The Best Primers for Your Skin Type


So many different primers are on the market now, but which ones are good? And which ones would actually make a difference to how your make up applies? Well, it starts with your skin type and what issues you have currently with your skin, for example, large pores, dullness, oiliness.. so first you need to work out what you're wanting from a primer. This is a list of some of the best primers I own and who I think these are best suited for.


Large Pores:
Revlon Photo Ready Perfecting Primer - £12.99
This is a silicone based primer that really does work to blur large pores. It has quite a thick consistency and you don't need to use a huge amount - normally two pumps is enough to cover my face. This doesn't cause my foundation to break up and it doesn't cause my skin to break out at all. Make sure you get this specific primer if you're going to try it, as they brought out another version (called Photo Ready Pore Reducing Primer) that is nowhere near as good.

The Body Shop Tea Tree Pore Minimiser - £9.00
If you have blemish prone skin as well as large pores, this is a fantastic primer, as the tea tree helps to combat breakouts. It does have a strong tea tree scent, but it smells and feels quite refreshing and cooling. This has a gel / lotion formula that sinks into the skin beautifully and really makes a difference to any large pores, leaving a blurred effect on the skin.

L'Oreal Infallible Pore Refining Primer Shots - £8.99
This primer is from L'Oreal's newer range of primers and has a very thin consistency, so I didn't think it would do much. However, this again, works really well for reducing pores and leaves your skin feeling very tacky to apply foundation onto. Again, this doesn't cause my make up to break down and my foundation applies nicely on top of it. 


Dullness: 
Natural Collection Hydrating & Radiance Primer - £2.99
This is a great affordable primer if you are on a budget. It has a slightly siliconey formula, but is almost more gel like than silicone. It sinks into the skin to leave a slight tackiness, which is great for making foundation stick. This gives a lovely glow to the skin without leaving it glittery, and even with a fuller coverage foundation, the glow still shows through!

L'Oreal Lumi Magique Primer - £9.99
They have brought out a different version of this now, in the 'Primer Shots' range, but I imagine it's going to be a similar formula. This is also a very thin, liquidy formula and gives your skin a more intense glow that the Natural Collection primer - it actually makes you look slightly metallic until you apply foundation over the top! Again, it doesn't make your face look glittery, just glowy, which is great for dull looking skin. 


Dry Skin:
Two Faced Hangover 3 in 1 Primer & Setting Spray - £27.00
This is a more pricey primer, compared to other primers I've tried, however, it is worth every penny. If you like coconut scents, you will love this. This is a primer and setting spray and I often use it for both. I don't have dry skin, but this as a primer feels very hydrating, has a lovely, fine mister and sinks into the skin quickly. As a setting spray, this leaves your skin looking dewy and helps the foundation to settle.

P.S Primer Water - £2.00
This is a great affordable alternative to the Smashbox Primer Water (which I also own and would recommend). It has a nice scent and leaves your skin feeling slightly tacky but also refreshed and hydrated. Most of my foundations apply really nicely on top of this. I love primer waters in general because they are so quick and easy to use and I feel like they wake you up in the morning!

Smashbox Photo Finish Primerizer - £30.00
This is a fantastic primer for any skin type, but it is particularly suited to people with dry skin, as it has a built in moisturiser as well as primer. It has a thin, lotion kind of consistency and sinks into the skin quickly. It feels very hydrating as well as prepping your skin nicely for foundation. This saves you a step in your skincare routine and is worth every penny! 


Oily Skin: 
CYO Matte & Blur Primer - £5.00
This is a great, affordable primer. It has quite a silicone feel to it, which is not usually my favourite but this one really does blur your skin, so it is also good for those with large pores. It keeps my oils at bay for longer than a lot of other primers that I've tried. This primer doesn't really have a scent to it and it leaves your skin feeling very soft and smooth.

Jouer Cosmetics Anti-Blemish Matte Primer - £22.00
I bought this primer a while back based on ThaTaylaa's recommendation. It contains salycilic acid which is great for combating break-outs or acne and it does keep my skin looking matte for longer throughout the day, without being drying or looking flaky. This has a gel / lotion like consistency as opposed to a silicone primer. 


Longevity of Make Up:
Maybelline Superstay Primer - £8.99
I'm really not a fan of the Maybelline Baby Skin primer, so I didn't think I would like this primer but it really does make a difference to how long your make up lasts. It has a thin consistency, leaves the skin feeling tacky and most foundations apply really nicely over the top. If you find your make up breaks down or transfers throughout the day, this primer could really help!

Max Factor Facefinity All Day Primer - £10.99
This is a primer that has been around for a long time and I do feel like it works to keep your make up in place for longer. It has quite a silicone feel to it, but it leaves your skin feeling very soft and smooth. It seems to work with most of the foundations I own and doesn't cause the foundation to break up at all. It does have a slight chemical scent to it but the scent does fade quite quickly. 

Sarah (aka. Pale Princess) x

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