Makeup Primers: Do You Need Them? Find Out Here!

Do you need makeup primers? To answer that in a nutshell, it depends.

So let’s get into what primers are and what they do if you’re a total makeup newbie.

Foundation primers do different things for different people. In general, they help to prep the skin so that your makeup looks better and/or lasts longer. They go on after you’ve cleansed, treated, and moisturized your skin and in general go on before you apply your foundation though *some* primers can be applied after your foundation. Some primers may provide SPF protection (though keep in mind, you have to use enough of the product—about a nickel-sized dollop—to get the full SPF listed on the packaging which can mean too much primer in some cases so keep that in mind), some provide extra hydration, some blur pores and fine lines, some add a luminous glow, some are mattifying, etc. But the thing is, some of your skincare might already be doing all these things for your skin and your foundation might also have properties that give you a matte, luminous, or dewy look. So should you be forking over the coins for an extra product in your routine that’s also going to take up extra space on your beauty counter? Well, let’s talk a little bit more.

I personally don’t wear foundation primers every time I wear makeup. I make sure my skincare (especially my moisturizer—read more in The Moisturizer Switch-Up) is right for the weather and the same for my foundation formula. For example, I have oily skin and I’d use a more hydrating moisturizer in the winter and one that might be more mattifying in the summer (ok, I SHOULD say a more hydrating moisturizer when the weather is colder and more mattifying when the weather is warmer because we have seen cold weather in the summer and warm weather in the winter…lol). The foundations I use tend to work in all-temperature situations. I may not need a foundation primer because I’m getting what my skin needs from my skincare and I make sure my makeup formulas are also in formation. I will wear a foundation primer if I know I’m going to be out all day and want to make sure my makeup lasts though. And most times when it’s hot out, I’m wearing a primer.

Another reason I might wear a foundation primer is if I want to give my skin a different look without having to change my foundation. I typically rotate between Cover FX Total Cover Cream, Cover FX Custom Cover Drops (pure pigment that has to be mixed with either face oil, moisturizer, primer), or now that it’s warmer out, I’ve put Cover FX Power Play Foundation into rotation as well. If I wanted to look more luminous in the dead of winter when wearing my Cover FX Total Cover Cream, I might use a luminous primer to get that look (I could also use a liquid luminizer, but we’re talking primer here). In the heat, I may use a mattifying primer to really ensure that my makeup stays matte for most of the day with touch-ups.

So, with all that said, do YOU need a foundation primer? Depends. LOL—I know I said that same thing in the beginning of the post, but it’s true! It really does depend on a number of factors that I described above. But instead of running to add another product to your stash, make sure that the reason your makeup isn’t going on or lasting the way you want isn’t because 1. you’re using the wrong skincare products for your skin type (find out how to start a routine here), 2. you’re wearing the wrong foundation (find out more about this in my Are You Wearing the Wrong Foundation Pt. 2 video), and 3. that you’re not properly blending your makeup (see more in my Makeup 101 series as well as my makeup tutorial videos).

I’ve reviewed a ton of foundation primers already, so if you’re looking for some to try, check out my archives here. I also have a ton of primers that came in that I will slowly review one by one. Make sure you’re subscribed to the blog so you don’t miss it.

(Find out more on these eyeshadow palettes here)

Now when it comes to eyeshadow primers and bases, if you’re using powder or cream eyeshadows of any texture, I do think it’s worth the investment to have an eyeshadow primer or base to ensure that it stays on all day without creasing or fading. Even some of the high quality eyeshadows are no match for oily eyelids. Liquid eyeshadows usually don’t require a primer since their formula dries down so it’s damn near bulletproof. Eyeshadow primers and bases are also great if you want to intensify the color of your shadows or their finish. So say for instance you’re wearing a matte bright pink shadow but you REALLY want that joint to POP, you can either use a white base underneath (jumbo white pencils are pretty common for that) or you can use a cream shadow or base in a similar color to really make it pop.

Do you use primer? Why or why not? Tell me in the comments!

Shop the primers seen in this post in the widget below:

(make sure you use the arrow to scroll through the entire widget as there is more than one page of product)