You use a primer with foundation by matching its function to your skin's needs and your foundation's formula, choosing hydrating primers for dry skin (water-based foundations) and mattifying/pore-blurring primers (often silicone-based) for oily skin to control shine, ensuring they are compatible for a smooth, long-lasting base. The general rule is water-based primer with water-based foundation and silicone-based primer with silicone-based foundation to prevent pilling.
6 Best Face Primers for a Smooth Canvas Every Time
As mentioned earlier, silicone-based formulas will contain some form of silicone within the top three ingredients. These are typically words that end in -cone or -siloxane. If you don't see any silicones early in the ingredients, and you do see water, it's likely a water-based formula.
The answer is, YES. So many people seem to believe that you cannot mix. "water-based" foundations with silicone based primers and vice versa because of pilling, and that the solution is to stick to like as formulas (i.e. silicone primer with silicone foundation & water-based primers with water-based foundations).
Using Too Little Or Too Much Product
Using too little primer may not deliver the long lasting power you desire, while using too much primer may cause foundation to slide instead of staying put on your skin.
Yes, using a hydrating or smoothing primer before foundation helps blur texture and extend wear. It creates a more even canvas, especially important for mature or textured skin.
👀✨ As a makeup artist, I focus on skin prep instead of relying on primer. When skin is properly hydrated and prepped, foundation applies smoother and lasts longer—no extra layer needed! Good Skin Prep Does the Job – Hydrating and moisturizing create the perfect base for makeup.
You can apply foundation without using a primer but creating a smoothing-effect barrier between your skin and makeup with primer will help the rest of your makeup to blend more seamlessly and can help to improve your look's longevity.
Our Top Primers for Mature Skin
For best results, use your fingers to apply primer. The warmth of your fingers will help the product melt into your skin for a smoother and more even application. Let the primer set for at least 30 seconds before applying makeup.
Thankfully, there's a few things you can do to stop makeup from settling in lines. Prepping your skin with lots of hydration is key. Lines deepen on dehydrated skin, increasing the chance that foundation will settle in them. Find a hydrating serum and moisturiser to help counteract this.
You don't need any brushes, sponges, or other beauty tools to apply primer—your own two hands will do the trick. Since this product is made to fill your pores, it's important to make sure that your hands are freshly washed to avoid clogging them with any extra dirt or oil from your fingertips.
Here's a quick overview of the correct makeup routine order you should follow:
Not only can you use it under your eyes, like Katie did to prime your concealer, you can also use it on your eyelid. as an eyeshadow primer. Look at that. Happy eye priming.
The Best Makeup Primers
Most projects where you're going over a previously-painted surface do not require the use of a primer. In many cases all you'll need to do is spot-prime any bare areas that need to be addressed before applying your finish.
Line BlurFector™ Instant Wrinkle Blurring Primer, Skin Primer to help blur and fill the look of wrinkles, Makeup Primer for Smooth Skin, 1 oz.
However, there are some downsides to using a primer, such as the additional time and effort required for proper surface preparation, and the possibility that some types of primers may require multiple coats to achieve the desired results.
This is because heavy makeup (particularly matte foundations) formulas can sit in wrinkles and creases causing them to look more pronounced. Instead, choosing a lightweight liquid foundation that looks more like a second skin, and applying it strictly only where you really need it, will give you a healthy radiant glow.
Press or Pat, Never Rub
The purpose of a makeup primer is a silky smooth base. So aways make sure you press or pat your primer—no matter the format—into the skin. Rubbing the primer could cause pilling, which defeats the purpose of scoring a clean, smooth, and never-textured base.
It's also crucial to consider the type of paint you'll be using. Oil-based paints require an oil-based primer, while water-based paints are best paired with water-based primers. Don't forget to opt for a high-quality primer, as it's the foundation of your paint job and can significantly impact the final outcome.
There's no single answer, but here are the usual suspects: Your skin wasn't prepped properly (moisturizer is not optional, babe) You're using too much product. You skipped primer (don't worry, we've all been there)