Beauty 101 - Face Primers

This is part of my Beauty Basics 101 Series for Primers. I will be talking more about primers and showing swatches of the primers from my collection. Let me know in the comments what are your favourite face primers! 

What is a "Face Primer" and why do I need one?

This is a common question that I get asked a lot! Basically a face primer is meant to hold your makeup in place for a longer period, it also helps keep your makeup from wearing off and giving you that "patchy" look. Primers have also been known to help foundation from Oxidizing. This process happens with some skin types and causes your foundation to turn that beautiful pumpkin orange colour. Sexy ;). Now just like everything else in the beauty market, when the basic is a heat...the brands make 5 million variations of the same thing with extra benefits. I am going to show you the 4 categories that I find for most primers. They have really evolved in a short period of time, so lets find out what will work best for your skin! 

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1. Pore-Smoothing

Now most primers have a "pore smoothing" effect, so take that into consideration. I find if your MAIN concern is pores, these two are great options. 

Benefit Porefessional

Cost: $37CND
Where to buy: murale.ca

This is in my top 3 primers. It honestly feels so amazing, and gives you instant results. It really diffuses the look of pores (because FYI nothing can actually SHRINK your pores, just reduce the APPEARANCE). I actually posted a photo on my Instagram showing an instant effect with this primer. IG: amye89. Cons I would say are a cheap packaging...I am not a huge fan. I know it's retro etc..but I just don't love it. I like things to be fancy and in glass and have angels sing when I open it...know what I mean? :P 

Rating Scale out of 5

Stila Prime & Anti-Shine Balm

Cost: $39CND
Where to buy: sephora.com

This product is a little tricky to work with. It has an amazing texture, and really smooths the skin, however you need to really work with the product and be careful not to take too much out of the container. It is advertised that it can be used as a "on the go" item. Although I enjoy the texture and it does a decent job, I can't justify the $39 price-tag for such little product. I have already hit pan and I have literally used it max 5 times. If you really need an on the go touch up because you are oily, and you need more than just blotting sheets, maybe give this a try. If you are in the market for an everyday primer, I would skip this and just go for the Benefit Porefessional. 

Rating Scale out of 5

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2. Back2Basics

Back2Basics are really the first type of primer that came out onto the market. They are the heavy silicone type. These are okay IF you apply them properly. I see a lot of people apply wayyy too much and complain of a "greasy feeling". If it feels greasy you have applied too much! Now that being said, an oily skin will probably hate the feeling of this. They might want to use one with less silicone, like the one I am featuring from Clinique. 

Clinique Universal Superprimer

Cost: $29CND
Where to buy: clinique.com

This primer does away with the traditional "silicone" texture and has a nice soft texture. It really leaves the skin feeling ready for the next step. This is the Universal, they also have coloured ones if you are concerned with pigmentation or want to add luminosity to the skin. Overall this is a great buy at a great price. I highly recommend this primer! It may be new to the market, but it was quickly become a favourite of mine. 

Rating Scale out of 5

Smashbox PhotoFinish 

Cost: $44CND
Where to buy: sephora.com

The one & only Photo Finish. This is one of the original best selling primers on the market. It has the traditional silicone finish. It was never one of my favourite primers but it does well. I think that with the improvements in the market that you can find a better primer for the same cost or less. I even prefer other primers from the Photo Finish range compared to this one. 

Rating Scale out of 5

Lancome La Base Pro

Cost: $47CND
Where to buy: lancome.ca

Now La Base Pro is VERY similar to Photo Finish from Smashbox. However I actually prefer this formulation compared to the Smashbox. I find that it rarely gives me the greasy feeling, and it performs very well. The same notes would apply to this one as I had mentioned in the Photo Finish review just above this. 

Rating Scale out of 5

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3. Luminous/Coloured

These types of primers are focused on correcting skin tone before you even apply your foundation. These can also be used on their own if you just want a very natural look and just correct some discolouration on the skin. They usually don't have a heavy silicone feeling

Lise Watier Luminous Correcting Primer - Banane

Cost: $36CND
Where to buy: lisewatier.com

Lise Watier always had these primers in the double container. The issue always was that the containers would clog because the Diamond Lumiere Complex was too thick. The texture of these primers are much thicker than your average primer. They are kind of difficult to spread on the skin, and you need to be light handed or else you end up with discolouration to the skin. These can't really be worn on their own because of the high pigment, you really need to make sure that you dilute with something like the Smashbox Photo Finish OR apply a good coverage foundation on top. It sounds like a lot of work, but the end result is truly flawless skin. 

Rating Scale out of 5

Almay CC Luminous Primer

Cost: $12-$16CND
Where to buy: Local drugstore/Wal-Mart/Target

This is a great luminous primer. It gives a pink glow. This works best for a cool, fair-medium skin toned people. It also works great as a mix into a foundation for those foundations that are a touch too dark or too orange for us fair girls! It is very pigmented, a little too light. It would make anyone over a medium to have an "ashy" appearance. 

Rating Scale out of 5

Lancome Effet Miracle - 02

Cost: $40CND
Where to buy: In-Store @ Shoppers Drug Mart (not avail. online at lancome.ca)

Now I am not sure if they are discontinuing this product (I hope not!!), but it is still available at most Shoppers Drug Mart locations that carry Lancome cosmetics. Now I have the shade 02 that has more of a rose tone too it. Works best for fair skin. The texture is VERY similar to the Benefit Porefessional. It isn't as great as the Porefessional for pores, but it is a very nice natural texture that leaves  a slight shimmer to the skin. 

Rating Scale out of 5

Clarins Instant Light Radiance Boosting Complexion Base - 01 Rose

Cost: $37CND
Where to buy: clarins.ca

This is a new variation of a classic Clarins product (with wayy nicer packaging, if I might add). Now of course, I have the rosy toned product. It is pretty sad that I own 3 Rose tone primers...hmmm...Anyways! It comes it three shades so it would be great for the majority of skin tones. It is not as pigmented as the Almay, and the shimmer particles are smaller. Overall I enjoy the texture of this product better than the Almay. It doesn't work as well for lightening my darker foundations though. See I have a reason for having multiples! ;) 

Rating Scale out of 5

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4. Treatment

I find that these are the new "hot" thing on the market. Brands are now incorporating skincare ingredients into their primers. I think it's smart for those who don't want to do 30million layers of skincare and then put on some more with their primer. I do enjoy these types, but sometimes they become a little heavy for me since I enjoy putting on my 30million layers of skincare. ;) 

Cover|FX Anti-Aging Primer

Cost: $38CND
Where to buy: coverfx.com

Cover|FX has some great primers. You just have to make sure that you get the RIGHT one, or else you will hate it! This one here has a fantastic list of ingredients (which is something Cover|FX is known for doing). However, if you do not have a very dry skin, or don't set your makeup with a powder...it's going to look a hot mess halfway through the day. It is beautiful as an actual serum that you can apply at night though, and leaves your skin feeling refreshed in the morning. 

Rating Scale out of 5

Cover|FX SPF 30 Protection Primer

Cost: $38CND
Where to buy: coverfx.com

This primer is great for men & women. It doesn't have the usual Sunscreen smell, it doesn't have the heavy texture or the whitecast. It is one of the best facial sunscreens on the market and does work well as a primer. 

Rating Scale out of 5

Cover|FX Mattifying Primer

Cost: $38CND
Where to buy: coverfx.com

I have a dehydrated, combination dry skin type....however I adore my face to be matte. I am crazy like that. So for that reason I really enjoy the Mattifying Primer. It has Salicylic Acid inside so it will treat acne breakouts throughout the day under your makeup. It also has properties to help with redness and inflammation. This can really be used as a skincare treatment AND/OR as a primer. Making it a uni-sex product. That is something very unique about the Cover|FX primers. 

Rating Scale out of 5

Smashbox Photo Finish Dark Spot Correcting

Cost: $50CND
Where to buy: sephora.com

Last but not least, another Photo Finish primer from Smashbox. This one is from their "More than Primer" category, (sounds very Clinique-esk...makes sense since they are now under Lauder). This has a liquorish root extract inside to help with dark spots, acne scars etc...It will help to diminish these over time. You can use this under your moisturizer or over. I enjoy the texture of this, it is very similar to the Clinique primer, except it is not as thick. This & the hydrating primer are my two favourites from the Smashbox Photo Finish range. 

Rating Scale out of 5

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Conclusion

If you actually made it this far, you pretty much need an award. Thanks so much for reading! Tell me your favourite primer, or if you have used any of the ones that I have mentioned. 

Until next time, 
Amye89xoxo