If you struggle with foundation, tinted moisturizer, or concealer looking streaky, patchy, or uneven, a primer may be the thing that changes your makeup game. Not only can it make applying your face makeup easier, face primer ensures makeup won’t budge through even the longest days.
When it comes to how to apply primer, how to choose which kind is best for you, and the advantages and disadvantages, we’ve got you covered:
“Primer creates a smooth canvas for your makeup,” says celebrity makeup artist Jamie Greenberg. “It also keeps your makeup in place, keeps it from moving, [and] can keep it matte or luminous,” depending on the formula and your skin.
Not only does it give you an even base, it also helps lock everything else in. “Primer is like a layer of protection to go over your skincare,” says Camara Aunique, celebrity makeup artist and founder of Camara Aunique Beauty. “It creates a shield between your skincare and your makeup so that your skincare is still doing the work it’s supposed to do.” Primers can also help minimize the appearance of pores and extend your makeup’s wearing power.