The skin lingerie: the best primers

Primers! Or as once vogue called it ‘ the skin lingerie’. Because it will mattify, smoothen, minimize pores, hides flaws and make sure your makeup go on you smoothly. This one small quick step in your make up routine makes sure your make-up stays put all day! For me the primer-story began when after a drunken night of partying someone posted a good picture of me on social media. I’d sweat out most of my foundation so my friend (kind soul) edited it to B&W. When I asked her why she said my makeup was looking patchy so she did it for me. That got me wondering, what could I do to make sure my makeup stayed put and didn’t look like a layer on top of my skin 9trust me no amount of blending can do what a primer does!).

Also since it acts like a layer between the skin and makeup, a primer will contain the benefits of a skin care cream and act as a non-comidogenic that won’t block your pores / let your foundation clog your pores. So like always I took it onto myself to find the best primers out there, across a spectrum of prices for you!

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Primer Skin Transformer- A very affordable primer for mature skin. It really does rewind the age by minimizing big pores, wrinkles & fine lines, and leaving a dewy finish as opposed to a matte one which can make you look older.

NYX Pore Filler Primer / NYX Cosmetics Skin Elixir Balance Tea Tree Primer- NYX is on all my lists because its cruelty free. And affordable! These primers are great as they contain vitamin E, the first one is more for a normal-dry skin type, the tea tree one works wonders on pimple-prone oily skin. Otherwise also, tea tree oil is extremely beneficial for the skin! Although its better suited for fairer skin-tones so that’s a catch!

Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer- One of Smashbox’s most sold products, its has such a loyal following and sell-out rate that the brand has released more versions of it. This mattifying primer which has Vitamin A & E, has a silky texture and gives a focus finish.

Benefit POREfessional Face Primer- My personal favorite. Nothing works wonders on my pores like this one. This is Benefit’s iconic product and no primer listicle is complete without it. You have to use it to believe how silky it is. Plus it has a slight pigment to it so at times I just use it with some light-weight powder foundation and am good to go!

Chanel Le Blanc Brightening Makeup Base- Its mattifies, it makes the skin dewy, gives a flawless complexion by covering discoloration AND has spf 40! Works on wrinkles, fine lines, pores and is also weightless, has a hint of shimmer and has a comfortable smooth and silky texture. Worth your money!

Mac Prep n Prime- A classic product in every make-up artist’s bag. It comes in a variety of shades to go with your skin tone for maximum effect. It doesn’t just do what a primer does but being water-based product visibly reduces oiliness. Also, the green tea, chamoliie and cucumber extracts in it significantly reduce redness and really nourish the skin.

Lancome La Base Pro Primer- A very very very light formula in a very cool bottle with a pump. It is so light that a drop is enough to cover your entire face. In addition to doing what any great primer does, it also gives an instant glow and boost to your skin to make it look less tired! Which it does. So ladies, get out their purchase your primer as I found out one summer night, ‘ not to prime is a crime’. If you already have a basic one but are battling some specific issue you can go and find out your skin type and tone and pick a primer that addresses your concern. Don’t go for a dewy finish if you have oily skin and don’t go for a mattey one if your skin is very dry! A water based one will make your skin look fresher, pink ones will make your skin tone look bright, green-colored primers will help conceal acne. Dull purple/mauve ones will work on sallow skin undertones.