for those good skin with only minor flaws. Especially good for dinner makeup. Makeup forever hd primer also much sought after.
Hope that help:)
Thank you for your recommendations Jaime! Its always helpful to know what the experts are using 😀
Me too!! So far I haven’t found my favourite primer yet!! I have tried the RMK creamy polished base but the effect was like so so :/ I don’t hate i though, it makes my face looked less ‘flat’. There was once when I went into MAC (I was wearing this base) the sales assistant there was like keep criticizing how oily my face looked (he did say my makeup was a FAILED one). I took a sample of MAC’s oil free primer (i wont buy from him), but I wasn’t impressed.
Right now I’m using Biore’s UV perfect face milk, acting as a sunscreen and primer, helps absorbing sebum as well 😀 very affordable, if you could stand the strong alcohol smell 🙂
I’ve heard a lot of good things about RMK’s primers or bases as they call them, but I haven’t really given it a go. I hear it gives quite a nice finish for liquid foundation. It sounds like your experience in MAC was awful! I can’t imagine if that happened to me – might have slapped the fella 😛
I had such a bad experience with Missha’s BB Primer (sticky, immovable) that I went off primers. 🙁 But today only, I saw L’oreal’s new face primer at Caring Pharmacy. Not tested yet, but probs won’t buy.
(slightly off-topic but…) when oh when is L’oreal bringing in their 24Hr Infallible eye shadows to Malaysia!!
The story I got is that Infallible shadows aren’t coming in but I hear reports that they maybe. Its confusing but once I do know I’ll be sure to share the news 🙂
Oh yes! I love primers! I have been using RMK as well as Stila’s One Step Correct. Both are amazing! 😀
I’ve heard lots of good things about the RMK bases. Must give it a go some day 😀
I use Dior Hydra Life essence-in-base. You got it in the picture up there! hihi… I love it, have been using it for almost 7 months now. It makes my make-up stays longer and make my skin smoother before applying my make-up. But the bottle is still like half-full. I can’t wait to finish it so I can try the new Diorsnow White Reveal Perfecting Makeup UV Base. Before this Diorsnow didn’t have any face primers, so I go for Hydra Life.
Thanks for the recs Mira! I’m not quite sure what to make of the Dior base although I’ve been using it off and on for a while. It does feel sort of nice though 😀
I recommend clarins – instant lght complexion perfector . After using this , you will look gorgeous !!!
P.S. My secret is mixing together with a little of Clarins – Instant Smooth Foundation (mousse) and then top up with Clarins – Loose Face Powder .
i would love to hear from you on Etude House Nymph Aura and goodbye pore forever!