The Best Makeup Primers for a Flawless Finish
The key to flawless makeup is all in your skin prep—a smooth canvas allows your products to glide on effortlessly and stay all day. Makeup primers are a must have in your base routine and can make all the difference between a gorgeous, long-wearing complexion and one that transfers, fades, or separates.
To find the best makeup primers, we compared dozens of products while considering ingredients, finish, base, and price. We chose a range of primers to suit different skin types and finish preferences, from smoothing silicone formulas to grippy primers for all-day wear. We also spoke with professional makeup artist Kasey Spickard for expert insight on finding the best makeup primer for you.
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This primer features quality ingredients with skincare benefits, like hyaluronic acid.
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The amount of product in the full-size bottle is small, so you may need to repurchase frequently.
The Rare Beauty Pore Diffusing Primer is a versatile pick that extends your makeup wear time for long-lasting glam. The silicone base reduces the appearance of pores, so makeup lays flawlessly on your skin. Other standout ingredients include hyaluronic acid to hydrate and condition, plus green tea extract and vitamin E soothe and protect your skin from environmental stressors like pollution.
This primer does more than lock in makeup: It also minimizes the appearance of fine lines and decreases oil production throughout the day, according to the brand. Because this primer uses a silicone base, we recommend combining it with silicone-based cosmetics.
Finish: Matte | Base: Silicone | Size: 0.50 and 0.94 ounces
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A small amount of product goes a long way.
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This product does not come with an applicator or pump, so it may not be as sanitary.
No need to go over budget when shopping for a quality makeup primer—e.l.f. boasts drugstore prices with the performance of luxury cosmetics. Incidentally, their 16HR Camo Concealer is also one of our favorite drugstore concealers. The Poreless Putty Face Primer is an affordable water-based pick that creates a smooth, even-textured complexion under your go-to base routine. Though the base is water, the formula also includes silicone to smooth and blur your skin. While it won’t get rid of your pores, it will minimize their appearance. Formulated with vegan squalane, this drugstore primer helps you achieve a natural, poreless finish without becoming overly matte.
While the formula applies beautifully with just your fingertips, it may not be the most sanitary method for repeated application, as your fingers can harbor bacteria. We recommend washing your hands before application or using a makeup spatula to take the product from the container.
Finish: Natural | Base: Water | Size: 0.74 ounces