When it comes to achieving a flawless, long-lasting base makeup, primer plays a vital role. A wrong primer can destroy your base completely. So, you need to choose a primer wisely.

Nowadays, the beauty world is flooded with different types of primers such as pore-filling, hydrating, mattifying, blurring, illuminating, and more. This sounds pretty confusing, right? Don’t worry. We have asked Nita Das, a Professional Makeup artist based in the USA to help you choose the right primer according to your skin type or skin concerns.

First things first, let us start with the basics.

What is a Makeup Primer?

Makeup Primer is applied under the foundation as a base for the makeup to last longer on your face. Another important use of a primer is that it can help the skin look polished and smoother by blurring out smooth fine lines, wrinkles, and filling in the pores.

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6 Kinds of Primer for every Skin Type

1. Pore-filling Primer

Skin Type : Oily in T-zone area

If you are someone who has a lot of large, open pores on your T-Zone then you probably need a pore-filling primer. A pore-filing primer is a silicone-based primer that fills in those pores and
makes your skin texture appear flawless. It gives your foundation a smooth canvas to glide on.
People with oily skin types are prone to have large pores. A pore-filling primer helps with the oil secretion and makes your foundation last longer.

My Picks

Benefit Porefessional , NYX Pore Filler

Pro Tip: Take a pea-size amount and gently pat it wherever you have large pores. Wait for a few minutes before going with your foundation

2. Mattifying Primer

Skin Type : Extremely Oily Skin

If you are someone with extremely oily skin and your natural oil makes your foundation slide off then you are in need of a mattifying primer. A mattifying primer is a water-based or
silicone-based primer that controls the oil secretion of your face and keeps you matte and shine-free all day long. If you have combination skin then apply a mattifying primer just on your T-Zone.

My Picks: Blue Heaven Studio Perfection Primer, Nyx Shine Killer, Loreal Paris Magic Perfecting Base Primer

Pro Tip: Rub an ice cube on a freshly washed face. Apply an oil-free moisturizer and then apply your primer

3. Blurring Primer

Skin Concern : Uneven Skin Tone

If acne scars, dark spots, uneven skin tone, premature wrinkles are your concerns then you need to use a blurring primer or perfecting primer. As the name suggests, they help to blur out all those imperfections and give your foundation an even surface. They make your skin soft and smooth and help with the longevity of your makeup.

My Picks: Hourglass Mineral Veil Primer, Nyx Angel Veil Perfecting Primer

Pro Tip: Take a dime-size on a small kabuki brush and buff the primer all over your face and give it some time to do its magic before going on with your foundation.

4. Hydrating Primer

Skin Type : Dry Skin

These types of primers are great for people with extremely dry skin. Of course, skincare is the key to achieving soft and hydrated skin but hey, what if your skin needs that extra boost of hydration? In that case, a hydrating primer comes to the rescue. Hydrating primer comes in various forms, such as
a) lotion
b) primer oil
c) primer serum
They all do the same job and that is hydrating your skin. They give your skin that extra moisture and your makeup looks flawless and smooth. If your foundation tends to cling to those dry patches, start using a hydrating primer right away.

My Picks: Smashbox Photo Finish Primerizer, Too Faced Hangover Primer, Wet n Wild Photo Focus Primer Serum

Pro Tip: If you are using a primer oil then use just 3-4 drops otherwise your foundation may slip and slide off

5. Illuminating Primer

Skin Concern : Dull Face

If you are dealing with dullness and there is absolutely no glow on your face then you should start using an illuminating primer underneath your foundation. An illuminating primer contains tiny shimmer particles to give you that radiant youthful complexion. It instantly brings back a healthy, candlelit glow to the face resulting in glowy, dewy skin. Your foundation looks a lot better on top of a dewy primer. However, a liquid illuminator and an illuminating primer are two completely different products.

An illuminator is just a liquid highlighter without the benefits of a
primer, whereas an illuminating primer acts as a primer and gives your skin a subtle glow.

My Picks: Becca Backlight Priming Filter, Charlotte Tilbury Wonderglow Face Primer, Flower Beauty In Your Prime Illuminating Primer, Nyx Born to Glow Illuminating Primer

Pro Tip: Use just a tad bit and spread it evenly before going on with a foundation or you can mix it with your foundation to achieve a more natural look.

6. Gripping Primer

Skin Type : Normal to dry skin

If you have normal to dry skin and you just want your makeup to last long, then this is the type of primer you are looking for. A gripping primer hydrates your skin and creates a sticky film on your skin. It acts as a glue between your skin and your foundation. Your foundation just sticks to it for up to 12 hours. A good gripping primer really helps your makeup stay in place all day long.

My Picks: Milk Makeup Hydrogrip Primer, Cover Fx Gripping Primer, Nyx Honey Dew Me UpPrimer

Pro Tip: After applying your moisturizer, wait for at least 20 minutes before applying your gripping primer; otherwise, your primer may peel off.

P.S: You don’t need to use a color-correcting primer. Use a different color corrector instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1) What goes on first for makeup : Moisturizer or Primer?

Ans) This is the thumb rule of makeup – Always apply moisturizer before primer as it makes the application of primer easy.

Q2) Can I skip primer?

Ans) It is up to you. If you want smooth, polished, and flawless skin, then the primer will be your go-to product. Primers can be really helpful during high humid conditions like the summer and monsoon seasons. Primer helps in making your makeup last longer.

Q3) Can I use primer on its own?

Ans) Yes. Since the main reason behind using a primer is to blur out pores and cover imperfections, fine lines and wrinkles, you can always just apply primer and make your face look smooth and flawless.

For people who feel that foundation heavy, they can opt for a primer only look and achieve a perfect skin!

If you are a beginner at makeup, check out this article to know the top makeup essentials for beginners.

Conclusion

Now just go ahead and find the right one. If a primer doesn’t work for you then probably you haven’t found the right one for yourself. Hope this article helps you to find the best one depending on your own needs. Everybody has different skin concerns so don’t just use whatever primer your friends are using! Try to find the correct one and it’ll completely change your makeup game. Hope this article helps! Happy priming!!