If you struggle keeping your foundation in place all day, or are susceptible to the 4pm 'face run' that sees our makeup slide all over the shop for no reason whatsoever, then you may benefit from a really great primer. A great base will not only help to perfect the surface, reduce the appearance of pores and minimise shine, but it will help products applied over the top sit better and stay in place longer. Primers essentially create a barrier between the skin and makeup, meaning that the natural oils our face produces don't play havoc with our flawless finish. After trialling and testing hundreds of primers, these are my top three favourites that I can rely on...
![top three primers]( "top three primers")
1. Clinique Superprimer Anti Dullness (£20.00)
This range of 'superprimers' was launched in 2013 and it's one of my fave products to ever come out of Clinique. The primer is available in six different variants that target six different skin concerns and types, ensuring you can pick up a product that really does what you need it to. I love the 'anti dullness' variant which is a subtle pink colour; it melts into skin effortlessly to leave a velvet finish that helps my foundation glide on perfectly. I don't get that slippery feeling in the afternoon, nor do I really need to touch-up with powder, as this keeps my makeup where it's supposed to be all day (and night) long.
2. Benefit The Porefessional (£24.50)
The UK's best selling primer for a reason, The Porefessional has achieved cult like status. Although it's thicker than the Clinique variant, it still leaves a soft matte finish on skin and helps to reduce the appearance of pores. It's great if you have oily skin too, as it stops that horrendous shiny feeling that's all to common at the end of the day. This works particularly well under light liquid foundations, but can also be used alone with a dusting of powder if you're feeling brave.
3. Bare Minerals Prime Time (£21.00)
Discovered by accident, this was the first primer I ever really 'got'. Before Prime Time I was never convinced of the power of a great primer, but this transparent gel turns into a matte silky cream upon touching the skin to leave it looking top notch. If you're new to primers, then this is a universal 'go to' product that you can't go wrong with. Prime Time helps to reduce the appearance of pores, reduce shine and set makeup in place. You need such a small amount, that the little bottle lasts forever.
What are your favourite primers? Will you be trying any of these out?![]()
This range of 'superprimers' was launched in 2013 and it's one of my fave products to ever come out of Clinique. The primer is available in six different variants that target six different skin concerns and types, ensuring you can pick up a product that really does what you need it to. I love the 'anti dullness' variant which is a subtle pink colour; it melts into skin effortlessly to leave a velvet finish that helps my foundation glide on perfectly. I don't get that slippery feeling in the afternoon, nor do I really need to touch-up with powder, as this keeps my makeup where it's supposed to be all day (and night) long.
2. Benefit The Porefessional (£24.50)
The UK's best selling primer for a reason, The Porefessional has achieved cult like status. Although it's thicker than the Clinique variant, it still leaves a soft matte finish on skin and helps to reduce the appearance of pores. It's great if you have oily skin too, as it stops that horrendous shiny feeling that's all to common at the end of the day. This works particularly well under light liquid foundations, but can also be used alone with a dusting of powder if you're feeling brave.
3. Bare Minerals Prime Time (£21.00)
Discovered by accident, this was the first primer I ever really 'got'. Before Prime Time I was never convinced of the power of a great primer, but this transparent gel turns into a matte silky cream upon touching the skin to leave it looking top notch. If you're new to primers, then this is a universal 'go to' product that you can't go wrong with. Prime Time helps to reduce the appearance of pores, reduce shine and set makeup in place. You need such a small amount, that the little bottle lasts forever.
What are your favourite primers? Will you be trying any of these out?