TOP 10 BEST MAKE UP PRIMERS
One of the first things you learn when painting is to always treat the canvas before you get going. This protects the fabric, covering any cracks and provides a nice even surface for your colour. Masterpieces that haven't been through this process don't tend to last as long – a theory that also extends to when applying your make up too.
Cue: the best make up primers.
Designed improve the longevity of your foundation, concealer, contour and everything in between, applying a primer is an often-overlooked step that makes a big difference. Doing much more than just keeping your cosmetics in place, the best make up primers work overtime to tackle a range of skin concerns – from reducing the appearance of redness, fine lines and pores to blurring imperfections, banishing dryness and so much more.
With that in mind, we went ahead and rounded up the best make up primers so you can ensure your cosmetic creation stays put all day (and night) long.
OUR TOP 10 MAKE UP PRIMERS
- Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer
- Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer
- Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'R Instant Retouch Primer - Soft Matte
- bareMinerals Prime Time Redness Reducing Primer
- MAKE UP FOR EVER Step 1 Primer UV Protector SPF 50+/PA +++
- Guerlain Parure Gold 24K Radiance Booster Perfection Primer
- NARS Light Reflecting Hydrating Primer
- Urban Decay All Nighter Face Primer
- ICONIC London Underglow Blurring Primer
- VIEVE’s Skin Nova
BEST MAKE UP PRIMERS
Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer
5
15.80€
4
478
20.30€
95
15.80€
3
31.60€
29.30€
1
Holding the title for the best make up primer is Milk Makeup’s Hydro Grip Primer. Going above and beyond its call of duty, this everyday essential not only preps your skin, but keeps your cosmetics locked in all day long. Packed with hemp-derived cannabis seed extract and aloe vera, it provides your complexion with a burst of moisture and forms a sticky base that grips foundation to ensure a smooth finish. Impressive, we know.
Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer
69
25.90€
Renowned for its ability to create a smooth, even canvas, Hourglass’ Veil Mineral Primer enhances the appearance of your base. Lightweight and oil-free, this mineral-based formula features SPF15 to provide essential sun protection while blurring your complexion, concealing redness and minimising the appearance of pores. Oh, and did we mention it repels water too? Meaning your look will withstand even the most extreme weather conditions…or emotions.
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'R Instant Retouch Primer
31.64€
Working seamlessly on all skin tones and types, Fenty Beauty's Pro Filt'R Instant Retouch Primer prolongs your cosmetic creation – without compromising on comfort. Infused with a blend of good-for-skin ingredients, this must have hydrates while controlling oil and shine, leaving you with a balanced, shine-free finish. So, whether you’re going for a natural look or full glam, this signature staple ensure your make up stays fresh from day to night.
bareMinerals’ Prime Time Redness Reducing Primer
2
36.16€
Searching for the best make up primer to conceal the appearance of redness? Let us introduce you to bareMinerals’ Prime Time Redness Reducing Primer. Specifically designed to calm, comfort and balance your skin, this boastful blend melds aloe vera, chamomile and a plethora of natural minerals to soothe irritation while preparing your skin for long-lasting colour wear.
MAKE UP FOR EVER Step 1 Primer UV Protector SPF 50+/PA +++
35.03€
Simplify your routine with MAKE UP FOR EVER’s Step 1 Primer UV Protector SPF 50+/PA +++, a hybrid hero dreamt up to defend against signs of sun damage and reveal enviable radiance. Supercharged with cactus flower and rose extract, this multitasking marvel boosts hydration for up to eight hours while providing powerful broad-spectrum sun protection against harmful UVA and UVB rays. Now, who said one product, couldn’t do it all?
Guerlain Parure Gold 24K Radiance Booster Perfection Primer
1
72.32€
Bring a touch of luxury to your prep work with Guerlain’s Parure Gold 24K Radiance Booster Perfection Primer. Enriched with (you guessed it) 24k gold, this famed formula ensures 24 hours of hydration – leaving your complexion with a long-lasting, illuminous glow. What’s more, inspired by the colour wheel, it's also available in an array of different hues that colour correct depending on your specific undertone.
NARS Light Reflecting Hydrating Primer
3
49.72€
Bestowing translucent coverage, NARS's Light Reflecting Hydrating Primer takes your luminosity to the next level. Locking in make up for a look that lasts for up to 12 hours, this base-booster utilises the brand’s Hydra Priming Complex to form a veil over the skin that allows you to swipe on colour smoothly. Complete with light-reflecting ingredients, this go-to helps to create a glowing finish – sans being too heavy or greasy.
Urban Decay All Nighter Face Primer
10
30.50€
A magnet for make up, Urban Decay’s All Nighter Face Primer keeps your work of art freshly applied until you decide otherwise. Whether you're working a nine-to-five or staying up from dusk ‘till dawn, this fan-favourite works in the same way as its iconic setting spray, by smoothing and hydrating. And, now available in a travel-friendly proportion, you complexion is covered no matter where you end up.
ICONIC London Underglow Blurring Primer
41
28.25€
Marrying skin care and make up, ICONIC London’s Underglow Blurring Primer is powered by the ultimate skin-brightening agent… yes, we’re talking about vitamin C. Revealing radiant results from the first drop, this illuminating elixir is crafted with ultra-delicate champagne pearls and artemisia capillaris (a Japanese plant extract that wards of blue light exposure) to prep and prime your face for a lit-from-within finish you’ll be proud of.
VIEVE Skin Nova
115
14.60€
Last, but by no means least in our lineup of the best make up primers is VIEVE’s Skin Nova. Made to improve the longevity of make up or to elevate your natural radiance, this glow-giver calls on brightening and barrier-boosting niacinamide, soothing beta glucan, firming orchid extract and hydrating rose water. The result? A dew-drenching, fresh-faced finish.
BEST MAKE UP PRIMERS FAQS
Do make up primers really work?
In short, yes. The best make up primers crease a smooth base, helping your make up to be applied more evenly and last longer. Most primers also have a secondary benefit, addressing specific skin concerns depending on their formulas – think everything from reducing the look of fine lines and pores to hydrating and mattifying your complexion.
How do I choose the best primer?
Selecting the best make up primer for you depends on your skin type and the finish you're aiming for. A case in point? If you have oily skin the best primers would be a mattifying iteration as it controls excess oil and keeps your make up from sliding off. However, if you have sensitive or redness-prone skin a colour correcting option will neutralise your tone.
Do you put sunscreen or primer first?
You should always apply your sunscreen first, before your primer. Start by layering on your sunscreen to protect your skin from UV rays. Leave it to absorb fully (this could take around 1-5 minutes) and then apply your primer.
And there you have it, now you know about all the best make up primers, it’s time to prep you canvas and create your very own magnum opus.
Cult Beauty’s Senior SEO Copywriter, Trifonia started out in the industry when bold brows were just becoming a ‘thing’, and shares a passion for all things fashion and beauty. Currently embracing her curly girl journey (after endless years of straightening her strands), she is finally reverting to her natural ways! When Triffy isn’t busy testing out the latest curl-saving solutions, you’ll find her binging the latest reality TV show or on a long walk listening to her ever-evolving country music playlist.
