Why primers are a beauty game-changer

The last few years have seen an explosion of makeup primers hit the shelves. But you’ve been getting along just fine without one, so do you really need a primer? According to makeup artist Tamryn Jefferies, the short answer is no. They’re not essential, but once you find a really good one, it’ll be the beauty BFF you never knew you needed.

Virtual perfection 

“Many facial primers contain silicone or light-diffusing ingredients that help blur the look of imperfections, like enlarged pores and wrinkles. If you wear them on their own you can create the illusion of younger, smoother skin,” says Tamryn. So really, what’s not to love? “Dot it on your forehead, nose, cheeks and chin and blend outwards using a sponge, or just cover problem areas like enlarged pores on your nose or cheeks.”

Another reason many people wear a silicone-based primer is that it creates a bit of ‘slip’ that helps your foundation glide on more easily. 

The long game 

“Many primers, especially those that have a slightly tacky feeling, can help make your makeup last a lot longer as they give your foundation something to cling to,” says Tamryn. “Just look for products that make a point of promising longer wear to ensure you’re using something with a formula that’s more focused on extending the life of your makeup, as opposed to blurring or smoothing.”

When it comes to eyeshadow, eyelid primers are almost always the long-wearing type and can be a real game-changer. “Spread a very thin layer over your eyelid, focusing on the crease,” says Tamryn. “Once it’s completely dry, apply your eyeshadow as usual and you’ll see that it prevents creasing, fading and ensures your colour remains vibrant from day to night.”

A word about oily skin 

If you’ve got oily-combo skin, then it’s important to pick your primer carefully. Tamryn says anything with a lot of silicone in it is best left to those with drier skin types. “If you apply too much of a silicone-heavy primer it can shift as your skin becomes oilier throughout the day, resulting in an unfortunate muddy look. Rather look for a mattifying or oil-absorbing primer.” The bottom line is that silicone isn’t bad. You just don’t want too much of it if you’re prone to oily skin.

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