Opinions vary when it comes to how essential primers are to a makeup routine. We've written about the debate before. Some people sit in the "yes" camp, while others might think it's "just a waste of a product." Either way, there's no denying that primers can be helpful in the quest for flawless makeup. They set the stage, so to speak, for your products and can help your makeup last throughout the day. Some can even hydrate if you've got dry skin, while others can get your oily skin under control.
"Primer is not necessary, in my opinion, for day-to-day wear, but for that completely perfect makeup look," says celebrity makeup artist Maud Laceppe, whose clients include Vanessa Paradis and Julianne Moore. "It will give more of a photoshopped finish. Primer will definitely make your makeup last longer. It smoothes the fine lines, evens out the skin tone, and reduces the size of your pores."
But not all primers are created equally, just like everyone's skin is not the same. "There are primers for all different skin types, so chose one that best suits your skin," recommends celebrity makeup artist and groomer Georgie Eisdell, who has worked with Gwyneth Paltrow and Sophie Turner. "So if you have oily skin, you might want to use a primer that is oil-free so it can help keep your base looking fresh but not too shiny. If you have drier skin, then locate more hydrating primers or pruning oil to help get a nice glow to the skin."
And when you have mature skin, you might have other concerns, too, like fine lines and dryness. There are primers that can help with those—and the same rule for choosing one applies here. "No matter your age, you should always choose a primer that addresses your skin type and feels good on your face. Every face is different!" says Christine Cherbonnier, Yoko Ono's personal makeup artist. "If you have concerns about fine lines, I suggest trying a primer with a lighter weight—typically those sit best on mature skin without accentuating what you're trying to smooth out. I know it may seem like you should add extra coverage as your skin ages, but try to resist the urge if you can. Mature skin is beautiful and can really benefit from a lighter touch."
Across the board, though, most of the makeup artists I spoke to for this story said that women over 40 should look for a primer that's hydrating. "The older you get, the drier your skin starts becoming," says Carissa Ferreri, whose clients include Annette Bening and Gina Rodriguez. "Someone younger usually has oilier and/or acne-prone skin. I would apply a mattifying primer for a younger client and focus on the T-zone. For mature skin, I like to use a primer that imparts illumination and brightening, such as Lancôme's Prep and Hydrate Primer ($35)."
When it comes to applying primer, Eisdell says you should put it on after applying moisturizer but before you put your base on. And Cherbonnier adds, "I recommend applying primer with your fingers as if applying moisturizer. Your body heat will melt the primer into the skin, creating a perfect canvas for makeup application. Be sure to focus on any redness, fine lines, or other areas that could use a little extra attention."
Ready to choose one? Take a look at our list of best primers for mature skin below.
Eisdell recommends Laura Mercier's illuminating primer because it gives the skin a nice glow. She also gives another recommendation when choosing a primer, saying, "I would not use oil-free or matte primers on more mature skin, as you want as much hydration and glow to the skin to keep it looking youthful and dewy. Matte primers are not going to give you that finish, and oil-free ones tend to matte the skin too." But if you have mature skin and oily or acne-prone skin, she says you can opt for the oil-free primers.
"I really like the Cell Rejuvenating Priming Moisturizer from Victoria Beckham. I like the fact that it is a clean beauty product to start with. It is great to plump and tone the skin. The skin is instantly radiant, firm, lifted, and prepared for whatever comes next," Laceppe says.
Cherbonnier recommends Fenty Beauty's primer because it "controls oil without adding shine and helps keep your makeup in place throughout the day."
"I have just discovered this gorgeous priming oil from Lilah B. that I am obsessed with," says Eisdell. "It gives the most divine glow and really helps makeup last longer and leaves the skin really radiant."
Celebrity makeup artist Vincent Oquendo, whose clients include Janelle Monáe and Bella Hadid, says he's not really a "primer subscriber" but has a different suggestion. "What I like to do is I use serum as primer," he says. "I look for something that's really hydrating, and I look for something with hyaluronic acid in it because it tends to be really good for mature skin. It creates a barrier without weighing the skin down and prevents the makeup from getting cakey." One of our favorites is SkinCeuticals' Hydrating B5 Gel.
"When choosing a primer for a mature skin type, I always look for textures that are hydrating and that offer skincare benefits such as Lancôme's Advanced Génifique Face Serum," says Ferreri.
"If you have normal to dry mature skin and just want to feel fresh and hydrated without the usual shimmery additives, which can sit in fine lines, I recommend the Too Faced Hangover Replenishing Face Primer," suggests Cherbonnier.
Charlotte Tilbury's Wonderglow is another one Cherbonnier recommends if you have normal to dry mature skin. It contains collagen-supportive peptides and hyaluronic acid.
"For redness, try a colored primer," says Cherbonnier. We like the Make Up Forever Step 1 Primer Color Corrector Redness Corrector.
Cherbonnier says Yves Saint Laurent's Touche Éclat Blur primers can also help with redness, brightening, and evening your skin tone.
"This primer makes skin look glowy and plumped and is great to wear before foundation or even mixed in with your foundation for extra luminosity," says Ferreri.
"If you are concerned about sun protection (something women of all ages should be thinking about!), I recommend the Glow Screen SPF 40 Primer. Its name says it all—it creates a glowing canvas for your makeup application while adding extra mineral sun protection," saysCherbonnier.
"Ultra Sun Protection Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 45 Primer by Chantecaille is a great one for oily skin. It's an oil-free, colorless mattifying primer with the added bonus of sun protection," says Cherbonnier.
"For those looking for a glow, Estée Lauder's The Illuminator is a classic. I love how it brightens and boosts the skin's natural glow," says Cherbonnier.
"Supergoop!'s Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 is a miracle for more mature skin. It's an instant pore eraser and creates a velvety smooth texture ideal for makeup application. There is a flip side! This product has dimethicone in it, which looks great on most mature skin but can cause breakouts in younger, more oily skin," says Cherbonnier.
"On mature skin, I like to use a primer such as Lancôme’s UV Expert Sunscreen that focuses on hydration and antioxidant-rich skincare ingredients," says Ferrero. "Protecting skin against sun damage and pollutants is extremely important, and antioxidants will help combat early signs of aging. This is your all-in-one that can be used as a moisturizer, primer, and sunscreen."
An editor favorite, this primer feels like a moisturizer but sinks instantly into the skin. Formulated with dimethicone, the Maybelline New York Face Studio Master Prime Primer is made to fill fine lines to create the smoothest base possible for makeup.
Another editor pick, Covergirl's primer is formulated to reduce the signs of aging and hydrate the skin. It's also cruelty-free.
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