We Reviewed Urban Decay's New Complexion Primer Collection

At Skincare.com, we are all about makeup that doubles as skin care… which is why makeup primers are at the top of our beauty must-haves list. So, when cult-classic beauty brand, Urban Decay sent us complimentary samples of their fabulous makeup primers to test and review on behalf of our readers, you bet we were all about it. See what we thought—plus, find out why you need primer (and how to apply said primer) in your makeup routine—ahead.

If makeup primers are a foreign concept to you—aka you often find yourself asking whether or not you actually need a makeup primer in your beauty routine—you’ll want to pay attention to what we’re about to tell you. Cross between skin care and makeup, primers aren’t just clear (or, sometimes nude) formulas that you slap onto your complexion for no reason. From skin nourishing formulas to blurring abilities to anti-aging benefits that can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, makeup primers are chalked full of stellar beauty benefits. In addition to their skin care benefits, they can help create the perfect blank canvas for makeup application and can even increase the longevity of your foundation, eyeshadow, bronzer, and other beauty products.

Now that we’ve covered why you should be using a makeup primer in your beauty routine, let’s discuss how to actually use it. The first step in priming is prepping. Before you go to town with your primer, you’ll want to ensure that you remove dirt and impurities  off your skin with a facial cleanser, or a rinse-free micellar water. After your complexion is clean, go through the motions of your usual morning skin care routine—i.e. toner, serum, moisturizer, and SPF—before reaching for your primer.

Once your skin feels cleansed and hydrated, squirt a pea-sized amount of primer onto the back of your hand—don’t get too crazy, a little goes a long way—and use a clean beauty blending sponge to apply it to your skin. Just like foundation, you’ll want to start in the center and work your way out, using gentle circular motions and blending outwards as you go. Be sure to pay close attention to the nooks and crannies of your face and neck to ensure smooth, even coverage. And if you have a separate eyelid primer—like Urban Decay’s Eyeshadow Primer Potion—gently pat it onto your lids. Lastly, always wait for your primer to dry before applying your #MOTD.

With that squared away, let’s move onto our Urban Decay Primer reviews.

If you’re looking for a color correcting makeup primer that features encapsulated pigments that adjust to your skin tone, look no further than Urban Decay’s Self-Adjusting Complexion Primer. Formulated to instantly blur flaws for a soft-focus effect and make your makeup last all day, this lightweight primer can help you put your best face—and makeup application—forward. On top of that, the primer can even fill in fine lines and control excess shine for a more flawless-looking complexion.

Why We Love It: At Skincare.com, we are all about color correction—especially when we can color correct our complexions in one step with a primer like Urban Decay’s Self-Adjusting Complexion Primer. In addition to instantly blurring flaws and promoting long-lasting makeup, this color correcting makeup primer touched on many of our skin concerns—read: excess shine, fine lines, imperfections—and left our complexions looking and feeling like velvet.

Urban Decay Self-Adjusting Complexion Primer, $34 MSRP

For those with oily or combination skin types, you know how frustrating shiny skin can be—especially when it comes to makeup application. But, with Urban Decay’s De-Slick Complexion Primer you can control your shine for up to eight hours, minimize the look of pores, and smooth the skin for a more flawless-looking complexion. What’s more? The mattifying makeup primer is formulated with conditioning ingredients like aloe vera for lightweight hydration, too. 

Why We Love It: Combination skin types require skin care and beauty products that can help control oil and shine, provide lightweight hydration, and more. What we love about Urban Decay’s De-Slick Complexion Primer is not only can it control shine and smooth out the look of the complexion, it can mattify the skin, too! The results? Skin that appears balanced and ready for makeup application.

Urban Decay De-Slick Complexion Primer, $34 MSRP

If you’re looking to create the illusion of perfect-looking skin, reach for Urban Decay’s Optical Illusion Complexion Primer. Formulated to smooth the look of the skin, reduce the appearance of fine lines, blur the look of pores, and promote a soft, porcelain-like texture, this cushiony formula promotes a longer-lasting makeup look. What’s more? The makeup primer contains two of our favorite conditioning ingredients—rosehip oil and argan oil—for a well-nourished complexion.

Why We Love It: There’s no denying our love for photo filters—especially on bad skin days—and Urban Decay’s Optical Illusion Complexion Primer is like a photo filter IRL. The Optical Illusion Primer glides on smoothly upon application, can blur the look of imperfections, and leave the skin feeling ultra soft. Our favorite part? It is formulated with rosehip oil, a skin care ingredient that is rich in vitamin C, and promotes a more youthful-looking complexion. For more information on rosehip oil for skin, click here.

Urban Decay Optical Illusion Complexion Primer Review, $34 MSRP

Your search for a clear-colored SPF that won’t interfere with your makeup and can smooth the look of your complexion for better application ends here. Urban Decay’s Urban Defense Complexion Primer is more than a makeup primer, it’s a broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 that can protect your delicate skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays, blur the look of pores, and promotes longer-lasting makeup. What’s more? The oily skin-friendly primer is formulated with conditioning ingredients like sesame seed extract, tomato fruit extract, squalane, and bisabolol.

Why We Love It: Urban Decay’s Urban Defense Complexion Primer is like one of those “pinch me” products that you can’t actually believe exists (a primer that doubles as a clear-colored broad spectrum sunscreen? In our dreams!). Unlike regular sunscreens, the primer goes on ultra smooth and ultra clear—no stickiness or white cast here!—to prep your complexion for a flawless makeup application. Our favorite part (aside from the clear SPF part… still can’t get over that)? It is formulated with skin nourishing ingredients and can be used on all skin types, including oily skin!

Urban Decay Urban Defense Complexion Primer Broad Spectrum SPF 30, $34 MSRP

For more on makeup primers, check out our ultimate guide to priming.