Beauty

Why you should be using a makeup primer—and how to pick the right one

Why you should be using a makeup primer—and how to pick the right one

How to pick a primer Image by: Getty Images

Beauty

Why you should be using a makeup primer—and how to pick the right one

Primer is the first step to a flawless, everyday makeup look. Find out why and how you should add primer to your beauty routine.

Primer is either something you love or something you haven’t tried yet. The beauty industry is teeming with a new class of these post-skin-care, pre-makeup wonders that meet each of your skin’s individual needs. We spoke with Laura Good, Regional Training Executive at Smashbox Canada, to find out more about why you should be using primer, and how to find the right one for your complexion.

All about that base

Primer provides the perfect base for the skin before applying makeup because it acts as a thin layer that smooths and corrects any imperfections on the skin. “Primer reduces the amount of work you have to do with foundation by perfecting the skin first,” says Good. “Everything goes on smoother, more even, and leaves you looking flawless.” You might even find that with a great primer, you can forgo your foundation.

Skincare meets makeup

Primer acts a meeting point between our morning skincare routine and makeup application. Not only can they address specific skin concerns, like fine lines, redness, or dryness, primers can lock in your makeup and help it last all day long. Adding a primer to your morning routine is easy. “Prep your skin with your usual morning skincare routine, follow it with a pea-sized amount of primer and then perfect with foundation,” says Good. You can even skip the foundation and go for an au-naturel look with the perfect primer. After prepping skin with a moisturizer, smooth out those small imperfections with a bit of primer.

For every skin type and tone

With its invisible, gel-like consistency, primer works on every skin tone—the trick is to find the right one. Good says it’s important to look for ingredients that are good for your skin and to avoid ingredients like parabens, sodium lauryl sulphate, and pthylates. Take into consideration your skin type, your unique skin concerns, and then decide on a matte or dewy finish.

Find a primer that works best for your skin type

Primers are universal and tend to work for every skin type. But primers also help address specific concerns as well. Find out what type of primer would work best with your skin.

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Find a primer that works best for your skin type

Best introduction to primer

This award-winning primer isn’t just a great pick because it’s full of good-for-you ingredients like moisturising vitamin E, and antioxidant rich kakadu plum and green tea—it’s also made with 100% natural ingredients and without the nasties. Yes, this Australian brand proves you can have a clean, silicone-free primer that works!

Nude by Nature Perfecting Primer, $32, shoppersdrugmart.ca.

 

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Beauty

Why you should be using a makeup primer—and how to pick the right one

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