15 Of The Best Primers To Prep Your Makeup And Help It Last (And Last)
Talk about ~pore~fection.
1. E.l.f. Poreless Putty Primer, a lightweight base that won't have you feeling like you're wearing a mask all day. This primer also has a blurring effect that reduces the appearance of pores and gives you a velvety smooth canvas for your makeup.
Promising review:"Okay, so first nothing will make you 'poreless' but this stuff is amazing. Will even out fine lines and help with super porous areas; my T-zone [has really visible] pores and this definitely gave me a boost in confidence. I would highly recommend. Especially to those not too familiar with makeup, this is a game changer. Honestly it works better than my $30 primer from Urban Decay and lasts all day. I am oily so I usually blot some powder on later in the day but if you have dry skin this could be the ultimate game changer!" — Olivia
Get it from Amazon for $10.
2. Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Blurring Balm, which instantly smooths out imperfections and balances your complexion, leaving you with a refined, matte finish that lasts all day. This lightweight balm-to-powder primer enhances your skin, taking the "no-makeup makeup look" to a whole new level.
Sephora
I didn't use primer for a long time because I wasn't a fan of how it felt on my skin. I decided to try this brand out because I'd heard nothing but good things about Danessa Myricks, and oh. em. gee. y'all. I've never felt a makeup product that feels this good on the skin before! I have the Universal Radiant version, and I kid you not, it was magic before my eyes. Where did my pores go? I like to follow behind the Yummy Balm with the Yummy Skin Glow Serum, which leaves my base so juicy and radiant, sometimes I just stop at this point and don't even put on makeup because my skin looks that good.
Promising review:"I initially bought this item because I heard about the brand from a friend and decided to just pick it up. One day I decided to try it and that's when everything changed...I LOVE THIS THING!!!!! I have NEVER seen anything that disappeared the second I put it on my skin. I mean, this thing melted in and vanished!! I was shooketh!! And the way makeup lays on top of it and stays all day????" — vickie2024
Get it from Sephora for $36 (available in 20 shades and a colorless universal version).
3. A Neutrogena Hydro Boost primer + serum packed with hyaluronic acid to deliver an instant hydration boost, leaving even the driest, most sensitive skin feeling plump, radiant, and ready for makeup. One reviewer with eczema and psoriasis swears by this, saying it cleared their dry skin right up.
www.amazon.com
Promising reviews:"This stuff is amazing. I use it under my makeup, and it is very hydrating without being goopy or clogging your pores. I have very sensitive skin and react to other primers. My skin tends to get irritated and red from the ingredients in them. This one does not cause irritation and is very moisturizing. I use it every day." — Tracy Jones
"I have dry, flaky skin, and adding foundation to my face makes this problem so much worse. I mix this with my foundation serum, and it's magic. It glides into my face effortlessly and leaves my face glowing." — Martin Zepeda
4. A silicone-free Huda Beauty Easy Blur primer with a jelly-like texture that feels like a dream and works wonders to control excess oil, so you can say goodbye to those mid-day shine worries. Reviewers say this primer doesn't cause their foundation to peel or cake up but instead provides a smooth, velvety base that keeps makeup looking fresh all day long.
Sephora
Promising review: "This primer is the reaaaaaalll tea omg….has my makeup looking the best that it has looked in a long time! 😭 Idk what's in the formula but it lowkey has my skin looking clearer too." — sabsabsabsab
Get it from Sephora for $29.
5. A multitasking Etude House Face Blur that beautifully brightens your complexion, with a pearly coral base that helps neutralize redness while adding a luminous glow. It also preps your face for smooth makeup application by blurring fine lines and wrinkles without drying the skin!
Amazon
It also protects against harmful UV rays with SPF 33!
Promising reviews: " This stuff looks AMAZING on its own. I'm 57 and it looks especially good on the days after I shave my face. It looks so blurred, highlighted softly and absolutely beautiful with the benefit of sunscreen. I have three backups, I like it SO MUCH. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND" — Cheryl Cardoza
"I use it after cleansing and applying my facial products. It has SPF, so depending on how sunny it is or how exposed I am to the sun, I apply over my sunscreen or by itself. It leaves my skin looking flawless and with a natural glow." — Kimberly Arnaldo
Get it from Amazon for $16.
6. A glitter primer perfect for the glamazons who dream of shining brighter than a disco ball on a Saturday night. This formula makes sure your loose glitter pigments and body glitters stay exactly where you applied them, no matter how wild things get.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"This stuff is the bomb! I LOVE glitter and have tried a few other types of primers and they were meh at best. This primer holds all my fun loose glitter and makes my makeup looks complete and sparkly! Not only does it hold my gorgeous glitter, but it holds it well! I can go out dancing and sweating and my glitter stays put AND I don't have to scrub my delicate skin to get it off when I want it off. A simple facial oil and it comes right off!" — Cat
Get it on Amazon for $6.50.
7. A tube of Elizabeth Mott Thank Me Later eyeshadow primer that'll help enhance the pigment of your eyeshadow, giving it that ✨ pop ✨ you crave. It also helps control oil on your lids to make your makeup last all day.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"This eye primer is amazing!!! I have super oily eyelids and was getting to the point that I would rarely bother with eyeshadow because even with expensive primers it would be smudged and creased within an hour. So glad I don't need to shell out for Urban Decay or Mac Paint Pot anymore; they don't hold a candle to this and it's so much cheaper." — Chloe
Get it from Amazon for $14.65.
8. *And* the Thank Me Later face primer because the last thing you want is for your makeup to melt away as soon as you step outside. Not only does this primer absorb well into your skin, but it also ensures your foundation glides on as smooth as butter. It also offers an extra layer of sun protection with SPF 30!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
It comes in six formulas: blurring, color-correcting, illuminating, mattifying, light sheer glow, and tan sheer glow.
Promising review (for the mattifying): "I'm a makeup artist and makeup obsessed. I have combination skin with a super oily T zone. I. Am. Impressed. After applying (very smoothly, btw), I let it dry for a few minutes, and my foundation applied over it beautifully. I wear a long-wearing matte foundation, and this primer wears like a dream. I was outside at an event in 95-degree weather (directly in the sun), sweating profusely for hours, and my makeup still looks flawless after eight hours, no blotting!! This stuff is legit better than any other expensive prestige brand I've ever tried. It's totally worth a try and I'll be telling everyone I know about it." — Baller3
Get it from Amazon for $15.95+ (available in six formulas).
9. E.l.f.'s Power Grip Primer, a gel-based hydrating primer that will keep your makeup in place all 👏🏽 day 👏🏽 long 👏🏽. This primer also has a smoothing effect, reducing the appearance of pores and giving you a plush canvas for your makeup.
www.amazon.com
10. A light, silky Touch in Sol No Poreblem primer to create a base for your makeup that's satisfyingly smooth. If flaky patches and dryness are always ruining your look, this super hydrating primer will save the day; plus, it's great at minimizing the appearance of spots, blemishes, and pores. If that's not enough, the proof is in the orange — I mean the one below!
www.instagram.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I'm 44 and for the past four years my skin has been throwing a hissy fit. No matter what I tried my pores were screaming through my makeup. You know what I mean? Makeup sinking into the pores will turn any good foundation into a pool party on your face. Finally, a month ago I found this and it really works. I have combo-dry skin, weather depending and it doesn't make my skin oily. My foundation sets nicely over it (no sinking) and stays on for about eight hours before needing a touchup. And of course my pores...barely visible!!!! I'm happy!" — KPak
Get it from Amazon for $16.79.
11. A bestselling Rimmel London Stay Matte primer and setting spray with over 26,000 5-star ratings — this 2-in-1 gem can prep your skin *and* lock in your look with just a simple spritz! Reviewers love how it tames shine (aka it's an oily skin must-have); plus, when you're on the go, just toss it in your bag for a quick refresh anytime you need it!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"This spray works really well as a primer, helping my makeup go on evenly and last longer throughout the day. It's easy to use, dries quickly, and keeps my skin looking shine-free without drying it out. If you're looking for an affordable, reliable spray to lock in your makeup and control oil, this one is a winner!" — AmyG
Get it on Amazon for $5.97 (available in two sizes).
12. A Maybelline Baby Skin primer that helps smooth over acne scars and give your skin that airbrushed finish — one reviewer even refers to it as a Photoshop tool!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I used to use Cover FX Blurring Primer, but couldn't pay $40 for primer anymore so I started searching for [an alternative] and this is it! It is amazing. Your skin transforms in front of your eyes when you apply it. It's like a real-life photo filter, lol. It softens the appearance of your skin. Disappears fine lines and pores so makeup looks amazing. I also just wear without makeup to make my skin have a healthy look. I seriously love this stuff and can't say enough good things about it. A lot of makeup makes me break out but as long as I wash my face before bed, this does not bother my skin. Try it, you will not be sorry! If you are, you won't be out but a few dollars." — MDV1981
Get it from Amazon for $7.38.
13. DHC Velvet Skin Coat, an antioxidant-rich powder-gel formula that works overtime to absorb excess oil and leave your skin looking perfectly matte without drying it out. One reviewer raves that their makeup stayed put for more than *32 hours* without a single crack or need for touch-ups!
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I wore this after I moisturized, and it was smooth going on, mattifying my pores. My skin looked even more spectacular after applying foundation. I looked the way my makeup looked. Fresher, my skin clearer, like I had it professionally done. It's a glam squad in a tube. Should I trademark this saying? LOL. But it's great! Buy it." — Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $16.29.
14. Missha Glow Skin Balm so you can achieve that radiant glass skin effect. This primer not only preps your skin for makeup but also doubles as a moisturizer and luminizing cream — talk about multitasking!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I have been looking for a good primer that would keep my foundation hydrated throughout the day. And I have to say, Missha Glow is the solution. As you can see [above] it really makes my base so smooth. I have big pores, but this really smooths it out. I am wearing Tirtir cushion foundation on top with Laneige blurring powder. Great combo!!" — MICHEY ZAP
Get it from Amazon for $8+ (available in two sizes).
15. Benefit POREfessional, because this pore-minimizing primer has been a cult fave since the early YouTube days. Just a tiny dab goes a long way, which means you're getting serious bang for your buck — no wonder it's such a staple in so many people's makeup collections.
Sephora
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