We all want that silky, seamless finish when we do our makeup, and with the right primer in your routine, it’s totally achievable.
Makeup artists Julianna Grogan and Priscilla Ashley rely on primer to prep their clients’ skin and create a smooth, even surface and a base layer for foundation or concealer to adhere to. As a result, it allows makeup to look fresh and refined for a longer period of time. Plus, they are built with skin-friendly ingredients to make hydration last and your makeup stick for a longer time.
They break down which primer ingredients work best for each skin type and share their top picks for achieving that glass‑skin makeup finish.
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What are makeup primers?
Grogan noted that primers are a multipurpose product. “It can even out the texture and tone of the skin by reducing discoloration and pore size, color correct imperfections, add luminosity and a glow to the skin, which will radiate through foundation,” she explains.
What features to look for in primers
When looking for a primer, Grogan recommends choosing one based on the makeup look you want to achieve and your skin type. If you have oily skin, she recommends a primer that helps absorb excess oil and has a matte finish. For dry skin, try a primer that adds moisture. If you have red or dull-looking skin, she recommends using a primer with a green or lavender tint to brighten and lift your skin tone.
But how do you know when you’ve found a quality primer for your skin? “A good primer will apply sheer and won’t feel sticky or textured on the skin’s surface,” Grogan says. “It should sit well under makeup without causing uneven application. In fact, it should make applying foundation easier and smoother.”
A quality primer should also feel cool on the skin, according to Ashley. She advises to pay attention to the ingredients in your primer, along with the other makeup products you’re using. “Certain ingredients don’t work well together. For example, if you have an oil-based primer and a water-based foundation, your makeup will slip and separate over time,” she says.
As you begin your hunt for the perfect primer, here are six expert-recommended products that will keep your makeup intact all day long.
Best makeup primers, recommended by experts
This one is a go-to for Grogan when she’s trying to achieve her signature dewy, glowy finish. “I use it before and after makeup to freshen the skin and add a subtle radiance to makeup. It’s also perfect for touch-ups if powder starts to cake or the skin is lacking shine and brightness,” she says.
This primer is a favorite of Grogan’s for those with deeper skin tones. She recommends looking for primers with warm undertones like peach, pink or gold to correct and balance skin tones. The formula is designed to correct dark circles, age spots and hide those imperfections without a cake-y feeling.
Ashley recommends this gel primer from Milk Makeup for all skin types. Some of its key ingredients include blue agave extract, aloe water and hyaluronic acid. “It has a tacky consistency that helps the foundation stick. It smooths out the skin beautifully and...hydrates [it] without making you look oily,” she adds.
Associate editor Madison San Miguel also approves this primer for its hydrating quality and the amount of skin care it contains. The mix of aloe vera, niacinamide, blue agave extract and more offers all-day hydration while leaving a smooth makeup finish.
Grogan suggests this color-correcting primer from Make Up For Ever if you are trying to counter redness. The green pigments in this primer correct redness for up to 24 hours and the presence of vitamin B5 allows it to simultaneously hydrate your skin.
Grogan also recommends this primer for anyone with oily skin because it absorbs excess oil, leaving you with a more matte finish. 88% of participants in a study said they felt this primer helped visibly refine their skin texture, made their skin look smooth and instantly mattified their skin for the rest of the day.
For those with dry skin, Grogan recommends this hydrating primer to add moisture and radiance to your skin. Key ingredients include shea butter to moisturize the skin and rice bran to condition and soften it.
Editor-approved makeup primers
Deputy managing editor Jess Bender says she likes the glowy finish and absorbency results this primer delivers. "I’m relatively late to the face primer game, but I’ve recently learned that it’s a great foundation to make my skin tints look more natural and less streaky upon application. Having used this on and off for the last few weeks, I really adore the finish this provides. It adds a hint of glisten without looking greasy, plus it smooths out my complexion nicely before applying the rest of my go-to makeup products," she says.
Bender also likes this primer and says is one her favorite form Laura Geller's collection. "Out of the products I've used from the brand, their hydrating primer is the one I grab the most. It provides the silkiest base for the rest of my makeup routine without pillage, and the hydrated finish lasts all day. I've also never needed to worry about more pigmented products fading or eyeliner smudging whenever I've used this," says Bender.
Senior editor Francesca Cocchi Zabloudil says, "I recently tried this primer after complimenting a coworker whose skin was glowing on a Teams call. It's great for days I want to go light on makeup but still give my skin a little boost, thanks to the subtle tint and glowy effect."
The mixture of jojoba oil and white peony extract provides long-lasting moisture. Plus, it offers SPF protection with a non-greasy texture.
Editor Vivien Moon barely wears makeup, but when she does, she attempts for the most natural-looking finish. "I typically don't love an overly grippy primer, which is why this one is perfect for me. It layers well over skin care and under makeup while giving the skin a dewy appearance with a hydrating feel," says Moon.
She adds to its promising results by saying that the primer holds up your makeup for hours. "I even tried it on my mom, and she loved the texture and how well it settled into her skin to provide a great base for her products," adds Moon.
How we chose the best makeup primers
The makeup artists we spoke to carefully selected each primer featured, while evaluating them based on performance, formulation and skin-friendly ingredients. We also included a handful of editor-tested picks — primers our team has personally worn, vetted and genuinely loved.
Meet the experts
At Shop TODAY, our reporters interview a range of qualified sources and experts to capture a wide scope of perspectives on a given topic. We also ensure that all expert guidance and recommendations are provided independently and without any undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Julianna Grogan is a New York City-based makeup artist who has been featured in many publications such as Vogue, Glamour, Harper's Bazaar and more.
- Priscilla Ashley is a New York City-based makeup artist who specializes in clean beauty. Her studio is located in Queens.
