Top 10 Makeup Primers

WHAT IT DOES
Formulated with skin-boosting ingredients (think rice bran, glycerin, and shea butter), this hydrating primer moisturizes and softens the skin while visibly blurring pores and imperfections, leaving a dewy, luminous finish.

ADDITIONAL THINGS TO KNOW
Giorgio Armani's Luminous Silk is suitable for all skin types, but it's especially good for those with dry skin, thanks to this super hydrating formula.

WHY PEOPLE LOVE IT
Milk's Hydrogrip primer is a gel-based formula that dries down to a grippy, lightweight texture for foundation to glide on and stay in place for up to 12 hours without budging. This skin-smoothing formula also contains niacinamide, aloe water, and hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture, so skin appears radiant and balanced all day. 

ADDITIONAL THINGS TO KNOW
This award-winning primer is loved by many pro makeup artists because of how well it layers under any foundation without cakiness.

WHY IT MADE THE LIST
Three layers of silk are the star ingredients in this multitasking primer. The silky ingredients create a layer between skin and makeup to visibly diminish the look of pores and imperfections and protect against future breakouts and signs of aging.

ADDITIONAL THINGS TO KNOW
Reviewers love that this weightless, oil-free formula helps brighten and even the skin tone, prevents clogged pores, and ensures your makeup stays in place longer. 

WHO IT'S FOR
This all-in-one primer doubles as a tinted moisturizer, creating a matte, long-wearing finish that smooths the skin's texture and hides enlarged pores. Plus, it shields the skin from harmful UV rays thanks to SPF 30 sun protection.

ADDITIONAL THINGS TO KNOW
This vegan formula contains diamond powder that boosts the skin's luminosity and decreases the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Bonus: It can be used under or instead of foundation for brighter radiance.

WHY IT MADE THE LIST
Give your skin a healthy dose of probiotics with Tula's Face Filter Blurring & Moisturizing Primer. Powered by clean and effective ingredients like probiotics to improve skin's balance, butterfly bush to reduce dark spots, and licorice to even skin tone over time, this primer is actually good for your skin. Even better? It releases glow particles on the skin to create a radiant base for makeup application.

ADDITIONAL THINGS TO KNOW
It also contains noteworthy ingredients like chia seeds and turmeric to nourish and condition the skin, decrease the appearance of redness, and increase luminosity.

WHO IT'S FOR
For faces perpetually on the slick side, you'll want a primer with the multitasking abilities and long-wearing power of MAC's Prep + Prime Fix Primer and Setting Spray. This 2-in-1 spray minimizes shine, soothes, and refreshes the skin, and it's safe for both the eyes and the face. Plus, it keeps makeup in place and looking fresh for up to 12 hours.

HELPFUL TIP
Apply a powder foundation to help absorb excess oils before lightly misting your face with this primer.

WHY PEOPLE LOVE IT
This gel-based, hydrating primer grips and holds makeup in place for long-lasting, all-day wear—a total steal for $10. Packed with hyaluronic acid, the non-sticky formula leaves the skin with a moisturized, plump, and hydrated base for makeup.

USER REVIEW
"This is my everyday primer, and I can't do my makeup with any other primer. It makes my makeup last all day long and doesn't crease! It doesn't separate my makeup at all, either. Such an amazing product for so cheap! I'm constantly repurchasing this."

WHY IT MADE THE LIST
While this primer works well underneath makeup, you can also wear it alone and enjoy the same benefits. This gel formula absorbs shine, visibly evens the skin tone, smooths the look of pores, and creates a soft-focus effect. 

USER REVIEW
"Love this stuff! The texture feels really nice, and it doesn’t break me out. It keeps my makeup smooth, preventing cakiness and settling into any lines I do have. It also helps my makeup hold up longer. There really is a difference when I don't use this under my makeup."

WHY IT MADE THE LIST
According to reviewers, this pore-minimizing primer is key for a quick solution for smoother skin. The translucent formula eliminates any texture on your skin and creates a smooth canvas for flawless makeup application in seconds.

ADDITIONAL THINGS TO KNOW
This stuff has over 7,000 reviews on Sephora.

WHY IT MADE THE LIST
When searching for a primer, all you can really ask for is a formula that moisturizes and holds makeup in place. Bobbi Brown’s Vitamin Enriched Face Base Priming Moisturizer takes it a step further by packing the formula with vitamins B, C, and E to provide essential nourishment to the skin, creating a fresh, healthy-looking glow on makeup days and no-makeup days.

ADDITIONAL THINGS TO KNOW
This primer has a light, refreshing scent of grapefruit and geranium. Another thing to note? It's also ranked #1 on our list of the best primers for mature skin.