The Best Primer for Your Skin Type

Ever make it halfway through the day only to wonder why your makeup seems to have a mind of its own, slipping and sliding in every direction but the one you intended? You’re not alone. You may be meticulous with your skin care routine, but can you say the same thing about your makeup routine? Sure, you love your face makeup—your foundation, concealer, and highlighter—but what about what comes before those must-haves? Yes, we’re talking about primer. You may think that applying primer is an unnecessary step in your makeup routine, but maybe you just haven’t found the right one for your skin type yet. It turns out that using the best primer for your skin type can help ensure a more even face makeup application, and also keep it lasting longer sans smudging. Keep reading to learn about our best primer for oily skin, our best primer for dry skin, and our best primer for mature skin.

HOW TO FIND THE BEST PRIMER FOR YOUR SKIN TYPE

When it comes to acing your makeup base, it all comes down to finding the best primer for your skin type. Choose from the following options, picking the primer that suits your skin’s needs.

The Best Primer for Oily Skin

If you have oily skin, you likely have experienced your complexion looking shiny by midday. So, look for a primer that has a matte finish, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro Matte Lock Makeup Primer, and layer some of it on after completing your skin care routine. This mattifying primer helps blur the look of imperfections and has a matte finish to help you keep shine at bay.

The Best Primer for Dry Skin

Dry skin can often look a little dull, so if you’re dealing with dryness you’ll want a primer that will give your complexion a radiant finish, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro Glow Lock Makeup Primer. Apply the long-lasting formula all over your face before moving on to foundation.

The Best Primer for Mature Skin

Is smoothing fine lines and wrinkles, or an overall unevenness in skin texture, one of your biggest skin concerns? Apply an even layer of the L'Oréal Paris Studio Secrets Professional Magic Perfecting Base over the entirety of your complexion for a flawless finish.

HOW TO Use primer in your beAUTY ROUTINE

Now that you know how to choose the best primer for your skin type, it’s time to learn how to add your makeup primer match to your makeup routine. Follow our step-by-step tutorial below.

Step 1: Go through your skin care routine

Using primer should be the first step in your makeup routine, but it’s definitely not meant to be the first step in your entire beauty routine. After all, you don’t want to apply your makeup primer onto a dirty complexion. So, start by going through your normal skin care routine—cleansing, applying a serum, then topping it all off with a facial moisturizer.

Step 2: Prime your complexion

Simply smooth an even layer of your primer pick onto your entire complexion, from your forehead down to your chin. You can use your hands or a makeup blender to apply primer.

Step 3: Color correct any skin imperfections

If you have redness, dullness, dark circles under the eyes, or dark spots, consider using a color correcting concealer. Use one of the L’Oréal Paris True Match™ Color Correcting Crayons in a shade that can neutralize the appearance of whichever imperfections you want to hide—green will correct redness, yellow is meant to mask blue and purple tones, and peach, bisque, and orange can be used on dark circles. Dot your color corrector(s) of choice onto the imperfections you want to hide, then blend out with a makeup blender before moving on to foundation.

Step 4: Apply foundation

Again, depending on your skin type, you have options. Don’t reach for any old foundation, choose one that matches your skin’s needs. If you have oily skin, use the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation; if you have dry skin, use the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro Glow Foundation. If you’re somewhere in-between, try the L'Oréal Paris Infallible Up to 24HR Fresh Wear Foundation, Lightweight. Whichever you pick, squeeze some onto the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Blend Artist Foundation Blender and stipple it onto your skin.

Step 5: Conceal any remaining skin imperfections

If you notice any other skin imperfections peeking through your foundation, dab on some of the L'Oréal Paris Infallible Full Wear Concealer Waterproof, Full Coverage. Bye, bye blemishes and dark spots!

Step 6: Finish with face powder 

One last step to help make sure that your face makeup won’t smear is to set your look with a setting spray. Simply spritz your face with the L'Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Spray & Set Makeup Extender Setting Spray four to six times, holding the bottle about 10 inches away from your face.

Now that you’ve picked the right primer, perhaps you could use a refresher on how to pick one of your other face makeup products. Here’s How to Find the Right Type of Foundation for You.