The Best Way to Apply Makeup Primer, According to Makeup Artists

How to Use a Face Primer

Tip 1: Choose the Right Product

Before you select a primer, it’s important to find one that not only works for your skin type, but also your foundation type. Celebrity makeup artist Jamie Dorman explains that primers are typically water- or silicone-based. “Water-based primers are best for dry and dehydrated skin — they will last longer and look better on dry skin,” she says. “Whereas silicone-based primers look better on oily skin, as the silicone creates a layer that keeps the oil from breaking through.”

That said, water-based primers will provide you with a more natural look because they “let your skin texture shine through,” says Dorman. When looking for a water-based primer, be sure to look at the ingredients — water or glycerin should be one of the top three.

If your goal is to create a smoothed-out surface for makeup application, you’ll want to find a silicone-based foundation and primer. Again, ingredients matter: cyclopentasiloxane or dimethicone should be listed as one of the top three ingredients. 

To make sure your primer meshes well with your foundation, you should match silicone-based primers with silicone-based foundations, and do the same for water-based formulas. 

Tip 2: Prep Your Skin

Instead of thinking about primer as the first step in your makeup routine, consider it the last step in your skincare routine. Many primers nowadays have skin-loving ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid to ensure your skin stays well hydrated. It’s still important to use a moisturizer though, so after your moisturizer and sunscreen are fully soaked into your skin, pat on a layer of face primer.

Tip 3: Use Primer Sparingly

Rather than using primer all over your face, celebrity makeup artist Molly R. Stern suggests focusing on some of your problem areas. “I like to use it sparingly like where my makeup tends to wear off and places where pores are larger, like the t-zone.” If your makeup usually wears off around your chin and nose but not your cheeks, only apply it to those areas to keep it locked in place. If you’re looking for all-over hydration or oil control, however, you can apply the primer everywhere.

Tip 4: Pat, Don’t Rub 

Though you may be tempted to rub the primer into your face, Stern says that patting it into your skin actually increases the staying power. “Apply primer with your fingers and pat or press it instead of rubbing — this activates it with your body and allows it to sink in versus simply sitting on the surface of your skin.”

Tip 5: Use a Mist

If you’re still not sure that primer is the best for you, Stern suggests prepping your skin with a facial mist instead. “Spritz it a few inches from your face and let it settle into your skin. Your skin will feel tightened, fresh and ready for makeup.” We like the YSL Beauty NU Dewy Mist because the soothing spray offers an instant burst of hydration and plumps the skin. 

Now that you know the key steps for applying face primer, find some of our favorites below.

The Best Makeup Primers to Try

Giorgio Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Hydrating Primer

A favorite of Stern’s, this primer is infused with glycerin, rice bran and shea butter to instantly moisturize, soften and illuminate the skin. It helps to boost your complexion’s radiance and provide a smoother makeup application. 

Maybelline New York Fit Me Matte + Poreless Mattifying Face Primer

If you have oily skin, this pick will be your best friend. It instantly blurs the appearance of pores while mattifying any shine for up to 16 hours. Also formulated with SPF 20, it adds an extra layer of sun protection while keeping your makeup in place all day. 

NYX Professional Makeup Pore Filler Targeted Stick

Easily target the areas where your makeup typically slides (like the T-zone) with this portable stick. One swipe immediately blurs out pores and excess shine so your face looks matte, but still feels moisturized. 

Valentino Beauty V-Lighter Face Base

You can use this illuminating primer in three ways — as a face base, a highlighter or on its own to give your skin a healthy glow. The hyaluronic acid-infused formula deeply hydrates the skin while Valentino’s signature Roma-Light Complex gives your complexion a natural diffused radiance. It’s available in two lightly tinted shades — Rosa for light to medium skin tones and Ambra for tan to deep skin tones. 

L'Oréal Paris Prime Lab Up to 24H Redness Eraser

Dealing with excess redness? You’ll love this color-correcting primer, which evens out your skin tone with a subtle green tint. Formulated with 4% niacinamide, it instantly calms redness and gives you a more naturally even-toned complexion overtime. The green tint works best for fair to medium skin tones, and the formula is suitable for all skin types, including those that are sensitive. 

L'Oréal Paris Prime Lab Up to 24H Dullness Reducer

The same formula is also available in a terracotta tint, which is excellent for neutralizing hyperpigmentation and dark spots on medium to dark skin tones. This primer instantly illuminates your skin with or without makeup and is formulated with niacinamide to provide long-term skincare benefits overtime. 

NYX Professional Makeup Face Freezie Cooling Primer + Moisturizer

Cooling, hydrating and made with a light, soufflé-like consistency, this primer is a must-have for dehydrated and stressed out skin types. Infused with snow mushroom and niacinamide, it gives your makeup a hydrating base to grip onto and help extend your base’s wear. The formula also tightens skin, minimizes pores and creates a smoother, more even canvas to work with.

YSL Beauty Nu Glow in Balm

For a boost of hydration and dewiness, look no further than this skincare-infused primer. The non-comedogenic formula revitalizes skin with a combination of shea butter and vegetal glycerin, lending it a lit-from-within glow with or without makeup. Light-reflecting pearls amp up your skin’s radiance.

NYX Professional Makeup The Marshmallow Smoothing Primer

Get skin so smooth it practically looks filtered with this multitasking primer. The soft, lightly whipped texture blurs pores, minimizes texture and locks in your makeup for up to 16 hours. One reviewer with combination skin calls this the “best primer” she’s ever tried, adding that it makes her skin “so smooth and soft.”

Lancôme UV Expert Defense SPF 50+ Primer & Moisturizer

Give your skin an extra layer of UV defense with this three-in-one formula, which primes, moisturizes and protects skin with SPF 50. It’s ultra-lightweight and hydrating, thanks to antioxidant-rich ingredients like vitamin E, edelweiss extract and moringa seed extract. The cooling, gel-like texture leaves skin with a subtle glow that’s more dewy than shiny.

Urban Decay All Nighter Face Primer

Urban Decay’s legendary All Nighter Face Primer is the perfect pick for making sure your makeup lasts, well, all night — and all day too if we’re being honest. The cruelty-free and long-wearing formula feels lightweight and hydrating and helps smooth the look of fine lines. 

NYX Professional Makeup Plump Right Back Primer + Serum

Packed with electrolytes, this primer plumps, adds hydration and keeps your makeup looking freshly applied all day. For a longer-lasting look, prep your face with this primer, apply your makeup, then lock it in place with the NYX Professional Makeup Plump Finish Setting Spray. You can also wear this primer alone to give your skin super-charged hydration and a subtle glow.