Primer 101: Find the perfect Primer!

Now that we know what Primers are and what they do, its time to find one that's good for you. Primers can be a bit expensive so finding one that suits you and the one that would help you target certain specific problems is the only way its going to be worth the money that you spend on it. 


What type of Primers to buy?
Since they are going to be on your skin for long hours sometimes, it is always good to look for Primers that have some skin care benefits. It is obviously an added expense so its best to look for one that suits your skin and can be worn in place of a moisturiser. 

All purpose ones

Ive put a collage of some of the popular all purpose Primers available in India. These are the ones that suit everyone and make for good general use..  

1. MAC Skin Base Visage, 2. Colorbar Perfect Match, 4 NYX HD Primer, 5. Revlon Photoready, 6. Loreal Base Magique, 7. Makeup Forever HD, 8. Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch

Tinted Primers

Dont worry, there is nothing complicated about these. Just think of them as normal primers with a color coded mission. The different colors target different issues in the complexion like redness, dullness, add luminosity and radiance and recharge the skin.  

1. Makeup Forever HD Mocro Perfecting Primers, 2. MAC Prep + Prime Fortified Skin  Enhancers, 3. NYX Studio Perfect Photo Loving Primer

To cover and soften fine lines and wrinkles
There is only one such that is formulated specifically for fine lines and wrinkles and thats available in India. It is MAC Prep + Prime Line Filler. It softens and relaxes the expression lines and dries to a matte finish. 
We really need more companies in India selling a product specifically for this.





To cover the appearance of Pores
These primers instantly reduce the appearance of open pores and even out the skin for a smoother makeup application. 

1. Clinique Refining Solutions Instant Perfector, 2. MAC Skin Refined Zone Treatment, Benefit Porefessional

Primers for Eyes
There are primers specifically for the eyes. They ensure that you get a higher intensity from your eyeshadow and it stays in place all day. Eye primers also make sure that your eye shadow doesnt crease or stray.  

1 MAC Vibrancy, 2. Revlon Photoready, 3. BeYu, 4, NYX Eye Shadow Base, 5. Makeup Forever Eye Prime, 6. Inglot Eye Makeup Base

Lip Primers
The Lip Primers keep your lips from chapping and make the lipstick last longer. And again MAC is the only one that comes to mind thats available in India.. 

Now like I said before, Primers can be expensive and are an extra expenditure so hope this post helps you select the one that suits you best! 

Prime Time! All you need to know about Primers

Are you thinking "Primers.. now what on earth are they? until recently no one knew about them n now everyone seems to be talking about them!" If that is what is going on in your mind, worry not! Just read this post and you will know all that you need to about Primers, what they do, what is the difference between a primer and a moisturiser and whether or not you need one!

What is a Primer?
Primer is a sort of cream or lotion that 'primes' or gets the skin ready for makeup. There are primers available for you face (to be used under foundation), for your eyes (to be used under eye-shadow) and for the lips (underneath lipstick)

What do they do?
They prepare the skin for makeup by hydrating it and making the surface even to improve the coverage of makeup and to increase the staying power of makeup. They form an ideal base coat beneath foundations or eye shadows helping them spread more evenly. Some primers have defined purposes and target specific areas like open pores and help reduce them visibly, cover fine lines, while the others could be used specifically for reducing redness, dullness or for illuminating lifeless skin. Some primers have a mattifying effect on your skin that is excellent for women with oily skin. 

What is the difference between a moisturizer and a primer?
Moisturisers are what we have always used under makeup for ages.. But now that we have primers formulated to do specific tasks (like covering pores etc) we use them especially as they are more effective in increasing the longevity of makeup. 

I know a lot of people who use moisturizers and then a primer on top before applying makeup. Now that is something I would recommend only if you have extremely dry skin. For everyone else, I suggest that using a primer alone is good enough as sometimes putting on a moisturizer and then a primer and then makeup on top can become a bit too much especially in the summers and if you have oily skin..

When to use a Primer?
Is it a must all the time? No. It isn't a must that you use a Primer all the time beneath makeup. It can be really helpful to use primers on days that you need your makeup to stay on for long and if you have certain things that you want to correct in your skin. On regular days it is fine to just use a moisturiser under makeup. It is great to know what needs to be corrected on your skin and then getting a primer that resolves that issue. That would make it easier for you to decide whether to buy an all purpose primer or one that focuses on a specific function like refining fine lines, absorbing oil, illuminating skin or even reducing pores. 

Hope this post helps you in solving some Primer mysteries that you might have had in your mind. Read my post Primer 101: Find the Perfect Primer that will help you buy the perfect Primer for yourself!