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Make-up primers are basically like sanding a wooden floor, they create a smooth, less porous surface onto which you can add longer lasting make-up. Win, win.
On the one hand, you've got silicone-based primers which create a smoother, more flawless feeling finish, but aren't so great for acne sufferers, whereas other face primers are formulated to be really nourishing and moisturising - great for dry skin, but perhaps not so much for oilier complexions. Quite the quandary.
'The perfect primer is one that works in harmony with your skincare and base and will elevate your complexion to look at its very best,' says bareMinerals make-up artist and ambassador, Cher Webb. 'A good primer is one that you can rely on to create a flawless canvas before your foundation goes on. Your base will look seamless, fresh and perfected when you wear the perfect primer for you. Lots of primers have skincare benefits and will nourish, hydrate and protect the skin throughout the day which will promote a gorgeous healthy glow from within.'
Whatever your skin type, finding the right primer can be a godsend, making your make-up last much longer and brightening your whole look. Check out our pick of the best make-up primers that you need in your life.
Shop The Best Make-Up Primers
Formulated with Micronised Pearls and Porcelain Flower Extract, this silky soft primer delivers on the glow. Pair with foundation for a glowy but not shiny finish or simply top with concealer where you need it for a majorly fresh complexion.
Ok, we know this isn't a true primer in the traditional sense, but it is the best base we've come across for giving you super flawless skin before you've even considered applying foundation. Acting Beauty Director George Driver applies it before tinted moisturiser for a dewy boost and extra coverage that doesn't feel heavy or overly matte.
Dior Backstage Face & Body Primer, 001 Universal
A backstage essential at every Dior show, this juicy peach-hued primer ensures models' make-up stays put even under blaring runway lights.
If a primer packing serious skincare benefits is what you're after then look no further than La Mer. Enriched with the brand's signature Miracle Broth formula, this hydrating primer plumps and preps skin for perfectly smooth make-up application. Not a dry patch in sight.
The secret weapon of backstage make-up artists everywhere, Bobbi Brown's face base works as a nourishing day cream as well as keeping your face of make-up firmly in place for hours on end. The key ingredients? Shea butter and squalane, for a hydrating primer that Bobbi Brown herself insists is never greasy.
If there's anyone that knows about skincare it's A-list dermatologist Dr. Barbara Sturm. Combining antioxidants, Hyaluronic Acid and pearl pigments, this creamy primer aims to improve the apperance of your make-up whilst caring for your skin.
If the Mother of Make-Up, Pat McGrath, creates a primer that can keep make-up in place from backstage, to runway and through the after party, you know it's going to more than decent. Formulated with Hyaluronic Acid, this pro primer will stop your foundation from sliding whilst giving your skin a hydration boost.
Victoria Beckham Beauty by Augustinus Bader Cell Rejuvenating Priming Moisturizer
The dream team behind your glowiest complexion ever, skin genius Augustinus Bader and beauty icon Victoria Beckham, have got your make-up on lockdown courtesy of this priming moisturiser. Formulated with Bader's game-changing TFC8® amino acid compound this techy primer keeps make-up firmly in place whilst minimising the telltale signs of ageing.
bareMinerals Prime Time™ Brightening Foundation Primer
'I personally love bareMinerals' Prime Time Brightening Foundation Primer,' says Webb. 'It instantly adds brightness and hydration whilst minimising any redness and blurs fine lines.'
REN Clean Skincare Perfect Canvas Clean Primer
A primer in a pipette? Yup, it's totally a thing. REN's lightweight formula has a matte finish so your make-up won't slip and slide all over the place, plus it's silicone free.
Bobbi Brown Primer Plus Protection SPF 50 - £24.50
Combine your daily SPF with a radiance-giving primer with Bobbi Brown's oil-free primer. Formulated with Sodium Hyaluronate, it'll smooth over pores and wrinkles whilst giving your complexion a serious hydration hit.
Marc Jacobs Under(Cover) Blurring Coconut Face Primer - Blur-fection - £17
This miniature size primer is ideal for carrying in your hand luggage for that last minute make-up application just before your flight lands. Formulated with five forms of coconut (oil, juice and water to name just three) for extra hydration, this is a gift for parched post-aeroplane skin.
The Ordinary High-Adherence Silicone Primer - £3.90
At just £3.99 this is the best value primer that actually does the job. Formulated with advanced adaptive silicones, this techy primer minimises the appearance of pores for an airbrushed finish to your make-up that lasts all day long.
Lancer Studio Filter Pore Perfecting Primer - £58
The boujiest primer of the bunch, this luxe make-up base works on all skin tones to give a pore-free complexion. Added amino acids hydrate and soften your skin for the ultimate multi-tasking beauty product.
This Works In Transit Camera Close-Up - £32
This Works' genius formula is a mask, moisturiser and primer all in one. Smooth on before foundation to brighten and rehydrate tired skin with hyaluronic acid, argan oil and a hit of caffeine.
Charlotte Tilbury Brightening Youth Glow Primer - £39
Is it a highlighter? Is it a primer? Well, yes and yes, but also so much more. Charlotte Tilbury's latest secret to getting your skin but way better is a blemish blurring, pore concealing, glow giving all in one foundation base of dreams.
Clarins SOS Primer - £27
If the world of colour correcting is too much hassle for your morning routine/a little over your head, then Clarins' new primers are for you. Available in six shades, each primer tackles a different skin problem which is helpfully specified on the packaging. Just in case you weren't entirely sure why you were swiping green cream onto your face before your foundation...
Sisley Instant Glow Primer - £66
The ultimate make-up multi-tasker, use Sisley's primer as a radiant base before applying foundation, dab onto the high points of your face to use as highlighter or wear completely alone for a seriously radiant complexion.
NARS Pore & Shine Control Primer - £29
Control that shine and blur those pores with NARS' oil-free matte primer infused with soft focus powders so you look selfie ready 24/7.
YSL Encre De Peau All Hours Primer - £32
When you feel like your foundation refuses to stay on your face, YSL's long-wearing primer makes it stay put. Huzzah!
George Driver was the former Senior Beauty Editor - Digital at ELLE UK.
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