What Is The Difference Between Primer, Concealer, and Foundation?

Updated:

12 Jun 2025

I've worked in the Marketing Team at Adore Beauty for almost a year now and love love love skincare! I'm all about vegan products and 5 plus step skincare routines. Recently I've been growing out my coloured hair and focusing on strength/length with hair masks and treatments.

Key Takeaways

Primer is essential as the first step in your makeup routine, ensuring foundation and concealer look better and last longer.
Concealer targets specific areas like blemishes and dark circles, making it important to use after foundation for optimal results.
Foundation creates a uniform skin tone and should always be applied before concealer to avoid smudging.
Matching foundation to your chest or testing in natural light can help ensure you find the right shade for your skin tone.
Serum differs from primer as it provides concentrated moisture on clean skin, while primer is applied afterwards to create a smooth base.
Concealer does not go under foundation; always apply foundation first to maintain its effectiveness and coverage.
Explore various products and routines to experience the perfect combination of primer, concealer, and foundation for flawless results.

Often confused for one another, you’re likely wondering, ‘what is the difference between primer, concealer, and foundation?’ Well, primer provides a base for your makeup, with foundation applied over the top to even and perfect your complexion. Concealers can then be added to target areas and cover blemishes, discolouration and more.

But this is still just the tip of the iceberg. Even armed with this information, many people remain lost on the difference between primer, concealer, and foundation. And who can blame them? With such a massive array of makeup products and marketing hype, it’s hard to know what you need. Here’s a quick and easy guide to the various uses of each makeup product and why you need each one for the perfect primer, concealer, and foundation combo.

What Is Primer?

Before you reach for foundation and concealer, it is time to explore the wonders of using a primer. Primer should always be the first step in your makeup routine. Simply put, investing in a primer ensures your foundation and concealer look better for longer!

After you apply your moisturiser, grab your primer. It’ll gloss over any fine lines and visible pores. Primer creates a smooth canvas for your foundation and makes your cosmetics last for ages.

There are many different primers on the market, so find the one that works for your skin. Do you have red and irritated skin? You'll love Napoleon Perdis Auto Pilot Calming Primer.

And primer isn’t just for your face! If you're wearing shadow or liner, eyelid primer is essential. Go for the Balm Put A Lid On It Eyelid Primer to create a smooth, crease-free finish that makes your eye makeup last all day long.

What is Concealer?

Concealer is a product best used for targeting areas such as red spots on our skin and dark circles around our eyes, so using it to complement your foundation will yield the best results. As such, knowing the difference between primer, concealer, and foundation products will help guide you on the specific products required and as you apply varying amounts throughout your makeup routine.

Then there’s your skin type; it’s essential to have two concealers ready to use after the foundation. Apply as needed for a flawless look, and remember, it’s always best to start with a tiny dab and work your way up.

What Is Foundation?

Foundation is perfect for creating a uniform skin tone. With such complementing attributes, should concealer or foundation come first? Although some people apply concealer before their foundation, this should be the second step in your routine.

If you apply concealer first, it’ll get smudged and blend in with your makeup. For a perfect skin tone, put on primer and follow up with foundation.

Want to find the proper foundation for you? It’s time to start testing. The best way to pick a foundation is to match it up with your chest. If your tan is darker there, you can also try makeup colours on the back of your hand (and you should upgrade your SPF!).

Get a few sample lines on your skin, and then go outside to check the makeup in natural light. Store lighting can be misleading, so be sure to see your foundation under the sun. Sure, it requires some effort, but it’s worth it.

Once you've found the perfect shade of foundation, stick with your brand. If your favourite product is discontinued or your skin's needs change, visit Findation to crossmatch products.

We love Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation SPF15. It comes in a wide range of shades that suit most women’s skin tones. Another of our faves is the cult favourite M.A.C Cosmetics Studio Fix.

What is the Difference Between Serum and Primer?

We’ve explained why appreciating the difference between primer, concealer, and foundation is so important – but have you considered serum? Serum usually contains a more concentrated moisturising formula on clean skin underneath a moisturiser. Because of this fact, many question the difference between serum and primer.

Well, primer goes on after moisturiser and before the foundation, providing a smooth base to keep your makeup lasting longer. Using primer and serum as part of your beauty routine allows you to experience skin nourishing benefits and enhance the look of your makeup.

Do You Put Concealer on Before or After Foundation?

Not sure whether to put concealer or foundation first? To get the most out of your foundation and concealer products, it’s important to use them correctly – and that includes the order of applying concealer and foundation.

After applying primer to clean skin, you can then use your chosen foundation before adding concealer to specific areas. So no, concealer doesn't go under foundation. If you use the concealer before your foundation, you will smear the product, making it less effective in covering blemishes, redness and more.

Think of foundation as a full-coverage solution for your face, and concealer as a targeted solution for specific areas of discolouration or minor imperfections. Foundation will go first to avoid rubbing these specific areas free of concealer after application.

TLDR: Apply foundation before concealer.

What about eyes? Does Under Eye Concealer go before or after foundation?

Much the same as above foundation goes first, followed by concealer.

Makeup Beginner? No Stress, Lets Learn Together

For more information about the difference between primer, concealer, and foundation, as well as how to apply these products, take a look at some of our Adore Beauty IQ articles and experience the best from your makeup collection!