Everything You Need to Know About Makeup Primer

If you’re building out a capsule collection of makeup products for everyday wear, you’ve likely encountered a makeup primer or two. Maybe you’ve seen mattifying primers, pore-refining primers, and extra-hydrating ones. But what do they do? The best way to explain face primer is to use the analogy of painting at home: would you ever go in with a coat of fresh paint without applying a high-quality primer? Unlikely - if you want it to apply smoothly and last. We pride ourselves big time on the formulation and efficacy of IT Cosmetics’ makeup products, from primer to concealer (and all steps between).

What is Primer?

Designed to sit under your base makeup, but over your moisturiser and SPF, face primer is built to create a smooth canvas for the rest of your products. Its purpose is to generate a lasting complexion, smooth out fine lines, hydrate and allow makeup to stay looking flawless for longer. Below are the varied types of formulations you’ll find on your quest for the perfect prime:

• Hydrating primer: Designed to nourish and moisturise the skin, this face primer will reduce the chance of ‘flaky’ appearing base makeup. Nice.
• Colour-correcting primer: This makeup primer may be green in hue, designed to counteract redness or discolouration in your skin’s natural undertones.

What Does Makeup Primer Do?

Maybe you’re brand new to makeup primer and are unaware of its desired effects, or haven’t ever stuck to using one consistently. The active step of priming the face might not look like it’s doing much at first. Why? Because it’s usually a translucent product that seamlessly blends into the skin like a moisturiser. What you will see later on — after application of foundation and concealer and cheek products — is your makeup appearing fresher after lengthy wear times. Face primer locks and seals makeup, creating a barrier between your pores and face base products. It can be used to illuminate, blur, smooth or mattify the skin, depending on what your particular skin type needs. 

What Happens If You Don't Use Makeup Primer?

Makeup primer is like insurance for your makeup application, prepping the skin for enduring wear. But do you need primer for makeup, really? Well, it all depends on your intentions for wear and your skin type. Perhaps you’re after a makeup look to last through a long day at work, or from day-to-night events. Face primer is going to boost the wear-time of your expertly-applied makeup, allowing it to appear fresh and full-coverage for longer. You may also notice that sans makeup primer, you’re more prone to clogging of pores and thus an increase of blemishes due to the lack of a barrier between the skin and foundation.

Can You Wear Makeup Primer Alone?

Whether you’re skipping foundation in favour of a light layer of concealer, or going completely makeup-free, face primer can still serve as a smoothing and pore-minimising step in your makeup look. They can be conducive to that covetable ‘no-makeup makeup’ aesthetic, blurring the skin subtly, providing additional hydration, and neutralising redness in the skin.