What Is Primer and Why Is It Important in Your Makeup Routine?

Ask any makeup artist, “What is primer?” and they’ll likely describe this essential product as the key to a long-lasting makeup look. That’s certainly true: A good primer creates an even canvas for your products and provides grip to ensure your hard work doesn’t melt off by midday. However, the best makeup primers offer benefits far beyond extending the longevity of your look. Some can help illuminate dull skin, others mattify unwanted shine, and many offer skincare benefits to help support a healthy-looking complexion, even when you’re bare-faced. 

If you’re unsure how to choose the right primer for your needs, keep reading. Ahead, we’ll explain exactly what primer makeup does, share details on the different types of primers on the market, and offer advice on finding the best formula for your skin type and goals. We’ll also explain how to apply primer properly to ensure your look—be it no-makeup makeup or full glam—lasts throughout the day. 

What Does Makeup Primer Do?

In the most basic sense, primer helps prep your skin for your makeup application. However, the specific benefits depend on which type of primer you’re using. Eye primers help prevent your eyeshadow from creasing or settling into fine lines. Lip primers smooth your lips and help keep your lipstick from smudging, feathering, or bleeding. Lash primers add length, volume, or both to enhance your mascara application. 

The benefits of face primer, meanwhile, can vary depending on the formula. While all face primers can help smooth your skin and prep it for your makeup application, many also help address complexion concerns like dullness or unevenness. Among our favorites is the L’Oréal Paris Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer. The glowy formula contains shea butter and glycerin and provides instant hydration, leaving your skin looking luminous and healthy. There are also face primers that help mattify the skin or smooth the look of fine lines and pores. When choosing a face primer, it’s best to consider your skin type and concerns, as well as the makeup finish you’re after.

Do You Need Primer For Makeup?

“Need” is a bit of a taboo word when it comes to makeup, since you don’t need makeup at all. However, if you choose to wear makeup, prepping your skin with a primer can make a noticeable difference in how your products apply and wear throughout the day. With primer, your makeup will apply more smoothly and evenly and last longer. The right primer can also help keep your skin looking balanced, either by providing much-needed hydration or minimizing unwanted shine. Because of its ability to hold makeup in place, primer is especially useful for special occasions or situations where you need your makeup to last, such as weddings or parties. So, while you don’t have to prime your skin, we recommend doing so to ensure your makeup looks its best. 

How To Choose the Right Primer for Your Needs

Primer isn’t one-size-fits-all. The right formula depends on where you’re applying it, your skin type, and what you need that day. Here’s how to choose the best primer makeup for your routine.

Face primers

The best face primer for your needs depends largely on your skin type and concerns. If you’re prone to dryness, for example, you’ll likely want to choose a hydrating face primer that helps moisturize and smooth your skin. Those with oily skin tend to do well with lightweight, mattifying primers that help minimize excess oiliness and shine. Blurring primers, meanwhile, are a great option for those with an uneven skin texture, as they can help “fill in” enlarged pores and lines to create a smoother canvas for your makeup application. And if your skin is dull or lackluster, consider reaching for an illuminating primer to give your skin a boost of radiance. For the latter, we recommend the L’Oréal Paris Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer. The lightly-tinted formula helps hydrate the skin while leaving it with a soft, lit-from-within glow.

Eye primers

If you plan on wearing eyeshadow, prepping your lids with an eye primer can help minimize fallout and prevent creasing throughout the day. Eye primers can also help smooth your lids so your eyeshadows blend more easily. 

Generally speaking, the best eye primers are lightweight, slightly tacky gels or creams. However, if you’re going for a bold eyeshadow look and don’t have a dedicated eye primer on hand, you can prep your lids with a full-coverage concealer, such as the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Full Wear Concealer Up To 24H Full Coverage. It won’t provide the same level of hold as an eye primer, but it can help to create a more even base for your shadow application.

Lip primers

Lip primers create a smooth surface, soften fine lines, and keep lipstick from feathering or fading. They’re helpful when wearing matte or bold lip colors that need extra staying power. If you don’t have a lip primer available, you can also use a lip liner to help prep your lips for your lipstick application. We love the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Lip Liner, which contains vitamin E and glides on smoothly to help prevent lipstick from feathering or fading.

Lash primers

Lash primers can help add volume and length to your natural lashes, enhancing your mascara application. Some formulas, like the L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Primer, also condition lashes, making them feel nourished and softer over time.

How To Apply Makeup Primer 

While each part of your makeup routine requires a different type of primer, the good news is that each step is relatively simple. Keep reading to learn how to apply primer on the face, eyes, lips, and lashes.

How to apply face primer

Before applying face primer, wash and moisturize your face. Primer should always be applied after moisturizer, not before. If it’s daytime, you’ll also want to apply sunscreen to help shield your skin from damaging UV rays. After all your skincare products have absorbed, dispense a small amount of your chosen primer onto your fingers and gently rub it onto your face, blending from the center outward. From there, you can apply your foundation and concealer as usual to help camouflage imperfections and even your skin tone. 

If you don’t want to wear foundation, that’s okay—many primers can also be worn alone. The aforementioned L’Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer doubles as a lightweight tinted moisturizer, perfect for days when you want barely-there coverage. If you’re simply looking for a primer to help smooth and blur your skin texture, we love the L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Makeup Blurring Face Primer Infused with Serum. The hydrating formula has a universal rosy tint and leaves the skin smooth, even, and healthy-looking.

How to apply eye primer

If your eye makeup tends to smudge easily or your eyeliner fades throughout the day, try prepping your lids with an eye primer. Using an eye primer to prep your eyes for makeup can serve several purposes: it helps create a smooth base for easier application, locks your look in place, and even makes eyeshadows appear more vibrant. 

Applying eye primer is simple. Dispense a tiny amount of your chosen formula onto your ring finger and lightly rub it onto your lid, the way you might apply an eye cream. If you like to smudge shadow beneath your lower lids, you can apply a bit of primer there, too. Let the formula set for a few moments before applying your eyeshadow and other eye makeup. 

How to apply lash primer

If you can’t go a day without coating your lashes with mascara, you might want to consider adding lash primer to your beauty routine. Lash primers like the L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara Primer/Base can help make lashes appear thicker and fuller, so you can achieve your desired look with fewer coats of mascara. To apply, swipe the spoolie brush through your lashes from root to tip. Allow the primer to dry completely before layering on your chosen mascara. 

How to apply lip primer

How you apply your lip liner comes down to the type of formula you’re using. Liquid lip primers can be swiped on like a lip gloss, while solid formulas can be used like a balm. If you’re using a lip liner in lieu of a traditional primer, use the pencil to fill in your lips completely, rather than simply outlining them.

3 Makeup Primer Hacks That Really Work 

Now that you know the basics of how to apply primer, we’re sharing a few tips for leveling up your look. Below, learn three pro primer hacks to upgrade your makeup routine.

1. Mix it with eyeshadow

To turn a powder eyeshadow into a cream, mix a small amount of liquid or cream primer makeup with the shadow until it forms a smooth paste. Then, apply it like a cream shadow for a richer finish and easier blend.

2. Try it on your brows

If you’re out of your go-to brow gel, you can pat primer directly onto your eyebrows before brushing through with a spoolie to help keep your arches in place.

3. Use it to clean up mistakes

If you make a mistake with your eyeliner, you can use primer to clean it up. Apply a dab of primer onto a cotton swab, and gently rub it on the eyeliner mistake you want to remove. 

Can you wear primer alone?

Yes, you can typically wear primer alone. The right formula can help smooth the skin’s surface, soften the appearance of pores, and give the skin a more even finish without the need for other products. For a hint of coverage ideal for no-makeup makeup days, consider using a lightly tinted primer, like the L’Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer. The sheer color will help even out your complexion without making it look like you’re wearing any makeup at all. Choose the shade that most closely matches your skin and apply it as you would a regular moisturizer for a radiant, healthy-looking complexion.

Next Up: What Is Foundation Makeup and How Do You Use It?

Photo courtesy of L’Oréal Paris