Smoothing Primers

Smoothing primers have become more and more popular in the cosmetic industry over the past few years. Still, many people avoid primers, mainly because they are not fully informed on what they do and who they are good for. Primers prevent the foundation from looking “cakey,” fill in fine lines, and reduce the look of large pores. They also help your makeup stay on longer throughout the day and can be used to even out skin tone.

Who is it good for?

Smoothing primers are ideal for people who wear makeup and are mainly marketed towards women in their thirties and forties—although, younger and older women may also use smoothing primers. After you apply your moisturizer, wait approximately five minutes for the product to be absorbed by the skin.

Next, take a small amount of primer and apply it to the skin gently, specifically in the under eye region. This makes the application of under eye concealer much easier. Next, apply your face powder, foundation, and concealer as you normally would. The presence of the primer helps even out your skin tone, meaning you may not need as much concealer or makeup, and also helps the makeup stay on longer throughout the day, reducing the number of times you need to make touch-ups. This in turn helps make your concealer or makeup last longer, ultimately saving you money.

Compare

There are many different types of primers, which can make it difficult when you are at the store trying to decide which one is best for you. The POREfessional Face Primer is ideal for camouflaging fine lines and large pores, and suits all skin types, although it is best for combination skin. While it does have a slight odor, it fills in large pores which prevents foundation or concealer from settling into them. While it doesn’t make pores disappear entirely, it does significantly minimize their appearance. Clinique Pore Minimizer Instant Perfector is another popular smoothing primer. It dries to a matte finish and is extremely soft and lightweight. While it isn’t as smooth as some of its competitors, it has no odor and is best suited for people with oily skin or combination skin. It is also relatively cheap at only $18 for half an ounce. Many people dislike gel primers because of their tendency to slide, but MAC Mattifying Gel is an exception to this rule. It stays in its place and is ideal for people with oily skin thanks to its smooth matte finish which controls, and even reduces, the amount of oil on your face. Palladio Herbal Face Primer is another popular gel primer because it helps moisturize the skin while preparing it for foundation. It sells at only $12 for two-thirds of an ounce and helps reduce the look of pores while filling in fine lines and treating the skin. It should be used by people with combination or dry skin, however, because of its tendency to glide on oily skin. Lastly, try the Too Faced Primed and Poreless Skin Smoothing Face Primer. It is relatively expensive at $30 for an ounce but is clear and silicon-based, which makes it the perfect primer for sensitive skin types. It is one of the best smoothing primers on the market.