Frequently asked questions
What should you look for when shopping for a long-lasting makeup primer?
When shopping for a long-lasting makeup primer, the makeup artists we spoke with advise looking for ones with skin-care infused ingredients to help keep skin soft and hydrated, even after applying makeup on top. “Every additional layer changes the surface you’re applying makeup onto and creates another opportunity for excess texture, pilling, or products simply not interacting well together,” says pro makeup artist Lauren D’Amelio Ventre. To prevent this makeup meltdown, she recommends opting for primers that will hydrate and prime at the same time, featuring ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to soften uneven texture and discoloration. It’s also important to check what the base ingredient of your primer is: silicone-based primers will play better with silicone-based makeup, while water-based primers will play better with water-based makeup.
Do you need makeup primer if you have mature skin?
Mature skin should absolutely use primer in their routine, says Brielle Pollara, a New Jersey based makeup artist. “Primer will help smooth texture, blur fine lines, and create an even surface for foundation,” she says. Using a primer before foundation can also help the product last longer and prevent it from settling into fine lines throughout the day.
When should you apply primer in your routine?
You should always apply primer after your last skin-care step (which should be SPF) and before your first makeup step (which should be foundation or tinted moisturizer).
How we evaluated the best long-lasting makeup primers
We evaluated long-lasting makeup primers by taking a look at their ingredients, how well they played with other makeup products, and their ability to keep all types of makeup in place. The best ones featured hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, soothing ingredients like niacinamide, and antioxidants to help brighten skin and combat dullness and discoloration. We also looked at how well these primers applied and how they interacted with the makeup products we layered on top—our final list consists of products that did not skip or smudge when adding layers of makeup on top. Finally, the ones we landed on lasted the longest—they didn’t crease throughout the day and kept our makeup intact for up to twelve hours.
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