The Ultimate Guide to Makeup Primer and How to Use It
While beauty brands have been rolling out a primer that feels like it will never go away, it remains one of the most mysterious and inexplicable basic-products on the market. With so many different primers to choose from -- moisturizing, matte, blurry, glow, etc. -- figuring out which primer is right for you can be very confusing
Oh, yes, and then the application factor. Yes, the primer was clearly done the wrong way. If confusion and frustration are the main reasons you avoid the "gateway," we're going to change that here. Let's start with professional advice on how to use it properly, advice for each skin type, and things you should never do when using this pre-base product.
1. What is primer and what does it do?
Simply put, the cream does what it says: It's a pre-applied product that is applied to your skin care to create the ideal canvas for any look after -- like foundation, colored moisturizer or concealer. Your primer can be a face serum high in hyaluronic acid, which helps absorb water and protects and softs pores, or a traditional silicone primer, which smooens pores.
It's worth pointing out that the latest premake is more than just smoothing the skin, keeping the look on and blurring the pores to the point where they can't be seen. They can also brighten and lighten fine lines and wrinkles, curb acne, and replenish plenty of water. Some can even get a temporary lift without feeling too heavy.
The bottom line: If you want to know if you need makeup in your life, just ask yourself how satisfied you are with your overall look, feel and finish. If something comes off or is missing - maybe you want to add more overall shine or trim your T-zone - the primer may be just what you need.
2. What's the best way to apply them?
Unlike styling powders or sprays, which hold makeup in place, base makeup is almost always used after your last skincare step and before you put on makeup. When it comes to applying makeup, makeup artists Ellen Avondano, Mary Phillips and Robin Black all recommend using your fingers as they say it's the best and easiest way to make a look blend perfectly. 'A brush just scrapes the primer back and forth,' says Ms. Phillips. "If you're a neat freak, use a slightly damp beauty sponge," she added.
Finally, if you want to cover up wrinkles, pores, or a speck or two, you can only use a primer on the area you want to cover. Spray a pumpkin-seed sized blob on the back of your hand, dab it with your finger, or try a foundation brush to fill in deeper wrinkles.
3. But do you really need primer?
Whether you feel the need to use a primer or not is entirely up to you. You may find that the base doesn't make a significant difference to your facial makeup, in which case, skip this step. However, it could also mean you haven't found the right person yet
While some makeup artists and editors admire it and have some favorites, other experts say the opposite, saying it's an unnecessary extra step that won't have an impact on the look and longevity of facial makeup. In any case, be sure to do your research, get recommendations, and try different recipes before choosing a starter book.