Often been regarded as an unnecessary step in the makeup regimen, primer makeup is often ignored by most people out there. However, if there’s anything that can make your makeup last longer, it’s the genius primer. In fact, no matter how expensive and amazing your foundation and concealer is, it’s no good without a primer (yep, we said it).
For the uninitiated, primer is a base product that allows the rest of your face makeup to glide on smoothly, and also keeps your makeup intact through countless board meetings and several rounds of after-work cocktails. In a nutshell, the use of primer is to help your makeup stay put even in extreme weather conditions. What’s more? The newer formulations come with pore blurring, anti-aging, skin brightening and hydrating abilities; not to mention, the light-weight texture that makes you feel as if you aren’t wearing anything at all. Convinced yet?
In case you are new to primer makeup, let’s start with primer makeup use and how to apply it like a pro.
Now that you know how the primer works, we tell you how to use face primer in the right way and incorporate it in your daily makeup schedule. You can thank us later.
- First things first. If we haven’t mentioned this earlier, primer is always applied after your CTM routine and before your makeup. Always.
- It’s recommended that you use your fingertips to apply primer, since it allows you to really work this product into your skin. In case you are using it on smaller and specific areas (like your eyelids), you can use a brush.
- Take a small amount (a little goes a long way) and starting from the centre of your face, blend it outwards for a smooth and crease-free application.
- Give it a full-minute to dry, before layering anything else on top.
- Follow this with your usual makeup routine. It’s that easy.
In order, to help you choose the best primer for your skin type, we have rounded up some genius formulations that will become a staple in your beauty kitty.
From oily to dry, and dewy to matte, we have your next primer purchase covered below.
Best Primer For All Skin Types
1. Makeup Primer For Normal Skin
The best primer for dry skin is one which is super hydrating and nourishing; something that will keep your skin plump and flake-free all-day long. Also, since dry skin is more prone to dullness and extreme dry patches, choose a product that has emollient ingredients which will moisturize and brighten your skin tone. Also, avoid primers that have shimmery particles since they tend to highlight the dryness.
Nykaa Recommends: SeaSoul HD Makeup Step 1 Insta Hydra Cream
2. Makeup Primer For Dry Skin
The best primer for dry skin is one which is super hydrating and nourishing; something that will keep your skin plump and flake-free all-day long. Also, since dry skin is more prone to dullness and extreme dry patches, choose a product that has emollient ingredients which will moisturize and brighten your skin tone. Also, avoid primers that have shimmery particles since they tend to highlight the dryness.
Nykaa Recommends: Lakme Absolute Blur Perfect Makeup Primer
3. Makeup Primer For Oily Skin
Oily skin is often characterized by large pores (especially near the T-Zone) and excess oil, which eventually makes your makeup slide right off. That’s also the reason why people with oily skin types need primers the most; it forms a protective barrier between your skin and foundation, thereby making your makeup last longer. What’s the best primer for oily skin you ask? You need a product that that minimizes your pores and gives a matte finish. Brownie points for choosing with one that’s infused Salicylic Acid (for acne-prone skin).
Nykaa Recommends: GlamGals HD Studio Photogenic Primer
4. Makeup Primer for Combination Skin
If you have drier cheeks and an oily T-zone, chances are that you have a combination skin type. While there is no one best primer for this kind of skin texture, you can use a primer for oily skin on your T-zone and a moisturizing one for the dry areas. Easy enough!
Nykaa Recommends: Deborah Face Perfect Primer – Mattifying, Maybelline New York Dream One Day Perfect Base
Q: Is BB cream a primer?
A: Rather than using a BB cream as a primer, use a tinted primer that negates the need of BB creams and foundations.
Q: What is mattifying primer used for?
A. A mattifying primer’s main purpose is to reduce shine by controlling oil production. Perfect for people with oily skin types, they help absorb oil (for a shine-free complexion), minimize the appearance of pores and blur out any blemishes or imperfections throughout the day.
Q: Do primers clog your pores?
A. Normally they don’t. Just opt for ones that are either silicon-free or contains a lesser quantity of silicones. This is the only ingredient that are more likely to clog pores. This holds especially true in case of people who have acne-prone skin.
Q: Can a primer prevent acne?
A. Primer can never be used as an acne treatment. However, the best makeup primer to prevent future breakouts and maintain skin health, is the one that’s infused with Salicylic Acid.
