We reveal the best hydrating, mattifying, blurring and luminising makeup primers that minimise pores, even out your skin tone and boost makeup coverage.
When it comes to prepping your skin and getting your face on, makeup primers are the real MVP. They take your foundation application from 0 to 100 real quick, and enhance the longevity of your makeup. There’s a variety for you to choose from – primers that mattify oily skin, smooth skin texture, and reduce the appearance of pores, as well as colour-correctors and anti-ageing formulas to blur wrinkles. A little goes a long way with primer – a pea-size amount does the trick or a bit more if you have dry skin – just work it in with your fingers. Give it a minute to set on your face before you go on to the next step.
Best makeup primers in Singapore
Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer
Conceals redness, minimises the appearance of pores, fine lines and wrinkles, is waterproof, and has SPF protection – we can’t think of anything this multi-tasking primer can’t do. It’s also a lightweight and oil-free formula that’s easy on sensitive skin, and paves the way for a smooth and even canvas.
Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer, $89 for 30ml, available at Sephora and online.
Mac Cosmetics Prep + Prime Fix+ Cosmetics
Mac’s Prep+Prime Fix+ has always been an OG. Apart from its double function (it’s a primer and setting spray), the magical elixir is packed with vitamins and minerals. There’s also a blend of green tea, chamomile and cucumber to soothe the skin before slathering on your makeup. Spritz it on for a boost of hydration before your makeup, and after to lock it all in.
Mac Cosmetics Prep + Prime Fix+ Cosmetics, $37, available at Mac Cosmetics stores and Sephora.
Benefit Cosmetics The Porefessional Face Primer
Large pores ruining your day? Look no further than this miracle worker to blur the appearance of pores and fine lines. The translucent formula complements all skin tones and also has vitamin E to combat the effects of free radicals.
Benefit Cosmetics The Porefessional Face Primer, $54 for 22ml, available at Lazada and Sephora.
Make Up For Ever Mattifying Primer
Make Up For Ever has a range of primers to tackle different concerns, and the mattifying primer is one that stands out. Why? It helps even your skin tone and increases the wear time of your makeup. Pro tip: Apply only on oily spots. Go in with a hydrating primer for drier areas as the formula tends to be a little drying.
Make Up For Ever Mattifying Primer, $37 for 15ml, available at Sephora and online.
Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte’s Magic Cream
Hear us out: Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Cream might be categorised as a moisturiser but it does a swell job at prepping the face too. Once you look past its hefty price tag – it doubles up as a moisturiser and primer, after all – you’ll realise that it gives a radiant glow. It also has all the good stuff including vitamin C and E, hyaluronic acid, shea butter, aloe vera and rosehip oil. We even know of a few makeup artists who use this as a primer!
Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte’s Magic Cream, $150 for 50ml, available at Sephora and online.
Cover FX Blurring Primer
Never underestimate the power of a makeup primer – a good one creates the perfect base for makeup, and keeps it from sliding off even in the worst of Singapore’s heat. Cover FX’s Blurring Primer does all that, and more. The lightweight balm applies transparently and leaves a smooth finish that blurs imperfections, reduces the appearance of pores and fine lines, and gives skin a soft-focus finish.
Cover FX Blurring Primer, $62 for 30ml, available on Sephora stores and online.
Too Faced Hangover Primer
If you frequently deal with late nights and are guilty of drinking far too little water, Too Faced’s Hangover Primer is just the right antidote for your tired, dehydrated skin. Infused with coconut water and probiotics, it hydrates, boosts skin radiance while setting makeup for long wear. Wear alone for a dewy finish.
Too Faced Hangover Primer, $52, available at Sephora stores and online.
Becca Ever Matte Poreless Priming Perfector
It’s no secret that we’re big fans of Becca – the makeup brand does some of the best products we’ve seen when it comes to serious glow. But if you’re looking to mattify, you’d be equally pleased; the Ever Matte Poreless Priming Perfector helps control excess oil and is sweat and humidity resistant. To apply, pat onto skin but be sure to blend as soon as you apply as it dries quickly.
Becca Ever Matte Poreless Priming Perfector, $58, available at selected Sephora stores and online.
Marc Jacobs Beauty Undercover Perfecting Coconut Primer
Like a hydrating smoothie for the skin, this primer contains vitamin-rich, concentrated extracts of coconut as well as a magic ingredient derived from water which mirrors the skin-perfecting effects of synthetic ones. Free of parabens, sulphates and phthalates, it evens out and hydrates skin, and prolongs your face makeup.
Marc Jacobs Beauty Undercover Perfecting Coconut Primer, $69, available at Sephora stores and online.
Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer
This Holy Grail primer does a mighty job of prepping skin for makeup – its lightweight, gel formula fills in fine lines, minimises pores, blurs imperfections and glides across skin for a flawless application. It even comes in different shades, including green and beige to colour correct uneven skin tones.
Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer, $58 for 30ml, available at Sephora stores and online.
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Mattifying Primer
If you love Fenty Beauty’s original primer but need just a teeny bit of shine control to keep that oily t-zone at bay, this is your best bet. Blue agave extract and blurring powders blend into all skin tones and leave a perfect canvas for the rest of your makeup.
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Mattifying Primer, $48, available at Sephora
Burberry Fresh Glow Luminous Fluid Base
This popular Burberry primer is made up of 55% water, which explains its lightweight texture. It glides across the skin with incredible ease, hydrating skin while blurring imperfections almost instantly. The result? A luminous, shimmer-free face ready for makeup application.
Burberry Fresh Glow Luminous Fluid Base, $70 for 30ml, available at Burberry beauty boutiques, Sephora and online.
KVD Vegan Beauty Lock-It Hydrating Primer
For a weightless, nourishing primer, you’ll love Kat Von D’s bestseller. Boasting vitamin B5, aloe vera, jojoba and shea, it’s great for those with dry, sensitive skin too as its moisturising and does not contain fragrance or colour. Bonus: It contains skin-perfecting oxygen-boosters to help foundation apply evenly onto skin for a poreless smooth finish.
KVD Vegan Beauty Lock-It Hydrating Primer, $54, available at Sephora stores and online.
Chanel Le Blanc De Chanel Multi-use Illuminating Base
This iconic foundation is loved by makeup artists for evening out skin texture and reducing the appearance of pores. After moisturising skin, simply pat it on to lock in hydration. To keep skin from looking dull during a rough day at work, dab the primer onto the high points of your face to add brightness and refresh your base.
Chanel Le Blanc De Chanel Multi-use Illuminating Base, $84.95, available at Chanel Fragrance and Beauty boutiques and counters islandwide.
Revlon Photoready Perfecting Primer
If you love the Revlon Photoready foundation, you’ll love this primer – it contains photochromatic pigments to reflect diffuse light to minimize flaws, minimises the look of fine lines and helps to smoothen skin texture.
Revlon Photoready Perfecting Primer, $29.90, available at Guardian and Watsons stores and online.
