Top 10 Illuminating Primers

WHAT TO LOVE
With a formula that features royal jelly, apple and algae extracts, jane iredale's Smooth Affair Brightening Face Primer helps contribute to a smooth and dewy complexion. Best for those with dull, mature skin, you can count on this product to provide a hit of hydration and a subtle glow.

GOOD TO KNOW
This primer works well under mineral makeup and cosmetics.

WHAT TO LOVE
Get ready for your close-up because Smashbox's Photo Finish Illuminate Glow Face Primer loves the limelight. Made with super-fine, peachy-gold pearls that visibly illuminate skin, this primer more than lives up to its name.

GOOD TO KNOW
This product also features Smashbox's Silkscreen Complex, a combination of hyaluronic acid, antioxidants, and vitamins that nourish and defend skin against environmental stressors.

WHAT TO LOVE
A trio of floral ingredients (lotus, gardenia, and white waterlily) are behind Rare Beauty's Illuminating Primer. Together, these components calm stressed-out skin and contribute to a lit-from-within radiance.

REVIEW HIGHLIGHT
"This is such a beautiful base. It has a nice silky texture too. I usually use this if I’m trying to go for a dewy look."

WHAT TO LOVE
Get a glow that only superfoods can give—specifically, Elemis's Superfood Glow Priming Moisturiser. This top-rated serum has a formula inspired by ancient tradition; it's rich in fermented ingredients like green tea seed oil, ginger, and kombucha.

GOOD TO KNOW
Here's a fun fact: This product doubles as a highlighter. Just dab a grain-sized amount on the high points of your face, such as the cheekbones, bridge of the nose, and cupid's bow.

WHAT TO LOVE
For starters, e.l.f.'s products are always affordable. The brand's Illuminating Face Primer rings up at just $8. So, if you want to look and feel like you just walked out of the spa without the bill to prove it, this is your best bet.

REVIEW HIGHLIGHT
"I got this for Christmas. It is the best primer for the price. It fills in pores and fine lines. My makeup glides on with ease now. I would recommend this product, and I will buy it again when I run out."

WHAT TO LOVE
Charlotte Tilbury is a known name in the beauty space, and the brand's Wonderglow Face Primer is a good example of why. This well-reviewed primer prepares your face for makeup application while turning back the clock thanks to the inclusion of anti-wrinkle ingredients in its formula.

MORE TO KNOW
Feeling dry and flakey? This product contains one of our favorite hydrating ingredients, hyaluronic acid. 

WHAT TO LOVE
MAC's Studio Radiance Moisturizing + Illuminating Primer promises eight hours of hydrated, radiant skin. Its formula features jojoba and olive oil, so it's best for those with dry or combo skin.

GOOD TO KNOW
For the best results, use this primer after you apply moisturizer, before putting on makeup. 

WHAT TO LOVE
Turn your face into the smooth, pristine canvas it was always meant to be with Laura Mercier's Illuminating Pure Canvas Face Primer. Providing long-lasting (yet lightweight) coverage, this primer uses micronized pearls to create a luminous glow.

REVIEW HIGHLIGHT
"I don’t know what it is about this stuff but it completely transforms my face. When I put it on I watch in the mirror as my skin tightens and brightens before putting on my makeup. HUGE difference!"

WHAT TO LOVE
Who doesn't love a product you can pick up at your local drugstore? One of L'Oreal Paris's best creations, the True Match Lumi Glotio is available in various shades from Deep to Fair. Plus, this primer is a multitasker—it works as a highlighter and a bronzer in addition to acting as a primer.

REVIEW HIGHLIGHT
"I wanted something that would give me a little bit of color without looking unnatural. This does the trick. It’s super glowy and provides just a slight bit of color. I’m very pale so the medium shade works great."

WHAT TO LOVE
Our algorithm's pick for the best illuminating primer is Armani's Luminous Silk Hydrating Primer. This luxurious primer blurs pores and adds a plump appearance to the complexion to create a smooth and dewy finish.

MORE TO KNOW
The formula behind the Luminous Silk Hydrating Primer features shea butter, rice bran, and glycerin. Rice bran has roots in Japanese beauty culture; when it's combined with water, it decongests pores and helps reduce hyperpigmentation.