Do I Really Need a Primer?

In: Beauty|How-To | On: 5 Jan, 2010

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

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

Primer is pretty neat stuff. It is beneficial for your skin, and and makes your skin feel wonderful too.

I think it is worth the extra step though, if you have it on hand! It is pricey, and definitely more of a luxury than a necessity.

Let me ask you, do you (or have you ever) used a makeup primer? Did you like it? I probably will continue to buy and use primer – as long as I have the money to splurge on it!

Joanne Faith

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(19) Comments | In: Beauty|How-To | Tagged With: beauty, makeup, primer, smashbox, test-run

Emma, on January 6th, 2010 at 4:21 am Said:

I’ve been debating about ordering some smashbox primer, as I’ve heard good things about it. I have used primer in the past. I used to use MAC, but at the moment I’m using Paul & Joe. I agree it does make your face really smooth. I may just have to order some of the smashbox one though

Luana, on January 6th, 2010 at 5:53 am Said:

I’m so glad I found out about primer, I also don’t think it’s necessary but now that I’ve worked it into my routine I find it hard to break away from it! I do love NARS, but like you said these things tend to be pricey.

Couture Carrie, on January 6th, 2010 at 9:54 am Said:

Fab review, darling!
I have never used primer before but will try it now!

xoxox,
CC

Katie, on January 6th, 2010 at 12:11 pm Said:

I’ve never used a primer but sometimes I can look oily in photos so I’ve always wanted one! Thanks for the review

bananas., on January 6th, 2010 at 12:43 pm Said:

i will second that! i never used primer until this year…well last year . and it really does make a difference. my skin looked smoother and clearer and my makeup lasted a lot longer.

Joanne Faith, on January 6th, 2010 at 2:19 pm Said:

@Emma: I haven’t tried any Primers other than Smashbox, but I definitely enjoyed using it and do recommend it!

@Katie: If you have the cash, then it’s worth a go – even if you don’t want to bother with it every day.

Lovely, on January 6th, 2010 at 4:57 pm Said:

I honestly use whatever is cheapest and easiet available and I have only had success with them. I’ll definitely look more into these primers

Lexy, on January 6th, 2010 at 6:25 pm Said:

Soooo. I have the worst skin ever (grr, you teenage hormones). Thanks for the post – perhaps I shall give primer a try.

My skin is actually bipolar.

Thanks so much for stopping by! And thanks for the link
quirkyexplosion.blogspot.com

Clare, on January 6th, 2010 at 8:18 pm Said:

Hmmm, i have never tried a primer. I have a bunch about it tho. I will have to give it a try now. Great post!

fadetoblack, on January 6th, 2010 at 8:30 pm Said:

oo i will try thanks for the tip ++

sarah hannah, on January 6th, 2010 at 9:03 pm Said:

YES!!! i would DIE without primer, it seriously is fantastic. my faves are ones with illuminating particles in them, they make the skin glowy & dewy. (i hate the powdered cakey look) stila and lancome both do a fantastic version.

Cafe Fashionista cafefashionista , on January 6th, 2010 at 9:36 pm Said:

I have never used a primer before; but your review has completely piqued my interest!!

hauteworld, on January 7th, 2010 at 1:09 am Said:

Never used a primer for my face, but I have used one for the eyes, which didn’t really work. Thanks to your post, I’m really intrigued now! Sounds like a fabulous product…. I’ll try to grab a sample and give it a try myself!

Joanne Faith, on January 7th, 2010 at 3:08 pm Said:

@Lovely: I would be curious as to how cheaper options performed!

Lexy: I wish I had known more about makeup in general in my teenager years…I discovered eyeliner & that was about it…

@sarah hannah: I completely agree, the glowey and dewey look is definitely preferred.

Amy, on January 19th, 2010 at 1:30 pm Said:

I’ve used a few primers, but the best one by far is the Napoleon Perdis Auto pilot for the face. It made me love my foundation again. MAC prep and prime is a bit stink imho, their eye primer cakes. The NP eye primer is good too, and if you want your eyeshadows to look bright and colourful a good eye primer will do just that. I’ve tried swatching colours on my hands with and without primer and the colours over primer always look and last best.

Krystle, on March 29th, 2011 at 6:17 pm Said:

I have fallen in love with primer!! Right before I bought Smashbox, I read a review that said the Covergirl Olay version was just as good. SO I ended up saving 1/2 the price and I love it!!
Krystle recently posted..3 signs today is Monday

Vivienne, on May 17th, 2011 at 5:27 pm Said:

I was introduced to primer when I started using MAC make-up a couple of years ago. I started to use it only when I was going out for that something extra look because of the extra expense. But now I have switched to mineral powder foundation and used under this is makes my face look great everday. I’m 37 so at this age it definately helps with the glow.

charlotte, on February 6th, 2012 at 7:41 pm Said:

I never thought it was a necessity until I bought MAC prep and prime. I love it I think it makes such a difference to how your skin feels and looks. I was a bit sick of make up sales people telling me I need it, but now I understand and I know won’t go without it

dana KAXbsenbjMLE , on May 11th, 2012 at 6:45 am Said:

i use bb cream as tinted morzsuiiter and never thought it can be used as primer. i’ve been using mineral foundation for the last 2 years and love it, but i have to stop using because my skin is so dry. once my skin gets out of the ‘sahara desert’ state, i will try this combination.