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Mattifying, pore-erasing, glow-enhancing, and refreshingly affordable.
Byrdie / Brian Kopinski
Often skipped or deemed unnecessary, primer keeps your look in place throughout the day.
It can mattify or add glow,blur pores, or even smooth out fine lines and wrinkles.
The ultra-silky texture works on every skin punch in, leavingoily skinmattified anddry skinhydrated and smooth.
PHOTO: Walgreens
Apply a few drops onto your bare face to instantly improve softness and smoothness.
We tried this particular shine-controlling option and can confirm it delivers.
That being said, if you have dry skin, you might find this one isnt hydrating enough.
Byrdie / Olivia Handcock
Applying a nourishing moisturizer underneath can help.
Use it all over or just on areas prone to excess sheen, like yourT-zone.
We love how hydrating the formula is, but it may be a little heavy for oily skin types.
PHOTO: Walmart
Dont be freaked by the pale green color of this primerits the secret weapon forminimizing unwanted redness.
(Green neutralizes red because the two colors fall opposite on thecolor wheel.)
Note that the formula can separate in the tube, so give it a vigorous mix before using.
PHOTO: Amazon
Just like a good primer can ensure your foundation stays put, alip primercan help lock lipstick in place.
Believe it or not, yourlashes can also benefit from a primer.
FYI, this formula goes on white, but that cast disappears once you layer on mascara.
PHOTO: Walmart
Just a heads up, the silicone-based formula might irritate sensitive skin.
This putty-style primer from e.l.f.
smooths bumps to create a more even surface for makeup utility, but it doesn’t stop there.
PHOTO: BLK/OPL
We were particularly impressed with how well our makeup held up even in sweltering summer heat waves.
However, some reviewers say this primer doesnt work quite as reliably on mature skin.
What to Consider When Buying a Drugstore Primer
The ideal primer depends on your goal.
PHOTO: Amazon
Primers can blur fine lines, hydrate, and color-correct.
For normal or balanced skin, youll probably want a primer that hydrates or blurs.
Primer is available in both clear and tinted varieties.
PHOTO: Walgreens
If youre unsure what shade is right for you, choose a clear option.
Whichever kind you prefer, a primers main job is to act like spackle.
Green primer is used to counteract redness in the skin.
PHOTO: Sephora
Its a great choice if you have acne, rosacea, or if your skin becomes red easily.
Youll want to only use green primer on the areas of your face where you are experiencing redness.
Moisturizer comes before primer.
PHOTO: Sephora
While studying for her degree in Journalism and Communications, Clare worked at makeup counters part-time.
2022;35(12):e15903.
doi:10.1111/dth.15903
Gupta M, Mahajan VK, Mehta KS, Chauhan PS.
PHOTO: Amazon
Zinc therapy in dermatology: A review.
Zinc Therapy in Dermatology: A Review.
July 10, 2014.
PHOTO: Amazon
Accessed August 19, 2024. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2014/709152.
PHOTO: Ulta
PHOTO: Ulta
PHOTO: Byrdie / Tamara Staples
PHOTO: Amazon
