Do the Best Primers Even Make a Difference?
The jury is out.
Ask a group of makeup artists what’s responsible for a flawless base, and you’re bound to spark a debate. Some believe that success lies in skincare; others will tell you that the foundation formula alone is all you need. There’s also a camp of pros that swear by the best primers. They tout the ability to blur pores, smooth fine lines, and grip foundation. The worthwhile ones do just that. But, do they make enough of a difference to warrant adding another product to a beauty routine?
“Primers are not a complete necessity,” says celebrity makeup artist Ehlie Luna. “But, if you have certain things you want to address, like texture, longevity, or finish, they can be worthwhile.” A high-quality primer for the right candidate can create a smoother canvas on acne-prone individuals, neutralize a red complexion, and even mattify oily skin.
Whether you’re a devout believer in the powers of primer or want to see if the hot-button item is worth your while, read ahead. Top makeup artists are sharing everything you need to know—and their favorite picks—ahead.
What Is a Primer?
By definition, primers were designed to prime your skin for makeup application. “The ultimate goal of all makeup primers is to prolong the longevity of your makeup look,” says celebrity makeup artist Natalie Dresher. I love to describe it as a double-sided tape for your skincare and makeup,” adds celebrity makeup artist Nydia Figueroa. “It locks in the skincare and then creates a barrier so that makeup does not settle into large pores and texture on the skin.”
Do I Really Need a Primer?
Primer isn’t really a need—it’s a want. Your makeup will be just fine without it, but the best primers can offer plenty of benefits. Their goals are hyper-specific to skin concerns and conditions. “For people who have larger pores, there are pore filling primers, there are primers that temporarily smooth fine lines, or primers that really grip makeup.” You’ll find color-correcting primers, hydrating primers, and mattifying primers—the options are seemingly endless.
That said, sometimes skincare alone does the trick. “While primers are great for making the makeup last all day and creating a smooth base for the skin, having great skincare prep will help your makeup look smooth on the skin,” says Luna. Some tinted sunscreens will have a silicone-like texture that creates a smooth base, certain moisturizers are color-correcting by design, or equipped with skin-blurring properties.
The Best Primers
- The Best Primer Overall: Milk Hydro Grip Primer
- The Best Mattifying Primer: One/Size Secure the Sweat Mattifying Primer
- The Best Hydrating Primer: Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Hydrating Primer
- The Best Color-Correcting Primer: PUR 4-in-1 Correcting Primer
- The Best Blurring Primer: YSL Touche Eclat Blur Face Primer
A best-seller across every retailer with hundreds of thousands of five-star reviews, it’s clear that Milk’s primer deserves its holy grail title. “Not only does it have two of my favorite ingredients, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, but it’s a gel-based formula that keeps the makeup on for 12 plus hours,” says Figueroa. It has a tacky texture that isn’t drying in the slightest, which makes it a versatile pick for both dry and oily skin types.
Pros: Good for all skin types; Keeps makeup on
Cons: The tacky texture can feel a little type
Whether your oily skin or just anticipating a disgustingly hot, humid day, Patrick Starr’s primer creation will ensure your makeup does not budge. It’s so good, that Figueroa and Luna named it as one of their favorites. “This is great for the summertime and those struggling to keep their makeup shine-free,” Figueroa shares. It has a waterproof formula bolstered by bamboo marrow powder, which helps to soak up excess moisture.
Pros: Absorbs oil; Keeps makeup from separating
Cons: Some find it drying
Luminous Silk Foundation needs no introduction. But the complexion product's primer counterpart is the unsung hero of the range. It has a silicone base, which provides a silky and smooth base to the skin. It instantly douses the skin with hydration—the formula contains shea butter and glycerin—and provides a subtle micro-pearlized shine to the skin. I’ll won’t just wear this under foundation, I’ll wear it solo on no-makeup day.
Pros: Radiance-boosting; Deeply moisturizing
Cons: Some say it pills
Any time you see Kaley Cuoco on a red carpet, I promise she’s wearing this skin tone-evening formula. “This is perfect for someone who wants to neutralize discoloration and add vibrance to the skin,” says Figueroa. It has a skincare-infused formula complete with ceramides, lactic acid, and shea butter, to effectively reduce dark circles and redness, along with a time-release technology to ensure skin stays hydrating all day long.
Pros: Lightweight; Smooth; Color-Correcting
Cons: Too much for oily skin
The first time I used this primer, I stared in a magnifying mirror for 30 minutes. It quite literally blurred my pores to nonexistence. A combination of soothing oils—corn, apricot, Passiflora, and rice bran—combine with light-infused pigments to create a soft focus layer between skin and makeup. It does leave a little gold sparkle behind, too. While that’s not for everyone, I personally love the extra boost.
Pros: Smoothing; Good for mature and oily skin
Cons: Expensive
Also Recommended
I’m always a bit skeptical of a viral beauty product, but after trying this one out for myself, I can promise it deserves every bit of hype. The design makes it a two-in-one: The roller bar helped sculpt and de-puff my face, while the hydrating formula provided a subtle glow. The formula, which contains niacinamide and glycerin, also evened my tone and reduced redness.
Pros: Amazing applicator; Good for all skin types
Cons: Can feel a little sticky
A little goes a long way with this silicone-based primer, says Dresher. “I like to apply a pea-size amount of the product to the T-zone and brush it towards the outer perimeter of the face,” she advises. “It temporarily fills in pores allowing makeup to glide right over it.” It has a nude color to it too, which helps even out skin tone and create an airbrushed, blurred finish.
Pros: Makeup artist-recommended; Blurring; Good for all skin types
Cons: Hard to dispense
This looks more like a setting spray than a traditional primer, but I promise the functionality is the same. In fact, it’s a little easier to use than a liquid gel. Just give your complexion a healthy spritz and then apply makeup. “It reduces the appearance of large pores and fine lines without using much product underneath your makeup,” explains Figuiera. “It's also oil-free and works well on all skin types.”
Pros: Oil-free; Makeup artist-recommended; Lightweight
Cons: Doesn’t help with long wear
This Putty Primer comes in three different formulations: there's a Poreless option that will leave skin looking blurred, an Illuminating formula that gives skin a naturally radiant finish, and a Matte finish that will keep oil at bay. Whichever you choose, know that the silky formula smoothes over imperfections and promises to keep your makeup in place.
Pros: Affordable; Great grip; Options
Cons: Bit of a greasy texture
Dior's Backstage line was created with makeup artists in mind. It's a do-it-all, works-on-everyone type of primer that won't let you down. It's extremely lightweight and doesn't suffocate the skin. Instead, it provides a luminous, even finish and delivers up to 24 hours of continuous hydration. Wear it alone for a natural-looking blurred effect or layer it under makeup for a truly flawless base. You can even put it on your legs or décolletage during the summer months for a little extra shine.
Pros: Works on everyone; Hydrating
Cons: Expensive
How to Pick the Best Primer for Your Skin Type
Skin type plays a major role in proper primer selection—unfortunately, there’s no universal product that works for everyone. “We always have to consider our particular needs and not get caught up in what our friends are using,” says Luna. Someone with dry skin may want a hydrating primer, someone with oily skin should seek out a mattifying primer, and someone with combination skin might decide to cocktail their primer products on different areas.
Sensitive and acne-prone skin types should also make a point to avoid dimethicone, as it can be an irritating ingredient. “It can clog the pores, which can trap dirt and cause breakouts,” adds Figueroa.
Should Primers Be Water-Based or Silicone-Based?
The best primer for you depends a lot on not only your skin type, but also what foundation you use. “A silicone-based primer doesn't work well with a water-based foundation because it can cause separation,” explains Figueroa. Silicone-based primers however are better for smoothing texture or mattifying the skin.
Meet the Experts
Ehlie Luna is a pro makeup artist, content creator, and creative consultant with a focus on sharing expert tips, entertaining, and injecting her unique perspective into the beauty space. She has worked as the key makeup artist for the New York City Ballet and has collaborated with brands like MAC Cosmetics, Beautyblender, Uoma Beauty, Macys, and more.
Natalie Dresher, @nataliedresher, is a celebrity + bridal makeup artist in Miami and New York. With many years of experience in her field, Natalie has become a trusted name in the beauty community. Working with brands like Saie Beauty, Revlon, Maybelline and Dibs she has a lot of experience working with our favorites under her wing.
With over 15 years of experience, Nydia has made a name for herself starting off at the age of 18 as an artist for MAC Cosmetics. She followed her dream, working for 5 time Emmy award winning makeup artist for "The Today show" and "The View."
Nydia is also a Celebrity & Published makeup artist whose work has been featured on television, The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, NYFW, The Miss Universe Organization and more.
