If you sit down and go straight for your foundation—you’re doing it wrong. Sure, your makeup probably looks fine, but adding one of the best primers to your routine will make your coverage look better and last longer. “The primary function of a primer is to correct an issue,” says celebrity makeup artist Jennifer Fleming. “It can reduce redness, mattify, and improve the texture of the skin. Some primers will hydrate, some will color correct, and some act as an oil absorbing barrier between skin and foundation.” There truly is something out there for everyone and while an excess of options is a good problem to have, I’m the first to admit that the surplus can be a bit overwhelming.
To streamline your shopping, I've scoped out the top-rate face primers that money can buy and slathered them on my face. From cult-classic drugstore options that blur pores better than anything else out there to makeup artist-approved luxury buys that give an insane glow, here are the best makeup primers on the market.
What to Look For
Benefits
“Identifying the purpose for your primer is the easiest way to narrow down the bevy of options on the market,” says Fleming. For example, if you’re looking for a shine control primer, seek out mattifying formulas that include oil-absorbing ingredients like salicylic acid. Want extra luminosity? Opt for uber-hydrating options, or even a moisturizer-primer duo that will give your complexion some added glow.
Texture
“I prefer a primer with a creamy texture that dries and sets quickly, leaving a smooth, silky finish to the touch,” says Fleming. “This feature helps create a seamless foundation application by creating a smooth surface for skin products to adhere.” On the other end of the spectrum, you have primers that lean on the “sticky” or “tacky” side. They’re more of an acquired taste in the primer realm, but they can be effective at absorbing oil or creating a long-wear canvas.
Ingredients
The line between skincare and makeup is increasingly blurred—and primers are perhaps the most multi-purpose product out there. That in mind, most makeup primers are going to contain loads of skincare-like ingredients. “I often search for hyaluronic acid which helps skin retain moisture, resulting in skin producing less sebum, or oil. The great news is hyaluronic acid is friendly to all skin types so a primer emphasizing this ingredient will likely be universal,” says Fleming. After that, you’ll probably find a mix of hydrating, oil-absorbing, or radiance-boosting ingredients depending on the primer’s purpose.
The Best Makeup Primers
- The Best Glowy Makeup Primer: Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter
- The Best Drugstore Makeup Primer: e.l.f. Putty Primer
- The Best Blurring Makeup Primer: Tatcha The Silk Canvas Filter Finish Protective Primer
- The Best Long-Wear Makeup Primer: MILK MAKEUP Hydro Grip Primer
- The Best Lightweight Makeup Primer: Dior BACKSTAGE Face & Body Primer
“This has the friendly hyaluronic acid I mentioned before. It blurs texture, reduces shine, and fills in pores creating the smoothest canvas of skin, ‘primed’ and ready for glam,” says Fleming. With just a thin layer (feel free to apply it with your fingers), your skin is going to look plumper, firmer, and mattified. “Make sure you allow time for your moisturizer to absorb, then, with your fingertips gently blend byTerry Hyaluronic Hydra Primer over areas you’d like to filter.”
Pros: Makeup artist-approved; Hydrating; Blurring
Cons: Expensive
This is technically considered a “complexion booster,” but any beauty insider will tell you that it’s one of the best primers going. It’s tinted and you need to find your shade, but it’s by no means designed to provide coverage. Instead, it gives a glowy sheen that simultaneously brightens, blurs, and moisturizes. The secret sauce, so to say, is the brand’s glossy oil, which quite literally gives a glass-like finish wherever it’s applied. I always go for full face application, but you can be more strategic with your placement if you’re not doing heavy glam.
Pros: Glowy; Multi-purpose; Can be worn solo
Cons: Might be too sparkly for some
This primer is a catch-all. Regardless of your preference, skin type, or how much makeup you wear on the day to day, it’s going to do the job and do it well. It’s not overly glowy or matte, won’t feel sticky or wet upon application, and is going to create softer, silkier skin thanks to a blend of hydrating glycerin and shea butter. A thin layer will 100 percent make your foundation go on smoother, but don’t be afraid to rock this solo—it’ll give you a light luminosity and subtle blurred-skin effect.
Pros: Good for all skin types; Pretty when worn solo
Cons: Doesn’t increase lasting power
This Putty Primer comes in three different formulations so you can find the one that perfectly meets your skin's needs. There's a Poreless option that will leave skin looking blurred, an Illuminating option that gives skin a naturally radiant finish, and a Matte option that will keep oil at bay. Whichever option you choose, know that the silky formula smoothes over imperfections and promises to keep your makeup in place.
Pros: Affordable; Great grip; Options
Cons: Bit of a greasy texture
Beauty gurus on YouTube have sworn by Tatcha's Silk Canvas Protective Primer for years now, and it's 100 percent worth the splurge—especially if you're trying to blur out large pores. This velvet-like primer acts as a literal barrier between your skin and the rest of your makeup to keep clogged pores at bay and smooth over imperfections before you even have to apply any foundation. You can also swipe it on your eyelids; it doubles as an eyeshadow primer.
Pros: Smoothing; Good for acne-prone skin
Cons: Some say it gets greasy throughout the day
Calling all my people with oily and acne-prone skin! This primer is going to work overtime to both control your oil throughout the day and actually make your pimples disappear over time. It's formulated with salicylic acid, which is the MVP at unclogging pores and busting up blackheads, as well as witch hazel, which has astringent properties. To sweeten the appeal even more, it also features antioxidants and vitamins that offer blue light and antioxidant protection.
Pros: Skincare-first ingredients
Cons: Some report pilling
Milk Makeup's Hydro Grip Primer is a cult-favorite for a reason—it's the product you need for long-lasting wear. It has a sticky gel texture that quite literally grips onto foundation so it doesn't budge. The texture may take some time to get used to, but the formula is just about as good as it gets. Hyaluronic acid and cannabis seed extract provide hydration, blue agave extract locks in makeup, and niacinamide along with aloe water provide a dewy finish.
Pros: Grips foundation for long lasting wear; Hydrating
Cons: Can cling to pigment
Rihanna can do wrong, so it should come as a surprise that Fenty's Pro Filt'r Instant Retouch Primer landed on our "best primers" list. This particular product acts like Photoshop for your skin. It creates a filter-like finish before you apply makeup so that your pores look practically invisible. It has an oil-free formula that actually absorbs excess sebum so your skin stays shine-free from morning till night.
Pros: Absorbs oil; Smooths texture
Cons: Not hydrating enough for dry skin
Dior's BACKSTAGE line was created with makeup artists in mind. It's a do-it-all, works-on-everyone type of primer that won't let you down. It's extremely lightweight and doesn't suffocate the skin. Instead, it provides a luminous, even finish and delivers up to 24 hours of continuous hydration. Wear it alone for a natural-looking blurred effect or layer it under makeup for a truly flawless base. You can even put in on your legs or décolletage during the summer months for a little extra shine.
Pros: Works on everyone; Hydrating
Cons: Expensive
This gel primer from Rare Beauty is great for combination skin because it both keeps the skin hydrated thanks to the inclusion of hyaluronic acid and keeps your skin looking matte thanks to its shine-absorbing properties. Green tea also made it's way into the mix, which makes this a great option for anyone with stressed out or redness-prone skin. A little does go a long way here, so focus the product on areas that get extra shiny, like the T-Zone.
Pros: Good for large pores
Cons: Too heavy for some
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