Why Is Face Primer So Important In Makeup Application? See Reasons

Picture this, you got this epic makeup look you just achieved after sitting down long enough, and you look snatched and ready to rock your day. But hold up, you forgot to apply a face primer under your makeup (or you straight up did not apply it), it may seem totally fine at first. But give yourself a short time running around, going through the bustle of the day and check your face later in the day. You are sure to notice a difference. If you are wondering about the importance of face primer in makeup application, I’ll show you the reasons why they are necessary in this post.

What Is A Face Primer

A face primer (for makeup) is the base for your foundation and other face makeup, which allows them all to go smoothly on your face and stay longer.

This can be in the form of cream, gel or even powder. And there are different types to suit your skin needs.

Types Of Face Primer

As earlier said, face primers come formulas like cream, gel or powder which you can choose from based on your skin type and needs. There are four major types of face primer for different skin types, and they are:

1. Face Matifying Primer:

Just like the name, this one is matter and is not glossy or shiny. This means that when applied, you won’t notice that extra shine you see on oily faces as this would tone down the shine. It works best for oily and combination skin as it is lightweight, reduces shine and minimizes pores.

2. Tinted Primer:

This works best on normal skin, especially those with small pores. It has a dewy finish so you are sure that your face would get that fresh look as a result of its wet nature.

3. Silicone-free Primer:

Technically for dry skin, this primer perfectly prep your skin for makeup leaving it hydrated, smooth and reducing the appearance of your skin drying out.

4. Colour-correcting Primer:

This is not skin-specific. It is designed to help colour-correct and neutralize your most severe skin concerns like redness, blue tones, and yellow tones from shallowness etc. It comes in different colours and each skin colour has its own depending on what you are trying to achieve.

Do You Need Face Primer?

Look, primers are great barriers between your skin and the makeup. If you have got some facial skin issues like undertones, large pores, etc, or you wear tons of makeup or you just want to switch up your makeup style, it’s necessary to invest in a good face primer.

Should You Use Moisturizer Or Lotion As Primer?

Now, if you are wondering if you need to put primer on your face before or after your moisturizer, remember this first rule. ALWAYS apply moisturizer before your primer, as it makes your primer application even. They both work separate things and your moisturizer is there to lock in moisture while primer forms that barrier between skin and makeup to reduce its direct contact. I’ll recommend these moisturizers to get the job done under your primer and makeup – Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream and SkinCeuticals Daily Moisture.

If you are thinking of using lotion as a primer, know this. A lotion is specifically used to hydrate the skin as it is absorbed by the upper layers. If you know you have dry skin you can use both lotion and primer in your beauty routine. Just ensure the lotion has fully absorbed into your skin before applying the primer.

My Experience About How Makeup Face Primer Can Save Your Day

Just this weekend that went by, I attended a wedding looking like a fairytale princess all prim and glam. My makeup was bomb AF after the whole application and I couldn’t resist taking tons of pictures. I was even the Maid of Honour and I just couldn’t afford to not look my place.

But you know what finished my confidence? My makeup artist did not know I had an oily face and I also sweat a lot on my face, so she did not use a matte foundation. On top of that, of all things to forget, she forgot to apply a mattifying face PRIMER before starting! She remembered when we were almost done and that would mean cleaning the whole thing to make room for the primer! I told her not to bother as I will try to stay quiet so I don’t sweat off my makeup. I even carried a powder brush and finishing powder in my purse just in case I needed to do a touch-up.

Everything was going fine until I had to run an urgent errand for the bride which I couldn’t turn down. After securing what she requested, I was scared to look in the mirror because I may just have a meltdown! To cut it short, I just couldn’t function in a wedding without having to do some little things to ensure everything is going well. In the end, I had wiped my makeup, and got another makeover thrice on the same day for the same event! It was a horror I tell you! At some point, I couldn’t care less and I was no longer conscious of my face not minding that there were cameras everywhere capturing us.

I couldn’t wait for the event to be over to bawl my eyes out in the toilet! And I also managed to escape the bride who definitely would be pissed at every picture my ruined face makeup appeared next to her!

Bottomline

A simple primer under my makeup would have saved the day if only my makeup artist had applied that even without a matte foundation. Trust me, you DON’T want to underestimate your face primer!

https://www.instagram.com/p/B471ntIp2oF

Importance Of Face Primer To Your Makeup

While you may think you can do your makeup without a face primer, it will interest you to know that using it for your makeup will bring a lot more difference to your face. Here is the importance of face primer:

1. Hydrating:

Face primer hydrates and nourishes sensitive and dry skin while calming inflammation.

2. Sun protection:

Many face primers contain SPF, which protects your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. Getting a primer with SPF can help protect your skin when you are out in the open.

3. Extra protection:

It creates an extra layer between your skin and makeup, thereby offering that extra protection and reducing direct skin contact with the makeup.

4. Lasting makeup:

Face primers are mostly used to help makeup stay longer on the face. They hold your makeup in place and so you don’t have to bother about running or smeared makeup.

5. Smooth look:

They smooth the skin’s surface, and even out the skin tone, especially colour-correcting primers. They can give light to undertones and leave the skin looking well blended and colour matched.

6. Reduce spots:

Face primer can actually be used just on its own to create the appearance of a smooth surface. It helps to reduce the appearance of pores, fine lines and other blemishes and it can help to blend out your skin tone.

The Best Way To Choose A Face Primer

Now that you know how important your face primer is, let me show you how best to choose a face primer:

• First, know your skin type as this will enable you to go for just the right thing for your skin. If you have dry skin, look for a hydrating primer or silicone-free primer. Normal skin should go for a silicone-based product. For sensitive or oily skin, a mattifying primer will help greatly.
• Secondly, consider a colour-corrector to help you cover some facial skin conditions and to make your skin colour blend perfectly.
• Thirdly, ensure that you match your foundation. By this I mean you should use a primer that has the same base as your foundation so they don’t repel each other. For example, if it’s oil or water-based foundation you use, stick to the same kind of primer.
• Lastly, do a spot-check to ensure that it fits your skin correctly.

Top 6 Best Rated Makeup Primer

 

 1. Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer: This is the best face primer overall.  It is an all-day oil-free makeup primer with SPF 15 and also vegan and cruelty-free. Click below to check it more details about it on Amazon.

2. NYX Studio Perfect Primer: This face primer from NYX is the perfect cover for your makeup. Click below to check it more details about it on Amazon.

3. Becca Backlight Priming Filter: This is like the best radiant face primer. Click below to check it more details about it on Amazon.

4. MAC Prep + Prime Skin Base: If you are looking for a simple, smooth makeup base, then this should be your best shot.

Click below to check it more details about it on Amazon.

5. Smashbox Photo Finish Minimize Pores Primer: Reduce the look of those large pores by starting off your makeup with this particular makeup face primer from Smashbox. Click below to check it more details about it on Amazon.

6. Too Faced Hangover RX Replenishing Face Primer: This is like the best moisturizing face primer so far. Click below to check it more details about it on Amazon.

Top Best Face Primers for Mature Skin

You know your facial skin is mature and not everything can go on it. Here are the best face primers for your mature skin:

1. Farsali Skin Tune Blur Perfecting Primer Serum:

2. Algenist Pore Corrector Anti-Aging Primer:

3. Illuminating Rose Gold Facial Serum:

4. BareMinerals Pro Skinlongevity Vital Power Infusion Serum:

5. Ren Clean Skincare Perfect Canvas Skin Finishing Serum:

Face Primer Alternatives That Will Work Just Fine On Your Skin

If you don’t want a primer for one reason or another and are thinking of what you can use instead of a face primer, here are the best options I can recommend for you:

1. Aloe Vera Gel:

Do you know that you can actually use Aloe Vera Gel as a good face primer? Well, let me blow your mind. You can safely use Aloe Vera Gel as a natural makeup face primer and also feel happy about it as it’s cheap and really effective. It’s smooth on the face and can hold your makeup in place just fine. This Organic Aloe Vera Gel with 100% Pure Aloe From Freshly Cut Aloe Plant, is my go-to. You can check it on Amazon.

Simply apply it just like your regular makeup primer by dabbing a tiny amount and massaging it through your face.

2. Milk Of Magnesia:

I can testify to this because the same day I got my makeup ruined at the wedding because of lack of primer, another guest had done hers with this and she kept looking glamorous throughout the day.

3. Anti-Chafing Cream:

This is a non-greasy skin lubricant developed to comfort and soothe already chafed or irritated skin. It lubricates, soothes and softens the skin and so if you have very dry or chaffed skin, you may want to use this as your makeup base. Here’s this one I recommend from Amazon Chamois Butt’r Original Anti-Chafe Cream. 

4. BB Cream:

These creams are skin perfectors which brighten, smoothes, hydrates and protects your skin. Giving it a dewy finish. Try this Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream with broad-spectrum SPF 30 to give your face that extra lift. 

Well, this should put you right with a makeup face primer. So far you have seen a lot about it, what do you think? Is it your best choice? Or are you good even without it?

Let’s hear your thoughts below.

 

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#StayPrettyGang

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