The best makeup primers you tin buy

the best makeup primers

Too faced

When you lot buy through our links, Insider may earn an affiliate committee. Acquire more.

  • Makeup primer is i of those steps you lot might be tempted to skip, simply you'll be happier with your foundation awarding if you don't.
  • Information technology tin can help brand your makeup apply more smoothly and last longer, and depending on the formula, can as well help mattify and decrease the appearance of large pores.
  • Stila's One Step Correct is our top pick because it makes skin tone look more fifty-fifty too equally keeping foundation in place all twenty-four hour period.

Primer tin seem like a gimmick, but I hope information technology isn't. The step adds a cumulative 30 seconds to your routine only makes a globe of divergence in your makeup application whether you habiliment foundation or not.

Just, at that place are and then many options out in that location. Choosing a primer can quickly become overwhelming if yous're wandering effectually the beauty alley unprepared. In that location are ones that mattify, hydrate, illuminate, blur pores, and more. How can you lot ever pick just ane?

There are ii important things to keep in mind when shopping for a primer — your skin type and base makeup preferences. People with oily skin might gravitate toward mattifying or pore-blurring primers, while those with dry peel might prefer hydrating or radiant primers. Fifty-fifty those who don't wear foundation can benefit from primer to go along other products like eyeshadow in place, particularly if your makeup does the Slip 'Northward Slide before your commencement loving cup of coffee.

This breakdown of the best makeup primers I've personally tested will aid you narrow downwardly the sea of options to find your ane perfect pick.

Here are the best makeup primers you can buy in 2020:

  • All-time makeup primer overall: Stila One-Stride Correct
  • Best radiant primer: Becca Backlight Priming Filter
  • Best moisturizing primer: Likewise Faced Hangover RX Replenishing Face Primer
  • Best solid primer: Tatcha Silk Canvas Primer
  • Best blurring primer: Benefit POREfessional Face Primer

Updated on 2/13/2020 past Ashley Phillips: Swapped in Stila One-Step Correct as the all-time overall primer, Tatcha Silk Canvas as the all-time solid primer, and Benefit POREfessional Face Primer as the best blurring primer after several months of testing each.

The all-time makeup primer overall

Ulta Dazzler

Stila'southward I-Pace Correct is the ultimate all-in-one product that makes your peel tone look more even, so you can skip the foundation altogether if you want.

I've tried dozens of makeup primers over the years, from fancy prestige brands to drugstore finds, and I can confidently say that Stila's One-Stride Correct is the best. Admittedly, I was skeptical to try it equally starting time because I didn't love the idea of rubbing bright colors all over my confront. But, I quickly constitute that it goes on transparent and absorbs quickly — with no streaks of dark-green or purple left behind.

What makes this primer stand out among the many others is that it'due south really a multitasking product, which is ever welcome news for anyone (myself included) who wants to cut down the steps in their daily routine. The three-in-1 formula hydrates pare with vitamins and minerals, evens out your complexion with color-correcting pigments, and preps skin for makeup so that foundation stays fresh longer.

In fact, I've found that the color-correcting benefits piece of work so well that oft I don't even need foundation at all. The primer has been i of Stila'southward best-sellers for years, and has racked up over 50,000 loves on Sephora — I'm not at all surprised because, to put information technology but, it works. Read my total review here.

Although designed for all peel types, Stila also has a version called 1-Step Prime that'due south a great option for oily complexions.

Pros: Lightweight, neutralizes redness, three products in 1

Cons: Can exist used for multiple purposes, so it goes quickly

The best radiant primer

Becca

Don't let the intense luminosity scare you off — Becca Backlight Priming Filter gives you lot a gorgeous, natural glow that shines through foundation.

I don't know what kind of fairy dust they're working with at Becca Cosmetics HQ only these people know about glow.

The Becca Backlight Priming Filter is the outset primer I ever wanted to write poetry nearly. It makes my complexion expect healthy and bright, whether worn alone or under foundation or tinted moisturizer. Unlike with some of our other picks though, this one didn't extend my foundation article of clothing-time.

I tend to gravitate toward this primer in the wintertime when my skin is feeling dull or on occasions when I'chiliad wearing fuller coverage foundation. Just one pump blurs imperfections and imparts the well-nigh natural champagne-colored luminosity to the skin.

The radiance comes from Filtering Luminescent Pearls that diffuse light and add subtle shimmer — not glitter. The formula as well contains nourishing vitamin E.

With a 4.2 star rating on Sephora based on ane,300+ reviews, this is a fan-favorite primer that has been featured on Best Products, Cosmopolitan UK, Vogue UK, and Women's Health, among other publications.

Pros: Beautiful natural glow, can exist worn solitary or with foundation, cruelty-gratis, paraben-gratuitous

Cons: Has a stiff olfactory property, doesn't extend foundation wear-fourth dimension

The best moisturizing primer

Too faced

Quench your thirst with the hydrating, coconut water-infused Too Faced Hangover Rx Replenishing Face Primer.

Dry patches and overall aridity are the blight of anyone'southward existence. Enter Too Faced Hangover Rx Replenishing Face Primer — a super-light moisturizing primer that plumps skin and keeps makeup looking fresh all day.

I reach for this when I'm doing my makeup several hours after applying skin-intendance products to give my skin an extra shot of moisture. If you accept dry out skin, y'all'll probably desire to use it on the daily. It's hydrating without existence greasy, so you can use it nether matte base products without disrupting the finish, though people with oily pare might adopt our mattifying selection more.

Another plus is the travel-friendly packaging. The primer is housed in a flexible tube with a pump on the end. The blueprint prevents spillage in transit and also makes it very difficult to accidentally dispense too much, thus cutting down on waste matter. The cruelty- and silicone-free formula is packed with coconut water and probiotics to keep your complexion happy.

"New favorite face primer!" writes i Sephora reviewer. "It is the smoothest thing I have always put on my skin, feels astonishing. Information technology is super hydrating and my makeup goes on beautifully and prolongs it so well!" Nevertheless non convinced? At that place are nearly 3,000 other reviews and mentions in Women's Health, Cosmopolitan UK, Women's World, and Best Products.

Pros: Moisturizing, silicone- and cruelty-gratuitous, travel-friendly pump packaging

Cons: Strong coconut scent, not ideal for oily skin

The best solid primer

Sephora

Tatcha's Silk Canvass Primer is a solid balm primer that lives upward to the hype. It melts onto your fingertips, gives pare a pearly glow, and is a perfect travel companion.

The idea of a solid makeup primer might seem odd, but there are actually a few reasons why you lot might want to consider one. The balm blueprint is especially portable, so you can proceed information technology in your handbag without worrying about spills, and it won't contribute to your liquid count when passing through TSA.

Tatcha'south Silk Sail is probably the almost-hyped of all, with 156,000 loves and 3,000 reviews on Sephora. To be completely honest, I didn't call up I'd like it, but it melted into a liquid on my fingertips instantly, and had a really nice silky texture that glides right onto peel. The soft experience comes from silk extracts and silk powders that minimize pores and make skin appear smoother overall. The Silk Canvas as well contains anti-pollution ingredients and Japanese superfoods — a Tatcha signature — that lend a radiant glow.

Something to notation is that the container is adequately small, and so yous might exist surprised the kickoff time you see it, but a little production goes a long manner. Overall, it does its job of keeping makeup from fading every bit fast, while making pare await more luminescent, too.

Pros: Luxe ingredients, silky feel, great for travel

Cons: Pocket-sized, expensive, needs to warm upwardly before applying

The best blurring primer

Ulta Beauty

Do good's POREfessional primer is a longtime favorite that gives skin a truly matte finish, prevents shine, and tin can be used with both powder and liquid foundations.

If polish is one of your biggest concerns, then you'll likely find a new favorite in Benefit'south POREfessional Primer. It's been around for years, and continues to be a favorite for its oil-free formula that gives skin a truly matte finish. Like the name implies, it likewise minimizes the advent of pores to get you closer to the goal of an airbrushed look.

The starting time time I used this primer, I was slightly concerned when I saw that it was tinted. But, whatsoever worries quickly macerated as I found it'due south much more translucent once you really put it on. I was also pleasantly surprised to see that it soaks upwards quickly and leaves you with a soft feel that pairs well with powder foundation. Since I oftentimes use pressed compacts over liquid foundation, primers can create a glutinous mess, but this i lets me easily go between both.

I matter I'd change is the thick consistency of the formula. Information technology's difficult to spread, and I often find that I need two-to-three times as much as other primers. Still, it'south worth the purchase for anyone who prioritizes smoothen-control or wants a blurred, poreless await.

Pros: Matte stop, oil-costless, silky experience

Cons: Doesn't spread easily

Features Insider Picks 2019 Insider Picks Guides