This article is your one-stop guide to the top 10 best drugstore primers of 2024, curated with the help of expert makeup artists and real user experiences.
Ever wonder what’s the secret behind those flawless complexions you see on social media and celebrities? It’s not just about foundation – a great primer plays a crucial role in creating a smooth, long-lasting makeup base. But navigating the world of primers can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to finding the perfect drugstore option. We’ll delve into the power of primer, understand different types, and explore the best drugstore picks for various skin concerns. So, get ready to unlock the secrets to a flawless, budget-friendly makeup routine!
Understanding the Power of Primer
What is Primer?
Makeup primer is a lightweight product applied to the face after your skincare routine and before foundation. It acts as a barrier between your skin and makeup, creating a smooth canvas for even application and extended wear.
Benefits of Using Primer:
Primers offer a multitude of benefits for your makeup routine, including:
- Extends Makeup Wear: Primers act as a base that helps your foundation, concealer, and other makeup products stay put for longer, preventing them from smudging or fading throughout the day.
- Minimizes Pores: Many primers contain ingredients that mattify the skin and minimize the appearance of enlarged pores, creating a smoother texture for flawless makeup application.
- Smooths Texture: Primers can fill in fine lines and uneven skin texture, creating a perfect canvas for makeup to glide on effortlessly.
- Controls Shine: For those with oily skin, primers can help control excess oil production, resulting in a matte and shine-free finish.
- Boosts Radiance: Some primers come with illuminating properties, adding a subtle glow to your skin for a dewy and healthy-looking complexion.
Choosing the Right Primer:
With so many primers available, choosing the right one depends on your skin type and makeup goals. Here’s a breakdown of common primer types:
- Mattifying Primers: Ideal for oily skin, these primers absorb excess oil and control shine, leaving you with a matte finish.
- Hydrating Primers: Perfect for dry or dehydrated skin, these primers add moisture and create a supple base for makeup application.
- Pore-Minimizing Primers: Formulated to target enlarged pores, these primers blur and smooth out the appearance of pores for a flawless finish.
- Illuminating Primers: These primers add a subtle glow and radiance to the skin, creating a dewy look.
- Color-Correcting Primers: These primers come in various colors to address specific concerns like redness (green primers), sallowness (lavender primers), and dullness (pink primers).
Top Considerations When Choosing a Best Drugstore Primer
Expert Opinions & Reviews:
Consulting makeup artist recommendations and user reviews can be invaluable when selecting a best drugstore primer. Makeup artists often have insights into specific primers that address common concerns and work well with various makeup formulas. User reviews, especially on trusted platforms, can provide valuable feedback on real-life experiences and product performance.
Ingredients & Safety:
For those with sensitive skin, checking the ingredient list is crucial. Look for primers that are fragrance-free, non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores), and free from harsh chemicals that might irritate your skin.
Budget & Availability:
The biggest advantage of the best drugstore primers is their affordability. Compared to high-end brands, the best drugstore primers offer excellent value for money. Additionally, their wide availability at drugstores and online retailers makes them easily accessible.
Top 10 Best Drugstore Primers of 2024
Now, let’s dive into the heart of this guide: the top 10 best drugstore primers of 2024, as chosen by makeup artists and backed by user experiences:
Maybelline New York
- Skin Type & Concerns: Ideal for all skin types, especially those with enlarged pores or uneven texture.
- Key Features: Lightweight, silky texture; mattifying finish; minimizes pores; smooths texture.
- Expert Insights: “This primer is a true workhorse,” says celebrity makeup artist Jessica Wu. “It reduces the appearance of pores without feeling heavy on the skin, resulting in an ideal canvas for foundation.”
- User Reviews: Users love its pore-minimizing effect and how it extends the wear of their makeup.
- Price & Availability: Around $8, widely available at drugstores and online retailers.
Rimmel London
- Skin Type & Concerns: Best suited for oily or combination skin.
- Key Features: Oil-free formula; mattifying finish; control of shine; extends makeup wear.
- Expert Insights: “For my clients with oily skin, this primer is a lifesaver,” says makeup artist Vincent Ford. “It keeps oil at away all day, ensuring their makeup looks fresh and flawless.”
- User Reviews: Users appreciate the mattifying effect and how it prevents their makeup from melting, especially in hot and humid weather.
- Price & Availability: Around $6, easily found at drugstores and online retailers.
NYX Professional Makeup
- Skin Type & Concerns: This product works well for all skin types, including normal, combination, and oily skin.
- Key Features: Lightweight, hydrating, mattifying finish, minimizes pores, and controls shine.
- Expert Insights: “This primer is a versatile option for various skin types,” says makeup artist Sonia Choi. “It hydrates and mattifies the skin in a good way, making a smooth base for makeup application.”
- User Reviews: People praise its lightweight texture and how it keeps their makeup looking fresh without feeling heavy or drying.
- Price & Availability: Affordable, around $10, readily available at drugstores and online retailers.
COVERGIRL
- Skin Type & Concerns: Ideal for oily or combination skin with enlarged pores.
- Key Features: Oil-free formula, mattifying finish, minimizes pores, visibly tightens skin, and contains a hint of lilac tint to neutralize redness.
- Expert Insights: “This primer is a great choice for those with oily skin and enlarged pores,” says makeup artist Daniel Martin. “The Mattifying formula controls shine, and lilac tint evens out skin tone.”
- User Reviews: Users love the pore-minimizing effect and how the lilac tint helps counteract redness, leaving them with a smoother and more even-toned complexion.
- Price & Availability: Around $10, found at most drugstores and online retailers.
Neutrogena
- Skin Type & Concerns: Perfect for dry or dehydrated skin.
- Key Features: Lightweight, hydrating formula, dewy finish, boosts radiance, and contains hyaluronic acid for added moisture.
- Expert Insights: “This is a fantastic option for dry skin,” says makeup artist Victoria Jones. “Hyaluronic acid enhances the skin’s elasticity and imparts a radiant sheen, thereby simplifying the process of applying cosmetics.”
- User Reviews: Users appreciate its hydrating properties and how it leaves their skin feeling dewy and prepped for makeup.
- Price & Availability: Around $10, available at drugstores and online retailers.
Wet n Wild
- Skin Type & Concerns: Suitable for all skin types, particularly those looking for a smooth canvas for makeup.
- Key Features: Lightweight, silky texture, mattifying finish, minimizes pores, and blurs imperfections.
- Expert Insights: “This budget-friendly primer delivers great results,” says makeup artist Christopher Xu. “It smooths out the skin and minimizes pores, creating a perfect base for photo-ready makeup.”
- User Reviews: Users rave about its affordability and how it creates a smooth, flawless canvas for their makeup application.
- Price & Availability: Incredibly affordable, around $5, found at drugstores and online retailers.
L’Oreal Paris
- Skin Type & Concerns: This product works well for all skin types but is especially beneficial for oily and combination skin.
- Key Features: Oil-free formula, long-lasting wear, mattifying finish, minimizes pores, and controls shine.
- Expert Insights: “This primer is a great choice for long-lasting makeup wear,” says makeup artist Melissa Garcia. “It repels oil and keeps your makeup in place for hours at a time.”
- User Reviews: Users appreciate its long-wearing properties and how it prevents their makeup from smudging or fading throughout the day.
- Price & Availability: Around $12, available at drugstores and online retailers.
e.l.f.
- Skin Type & Concerns: Ideal for all skin types, particularly those with dry skin or uneven texture.
- Key Features: Unique putty-like texture, hydrating formula, dewy finish, and smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles.
- Expert Insights: “This primer is a game-changer for dry skin,” says makeup artist Katie Hughes. “The putty texture melts into the skin, providing intense hydration and a smooth base for makeup application.”
- User Reviews: Users love its hydrating properties and how it fills in fine lines, leaving their skin looking smoother and plumper.
- Price & Availability: Affordable, around $8, readily available at e.l.f. stores, drugstores, and online retailers.
Maybelline
- Skin Type & Concerns: Suitable for oily or combination skin with enlarged pores.
- Key Features: Lightweight, mattifying finish; minimizes pores; controls shine; and contains mattifying micro-pearls for a blurring effect.
- Expert Insights: “This primer is a multi-tasker for oily skin concerns,” says makeup artist Antonio Lopez. “It minimizes pores, controls shine, and blurs imperfections, leaving a smooth and prepped canvas for makeup.”
- User Reviews: Users appreciate its mattifying effect and how it minimizes the appearance of pores, creating a smoother and more refined complexion.
- Price & Availability: Around $9, found at most drugstores and online retailers.
Milani
- Skin Type & Concerns: This product works well for all skin types, especially those looking for a primer and setting spray in one product.
- Key Features: Multitasking formula, mattifying finish, minimizes pores, controls shine, and sets makeup for extended wear.
- Expert Insights: “This is a convenient option for those who want to simplify their routine,” says makeup artist Marie Kondo. “It primes, mattifies, and sets makeup in one step, saving time and effort.”
- User Reviews: Users love its versatility and how it simplifies their makeup routine while effectively controlling shine and setting their makeup for long-lasting wear.
- Price & Availability: Around $10, available at drugstores and online retailers.
Pro Application Tips for a Flawless Finish
Now that you’ve discovered your best drugstore primer, here are some pro application tips to maximize its effectiveness and achieve a flawless finish:
Skincare Prep: Always apply primer to a clean and well-hydrated canvas. Wash your face with a gentle cleanser and apply your preferred moisturizer. Allow the moisturizer to sink in completely before applying primer.
Less is More: A little goes a long way with primer. Apply a dime-sized amount of product to your fingertips and gently massage it onto your face, focusing on areas of concern like enlarged pores or fine lines.
Let it Set: Give your primer a minute or two to set before applying foundation. This allows the primer to create a smooth, tacky base for your makeup to adhere to.
Targeted Application: For areas prone to creasing, like the undereye, consider using a specific eye primer designed for delicate skin.
Conclusion
The best drugstore primers offer incredible value and performance, making them a fantastic option for anyone looking to create a flawless makeup base. With an array of formulas to choose from, there’s a perfect drugstore primer for every skin type and concern. By considering expert recommendations, user experiences, and your individual needs, you can unlock the power of primer and elevate your makeup routine to a whole new level. Remember, primer is a tool to enhance your natural beauty, not mask it. Embrace your unique features and let your makeup artistry shine through!
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