Thanks Natalie!
Makeup primers serve a base for flawless and long lasting makeup application. To say there are tons of makeup primers out there is an understatement. Some makeup primers serve to maximize longevity of makeup while others focus on creating a visually smoother canvas to work with. I’m sharing 11 of my favorite makeup primers that allow for long lasting, smooth makeup application.
This post focuses on makeup primers for the face. They’re broken down into three categories: blurring/smoothing, gripping, and other. They each are great for day to day long lasting makeup but if you’re needing extra longevity power, the gripping primers are a must! I typically use a combination of a gripping primer alongside a blurring, radiance, or hydrating primer listed below if I’m going to an event. On a normal day, I choose a primer based on my mood/needs that day.
Makeup primers that provide a blurring effect are my most used primers. If you follow me on Instagram, you know my makeup routine has been at an extreme minimum and I usually wear a blurring primer alone most days. I even shared a post about it on G&G, check it out here! Blurring primers smooth out imperfections and pores and basically give you that facetuned effect in real life and time. These are my favorite smoothing primers:
This makeup primer helps blur the visibility of pores and controls oil. I have a really oily t-zone and love using this in that area! Mac’s Skin Refined Zone Treatment leaves an invisible matte finish for smooth makeup application.
I reach for CoverFX’s blurring primer on days I need that extra blur effect. I feel it gives more of a soft focus filter effect than the rest (minus Farsali’s). This makeup primer is vegan, cruelty free, talc free, paraben free, fragrance free, mineral oil free, gluten free, Alkyl sulfate free, and phthalate free.
Out of all the makeup primers I listed, this is the priciest but it works so amazing! This primer serum reduces the appearance of fine lines and imperfections so well, it gives me the most noticeable blur effect out of all the primers I listed. This product is vegan, gluten-free, cruelty-free, and free of synthetic fragrances.
If you’re looking for a pore filling primer, look no more! Benefit’s POREffesional is a cult favorite makeup primer that visibly reduces the appearances of pores.
This makeup primer is the most affordable option from the entire list I share. It does a great job reducing the appearance of pores and fine lines, especially for the price! If you’re on the hunt for a budget friendly blurring primer, this is the one!
Last but not least, this makeup primer also blurs imperfections and fine lines but dries down to a translucent matte finish. It’s cruelty free and vegan.
Here are some highlighted ingredients for milk makeup primer (found on sephora’s )
- Hemp-Derived Cannabis Seed Extract: Hydrates and smooths the look of skin while providing antioxidant benefits.
- Blue Agave Extract: Grips makeup, visibly smooths texture, and hydrates.
- Aloe Water and Hyaluronic Acid: Hydrate, soothe, and calm skin.
This makeup primer also is hydrating and gripping but is a bit more lightweight than the Milk Makeup one. There’s something about the feel of this makeup primer I really enjoy!
These last two primers are great for different reasons - one provides a boost of hydration while the other provides a boost of radiance.
If you’re looking for a primer that provides a great amount of hydration, this is it! I love keeping Too Faced’s Hangover Primer in my collection for days my skin is feeling dry and flaky. It’s another cult favorite!
Last but not least, this makeup primer provides a beautiful natural glow. It also has a hydrating effect and comes in two shades - yellow and pink. Yellow is meant for medium to deeper skin tones while the pink is more effective on fair skin tones.
These are my top 11 makeup primers that I absolutely adore! Do you see any of your favorites? If not, share them below - I’d love to know which ones you love!
