— BEAUTY
Importance And Benefits Of Primer While Doing Makeup
Why should you learn more about the benefits of primer? Yes, the minimalist trend is prompting some to streamline their beauty routines — but make an exception. If you want to enhance your daily makeup look, consider adding makeup primer to your routine.
Adding a primer to your makeup routine might actually allow you to save time and money down the line — while helping you achieve a more natural-looking and flawless face. If you’re new to makeup primer, you might be surprised to learn the many benefits this step could give both your skin and your makeup look.
Read on for all the reasons why you need to find the perfect primer for your skin type — and how it can help level up even your simplest or most basic everyday makeup looks.
Do You Need A Makeup Primer?
Even if you stick to a basic look most days, a good primer can help give you a flawless base.
How does it work? Most primers are made out of silicone polymers, which help smooth the surface of the skin. This unique formulation allows your base makeup (foundation, BB cream, or even just tinted moisturizer or sunscreen) to glide on smoother and more evenly, while also giving it something to adhere to for longer-lasting wear. Simply put, primer provides the smooth base that boosts the skin-beautifying powers of your chosen makeup.1
Benefits Of Using Makeup Primer Before You Apply Your Makeup
Newer formulations and primer types don’t just blur fine lines and smooth out the appearance of pores, which can affect that natural-looking and smooth surface you want. They may also help control excessive shine if you have an oily skin type — or add an extra layer of moisture to help combat dry skin.2
There’s a primer for every kind of person and purpose. Here are some of the more common formulations and their potential benefits.
Mattifying Primer
A mattifying primer is also known as your basic silicone-based primer. It forms a barrier between oily skin and your foundation or makeup base. This type of primer helps control oiliness, and it gives your makeup a better grip on the surface of your skin by helping to even out pores and fine lines.3
Hydrating Primer
Hydrating primers or water-based primers, in contrast, are well-suited for dry skin. Since makeup on dry skin is prone to creasing and settling into fine lines, a good hydrating primer (especially one fortified with water-packed skincare ingredients) may help give you more moisturized skin, helping to prevent dullness and giving you a healthy-looking canvas to work with.4
Color-Correcting Primer
Not only does primer help your makeup stay put longer, it may also help make your makeup look more even. The trick is to select a color-correcting primer depending on your specific skin discoloration issues.
- Try a green-tinted primer to help lessen the appearance of redness brought about by sensitive skin and natural blemishes.
- A pink-based primer may help liven up dull and tired-looking skin.
- Yellow color-correcting primer might help lessen the appearance of dark circles or discolored patches.5
Eyelid Primer
As a prone area for creasing or flaking, your eyelids could definitely benefit from a wash of eyelid primer before you put on your favorite eyeliner or eye makeup. This might help prevent smudging and keep your eye makeup flawless regardless of the hour or the varying temps.6
Lip Primer
Lip primers help keep your lips hydrated while increasing the wear and color payoff of your lipstick — whether you’re rocking a dark lip or a sheer, light color. Aside from lessening the chances of your lipstick cracking or feathering, some lip primer products may help even out your natural lip color — no more uneven patches of lighter color or darker color on your pout.7
Makeup Primers For Skin Care: Benefits
Interestingly, some newer makeup primers don’t just offer cosmetic benefits — their value goes beyond the surface of the skin. Some primers contain extra SPF to boost sun protection; others are fortified with added nutrients that do everything from help amp up moisture, lessen the appearance of dark spots over time, or help brighten your overall complexion from the inside out. These ingredients might contain antioxidants like vitamin E derivatives — known for helping to fight free radicals. Think of this primer as a makeup/skincare hybrid — it works twice as hard to help improve your skin — both instantly and long-term.8
How To Use Makeup Primer
You want to be sure you’re using your makeup primer correctly. Otherwise, you won’t be able to reap its benefits — and you’ll pay the price with makeup that doesn’t last. Here are some tips that ensure you’re putting on primer perfectly.
Apply Primer With Your Fingers
For full control over the amount you use and even application, use your fingers to lightly apply your primer. Use a dime-sized amount to start — depending on your skin, you may need a little less or more.9
Give It A Minute
Literally, give your primer some time to settle in. Wait a minute or two to let your primer work its magic before applying your base coat of liquid foundation (or any other type of foundation). A common mistake is rushing into makeup application, so your primer ends up smearing around and streaking your makeup — the complete opposite effect you were going for.10
Check Your Primer And Base Compatibility
This might take a little trial and error, but the end results are worth it. Some actives or elements in your skincare or makeup might not blend too well with the ingredients in your chosen primer. Try to do a little digging to see which formulations or brands work best (and why some are cult favorites for a reason).11
Tip: Silicone-based primer works well with silicone-based makeup bases, while water-based primers are especially compatible with water-based makeup. Check the ingredients of your makeup products to get a clearer idea of their composition.12
Keeping Things Basic And Beautiful With The Right Primer
Consider adding an extra, but extremely beneficial step to your skincare and makeup routine. Primer can help amplify both your skincare’s effects and your makeup’s look and longevity. Think of all the time you’ll save troubleshooting tricky makeup or retouching throughout the day. It’s worth it.
Even if you don’t wear a ton of makeup on the daily, a primer could be a good way to lessen the appearance of signs of aging — like large pores or fine lines — without having to layer on an extra ounce of makeup. Whether you’re a beauty newbie or a seasoned makeup maven, a good primer is a must-have.
Sources:
1. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/what-is-makeup-primer-do-you-need-it_n_5a3b390ae4b0b0e5a79f8680
2. https://www.allure.com/story/how-to-use-makeup-primer
3. https://www.byrdie.com/what-is-makeup-primer-and-do-i-need-it-346076
4. https://www.byrdie.com/what-is-makeup-primer-and-do-i-need-it-346076
.5 https://www.thefashionspot.com/beauty/786001-color-correcting-primers/#/slide/1
6. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/what-is-makeup-primer-do-you-need-it_n_5a3b390ae4b0b0e5a79f8680
7. https://www.elle.com/beauty/makeup-skin-care/g12843920/best-lip-primer/
8. https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/makeup-primers-for-skin-benefits
9. https://www.allure.com/story/how-to-use-makeup-primer
10. https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/makeup/a34483782/how-to-apply-primer/
11. https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/makeup/a34483782/how-to-apply-primer/
12. https://www.reviewthis.com/silicone-vs-water-based-primers/
