The first primer I tried was an old Smashbox primer that my step mum gave me when she was clearing out her stash. I didn’t wear much makeup at the time but I loved how it smoothed out my skin, giving me a photoshopped finish without foundation. I finished the bottle, realised it would cost £25 to replace and promptly forgot all about primers for a couple of years. It wasn’t until I started blogging that I remembered! Luckily, the blog scene was here to point me in the direction of other primers, and since then I’ve tried out a few and thought I would share my opinion on them.
Benefit Porefessional
I tried a sample of this and was like, omg I need dis! So I went out and spent £24 on a primer I had tried once in my life. Although I do still like the Porefessional, due to its amazing abilities to smooth over pores and mattify your skin, I find it can leave a chalky finish on my cheeks. It does provide a good base for makeup and help to improve the wear time, but I personally think the Porefessional would best for anyone with oily skin, as it leaves pores blurred and skin matte.
The Body Shop Instablur
I bought this after seeing people compare it to the Porefessional, thinking I would find a less chalky alternative for half the price. Although I love the matte, blurred look this gives my skin, I’ve found my foundation clings to it and gives the appearance I have dry, flaky skin. Again, I think this would be better suited to oily skinned gals.
Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser
I tried a sample of this for my Sample Sunday series, and really liked it so decided to buy the full version. I’ve only recently started using this daily, and I actually love it. It’s not as pore blurring as the Instablur or Porefessional, but there is definitely a reduction in their appearance and I just love the finish it leaves. Soft, matte, and no interference with my foundation or excess chalky residue and it’s not oily either. I honestly feel a bit silly I’ve spent £45 on three primers which don’t work well with my skin, when I could have picked this up for £8 and been happy.
MAC Prep and Prime Skin Visage
I only have a sample of this primer, but it’s one of those cute deluxe samples and it’s lasted me quite a while. Unlike the other primers so far, this doesn’t feel at all silicone based, even though it does contain it! It’s more of a cream feel, which helps to moisturise and smooth your skin, and it contains light glitter pigments which brightens up your complexion. I really like this as a primer, it definitely increases the longevity of my makeup and provides a perfect base for my foundation, and it’s made me realise that cream primers are just as good as silicone based ones. I do think I will buy this at some point, as I really like it and sometimes fancy a less silicone feel than what Maybelline gives me.
I think, like with anything that sits on your skin, primers can work completely differently on different people due to skin type. I do definitely think everyone should at least try out primers, as they do make a difference to how your makeup looks and lasts. My makeup lasts a full day at work and a lunch time gym session thanks to primers and a blast of setting spray, so they’re not just a waste of money in my opinion!
Do you use primers? Have you got one you think I should try next?
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