For me, it's absolutely essential to put on a face primer before applying makeup. You wouldn't paint a wall without putting down a primer first, and the same concept applies to your face. There are primers that help with oil control, some that minimize pores and some that even out skin tone, but the main reason for using a primer is to provide a barrier between your skin and your foundation. In other words, it evens out the texture of your skin, your makeup goes on more smoothly and the wear is prolonged. There are some primers that have a very thick, almost whipped consistency, and then, there are some that are thinner and go on your face more easily. It's all a matter of preference as to which one you prefer. I have great products for each option, which you can find below.Face Primers
NYX Angel Veil Primer ($16.00)
Revlon Photoready Perfecting Primer ($9.99)
When you pump this primer out, it almost feels like it has too thick of a consistency. However, it effortlessly blends into your skin and feels surprisingly lightweight. This primer is best for blurring fine lines and minimizing pores. A little bit goes a long way with this, so just one pump is more than enough to cover your entire face.
Maybelline Master Prime Primers ($7.94)
For those of you who don't really need help in blurring fine lines or large pores (first of all, you go, Glen Coco!), the two primers that I mentioned above might be too thick for you. In that case, the Master Prime would be a better fit. There are three different variations of this primer: Blur + Smooth, Blur + Redness Control and Blur + Illuminate. All three have the same basic formulation, just with a couple minor differences that I'll mention in a second. First of all, I don't really understand why the word "blur" is in the name because I didn't notice it doing anything of the sort. What the lightweight primer does do, however, is hydrate and even out the texture of your skin so that foundation application is smooth and easy. I would recommend this primer for people with dry to normal skin because of the hydration aspect. On the other hand, since it doesn't mattify your face, people with oily skin might want to look elsewhere. The Blur + Redness Control has a slightly green tinge to it, so it helps neutralize the skin color of anyone that struggles with redness, without being overpowering. The Blur + Illuminate has a pinky, pearl-like finish, giving the skin a luminous and dewy look, which is great for people with dry skin.
Eyelid Primer
Wet 'n' Wild Take on the Day Eyeshadow Primer ($4.99)
For someone with oily skin, I've never found my eyelids to be all that oily. Because of that, eyeshadow creasing hasn't been a big problem for me. My fellow glammie, Bex, does have that problem, so putting on an eyeshadow primer is an absolute must. We found that this product is the best drugstore product of its kind to prolong your eyeshadow's wear, and to make sure that the color doesn't fade or crease on your eyelids. You do, however, have to use this product sparingly. If you put too much on, the opposite effect will happen and your shadow will crease almost immediately. The trick is to put a little bit on your lid, blend it well, and make sure you let it dry and set before you put anything on top of it. It doesn't exactly make your shadow look more vibrant, so that's why I would recommend using it in conjunction with one of the following eyeshadow bases.
Eyeshadow Bases
Eyeshadow bases are not to be confused with primers. Primers are made to prep your eye for shadow, and bases are designed to make the colors of your eyeshadow more vibrant. I have a couple of favorite bases from the drugstore.
Maybelline Color Tattoo Cream Gel Eyeshadow ($5.29 - $5.99)
NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil ($4.50)
TLDNR
OK, I know I can be really long-winded, so here's a little chart to help all you super busy people figure out which primer is best for you.
Face
Blurs Pores and Fine Lines
|
Mattifies Face
|
Smoothes Skin Texture
|
Brightens
|
Moisturizes
|
Light-weight
|
Neutralizes Redness
|
||
Angel Veil
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
||||
Photoready
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
|||||
Blur + Smooth
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
|||||
Blur + Redness Control
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
|||||
Blur + Illuminate
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
|||||
Eyes
Prevents Creasing
|
Prolongs Wear
|
Blocks Oil
|
Prevents Fading
|
Intensifies Color
|
|
Wet N’ Wild
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
|
Color Tattoo
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
|
Jumbo Eye Pencil
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
So, there you have it, the best drugstore primers on the market! Which ones are your favorites? Stay tuned for the next part of the series: Foundations. Happy shopping!
Glammie love!
Jaz
