Why do we need a primer for eyelashes, how to choose the best base for makeup, and what to replace if necessary?
Primers are a category of beauty products that prepare the skin for applying makeup (there are also separate versions for nails and eyelashes). The second name is the foundation or base for makeup. And in this article, we will explain why this base should not be underestimated.
The primer is applied after the moisturizer and before the foundation and also used before applying mascara, eye shadow, lipstick, or nail polish. The base for makeup becomes a kind of protective barrier and, besides, performs several other important functions:
Also, primers significantly facilitate shading (which is especially important, for example, when contouring) and guarantee a lighter coverage if you apply foundation on top. All the makeup bases possess these properties without any exception, but some of them take on additional responsibilities. So, there are primers that narrow pores and adjust skin tone, as well as moisturizing, matting, sunscreen, and anti-age. The texture of the primer can be anything from creamy to gel, as well as color: there are clear, nude, and even green primers.
The most comprehensive guide on the types of primers for the face - in our selection.
Such a primer has a light, liquid, and transparent texture, it can be water or oil-based. Sometimes on the package is marked “lotion” (lotion primer). As a rule, it is sold in a bottle with a pipette or in a tube, sometimes there are liquid primers in the spray format (for example, First Base Makeup Primer Spray from NYX Professional Makeup). This type of makeup base is suitable for any skin type, but for oily skin owners, it is better to choose a water-based product.
This type of primer is also suitable for any skin type, but especially for dry skin. It can have both the consistency of thick saturated cream and a more luminous milk texture. Available in the form of a tube or jar with a dispenser (Elizabeth Mott Thank Me Later Face Primer also has a convenient creamy texture).
This makeup base has a more viscous texture compared to a liquid primer. As a rule, it contains caring and moisturizing components. For example, NYX Professional Makeup Honey Dew Me Up Primer contains honey, hyaluronic acid and collagen.
The silicone in the primer contents (for example, dimethicone) prevents excessive secretion of sebum, fills pores and wrinkles, and effectively smoothes out bumps. The best choice for oily and aging skin, but is contraindicated in problematic or sensitive.
It contains flickering particles that provide the skin with a natural glow. It can be applied both to the entire face and only to the protruding parts (cheekbones, nose, chin) instead of highlighter. But keep in mind that radiant elements emphasize the roughness of the skin, so this base is not suitable for problem skin.
Typically, such a primer has a silicone or cream base. It is designed for oily or combi skin. Its main task is to provide a beautiful matte finish. But these makeup bases often promise two more bonuses: they perfectly cope with enlarged pores and smooth the surface of the skin.
Such a primer takes on the functions of a color corrector and helps to cope with uneven skin tone, its reddish or yellowish tint. A green primer neutralizes redness, while a purple primer neutralizes yellowness.
Visually makes pores less noticeable, which is especially important for owners of oily and combi skin types. Bluer cream also belongs to this category of makeup bases, which provides the effect of optical blur. Great replacement for Photoshop! Look for the blur, pore eraser, or pore minimizing on the packaging.
A primer for mature skin must cope with several additional tasks. Firstly, it should imperceptibly fill in wrinkles. Secondly, contain protective SPF filters. Secondly, contain protective SPF filters. Thirdly, have nutritional, moisturizing, and anti-aging ingredients. A great option is the Anti-Aging Eyeshadow Primer, Urban Decay.
An ideal solution for dry skin: such a primer will provide it with proper care. Look for moisturizing primer oils, vitamin E, hyaluronic acid.
The eyeshadow primer prevents shadows from rolling and eyeliner spreading evens out the surface of the eyelid and skin tone, absorbs excess sebum, and hides the vascular net. Besides, if you use the base, you can be sure that the color of the eyeshadow on the eyelids will not differ from their color in the package, the colors will be saturated and pigmented. This tool is also useful for eyebrow makeup: pencil and eye shadow last longer, it will be easier to shade.
Urban Decay's Primer Potion line is rightfully considered to be the best seller in this category of products: there are versions with matte and shiny textures, a primer for aging skin, and a miniature option for travelers.
The brand Giorgio Armani has an interesting multifunctional product - a primer for lips and eyes Prima. In addition to smoothing out fine lines and smoothing the surface of the eyelid, this primer also fights dark circles under the eyes!
Lip primer is a rather rare category. Separate brands specifically for lips produce single brands, in most cases, they suggest using the same primer as for the face or eyeshadows. The base for lipsticks, designed specifically for thin and sensitive skin of the lips, have Urban Decay, Lancôme, and NYX Professional Makeup. They are produced in a stick format with a colorless core, reminiscent of a soft pencil or lip balm in texture, contain caring and nourishing components, prolong the stability of lipstick and perfectly smooth the surface of the lips.
Separate mascara bases are even less common than lip primers. Most often on sale, you can see "double" mascara, on one end of which there is a white primer for eyelashes, giving volume and length, and on the other - ordinary black mascara. A good example is the False Lash Superstar from L’Oréal Paris.
But there are primers for eyelashes, which can be bought separately and used in tandem with your favorite mascara. So, Subversion from Urban Decay contains panthenol and vitamin E, nourishes and strengthens them. And as a bonus gives them extra volume.
If in the makeup the words “primer” and “base” are synonyms, then in a manicure these are two different means. Base (or “top”) is a transparent varnish that we all use before applying nail polish to prevent staining of the nail plate. A primer for nails is a tool from the arsenal of professional manicure masters, which is used mainly in salons. The nail primer has a liquid texture that resembles ordinary water or an emulsion, is applied to the base for better adhesion of the gel polish to the nail plate, it is also used for nail extension.
When buying a primer, consider your skin type first.
1) Normal skin
If you have normal skin, you do not suffer from oily sheen or enlarged pores, choose a base, focusing on its texture. Decide which product you prefer to use - cream, liquid, or gel? And pay attention to additional bonuses: moisturizing components and SPF in the composition have not harmed anyone.
2) Oily skin
Obviously, your choice is a matte base for makeup without oils in the composition (look for the mark oil-free). Most likely, you also need a base that tightens the pores. And since oily skin is often prone to rashes and acne, look for absorbent ingredients (such as rice powder), zinc oxide, and plant extracts in the list of ingredients.
3) Dry skin
You need a moisturizing primer with a rich creamy texture, while a matting primer, on the contrary, is contraindicated. A primer with a radiant effect will also be a good solution, but only if you do not have strong peeling on your skin! Otherwise, the tool will only emphasize this drawback. If you have very dry skin, you might want to try primer oil - NYX Professional Makeup has one. And it’s better if you have the opportunity to test the probe before buying it.
4) Combi skin
You have two options. Either buy a basic smoothing base with a light texture or use a matting primer only on those areas of the face that appear greasy.
5) Mature skin
Look for a light, moisturizing primer without flickering particles in the composition - they will make wrinkles and other skin irregularities more noticeable. And do not forget about SPF filters!
6) Sensitive skin
Sensitive skin is often prone to redness - in this case, you will be rescued by a primer for green color correction. Also look for soothing ingredients in the makeup base, such as green tea extract or niacinamide. By the way, these tips should also be considered when choosing a foundation.
The primer is perhaps the easiest to use makeup product. Follow our step-by-step instructions, which will tell you how to properly apply the makeup base.
1) Cleanse your skin with your usual cleanser.
2) If you have dry skin, be sure to apply a light moisturizer that is quickly absorbed. Some fatty creams do not mix well with primers, so make sure that the product is properly absorbed. In the case of oily skin, this step can be skipped.
3) Do not try to apply the primer in a generously thick layer: this makes no practical sense. Put a small amount of primer on your hand (a droplet the size of a pea will be enough) and place a point on the forehead, nose, and chin, if necessary, also on the cheeks and chin.
Advice: Try mixing primer with the foundation to achieve a more natural result. But note: this trick can not be done with silicone makeup bases.
A primer is an indispensable tool: just as a high-quality makeup base will do its job, no one will do it. But if for some reason you do not want to buy a primer, take a closer look at BB and CC creams - these funds partially take over its functions.
What is the difference between a primer and a concealer? The modern beauty industry advocates multitasking, more and more products from the two-in-one category are appearing. Today on sale there are foundation creams that smooth the surface of the skin, and primers with a tinting effect. But initially, these tools have different functions and tasks: a primer prepares the skin for makeup, a concealer adjusts the skin tone, and the concealer masks local imperfections.
The seven great makeup bases are in our review.
This makeup primer is water-based, so it’s ideal even for oily skin. Master Prime can be used for its intended purpose or as a standalone tool to provide the skin with a healthy glow and even tone.
If you have oily or combination skin, the new from L’Oréal Paris is what the doctor ordered. The primer promises a matte finish and smooths the skin. Another plus is the weightless texture, which is instantly absorbed and does not conflict with the foundation.
The main advantages of this primer are a weightless formula and a whole set of caring components in the composition. This primer not only prepares the skin for makeup but also moisturizes and nourishes it, tightens pores, and smooths peeling. La Base Pro also has a matting effect and prevents the appearance of oily sheen.
Wrinkles - any girl’s nightmare. That is why the Urban Decay primer not only allows you to maintain the stability of makeup but also visually smoothes wrinkles and pores, providing a retouching effect.
If you have long dreamed of a product that does not dry the skin and provides perfectly even tonal application, then Studio Perfect Primer is an excellent option. This primer comes in three different shades: the Clear Clear Primer smooths out irregularities and fine lines, Green Green fights redness, and Purple Lavender smoothes the surface of the skin and makes its tone more even.
The Prime Eye Primer contains a complex of particles that absorb excess sebum. And this means that the shadows, eyeliner will last phenomenally long over the centuries! In this case, the product does not dry the skin and does not cause any discomfort.
With mineral primer from E.L.F., your face is flawless and smooth. Prepares the skin for makeup application, making it more durable. Eliminates dryness, excess oiliness, enlarged pores, and fine wrinkles. It has a pleasant smell, is easily distributed, very economical. Transforms your skin, visually rejuvenating it. Designed to give an "inner glow" effect. Mineral-based face primer that transforms your skin into a flawless smooth canvas perfect for the next layer of makeup.
Have you already found your perfect primer? Share your opinion with us!
