Face Primers

Shop Face Primers for a Smooth Makeup Base

A face primer sits between your skincare and your foundation. It smooths the surface, helps makeup stay put and can take the edge off shine or visible pores, depending on the formula. You will see the same product called a skin primer or a makeup primer, so both are covered here. Some are light and almost invisible, others are thicker and tackier, and the right pick depends on your skin and how long your makeup needs to last. Adore Beauty is an official stockist of the brands below, which makes it easy to compare mattifying, pore-blurring and gripping options in one spot.

Face Primers for Oily Skin and Visible Pores

If shine shows up by lunchtime, start with a mattifying formula. The NYX Professional Makeup Shine Killer Primer is charcoal-infused and made to control oil and shine, with a silky feel and a translucent finish. For pores, the Benefit Cosmetics The POREfessional Pore Primer 22mL is a smoothing face primer that visibly blurs pores and fine texture. Use either one just where you need it, like the T-zone and around the nose.

Face Primers for Grip and Long Wear

Makeup that slides off by the afternoon needs a primer with more hold. The e.l.f. Cosmetics Power Grip Primer + Niacinamide is made to lock your look in place, and the niacinamide adds a skincare benefit underneath. If you want one primer for smoothing and a matte finish, the Peter Thomas Roth Instant FIRMx No-Filter Primer 30ml is a mattifying primer that tightens, blurs and smooths for a filter-like finish. Add a setting spray on top when the day is going to be a long one.

Choosing the Best Face Primer for Your Skin

Pick the formula that fixes your biggest problem. Shine and enlarged pores point to a mattifying or pore-blurring primer, while makeup that fades points to a gripping one. Apply primer after moisturiser and sunscreen, give it a minute to settle, then go in with your foundation. Fingers work well, and a dense makeup brush gives a lighter layer if you prefer less product on the skin. Dry or flaky patches can make any primer sit unevenly, so moisturise well first.

Frequently Asked Questions About Face Primers