Do I Really Need a Primer?

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NARS Makeup Primer. Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer. Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch.

I’ve wondered for a long time as to weather I really need to use a makeup primer.

I was introduced to makeup primer awhile back, it was described to me as smoothing and preparing the skin for foundation application, allowing it to be applied evenly & last longer.

Primer’s are designed to prepare a “smooth and perfect surface,” onto which the makeup can “grab onto.”

According the Beauty-Advices.com the benefits of using a makeup primer include:

- Smoothing the skins surface, and evening skin tone to create a “perfect surface” for your makeup
- Disguise skin flaws and imperfections (including redness, fine lines and wrinkles)
- Pamper and nourish your skin
- Moisturize your skin and keeps it hydrated
- Stops oil and shine
- Allows your skin to “breath normally,” as the primer doesn’t clog the pores
- Allows makeup to glide on smoothly and blend easily

I decided to give primer a test run to see if it really was the miracle it is described as.

Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer, Wearing OPI Samoan Sand

I selected Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer, via @temptalia’s recommendation.

Using the Primer

The gel was fun to apply, and made my skin feel amazingly soft. It did smell and feel a little odd, but I couldn’t stop touching my skin after application.

The primer did completely smoothed my skin, and  the difference was noticeable! That’s not to say it prevented me from needing to still use a foundation.

You do need to give it time to set, in order to give the foundation something to ‘grab onto,’ but once it’s set foundation goes on easier and smoother. This also meant using less foundation overall, with the resulting effect even and ‘light’ looking.

Foundation also seems to last a little longer, not smearing off as easily, which is a bonus!

The Verdict