What Is A Primer? How Do You Apply It Like A Pro?

After years of experimenting and playing with makeup, there’s one product I cannot do without – the primer. Believe me when I say that your *entire* makeup look depends on this mysterious tube of beauty. But, if you need some legit reasons why you must invest in a primer, then allow me to share some nuggets of wisdom that I, as a beauty editor have learnt over the years.

If you skip the primer in your makeup routine, the foundation and concealer you apply will look uneven. Furthermore, your pores, fine lines, and skin texture will be prominently visible and blemishes will be more noticeable. While not using a primer may also lead to faster breakdown of makeup in oily or acne-prone skin, it can be hydrating and moisturising for those with dry skin. So, if you wish for your makeup to look flawless and stay on for longer, you need a primer. Keep reading as we explore what a primer is, how to use a makeup primer, its benefits, and more.

What Is A Primer?

The primary job of primer is to set your makeup and make it stay in place. However, there are multiple primers that also work to blur out large pores, smoothen out skin texture, hydrate, and cover up imperfections. Additionally, they form a protective barrier for your skin as well. So, if you catch your makeup sliding off your face in a couple of hours, then it’s a clear sign that your makeup routine is missing a primer.

Benefits Of Face Primer

Now that you what a primer is, let’s dive into its additional benefits and learn exactly what a makeup primer does.

1. Enhances Texture

   Do you hate how foundations highlight the texture on your face? Primers are basically a beauty filter, but IRL. They are formulated to blur imperfections, minimise pores, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Primers make the skin look smoother and allow you to create a flawless base. They also help the makeup cling to the skin for longer and stay intact.

2. Suitable For All Skin Types

   You can find a primer that suits your skin type to ensure it reacts well with your skin. A hydrating primer can moisturise dry skin and prevent the foundation from sticking to the skin’s dry patches. Meanwhile, mattifying primers have oil control benefits to ensure the makeup doesn’t slide of the face.

3. Protects The Skin

   A primer acts as a barrier between your skin and makeup to prevent clogged pores and skin irritation. Applying a primer means the makeup would not directly interact with the skin, which is especially important for those with sensitive, oily, and acne-prone skin. Many primers also have additional benefits as they’re infused with SPF and vitamins to nourish the skin.

4. Improves Vibrancy

   Primers for the face enhance th vibrancy of your makeup products and allow them to look true to their shade. The smooth, even, base provided by the primer means your makeup adheres better to the skin and looks just like it should. Similarly, eyelid and lash primers allow eyeshadow and mascara to stand out and look stunning.

5. Reduces Oxidation

   Foundation and other base products tend to oxidise, causing their colour to change over time. This primarily happens due to exposure to air and natural oils from the skin. Using a primer helps slow down oxidation, allowing the base makeup to maintain its colour even after wearing it for a long time.

When To Use Primers?

Primers can be applied before your foundation, eye shadow, mascara, tinted moisturisers and skin tints. This will create the ideal canvas for your makeup products to glide over and stay put for hours without budging.

Tips And Tricks To Apply Primer

Primers, be of any kind – mattifying, hydrating, colour correcting, brightening or blurring – provide a base for your makeup to adhere to. So, if having a flawless makeup look is your end result, then primers are non-negotiable. Here’s how to use makeup primer in 3 easy steps:

Step 1: After you’re done with your skincare routine, wait for about five minutes and let it dry. This will ensure that the products don’t lift when you apply the primer.

Step 2: Take a pea-sized amount of the primer and dab it gently on the skin with your fingers. Ensure you cover all sections of the face and neck.

Step 3: Give the primer about 3 minutes to settle on your skin and then begin your base makeup. The waiting period is crucial, otherwise, your primer will slide off with the makeup!

Once your primer is on, start applying foundation and continue with the rest of your makeup. You can also use eyelid primer additionally to ensure your eye makeup looks fresh and stays on longer.

What Primers Suit Each Skin Type?

Even though the primary benefits of all primers remain the same, choosing the right primer for your skin type can be a game-changer.

• If you have oily skin, opt for a gel-based mattifying primer that absorbs excess oil and does not make your skin greasy.
• For folks with dry skin, a hydrating primer will help you ace that dewy, glowy look.
• If you have acne-prone skin, pick a pore-blurring primer that’ll even out the appearance of large pores.

You can also use colour-correcting primers to cancel out redness and pigmentation. These magical icons will give you a head-start when it comes to tackling discolouration before you even begin with your base makeup.

When it comes to eye makeup, an eye primer will prevent those oily lids from creasing your eye shadow. Simply apply it evenly from your lash line to the crease of your eyes and allow it to settle before you go in with your makeup. This will also help bring out the pigment of your eye shadow. The same is the case with mascara. If doll-like, voluminous lashes are on your mind, then go over with a lash primer before your mascara. Believe me, the results are going to speak for themselves!

Best-Selling Primers You Must Check Out

1. Best All-rounder

An MUA fave for sure, 95% of women said that it helped their makeup go on flawlessly! This primer is perfect for achieving fresh, cushiony soft skin within seconds. It even reduces the appearance of fine lines and uneven skin tone for a soft-focus finish.

2. Colour Correcting

Got redness, want to hide blemishes or acne marks? This range of colour-correcting primers will ease your way to an even-toned skin in no time. Whatever skin concern you want to tackle, pick a corresponding shade and apply it evenly across your face.

3. Best Multi-tasking

Beloved by makeup experts and celebrities, this 5-in-1 multitasker is sold every 3 minutes. Studies show that it sets and improves the wear of your makeup for up to 12 hours. Plus, if you’re travelling light you can also pick the tote-sized version.

4. Pore Minimising

This expert-approved formula instantly minimises pores and fine lines for silky soft, smooth skin. Still not convinced? Studies show that 91% of users said that their pores were minimised, 97% saw a visible difference in their skin texture and 93% of users said that it kept their makeup in place.

5. For Oily Skin

Makeup slides off oily skin very easily! But not with this baby. It leaves behind a comfortable matte finish and controls oils for a shine-free canvas.

Conclusion

The primary job of primer is to set your makeup and make it stay in place. However, multiple primers go beyond the call of duty to blur large pores, even out texture, and hydrate the skin. Additionally, they form a protective barrier for your skin. If you catch your makeup sliding off your face in a couple of hours, then it’s a clear sign that your makeup routine is missing a primer. All in all, primers do a lot of heavy lifting to leave you with a smooth, crease-free, and even base. Whether you’re opting for a no-makeup makeup look or a full face of makeup, a primer should be the first thing you apply.

FAQs On Makeup Primers

• Can you replace primers with BB creams?

  BB or CC creams, skin tints or tinted moisturisers are not the same as primers. Since primers help extend the life of your makeup, you must apply one before you go in with any of these products. BB or CC creams, skin tints or tinted moisturisers are not the same as primers. Since primers help extend the life of your makeup, you must apply one before you go in with any of these products.

• Can I skip using a primer if I am using a moisturiser?

  A moisturiser can balance hydration and keep your skin plump. Whereas, a primer will even out texture and blur out large pores. Alternatively, you can pick a hybrid product which is a moisturiser + primer if you wish to reduce steps in your routine.

• Can I use a primer without makeup?

  Absolutely! If you want air-brushed or smooth-looking skin, you can totally skip makeup and apply your primer over your sunscreen.

• When should I apply a primer in my routine?

  A primer will be the last step in your skincare routine. So, cleanser - toner - moisturiser - sunscreen - primer - base makeup.