A makeup primer is a step between moisturising and applying foundation. It prepares your skin for further coverage and makeup. But which primer is right for your skin? Read on and find out.
How to Apply a Primer Correctly
Step 1: Cleanse and tone your face. Follow with your favourite day cream or moisturiser. Always remember, a primer is not a substitute for a good hydrating day cream, its main goal is to keep your foundation looking flawless throughout the day.
Step 2: Once the moisturiser is absorbed, apply a small amount of primer on to your skin. Don’t add too much as this may make your foundation appear uneven, a pea-sized amount will do the trick.
Step 3: Blend the primer into your skin in circular motions, starting with the T-zone and blending outwards. You may want to use a special primer for around your eyes as the sensitive skin in this area requires gentler ingredients than the rest of your face.
Step 4: After the primer has set, apply foundation and continue with your makeup routine as normal. Alternatively, you can wear primer on its own for a more natural look.
Types of Makeup Primers
Things to Look out for When Examining Your Skin:
Answering the five questions below will help you choose the right primer for your skin type. Some work hard to reduce the size of pores, others help to minimise the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. A whole host of primers help to mattify the skin and many serve as an extra hydrating step, while the rest focus on tone and colour correcting.
Do you feel conscious about the size of your pores?
Do you need an extra step to help mattify your skin?
Do you need a hydration boost?
Do you need a primer with anti-aging properties?
Do you need an extra step to even your complexion out?
Do I Need a Colour Correcting Primer?
If you are keen on hiding blemishes only in certain places, a colour correcting concealer may be the better option for you. Colour correcting concealers will target areas that you are keen on concealing resulting in a flawless finish. To find out more, make sure you read our guide to colour correcting concealers.
If you are looking to even out your tone generally without targeting a certain blemish, go for a colour correcting primer. Primers that look slightly greenish will help to hide redness or sunburn. Yellow primers even out a pink or light red complexion, peach-toned ones will help conceal pigmentation or bruising, and finally go for a light purple or lavender primer if your skin tone is yellowish or sallow.
Barry M
Barry M Flawless Colour Correcting Primer
£6.99
Revolution Pro
Revolution Pro Correcting Face Primer Radiant Peach
£3.50
If you have oily skin, a mattifying primer will serve as a helping hand to your foundation in tackling the unwanted shine. Mattifying primers help to absorb excess oil as the ingredients are specifically target and control sebum over-production which is the main culprit when it comes to that unwanted glow. Look out for ingredients such as witch hazel which have added soothing and anti-blemish properties.
Dry Skin
If you have dry skin, a hydrating primer will help with an extra moisture boost. Allow skin to absorb the extra nourishment for a few minutes and then follow with foundation. When using a hydrating primer, you will notice that applying foundation is easier and makeup stays looking flawless for longer.
Mature Skin
If you want an extra helping hand in minimising the appearance of pores and wrinkles, go for a primer that is designed especially for mature skin. This product will help to ensure the foundation doesn’t sink into fine lines, and that your complexion stays bright and even.
Collection
Collection Pore Minimiser Primer 2
£4.99
GOSH
GOSH Primer Plus + Hydration 003
£0.10
Rimmel
Rimmel Match Perfection Fix & Perfect Pro Primer Shade 2
£7.99
The Importance of Ingredients in Primers
Always test a primer on your hand and cover it with foundation to see if the latter glides on easily. This is important because you need to make sure the ingredients in your primer complement those in your foundation. If they don’t, you will notice that the foundation starts looking cakey and patchy, which means that you need to swap either your primer or your foundation.
Doing a test on your hand before you buy is also good for making sure you are not sensitive or allergic to any ingredients. Primers often have silicone as one of their components – it’s the secret to your makeup gliding on – which some people may be allergic to.
Home » How to Use Primer Like a Pro
How to Use Primer Like a Pro
Home » How to Use Primer Like a Pro
A makeup primer is a step between moisturising and applying foundation. It prepares your skin for further coverage and makeup. But which primer is right for your skin? Read on and find out.
How to Apply a Primer Correctly
Step 1: Cleanse and tone your face. Follow with your favourite day cream or moisturiser. Always remember, a primer is not a substitute for a good hydrating day cream, its main goal is to keep your foundation looking flawless throughout the day.
Step 2: Once the moisturiser is absorbed, apply a small amount of primer on to your skin. Don’t add too much as this may make your foundation appear uneven, a pea-sized amount will do the trick.
Step 3: Blend the primer into your skin in circular motions, starting with the T-zone and blending outwards. You may want to use a special primer for around your eyes as the sensitive skin in this area requires gentler ingredients than the rest of your face.
Step 4: After the primer has set, apply foundation and continue with your makeup routine as normal. Alternatively, you can wear primer on its own for a more natural look.
Types of Makeup Primers
Things to Look out for When Examining Your Skin:
Answering the five questions below will help you choose the right primer for your skin type. Some work hard to reduce the size of pores, others help to minimise the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. A whole host of primers help to mattify the skin and many serve as an extra hydrating step, while the rest focus on tone and colour correcting.
Do I Need a Colour Correcting Primer?
If you are keen on hiding blemishes only in certain places, a colour correcting concealer may be the better option for you. Colour correcting concealers will target areas that you are keen on concealing resulting in a flawless finish. To find out more, make sure you read our guide to colour correcting concealers.
If you are looking to even out your tone generally without targeting a certain blemish, go for a colour correcting primer. Primers that look slightly greenish will help to hide redness or sunburn. Yellow primers even out a pink or light red complexion, peach-toned ones will help conceal pigmentation or bruising, and finally go for a light purple or lavender primer if your skin tone is yellowish or sallow.
Choosing the Right Primer for Your Skin Type
Just like choosing the right foundation, the primer you should invest in depends on your skin type.
Oily Skin
If you have oily skin, a mattifying primer will serve as a helping hand to your foundation in tackling the unwanted shine. Mattifying primers help to absorb excess oil as the ingredients are specifically target and control sebum over-production which is the main culprit when it comes to that unwanted glow. Look out for ingredients such as witch hazel which have added soothing and anti-blemish properties.
Dry Skin
If you have dry skin, a hydrating primer will help with an extra moisture boost. Allow skin to absorb the extra nourishment for a few minutes and then follow with foundation. When using a hydrating primer, you will notice that applying foundation is easier and makeup stays looking flawless for longer.
Mature Skin
If you want an extra helping hand in minimising the appearance of pores and wrinkles, go for a primer that is designed especially for mature skin. This product will help to ensure the foundation doesn’t sink into fine lines, and that your complexion stays bright and even.
The Importance of Ingredients in Primers
Always test a primer on your hand and cover it with foundation to see if the latter glides on easily. This is important because you need to make sure the ingredients in your primer complement those in your foundation. If they don’t, you will notice that the foundation starts looking cakey and patchy, which means that you need to swap either your primer or your foundation.
Doing a test on your hand before you buy is also good for making sure you are not sensitive or allergic to any ingredients. Primers often have silicone as one of their components – it’s the secret to your makeup gliding on – which some people may be allergic to.
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