Review: Face Primers
Face primers have become extremely popular over the years. One would easily find them in every girl's makeup collection as they are said to have multiple benefits such as creating a barrier between the foundation and the skin, allowing us to apply makeup smoothly and letting the makeup stay on for longer.
However, people argue about the effectiveness of face primers. Some think of them as mere money grabbing products that serve no actual purpose, while many others cannot even think of living without them. As a makeup enthusiast, I wholeheartedly disagree with the former because primers do serve the purpose they are made for, but the effectiveness of an individual primer comes down to the specific skin type of its user. Yes, read that again.
However, people argue about the effectiveness of face primers. Some think of them as mere money grabbing products that serve no actual purpose, while many others cannot even think of living without them. As a makeup enthusiast, I wholeheartedly disagree with the former because primers do serve the purpose they are made for, but the effectiveness of an individual primer comes down to the specific skin type of its user. Yes, read that again.
So which face primer to use? Below is my round up on some of the best high end as well as drug store primers, while keeping in mind which skin type each is best suited for.
First, the high end ones.
High quality, high price and a stellar delivery! Following are some of the all star primers in the makeup world but before you spend on one, read what are their cons too:
Benefit 'That Gal' Brightening Face Primer
Benefit Cosmetics are loved by millions of girls around the world for their cute packaging and names, and 'That Gal' Brightening primer is one such cutely packaged product, but that's not where its cute qualities end! It excellently does its job of brightening up a dull complexion and makes the entire face have a natural looking pinkish glow. It is stated on its bottle that you can wear this product on its own too, but that will be the most effective if you have a fair complexion. In fact, darker toned girls wont find this product to be suitable for them as after applying it, their skin might end up looking ashy.
It is suitable for different skin types and will be a best friend to those with dull and an uneven skin. In fact, here's a secret: whenever I use this primer on myself, I get complimented on my illuminated complexion and get requests from people that I give them the same illuminated look too!
It has a bubblegum pink colour, it is very lightweight, non greasy, perfect for creating a beautiful radiance on fair complexions, helps your makeup stay put and it is suitable for all skin types but the excessively oily skin types might want to try it out first before spending on this one.
Benefit POREfessional
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This product is claimed to be Benefit Cosmetics' bestseller and rightfully so, because it easily does the job of minimizing the pores on skin really well thereby creating a softer looking skin. So if you find your skin to be having large pores and fine lines, this bestseller is made specifically for you!
However, don't think that it will make your pores completely disappear, but it's a total winner in helping to minimize the appearance of pores. Of a beige colour, it is very lightweight and you can apply it under your makeup, on its own or over the makeup applied to achieve a softer appearance.
This was one of the first primers I bought for my pro kit and I found that it works quite well for different skin tones and skin types, but it is best for the oily skin type as it always has more visible pores. Before you spend your bucks on this one, I would strongly suggest that you go for the smaller size first.
First, the high end ones.
High quality, high price and a stellar delivery! Following are some of the all star primers in the makeup world but before you spend on one, read what are their cons too:
Benefit 'That Gal' Brightening Face Primer
It is suitable for different skin types and will be a best friend to those with dull and an uneven skin. In fact, here's a secret: whenever I use this primer on myself, I get complimented on my illuminated complexion and get requests from people that I give them the same illuminated look too!
It has a bubblegum pink colour, it is very lightweight, non greasy, perfect for creating a beautiful radiance on fair complexions, helps your makeup stay put and it is suitable for all skin types but the excessively oily skin types might want to try it out first before spending on this one.
Benefit POREfessional
This product is claimed to be Benefit Cosmetics' bestseller and rightfully so, because it easily does the job of minimizing the pores on skin really well thereby creating a softer looking skin. So if you find your skin to be having large pores and fine lines, this bestseller is made specifically for you!However, don't think that it will make your pores completely disappear, but it's a total winner in helping to minimize the appearance of pores. Of a beige colour, it is very lightweight and you can apply it under your makeup, on its own or over the makeup applied to achieve a softer appearance.
This was one of the first primers I bought for my pro kit and I found that it works quite well for different skin tones and skin types, but it is best for the oily skin type as it always has more visible pores. Before you spend your bucks on this one, I would strongly suggest that you go for the smaller size first.
MAC Prep + Prime Skin Base Visage
This primer found a place in my pro kit early on and I have to say that it lives up to its name! It has a creamy consistency, a soft texture and contains a hint of shimmer.You will only need to apply a pea sized amount of it to give you a matte and a smooth base to apply your makeup on. Besides that, it helps your makeup stay on for long.
During times when you don't feel like wearing a lot of makeup, you can apply this on its own as it also helps in combating any redness on your skin and makes it look healthy as well. Also, if you are a fan of the dewy look, this primer will help you achieve that too.
All in all, a little application of this product will go a long way and it will be suitable for normal to oily skin type. In my book, MAC Prep + Prime Skin is a winner!
This primer found a place in my pro kit early on and I have to say that it lives up to its name! It has a creamy consistency, a soft texture and contains a hint of shimmer.You will only need to apply a pea sized amount of it to give you a matte and a smooth base to apply your makeup on. Besides that, it helps your makeup stay on for long.During times when you don't feel like wearing a lot of makeup, you can apply this on its own as it also helps in combating any redness on your skin and makes it look healthy as well. Also, if you are a fan of the dewy look, this primer will help you achieve that too.
All in all, a little application of this product will go a long way and it will be suitable for normal to oily skin type. In my book, MAC Prep + Prime Skin is a winner!
Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer
Smashbox has created products that have a loyal fan following because of their effectiveness in doing their designated jobs. Smashbox Photo Finish Primer is no exception as it effectively does what a primer is supposed to do. My mother has a really dry skin and was always troubled with her makeup application. Ever since she bought this primer, she has been calling it a gem as it helps in evening out the surface of her skin, reduces the appearance of pores, creates a silky, smooth base to apply foundation on and her makeup does stay on for a good amount of time. Brilliant!
Clear and with a gel like consistency, this primer is great for young as well as mature skin, and people with normal to dry skin type can vouch for it. Also, like with any primer, a little amount of the product will go a long way or else your skin will end up looking greasy.
Smashbox has created products that have a loyal fan following because of their effectiveness in doing their designated jobs. Smashbox Photo Finish Primer is no exception as it effectively does what a primer is supposed to do. My mother has a really dry skin and was always troubled with her makeup application. Ever since she bought this primer, she has been calling it a gem as it helps in evening out the surface of her skin, reduces the appearance of pores, creates a silky, smooth base to apply foundation on and her makeup does stay on for a good amount of time. Brilliant!Clear and with a gel like consistency, this primer is great for young as well as mature skin, and people with normal to dry skin type can vouch for it. Also, like with any primer, a little amount of the product will go a long way or else your skin will end up looking greasy.
If you suffer from a dehydrated skin and often need help in applying your foundation evenly, then this primer will be the best solution to your makeup worries. Lightweight and creamy, this primer will keep the skin hydrated for long hours, lay down foundation perfectly and let it stay put.
It is great for people with normal, combination and dry skin types and I am sure they will feel that this primer is made for them! Also it is effective in keeping oily areas under control so people with an oily skin can use it too. So if you really want a high end primer that actually works, I would say give this one a try.
Now, from the drugstore.
While it is good to invest in a high end primer, that certainly does not mean that you forget about drugstore primers. Some of the best drugstore primers are as effective in doing their job while being easy on your wallet. That sounds like a pretty good deal so I don't see any reason why you wouldn't want to have one. Below are some of the best drugstore primers that deserve your try:
Revlon Photoready Perfecting Primer
Before I write anything about this primer, let me inform the people with dry and combination skin to skip this one...
...whereas people with an oily skin can happily read on! The texture of this primer alone will make you have confidence that it will do a wonderful job. It has a lotion like consistency and has a pale pink colour. It is very lightweight so it goes on smoothly on the skin, it is quite good at minimizing fine lines and pores, effective in controlling oils and makes your skin appear like silk.
Therefore, it gets 10 on 10 for giving a lovely texture to the skin! So you can apply this primer on its own and just leave it at that; or if you are to apply makeup, then this primer will assist in your blending.
Before I write anything about this primer, let me inform the people with dry and combination skin to skip this one......whereas people with an oily skin can happily read on! The texture of this primer alone will make you have confidence that it will do a wonderful job. It has a lotion like consistency and has a pale pink colour. It is very lightweight so it goes on smoothly on the skin, it is quite good at minimizing fine lines and pores, effective in controlling oils and makes your skin appear like silk.
Therefore, it gets 10 on 10 for giving a lovely texture to the skin! So you can apply this primer on its own and just leave it at that; or if you are to apply makeup, then this primer will assist in your blending.
E.L.F Mineral Infused Face Primer
E.L.F products are known for being low on price and fairly good at delivering the job that they are made for. This primer comes in a small bottle and one may not find the amount of product inside to be enough for a regular use. It is transparent and has a gel like consistency, it goes on the skin easily and evenly, helps in a smooth application of foundation, eliminates any dry patches on the skin and helps the makeup stay on for a good amount of time. It is suitable for all skin types and while it is not the perfect primer, but for its price, it is quite good at doing its job!L'Oreal Studio Secrets Magic Perfecting Base
L'Oreal likes to call this one a 'magic perfecting base' and its pink, silky mousse like texture does easily turn your skin into a smooth, matte and a slightly luminous base to glide your foundation on. You can either wear it alone because of the velvety feel it will give to your skin or wear it under your makeup to help it stay on longer. It is suitable for all skin types and skin tones.It doesn't make for an easy use though, as while taking the product out of its glass jar you might end up picking an excess amount of it and some might even go under your nails! Therefore, it doesn't make for a hygienic use either.
Important Note!
I hope my review was helpful in your quest to finding the perfect primer for yourself, but before you buy any primer, I would strongly suggest that you try a little bit on your hand to see if it will be well suited to your skin or not.
Also, you should always moisturize your skin before applying a primer, and let it first set properly on your skin before you carry on with your foundation and rest of the makeup.
Take care and have a great day! :)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Graduate of a renowned makeup academy in London, Tooba Shah works as a freelance makeup artist in Karachi, Pakistan. She takes skin care very seriously, appreciates people who are meticulous about their beauty regimes and is a strict follower of skin care regime herself. Numerous people ask for her beauty and makeup advice on a daily basis and this blog is a result of that.
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