6 Primers Our Editors Always Use Before Foundation

Primer may seem like an unnecessary step to some, but once you start using it, you’ll never look back. Primer can blur your pores to make your foundation glide on smoother, extend the life of your makeup and add a glow or mattify oily skin, depending on the formula you reach for. Keep reading for our favorite primers to wear under makeup. 

Urban Decay All Nighter Face Makeup Primer

This is the primer to reach for if you’re looking to make your makeup last all day. It leaves a subtle glow that hydrates dry skin but isn’t too shiny for oily or combination complexions, plus it smoothes the appearance of fine lines for a flawless foundation application. 

Lancôme Prep & Matte Primer 

Blot out shine with this smoothing, mattifying primer. The formula reduces the appearance of pores and fine lines so your foundation has an even canvas to cling onto, plus it reflects light so you won’t get a flashback effect in photos.

Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Hydrating Primer

Make your skin glow with this radiant, shea butter- and glycerin-infused primer. It hydrates, blurs imperfections and leaves behind a subtle radiance that flatters all skin types.

NYX Professional Makeup Pore Filler Primer Targeted Stick

Blur pores and minimize the appearance of fine lines with this tiny targeted stick. We love the compact size for easy touch-ups or applications on the go. The lightweight, translucent formula cuts down on shine without drying out your skin.

Maybelline New York Fit Me Matte and Poreless Mattifying Face Primer

Ideal for normal to oily skin, this primer blurs pores and mattifies for up to 16 hours. It also contains broad-spectrum SPF 20 to shield your skin from UVA and UVB rays. 

Milani Cosmetics Peach Glass Skin Primer

This peach-scented primer blurs imperfections and leaves skin with a dewy, radiant glow. Jojoba oil moisturizes dry skin while peach, lemon and ginseng extracts help brighten and even out your complexion.

Design: Hannah Packer

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