Best Face Primers 2022

But how do you choose the one that suits your skin? We tell you why it is necessary and whether there are any alternatives to primers.

Top 10 facial primers according to KP

1. Maybelline Master Prime

Pore-covering make-up base

This face primer is a kind of professional “grout” for pores, which visually makes them hardly noticeable, so it is perfect for women with oily and combination skin. The tool lays down with a weightless veil and does not clog into folds. Provides durability to make-up and total comfort to the skin throughout the day.

Of the minuses: will not hide deep pores.

2. L’Oreal Paris Infallible Primer

Facial Corrective Primer (Green)

A color-correcting base that can visually hide signs of rosacea and redness. It has a liquid greenish consistency, which is easily distributed over the face and gives a matte finish to the skin. The base does not clog pores, imperceptibly merges with the skin tone, so it can be applied even locally. On the skin, the primer lasts up to eight hours, even if you apply a dense tonal coating on top.

Of the minuses: small volume, can emphasize peeling.

3. NYX Honey Dew Me Up Primer

Makeup primer

Updated honey primer, has a more viscous texture compared to liquid. Upon contact with the skin, it instantly transforms into an emulsion, leaving the skin smooth and silky. The primer, in addition to honey, contains collagen, hyaluronic acid, panthenol, phytoextracts. The foundation also contains small radiant particles that give the face a beautiful glow. A small minus of this product is that it takes a little longer to shrink.

Of the minuses: takes a long time to absorb.

4. Riche Primer Oil

Primer oil for make-up

High-quality oil primer that spreads easily and absorbs quickly. As part of a complex of natural extracts: pomegranate seeds, peach pits, strawberry seeds, verbena, jasmine, jojoba. Even the most dehydrated skin, after applying a few drops of primer, is instantly saturated with useful properties, shines with a delicate shine and looks well-groomed. Despite the fact that the primer is oily, it is able to mattify the skin well and neutralize pathogenic bacteria.

Of the minuses: specific flavor that not everyone likes.

5. Lancaster Sun Perfect SPF 30

A radiant make-up base

The non-greasy, silky base contains the right light-reflecting pigments to quickly even out complexion. A clear advantage of this base for the face is the presence of reliable protection from the sun better and signs of aging.

Of the minuses: not found.

6. Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer

Makeup base

The American brand is famous for its series of primers for the face. Its history was started by a founder photographer, for whom it was important to create a weightless skin coating so that this effect looked fantastically beautiful in photographs. This is a classic and versatile version of the base – based on silicone, vitamins and grape seed extract. It is perfectly distributed over the face, while caring for the skin. It has good durability, does not float even in the hottest weather. Fills in small irregularities and wrinkles, visually leveling the texture and tone of the skin.

Of the minuses: not found.

7. Becca Backlight Priming Filter

A radiant makeup base

An Australian brand renowned for their quality radiant facial products, has developed a unique luminous facial base. This primer is a fairly light consistency, water-based. The base contains pearl dust, which lies flawlessly on the skin and gives a well-groomed appearance. In addition, the primer contains vitamin E and licorice extract, which help moisturize and reduce fine lines.

Of the minuses: High price compared to similar products of competitors.

8. Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base

MakeUp

A luxury cream base that has become a real bestseller in major cosmetic chains. The composition of the product is rich in vitamins B, C, E, shea butter, geranium and grapefruit. Such a complex of substances perfectly moisturizes dry and dehydrated skin, while improving its condition. Due to shea butter and vitamins, this base can replace a moisturizer for the face. The tool is very economically consumed, a small portion is required for one application. The foundation does not clog pores, spreads easily and absorbs quickly. After its shrinkage, the foundation stays on without problems for up to 12 hours.

Of the minuses: will not hide serious skin imperfections, high price compared to similar products of competitors.

9. Giorgio Armani Fluid Master Primer

Primer for face

Ideal if you have enlarged pores and uneven skin texture. The base has a transparent, gel and slightly “elastic” texture, which fills all the small bumps and wrinkles, while providing a slight lifting effect. And at the same time does not leave behind a sticky film on the face. Any foundation spreads over this base literally like clockwork and lasts twice as long as usual.

Of the minuses: High price compared to similar products of competitors.

10. YSL Beaute Touche Eclat Blur Primer

Luxury primer

This primer works like an eraser – it erases all imperfections, tightens pores and makes the skin smooth to the touch. It contains four non-comedogenic oils that further soften the skin, and the complexion becomes fresh and radiant. The texture of the primer is transparent and light, but at the same time shining particles are mixed in it, which become almost invisible during distribution. One shade of primer, has versatility, because it suits any type and tone of skin, including sensitive.

Of the minuses: High price compared to similar products of competitors.

How to choose a face primer

A primer, also known as a foundation or make-up base, acts as a kind of substrate between the skin and makeup products. It helps even out the surface of the skin, making it easier to apply the foundation and prolonging its durability. Almost all primers perform these properties, but some of them perform other additional functions.

When choosing a primer, first of all, you should start from your needs and skin type. Each manufacturer tries to create its own unique product. There are different types of primers that matte, hide pores, correct imperfections, protect from the sun, illuminate from the inside, and others. The texture of the primer can be anything from gel to cream, just like the color: transparent, flesh or green.

In the warm season, you should pay attention to light textures – they will perfectly merge with the skin and will not overload it. For dry or dehydrated skin, a moisturizing primer in the form of a fluid or oil is suitable. Also, the best solution would be those products that additionally contain various vitamins and beneficial extracts in their composition. If you have oily or combination skin, then pay attention to the mattifying base. Only a quality face primer won’t clog pores or weigh down makeup – ideally you shouldn’t feel it on your skin.

Types of primers

Makeup primers differ in their texture, properties and areas of application.

liquid primer – presented in a bottle with a pipette, dispenser or spray. They have a light texture and are quickly absorbed. They are produced, as a rule, on a water or oil basis, so they are best suited for owners of oily and combination skin.

Cream primer – Available in the form of a tube or a jar with a dispenser. The consistency is somewhat similar to a day cream for the face. Such primers are suitable for any type of skin, but when applied, they can “sit down” on the face for some time.

Gel primer – quickly evens out the skin, making it silky and smooth. On the skin, such primers are not actually felt, in addition, they contain caring and moisturizing components. Suitable for normal skin type.

Silicone primer – chosen for the instant effect of Photoshop. Thanks to its plastic texture, which fills in pores, wrinkles and irregularities, it creates a perfect smooth skin surface. But at the same time, this primer is one of the tricky ones – it requires careful make-up removal, otherwise you can get clogged pores. Best suited for oily and aging skin, but contraindicated in sensitive and problematic.

Primer oil – often released in a bottle with a pipette. This primer eliminates dryness, dehydration and reduces the visibility of wrinkles. Regular use of an oil primer can transform the look of your skin.

Color correcting primer The perfect neutralizer for uneven skin tone. Green color is able to block and visually neutralize redness, and, for example, purple copes with unwanted yellowness.

Reflective primer – contains shimmering micro-particles that provide the skin with a natural glow. The effect of such a primer looks especially beautiful in the sun – smooth overflows create that same glow from the inside. It can be applied to the entire face, as well as only to the protruding parts: cheekbones, chin, bridge of the nose and bridge of the nose. Not suitable for problem skin, as it can emphasize all the imperfections and irregularities.

Mattifying primer Provides a beautiful matte finish and is usually available in a silicone or cream base. In addition, it perfectly copes with enlarged pores and smoothes the surface of the skin. Designed for oily or combination skin.

Pore ​​Shrinking Primer – is able to visually make the pores smaller, which is important for owners of oily and combination skin. This category also includes the so-called blur-cream, which provides a photoshop effect.

Anti-aging primer – designed for mature skin, which fills deep wrinkles well and at the same time contains moisturizing, nourishing and anti-aging components. Sometimes such a primer may additionally contain a sunscreen.

Moisturizing primer – provides proper care for dry skin. The composition, as a rule, contains nourishing oils, vitamin E and hyaluronic acid.

Sunscreen primer – the actual option for the summer season of the year, contains sun filters.

What can replace the primer

The primer borrowed many functions from skin care products. Therefore, some of them may well replace the properties of the primer.

Daily cream – every girl has this tool on her dressing table. To protect and prepare the skin for the application of decorative cosmetics, any moisturizer will do: it will create a light veil on the face. But before applying foundation, wait a few minutes so that the cream has time to absorb into the skin and not conflict with the tone.

Cream for irritation – any pharmacy cream with prevention against irritations or allergic reactions, is able to properly create a good base for make-up with its light and safe texture. At the same time, there are no cosmetic fragrances and sticky sensations, but there is an effective protection against bacteria and other allergens.

BB or CC creams – multifunctional products with a melting and caring texture today actually “live” in any cosmetic bag. They have several characteristics of care products at once: they care for the skin and mask its imperfections. Therefore, they are suitable as a primer for makeup, only you need to choose them a shade lighter than your foundation.

Reviews of cosmetologists about the primer for the face

Daria Tarasova, professional makeup artist:

– A make-up primer is especially relevant for those women who cannot imagine their life without foundation. It must be applied to the face before applying the tone to create the effect of a perfect and even coverage on the face. When purchasing such a cosmetic product, you should be guided by the type of your skin and its needs. Properly selected make-up base can radically change the final result of makeup and prolong its durability.

In the modern cosmetic market, there are a huge number of such products that work as accurately as possible with a certain type of skin. For example, if you have a dry skin type, then a moisturizing make-up base is suitable. If the skin is prone to oily and oily, then you should try a mattifying or minimizing base. For an uneven tone, a color-correcting base is suitable.

In principle, if for some reason you refuse to buy a base for makeup, then its action can be replaced with a moisturizer. It’s not even that you can’t do makeup without a primer, it’s just that the tone falls a little worse on a “naked” face. There are various myths that such products can harm the skin – believe me, high-quality products can and should be used at least every day, because they contain caring components and sunscreens in their composition. This also applies to primers based on silicone, if you do not overdo it with its quantity and perform a thorough make-up removal after the day, then the problem of clogged pores will not arise.