Ace Your Base With These Primers

Perfect Your Complexion With A Multitasking Primer

If you want your makeup to last, don’t skip this step — a great primer with skincare benefits is the foundation of every look.

If you want your makeup to last, using a great primer is key. Beyond mattifying the skin, blurring texture and minimizing the look of pores, today’s primers come in a multitude of formulas for different skin types: dry, oily, sensitive, acne-prone, you name it. They also boast a myriad of skincare benefits, employing ingredients like nourishing plant oils and hydrating hyaluronic acid to smooth, soothe and nourish the skin all day and night. Here are great primers for flawless, photo-ready skin, whatever your complexion goal.

The Goal: High-wattage luminosity

The Primer: Revolution Glass Skin Primer

Inspired by the world of K-beauty, this glossy primer mimics the covetable “glass skin” effect that a painstaking 10-step skincare routine produces. Worn under makeup, it imparts a lit-from-within quality to the skin; dabbed on top of foundation, this gel-serum hybrid creates a stunning wet-effect highlight that’s practically visible from the stars. You’ll be hooked on the fresh, so-dewy-it’s-practically-reflective finish it delivers.

The Goal: Maximum moisture

The Primer: Milani Rose Lotion Primer

If you’re on the hunt for a primer that creates a smooth surface for makeup by maximizing moisture, opt for this glow-enhancing formula. Infused with soothing rose oil and rose stem cells, this lightweight primer softens the look of fine lines and pores for a filter-like effect, while hyaluronic acid lends a dewy dose of hydration, making it ideal for those who lean toward the drier side.

The Goal: Pollution protection

The Primer: Nude By Nature Perfecting Primer

A smoother, more even complexion is on the horizon with this creamy, silicone-free multitasker that glides onto skin with ease. Featuring antioxidant-rich vitamin A and E, Australian kakadu plum and green tea, it shields against environmental aggressors and acts like a bridge between your skincare and makeup. Plus, it’s safe for sensitive types.

The Goal: Soft-focus skin

The Primer: NYX Professional Makeup Marshmallow Smoothing Primer

This light-as-air primer promises a total skin reboot by blurring lines and rough texture, enhancing luminosity and evening out tone with a single dollop. And don't be fooled by its rosy hue: the silicone-free formula vanishes into the skin and dries down to a transparent finish, making it suitable for all skin tones and keeping foundation looking fresh for up to 16 hours.

The Goal: Velvet-smooth texture

The Primer: Physicians Formula Butter Believe It! Putty Primer

Silky as a moisturizer, this complexion-boosting balm is loaded with skin-softening botanical butters extracted from the seeds of murumuru, cupuaçu and tucuma trees from the Amazon. Velvety in texture and undeniably luxurious, it fills in lines and pores with zero cakiness and helps foundation to blend onto skin seamlessly. Warm a small amount between your fingers and pat all over your face to achieve an otherworldly veil of plush hydration.

The Goal: T-zone balancing

The Primer: ELF Putty Primer Trio

If your level of oiliness varies on different areas of your face, opt for this trio of pore-minimizing primers geared towards smoothing, mattifying and luminizing where you need it most. Apply the Poreless Putty Primer on areas where pores are most visible, like the nose and cheeks, the Matte Putty Primer on oily spots like the T-zone (chin and forehead), and the Luminous Putty Primer on your cheekbones, browbones and cupid’s bow for a touch of glow.

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