Primers are an incredibly popular pre-step to foundation application. Foundation primer creates a smooth surface for foundation or tinted moisturizer, filling in pores and fine lines so your foundation doesn't. You'll find your foundation will seem to melt onto your skin, rather than sit atop it when you apply a primer first.
While some experts admit moisturizer works almost as well as primer, we are addicted to ours. Here's a rundown of the best foundation primers on the market.
A hands-down favorite of beauty blogger Ann Gugliotti at
http://www.blogdorfgoodman.blogspot.com/ Blogdorf Goodman, Smashbox's Photo Finish Foundation Primer provides a flawless base for foundations and tinted moisturizers. In a write-up in Allure Magazine, Gugliotti says she loves that the primer contains silicone so it feels light and velvety. It was the ultimate favorite in primer tests she conducted for her blog.
More than 300 people reviewed Clinique's Pore Minimizer Instant Perfector on
Makeupalley.com and of those, 75% would buy the product again. One of the favorite primers on Makeupalley, Clinique's product is beloved by users for it's silky texture and matte finish. Many testers even claim it magically made their pores disappear. While products can fill in pores, nothing will make your pores disappear. But with claims like these, who wouldn't want to try it?
This is my hand-down favorite foundation primer. I've been using Laura Mercier's Foundation Primer for a couple years now. I love the way it glides on smoothly (again silicone in these primers is fabulous) and fills in all fine lines, wrinkles and obvious pores. I suggest exfoliating at least once a week to get rid of any scalies. Even the best primers will sit atop dead, scaly skin. And that's not pretty.
A good primer will not only help foundation glide on smoothly, but it will help keep it in place for a full day, until you wash it off at night. MAC's foundation is another great primer that's actually pretty affordable as far as department store brands go.
The Grande Dame of primers, Chanel's Blanc Universelle is one of those rare beauty products that seems almost magical. Worn under foundation, it not only fills in pores and lines, but helps conceal ruddy skin tones. At this price, it wouldn't last long if it wasn't worth the money. It's one of Chanel's top products.
Sephora brand products are a great bargain and this primer is no exception. A great basic primer that's popular with testers on Makeupalley.com.
