Makeup base

A makeup base, also known as a primer, can be found even in minimalist cosmetic bags. And all because it is this tool that creates all the conditions for flawless makeup: it evens out the skin texture, hides pores, and controls oily sheen.

What is a makeup base and why is it needed

A makeup base is a special cosmetic product that hides a variety of skin imperfections, helps to even out its surface and make makeup more resistant. A makeup base is often referred to as a makeup base or primer.

The last option is perhaps the most accurate: in translation from English, this word means “primer” – that is, the composition with which artists cover the canvas, leveling it and preparing it for applying paints.

Jokes aside, in makeup, as in painting, the preparation of the canvas means no less than the selection of colors.

Multifunctionality is in fashion today, so bases often have caring properties and not only visually correct some imperfections, but are also capable of:

  • moisturize;

  • narrow pores;

  • even out skin tone and relief;

  • matte.

The contribution of a primer to skin care should not be overestimated. The main task of the base remains to facilitate the task of applying makeup.

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What are makeup bases?

Even in such a narrow and fairly new cosmetic segment as primers, there is diversity.

Localization of use

For each zone where makeup is used, for each decorative cosmetic product today there is its own base.

  • Primer for face gives smoothness to the skin, hides pores, smoothes fine wrinkles, evens out tone, eliminates oily sheen. As a result, the foundation lays down perfectly and stays in place all day.

  • Eyelid primer smoothes “crow’s feet”, hides dark circles under the eyes, visually reduces puffiness, brightens the area under the eyes, making the look “open” and younger. Shadows and eyeliner applied over the primer do not imprint under the eyebrow or on the eyelid and last longer.

  • Lip primer moisturizes and smoothes the thin skin of the lips, ensures the durability of the lipstick and the brightness of the coating.

  • Eyebrow primer – if you use eyebrow makeup, then a primer will also come in handy: it smoothes the hairs and is responsible for the durability of decorative cosmetics.

  • Eyelash primer – useful thing. Today, we are all looking for mascara with caring ingredients, but all the same, eyelashes suffer first from applying decorative cosmetics, and then from washing it off. Eyelash make-up base protects fragile hairs, strengthens and nourishes them, simultaneously increasing the volume and length of eyelashes. It also makes it easier to remove the mascara.

By the way, there are other helpers for perfect makeup, the “relatives” of the primer – proofreaders and concealers.

Texture

The task of the primer is paradoxical for decorative cosmetics – to be 100% invisible, instantly absorbed and at the same time improve the skin. Therefore, the texture needs to be light and melting in order for the makeup to remain natural. For primers, this is most often:

  • gel;

  • fluid;

  • cream;

  • stick.

Hundreds of shades and textures are created to make makeup perfectly natural, light and even beneficial for the skin.

Color

The variety of shades of makeup base is not accidental. Each is aimed at correcting specific imperfections. To choose the right base, you need to figure out what defects (if any) need to be hidden.

  • Transparent the base is usually a gel, which should even out the microrelief of the skin and facilitate the application of decorative cosmetics.

  • White the base brightens shaded areas, for example, in the area of ​​​​nasolabial folds, and also visually erases bruises under the eyes.

  • Blue The foundation helps to neutralize the yellowish complexion.

  • Pink – improves complexion and evens out its tone.

  • Purple – usually used locally and neutralizes greenish-yellowish bruises, for example, under the eyes.

  • Yellow the base is also intended for the area around the eyes, as it helps to remove blue and dark circles.

  • Green – ideal for eliminating redness, excessive blush, traces of inflammation.

  • Beige – evens out the tone of the face, gives radiance, adapts to its own skin tone, correcting imperfections, roughness, unevenness.

Corrective primers work according to the principles of color imposition known to us since childhood.

Composition

Caring moisturizing and anti-aging components, which we used to pay attention to in creams, do not play a major role in the makeup base. The most important thing here is optical, reflective particles that can visually improve the quality of the skin. As well as silicones, physically leveling its relief.

Makeup base can have a variety of bases:

  • silicone – for a smoothing effect;

  • water – for additional moisturizing and fixing make-up on the skin;

  • oil – to facilitate the application of makeup and additional nutrition.

Functionality

When the primer moved from make-up artists’ trunks to our cosmetic bags, its possibilities expanded. In addition to reliable “adhesion” of makeup to the skin, it began to take on many additional functions:

  • matting;

  • narrowing of pores;

  • smoothing the skin relief;

  • local correction;

  • facial contouring;

  • radiance;

  • moisturizing;

  • Sun protection;

  • anti-aging care.

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How to choose a makeup base

Which make-up base to choose depends on what effect you need. The hint is contained in the primer functions listed above. The choice is dictated primarily by skin type and age.

It is wise to have a sufficient variety of primers for different purposes. Sometimes you need to hide redness on the cheeks, and sometimes bruises under the eyes.

Skin type

  • For oily skin you will need matting, pore-hiding makeup bases. They can be both water-based and silicone-based. If the skin is problematic, then in addition to the neutral one, a green primer is useful to help mask inflammation.

  • For combination skin in addition to the set listed in the previous paragraph, you can use a moisturizing primer for the driest areas, as in multimasking.

  • For normal skin White is ideal for highlighting shaded areas, as well as pink for improving complexion. And if necessary – and purple to hide the yellowness.

  • For dry skin It is better to use moisturizing cream bases for makeup. If there is redness on the skin, then locally it makes sense to use a green corrective base.

Be guided by the manufacturer’s mark, for which type of skin this or that primer is intended, in order to take full advantage of its capabilities.

Dry skin will need a little more primer for extra hydration and radiance.

Age

For mature skin, choose a primer with anti-aging care ingredients – at least with additional moisture. Silicone-based products will be more convenient, they fill fine wrinkles, smoothing the surface of the skin.

Find out which foundation is right for you.

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Primer Overview

Rating of the best makeup bases, according to the editors of Healthy-Food.

Mattifying face primer Infaillible, L’Oréal Paris

During the day, it protects against oily sheen and gives a velvety finish. At the same time, it does not clog pores, it has a light, almost weightless texture. Ideal for oily or combination skin.

Moisturizing make-up base Master Prime, Maybelline NY

The primer in a package of a bluish tint contains hyaluronic acid and additionally moisturizes the skin, making it visually smoother. Has a light texture.

Color-correcting face primer Infaillible, L’Oréal Paris

The green primer hides redness and prepares the skin for the application of foundation and other decorative cosmetics.

Makeup base with smoothing effect La Base Pro, Lancôme

Lightweight to the touch, signature Elasto-Smooth Complex leaves skin smooth for a flawless finish.

Caring primer for eyelashes Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils The Curler, Yves Saint Laurent

Prepares eyelashes for mascara application, makes them even more voluminous, while caring for them.

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Rules for using and applying primer

For maximum effect and benefit, follow the correct technique for applying the foundation.

Base for face makeup

  1. The base is applied after the main moisturizer for the day.

  2. Enough volume about a pea. For dry skin, you may need a little more.

  3. Apply foundation with the pads of your middle and ring fingers or with a sponge.

  4. Distribute the base in the direction from the wings of the nose to the periphery of the face and from the bridge of the nose up.

  5. Work your forehead, chin and cheeks with your fingertips. Don’t forget about the line of the lower jaw – under the chin. The base layer should be very, very thin.

  6. Apply primer to lips with gentle stroking movements.

  7. Let the base soak in for at least a minute. If the primer is not absorbed, gently blot the excess with a tissue and take a little less product next time.

L’Oréal Paris’ medical expert gives a hint: “A primer before the BB cream is a special recommendation, as it also improves the texture and texture of the skin.”

Base for eye makeup

  1. Apply eye cream.

  2. Squeeze a drop of primer onto an eyeshadow brush or onto the tips of your middle fingers.

  3. Apply the thinnest layer of the base on the moving eyelids – not smearing it on the skin, but driving it in.

  4. Apply primer to brows and lash line if you plan to use eyeliner.

  5. Wait at least a minute. Allow primer to fully absorb before applying makeup.

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