If you struggle with foundation, tinted moisturizer, or concealer looking streaky, patchy, or uneven, a primer may be the thing that changes your makeup game.
Not only can it make applying your face makeup easier, face primer ensures makeup won't budge through even the longest days. But what is primer?
Primer is an essential step to flawless makeup application, but it's not always clear what it does or why you need it.
"Primer creates a smooth canvas for your makeup," says celebrity makeup artist Melissa Murdick. "It also keeps your makeup in place, keeps it from moving, can keep it matte or luminous," depending on the formula and your skin.
Primer is an essential step to flawless makeup application, but it's not always clear what it does or why you need it.
The benefits of primer are universal — regardless of whether you're a beginner or a pro — but applying primer well isn't always straightforward. It has to be applied correctly in order to achieve the payoff.
To find out how to apply primer the right way and get the most from your product, we turned to Murdick for her tips and tricks. Here are her best recommendations for expertly applying primer every time.
How do I choose the right face primer for me?
You might be worried that primers lend themselves to a certain skin type, but that's actually not the case. "Brands have become savvy and created solutions for every skin issue you could have," says Murdick. "If you're oily or dry, there’s a primer for you."
If your skin is oily: Use a mattifier. "With oily skin, it's important to use an oil-free formula that won't add more shine," says Murdick. Look for words like "mattifier" or "oil-free."
If you want to blur imperfections: Use a blurring primer. If you want your pores to look smaller and your complexion to look more even, look for a primer that contains silicone — the ingredient is known for smoothing out uneven textures and blurring imperfections.
If you want smoother makeup application: Use a hydrating primer. They're incredibly moisturizing and therefore help your makeup go on smooth and evenly, while also preventing any flaking or caking.
If you want brighter skin: Use an illuminating primer. For those with dull skin, an illuminating primer will give it back its glow and make your foundation look more