For some, wise makeup application means applying face primer before everything else. Unfortunately, that’s not how some enthusiasts choose to start their routine, which is a shame as primers have been proven to have game-changing advantages.
From creating a silky-smooth, poreless canvas for makeup to sit on to preventing acne breakouts, primers set the stage for flawless application. But how do you know what primer to choose? Also, how long should you leave it on? Some makeup tips on FoundationAdvice.com should provide answers, but you can read on and get as much enlightenment on the matter, too.
What Does a Face Primer Do?
Face primers level up your makeup’s potential significantly. It can turn what would have been an ordinary finish into a complete head-turning look. They come in cream, gel, and liquid forms that fill imperfections when leveled over the skin.
As a result, these imperfections don’t interfere with the rest of the cosmetic process. Those flaky textures, uneven patches of skin, large pores, and creases will then cease to be problems.
Is It Something You Need?
A makeup primer is the initial layer of makeup applied after skincare. It helps eliminate oil slicks and skin roughness so that makeup adheres to your face much better. It’s not needed, but you’d do well to have it.
Also, if you’re dreading potential raccoon eyes, creasy or patchy foundation, or a smudged eyeliner, better to be safe with a primer than sorry without it.
How To Choose a Primer
Like foundation and literally every other makeup product there is, primers come in a vast assortment of forms. There are options formulated for the lips, eyeshadows, eyelashes, and the entire face.
Face primers tend to make the most significant impact on the overall finish of makeup. A high-quality option of this specific formulation is as close to an all-around primer as you can get. What’s more, it is something you can slather over lids and lips, too.
Some primers are also better for you than others. For instance, a hydrating primer is ideal for people with dry skin types. Alternatively, a color-correcting option works best for those prone to redness.
Then, there are mattifying primers, which suit users with combination or oily skin exceptionally well. Still, at the end of the day, primer selection comes down to the following categories: water-based and silicone-based.
Water vs. Silicone
The grand scheme of makeup applications insists that this matters most of all. With silicone primers, you get a silkier, smoother, and softer base layer for the foundation to adhere to. Thus, makeup is able to glide over the skin perfectly without getting absorbed into creases and pores.
Aside from evening-out skin tone and texture, silicone primers also form a protective film over your face. In turn, this preserves moisture and keeps the skin hydrated.
In comparison, water-based primers are more like light moisturizers in that they make your skin slightly dewier. That said, if you’re the wise skin enthusiast that you are and precede makeup with skincare, you might not have much use for a water-based option.
A water-based primer is not much different from a moisturizer, which is typically the last step in a skincare routine. Using it means you’re essentially repeating the last step of skincare as the first step of makeup application.
Of course, that doesn’t suggest silicone primers should be your choice. Some people can’t stand silicone, either because it triggers breakouts or feels weird on the face. In that case, you might prefer the water-based finish.
How Long Should You Leave the Primer on Before Applying Makeup?
Note that before you can work on that perfect base using your primer, you must make sure your skin is clean and hydrated. That’s why skincare should always set the scene for any kind of makeup application.
On clean and moisturized skin, apply a thin layer of primer. Cake it on, and your foundation should move around your face instead of setting immediately. The right amount of primer should be set and ready for slathering after a full 60 seconds.
That said, there are no clear-cut rules concerning primer application. Yes, some theories should help you get the most out of them, but that doesn’t mean you can’t improvise or experiment. Sometimes, what’s best for you isn’t necessarily written on paper; it’s something you figure out yourself.
Primer Is Makeup!
If you prefer the “natural” over the full-on makeup look, then you’d be a fine wearing primer and nothing else. Primer has the hydrating qualities of moisturizer and the skin-smoothing abilities of foundation, so, yes, it can be used as stand-alone makeup.
You typically get the complete package in a silicone primer, which blurs pores, fills creases, and traps moisture to make your skin look its best without a ton of product. These primers also offer protective benefits, making them all the more magical!