Think of primers as slinky lingerie for your foundation – the right primer will do the same for your make-up as the right underwear does for your skin-tight LBD. As the name suggests, these little wonders prepare your skin for foundation by creating a smooth, even canvas for better application and longer wear. Pick a primer according to your skin’s needs – look out for silica to save oily skin, mica to amp up the glow, and hyaluronic acid to plump up dry skin and fine lines.
DOs & DON’Ts
• Don’t use too much. All you need is a pea-sized amount of primer smoothed over your face.
• Don’t use it all over your face. Only apply the primer where you feel you really need it as an oil-control primer will dry out dehydrated areas of the face, and vice versa when it comes to radiance primers.
• Do use your fingertips. The warmth of your fingers will help to blend the product into your skin. Some primers need to be patted in, whereas others need to be rubbed in, so experiment to see what works best.
• Don’t apply foundation straight away. Allow the primer to settle into the skin for a few minutes by doing something else (such as your hair) before you apply the rest of your make-up.
• Do experiment with lid and lip primers too. These help prevent the colour from creasing and bleeding, and make eyeshadow and lipstick last a lot longer.
[Image by Sora Shimazaki via Pexels]
