Primer

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I t’s in women’s nature to use make-up and skin care products. No matter if they are using them to improve their appearance by hiding different skin signs, or just to hydrate their skin and moisturize it. There are plenty of products available on the market, but not all of them are high-quality and effective. Primers in our case, are generally used to smooth fine lines and reduce wrinkles and pores. They are applied before foundation and concealer in order to properly prepare the face and keep it hydrated during the entire period that you are wearing on the make-up. We have prepared you a list, containing some high-quality and effective products that are able to satisfy a wide range of requirements and needs.

Top 10 Primers Comparison

Photo	Product	Quantity (fl. oz.)	Main Ingredients	Skin Benefits	Price
Best Overall	1. Thank Me Later Face	0.17	Cyclopentasiloxane, talc, polyisobutene, bismuth oxychloride, silica, beeswax, PEG-40 Stearate, caprylyl glycol, methicone	Mattifying properties to prevent shine	Check Price
Our Choice	2. Maybelline Makeup Baby Skin	1	Dimethicone, silica, crosspolymer, caprylyl glycol, prunus cerasus extract/bitter cherry extract	Mattifying properties to prevent shine, blurs pores	Check Price
	3. Jane Iredale Smooth Affair	1.7	Coconut alkanes, polysilicone 11, grapefruit and apple fruit extract, white and green tea fruit extract	Anti-aging properties, reduces the appearance of pores, nourishes the skin	Check Price
	4. SMASHBOX Photo Finish	1	Cyclopentasiloxane, dimethicone, retinyl palmitate, camellia sinensis leaf extract, safflower seed extract, kola seed extract, grape seed extract	Leaves the skin with a smooth finish	Check Price
	5. Mary Kay Foundation	1	Homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene, silica, polysilicone-11, dimethicone	Minimizes the appearance of wrinkles and lines, provides protection against UV rays	Check Price
	6. Monica Ann Beauty Dual Action	1	Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin C	Covers pores, redness, and fine lines	Check Price
	7. NYX Studio Perfect	1.01	Dimethicone, cyclopentasiloxane, silica, phenoxyethanol/pethylparaben, ethylparaben/butylparaben propylparaben/isobutylparaben, tocopheryl acetate	Covers pores and fine lines	Check Price
	8. Benefit Cosmetics POREfessional Pro Balm Face Primer	0.75	Vitamin E	Covers pores and fine lines	Check Price
	9. TheBalm TimeBalm	1	Cyclopentasiloxane, dimethicone crosspolymer, bioflavonoids, allantoin, hydrogenated castor oil, ivy leaf/stem extract, retinyl palmitate, titanium dioxide, iron oxides	Evens out skin’s tone and texture, minimizes the appearance of fine lines and pores	Check Price
	10. e.l.f. 83406	0.47	Dimethicone, dimethicon crosspolymer, grape seed oil, silica, phenoxyethanol, propylparaben, retinyl palmitate (Va)	Reduces pores, smothes the skin texture	Check Price

1. Thank Me Later Face

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This is a unique silky formula that glides over the skin and minimizes the appearance of wrinkles and red lines on your face. It comes with mattifying properties that help prevent the shiny look of the skin and is able to lock up your make-up for a perfect look that can last all day long. This skin care product contains waterproof elements that ensure its duration even in rough weather conditions without drying your face. Thank Me Later is a formula that promotes the skin’s long-lasting care and helps maintain a flawless look of the make-up for an entire day.

PROS	CONS
The formula has waterproof features Keeps a shine-free skin look without drying it Minimizes the appearance of pores and wrinkles It maintains a flowless look	Not suitable for oily skin
VERDICT
Less expensive in comparison to the other products and very popular among women. Nevertheless, it comes in a smaller quantity. The main advantage of this product are that it doesn’t contain parabens and that is highly resistant even if you live in a damp climate.

2. Maybelline Makeup Baby Skin

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This frangrance-free and breathable formula feels lightweight on your face so you can wear it alone or with a moisturizer. This non-comedogenic clar face makeup will prep your face for heavy makeup application and it leaves your skin moisturized for the whole day. Without you having to re-apply every few hours. In addition to this, it will blur pores in an instant so you’re left with smooth and matte finish that feels like baby skin. One of the greatest thing about this product is the fact that it can be applied with your fingertips. Therefore, you don’t have to waste money purchasing an applicator. As well as, it’s also good for oily skin.

PROS	CONS
Can be applied with fingertips Suitable for a range of skin types It can moisturize skin It leaves a smooth matifiying finsh	Add more than one layer
VERDICT
The reason why this formula is so popular is because it has been developed and inspired by makeup artists. It’s very unlikely that you will ever have to experience break-outs or pimples by using this product.

3. Jane Iredale Smooth Affair

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This skin-quenching product helps prepare your skin for the makeup session you will put it through, helping in the sense that the makeup products you apply will last longer. Applying them will be easier as well as your skin will be moisturized and smooth. Due to the ingredients that make it up, it helps brighten, nourish, moisturize, and beautify your skin, minimizing the appearance of wrinkles and pores.

What It Contains

Due to the fact that it contains royal jelly, this product is not vegan, so if this presents an issue for you, it’s good to know and avoid it. the most important and beneficial ingredients that make it up are grapefruit, white tea, and green tea extract, components that help improve the way your skin looks. Other ingredients that make up this product include radish root extract, bitter orange fruit extract, olive leaf extract, sunflower seed oil, honeysuckle flower extract, glycerin, apple fruit extract, aloe barbadensis leaf juice, water, caprylic triglyceride, and the list goes on. As you can see, it is made with natural ingredients for the most part, all of them being safe for your skin so that the risk of irritations won’t exist.

How It Benefits Your Skin

• Anti-aging properties granted by the green and white tea extract;
• Skin radiance and luminosity provided by the grapefruit extract;
• Helps upkeep a youthful appearance;
• Covers fine lines and wrinkles;
• Covers pores in order to minimize their appearance.

How to Use

As you have to put it on before you apply foundation, this is the first makeup product you should apply after thoroughly cleansing your face to ensure you won’t trap dust or dirt in your pores. After you wash up, apply a pea-sized amount of this product all over your face or in the areas you want to cover with it. Use your fingers to massage the product until your skin absorbs it. Afterward, with the help of a brush you can apply the foundation and continue with your makeup session.

PROS	CONS
After application, the makeup goes on easier and lasts longer Has anti-aging properties Smooths, brightens and nourishes skin Minimizes the appearance of pores	Add more than one layer
VERDICT
With the help of this primer you will be able to increase luminosity of the skin. This formula will also help rejuvenate the skin and reduce the appearance of pores. The product is a little bit more expensive in comparison to the other products, but it comes in a greater quantity.

4. SMASHBOX Photo Finish

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With Smashbox you will get the long-lasting makeup appearance that you have always desired. It is a colorless formula that is rich in nourishing and hydrating properties, preparing your skin for the application of foundation. It is able to fill in fine lines and cover up red marks and wrinkles, leaving your skin with a velvety smooth and soft look. It is able to provide immediate results by creating a protecting layer over the skin and protecting it from various external damaging agents. What is great at it is that it can be applied directly on the cleaned skin and also after putting on foundation, for small touch-ups.

PROS	CONS
Fills in fine lines and pores Leaves the skin with a velvety smooth finish It is rich in moisturizing properties Can be used over makeup for touchups	Not suitable for oily skin
VERDICT
This product is versatile as you can use it under and over foundation. Once applied it will hydrate your skin and cover all the imperfections. Additionally, it helps applying make-up easier and it lasts for a long time.

5. Mary Kay Foundation

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It comes with a light weighted formula and has dermatologist-tested properties. It is an oil-free product that can be used for all kind of skin types, even for those who complain about sensitive skin issues. It comes with 15 SPF broad spectrum, meaning that it can be worn even in extreme sun conditions. It perfects your skin and enhances foundation benefits, by extending its wear for more than 9 hours. The product contains Silica, which is a highly porous mineral that absorbs oil and acts as an optical diffuser to help skin look smooth and fresh.

PROS	CONS
It is a fragrance-free and dermatologist-tested product It is an oil-free formula for all skin types It promotes a smooth and even skin tone It maintains a smooth look for a long period of time	Lack of vitamins in the formula
VERDICT
This primer doesn’t contain oil but it has many minerals. Due to the fact that it was tested by dermatologists, you can be sure it is safe for your skin. Besides protecting your skin, it also helps your make-up stay on for a longer time.

6. Monica Ann Beauty Dual Action

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This solution has been made with Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin C in order to make your skin youthful and bright. The vibrant glow will ensure that your skin appears better over time. This means that you will have flawless makeup with excellent anti-aging properties. When you put it on you will notice a translucent and matte coverage which means that you can apply whatever make up you wish. It has the power to cover pores, redness, and wrinkles without you needing to apply a large amount of it. If you have dry skin, you will love it so much that you will integrate it in your daily routine.

PROS	CONS
Minimizes the appearance of fine lines and pores Suitable for all types of skin It contains Hyaluronic Acid It maintains a smooth and moisturized look	The container could be bigger
VERDICT
The reason why we recommend this model is due to the fact that you will be able to take care of your skin with ease. It has been made with ingredients that take care of your skin so you can use it for as long as you wish.

7. NYX Studio Perfect

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We start off by mentioning the fact that that this is one of the more reasonably priced professional makeup products you are bound to find on the market. What makes it a fan favorite is the fact that it is compatible with all types of skin and is easily adsorbent, providing a smooth and durable base for your foundation and makeup. In addition to helping prolong the longevity of the look you put together, it even fills pores and fine lines, making you instantly look 10 years younger. Easy to apply and providing a silky feel, it’s a beauty product every woman must have in her arsenal.

PROS	CONS
Perfect for any makeup application Is easily adsorbed by the skin Available in 3 different shades Cheap asking price
VERDICT
The smooth matte finish it provides makes it the ideal weapon to begin any makeup session with. It straightens out all fine lines by filling them and perfectly covers pores, helping you look your best each day.

8. Benefit Cosmetics POREfessional Pro Balm Face Primer

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You can apply this primer before or after makeup. It does a really great job at reducing the pores and it helps your makeup last for the entire day. It is made with vitamin E that protects the skin. It is suitable for different skin tones as it doesn’t contain oil. The primer is translucent and it has a silky consistency which makes it very easy to use. Applying just a thin layer will help you achieve the look you want effortlessly. It can successfully cover large pores. The only major disadvantages are that it is a little bit expensive and it comes in a small quantity.

PROS	CONS
The vitamin E protects your skin It is suitable for all skin tones You can use it under and over makeup It holds the makeup throughout the entire day	It tends to clog the pores up if you wear it for many hours Small quantity at an expensive price
VERDICT
Although it is a little price, this primer is a really nice option if you want to make your makeup last longer. It reduces the appearance of both small and large pores and it protects your skin.

9. TheBalm TimeBalm

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TimeBalm comes with plenty of A, C, and E vitamins and has been designed to be worn alone, providing a soft looking skin or under foundation for a long-lasting appearance. It helps a lot in evening all types of skin tones, leaving them with a perfect look. It does a great job when it comes to hiding red lines, wrinkles and puffy eyes. It contains herbal extracts and antioxidants that can deeply refresh skin tissues, maintaining their health and good care over time. It can provide the right amount of daily protection of the skin and maintain a clear and fresh look of the make-up over the entire period you are wearing it on.

PROS	CONS
Minimizes the appearance of fine lines and pores Helps even out skin tone Contains herbal extracts and antioxidants It maintains a smooth and moisturized look	It has a strange smell
VERDICT
Great option for a smooth and flawless look. One of the things we like best about this product is that it contains natural ingredients and vitamin A, C, and E. It reduces the appearance of pores and makes your make-up last longer.

10. e.l.f. 83406

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If you are all about beauty products, yet you cannot afford to spend too much money on a new one, this e.l.f. cosmetic is perfect for you. Not only does it come at a cheap price, but due to its magnificent all-natural composition, it ensures to leave your skin smoother than ever. It makes for a great makeup base as it not only helps the foundation you apply persists, but because it helps minimize your pores for clogging to not occur. Among the important ingredients it contains, we have vitamins A, C, and E. Furthermore, you need to apply only a thin coating for it to make its effect.

PROS	CONS
Contains grape infusion, vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E Smoothens and illuminates the skin Helps minimize pores so that harmful cosmetic products don’t enter them Comes at a very cheap price	Doesn’t have anti-aging properties
VERDICT
The cheapest entry in our top, this is a foundation base you can confidently apply as it not only helps makeup persist for a longer time, but due to the vitamin-rich formula it boasts, it even helps your skin look cleaner and healthier.

Lesser Known Facts About Makeup Foundation

• They can regulate oil production
  By applying the primer first before all your makeup products, it helps you control the sebum production which is secreted by your skin glands. This way, you will get a long-lasting makeup and also well-cared skin.
• They promote a smoother skin
  Their formula is able to fill up fine lines and wrinkles and ensure a perfect base for makeup. There are plenty of products of this kind that contain natural plants extracts and are rich in antioxidants which promote the skin’s healthiness and fresh look.
• They can help with acne
  The main purpose of these products is to create a barrier between your skin and makeup. Constantly using such an item will prevent your skin from getting irritated or developing acne as an effect of new makeup products that might harm very sensitive skin.
• They hydrate the skin
  Depending on each product’s ingredients, you can choose one that is plant-based and can offer good care of your skin’s tissues. Generally, these items contain silicone, which is able to trap the moisture of your skin by tightening the pores.
• They help you reduce the amount of makeup
  Adding it on your face helps you cut from the amount of foundation that you are normally using to hide imperfections. You don’t need a lot of foundation anymore because your face will get an unnatural look.
• You can wear them on their own
  In case you are willing to look natural but somehow “polished,” you can put on your primer without adding extra makeup. It offers a pleasant and natural appearance while protecting your skin from potentially harmful agents, such as dust.

Tips and tricks when applying the primer

• Always apply it after cleaning your face;
• Always start applying it from the center of your face;
• Apply the product in small amounts;
• Add a touch of primer on your eyelids and lips;
• You can mix it with your foundation;
• Wait for it a few minutes to dry.