DO I REALLY NEED A PRIMER?

What is primer and do I really need it?

The simple answer is Yes and No.

I completely understand the benefits of using a good primer, however I find some primers on the market have me believing you're just as well off using a moisturiser before applying your makeup.

Before I get into that, let's establish what a primer is...
 
Primer

noun

noun: primer; plural noun: primers

1. 1.

   a substance used as a preparatory coat on wood, metal, or canvas, especially to prevent the absorption of subsequent layers of paint or the development of rust.

   "apply three coats of primer"

If we look at this cosmetically, a primer is basically a cream or lotion applied before foundation to assist in a smooth and even application and to prevent your foundation being absorbed into the skin in a patchy mess. Some go further to improve coverage and lengthen the amount of time the your makeup lasts on your face.

 

In choosing a primer, or considering whether you actually even need one at all you need to establish how you desire your skin to look after applying makeup.

 

Do you want a matte look? Are you after a dewy glow? Do you want an even coverage and something that lasts all day/night?

 

If you are after a lighter coverage and more of a dewy appearance a primer can work similarly to a moisturiser and in this instance you can probably save your money here by purchasing a Sorbolene cream instead. 

 

 I find this is the case with Napoleon Perdis' Auto Pilot Pre-foundation Skin Primer ($59). While it smells delish and feels nice on my face, Face of Australia's Face Base Primer ($11.95) contains the same ingredients* and gives me an almost identical result, and if I'm completely honest, the good old Sorbolene cream will do very similar. It's important to note that these are all water based, which means that the foundation you are using would have to be the same water base(if you look at the first ingredients list on your products the first one will generally be water or 'aqua'). If you have an oil based foundation this is not an option. You may have had an experience when the foundation sticks rather than glides and bunches up in your hairline? Water and oil just don't mix.

 

 

 

(*The order list of the ingredients is also the same which means that, while maybe not in exact quantities, there is most of the same particular ingredients).

 

 If the aforementioned light-medium coverage, semi-dewy look is what your after I would suggest distributing your cash more generously towards another product than an expensive primer and popping in to Woolies for some fancy Vitamin E cream instead. If your foundation is oil based I would suggest a little bit of baby oil instead, let it absorb into the skin and wack on your foundo.

 

The primers that stand alone from moisturiser alternatives are the ones that are going to give you a more matte finish, extend the wearability of your foundation and give you a little sweat-proofness. Some of these contain salicylic acid which absorbs some of the oil in your foundation or gives you a really smooth feeling on your skin without being 'wet'. I didn't understand anything like this existed until a beautiful friend of mine who works in makeup gave me a sample of an Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer ($79). This shit is bananas. You can literally feel where your dollars have gone as soon as you apply this to your face. It's like velvet on your skin and even though there is no wet feeling to it your foundation just glides. This is the primer that made me believe in the benefits of primer. I probably wouldn't use this everyday just because I prefer a lighter finish on my skin, but it's perfect for a special occasion when you need your makeup to stay and especially when ever your likely to sweat. So if your off to impress some boiz in the club in Mykonos/Thailand/your local sauna, this is your new best friend!