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The one makeup product our beauty team can't go without
Your skin, but better!
If there's one beauty product that makeup artists seem to have divided opinions on, it's primers.
On one hand, some experts prefer to prep the skin using great skincare and claim primers add an unnecessary layer to our makeup. However, for those who have specific skincare desires - be it additional glow or to counteract redness - primers might just be the key to a flawless finish.
"Primers are brilliant at smoothing out texture," says makeup artist Caroline Barnes, who counts Hylamide as one of her must-haves for its texture-smoothing abilities.
"If you have open pores, use a primer with silicone in to smooth the skin. Dry skin would benefit from illuminating primers," she said.
We also love approaching primers as a skin-finisher on days where a full face of foundation and concealer feels like too much effort. The new crop of primers also have skincare properties for an additional nourishing boost.
Whether you're looking for a dewy finish or a velvety, soft-focused effect, there's one for every skin type and need.
For dry skin
Primer Queen Laura Mercier (she first introduced the UK to primers back in 1996) turned to new buzzword ingredient squalane when it came to reformulating her primers. Along with hydrating squalane, there's marine botanicals in this formula which amps up moisture levels so skin is left plump, bouncy-looking.
Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Face Primer, £28
For added skincare benefits
Along with retinol, vitamin C is an ingredient that you'll find in most expert skincare routines. It's an anti-ageing powerhouse which evens out skin tone, helps fade fine lines and also helps to protect skin from environmental damage. This Ole Henriksen primer is packed full of vitamin C. It also contains illuminating banana powder (hence the name) which mildly colour-corrects and brightens skin. Layer under makeup, on its own, mix with foundation or use on top of makeup as a highlighter. The choice is yours!
For plush, velvety skin
You know a product is onto something when it scores 90/100 in a GHI test. Our testers loved this J-Beauty (that's Japanese beauty) primer for its ability to give a "translucent glow" to the skin without any shimmer or greasiness. The soft matte formula plays well with oilier skin types too.
For parched complexions
This creamy primer is a dream for dry skin that tends to get flaky and tight throughout the day. It's chock-full of skincare powerhouses such as glycerin, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to keep skin feeling plump and hydrated all day long. Smashbox itself is known for its primers, and this is definitely one of the brand's finest releases.
For tackling redness
The smallest amount of this green-tinted primer not only corrects any redness, it also left our readers' skin feeling cool and refreshed. This GHI-winning primer glides on seamlessly and served as an excellent makeup base while leaving a marked improvement on the overall complexion.
Max Factor Miracle Prep Illuminating + Hydrating Primer, £10.99
For youthful luminosity
Delivering a one-two punch of hydration and glow, this creamy primer is a great pick-me-up on days where skin feels a little dull and fatigued (it happens to the best of us!). The oil-free formula is great for combination to oilier skin types too.
Elemis Superfood Glow Priming Moisturiser, £39
For a believable glow
This skincare and primer hybrid negates the need for additional highlighter and instead imparts a natural-looking radiance. It has the slightest hint of sheen thanks to micro-fine, light-catching particles while a blend of antioxidants work hard to nourish tired complexions.
For all-day hold
Some days, we just need our foundation and concealer to stay put so we can go about the day without worrying about touch-ups. In comes this cooling gel primer. Milk Makeup's Hydro-Grip provides a lasting finish to makeup while keeping it fresh and feeling comfortable - all thanks to aloe water and hyaluronic acid formula.
For oil-prone complexions
Too Faced's cult favourite primer is back with a brand new packaging. The original version ranked highly in our GHI test, and we're happy to report the this relaunched primer is just as lovely to use. The velvety formula contains vitamins C and E to brighten and soften the complexion, all while keeping excess shine at bay. It creates a smooth canvas for makeup, but we also love it on its own for an even complexion without any midday shine.
For no makeup days
First things first: despite its name, this is essentially a clear primer. The bouncy gel texture feels cooling upon application and creates a base that looks as though you've been keeping up with your 5-a-day, drinking water by the gallon and going to bed by 8pm. In other words: fresh and healthy. We find ourselves reaching for this glycerin-packed primer on days where there are Zoom calls aplenty.
For sun protection
We'd normally recommend a separate SPF (sunscreen in foundation is all well and good, but we often don't use enough foundation to get the full protection) but this primer from Nars dries completely clear, making it easy to apply liberally without any white cast. Plus, it's friendly to blemish-prone and oilier complexions too thanks to the lightweight, non-comedogenic formula.
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Mini Hydrating Primer, £15
For a filtered effect
No stranger to being in front of the cameras, singer-turned-beauty-mogul Rihanna created this silky primer to blur for a soft-focused finish. The clever formula sinks beautifully into skin, leaving no chalkiness behind. It works nicely under makeup but we also love it as an easy skin-finisher on a bare complexion.
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