Whether you wear a full face of makeup or you prefer to keep it simple with a BB cream, the basic idea behind primers is to combat shine and to help create a smooth base for foundation. While some think they are a pointless extra step in your routine, others rely on their ability to boost your glow, minimise pores and blur imperfections.
The key to primers in 2018 is deciding how it can benefit your skin, and then finding the right formula for it. With so many options available (think illuminating, hydrating, pore-reducing and more), we break down the options based on your skin type.
Colour-correcting primers are particularly confusing because, let’s face it, no one in their right mind would willingly slather shades of green, pink and even purple across their face. However, if you’re looking to tone down redness or even out your skin tone, you can’t beat them. The fundamentals of colour correcting lie in neutralising certain shades with opposing colours from the colour wheel. For example, purple neutralises yellow, green neutralises red, and orange neutralises blue. So green primers are best for skin tones prone to rosacea and acne while a lavender primer is used to tone down yellow skin.
Once you've decided on the right formula, the application process is just as important. Using too much primer can backfire, causing your foundation to clump, or skin to appear chalky or overly shiny.
