Face Primers

Face primers are designed to help perfect your makeup, preparing skin to ensure a smooth and hydrated, flawless, long-lasting makeup base. Face primer acts as a barrier between your skin and makeup to create an even canvas for foundation. Like a soft-focus effect from a camera filter, primers help smooth out skin’s surface texture and may diffuse light to refine imperfections. Some primers may also help with oil control for easier and more effective makeup application. If your foundation gets dry or cakey throughout the day, face primer can offer a layer of moisture, so makeup stays fresh and vibrant with a professional makeup finish. Adding face primer to your makeup routine is an easy way to level up your makeup base—no filter needed.

If you’re not sure which face primer to use, consider your skin type and preferred makeup finish, plus any additional skincare benefits.

First, identify your skin type—oily, dry, combination, or sensitive. This will help you narrow down the choices as different primers are designed to cater to specific skin needs. For instance, if you have oily skin, choose a mattifying primer that can help control shine and keep makeup in place. On the other hand, if your skin is dry, opt for a hydrating primer that adds moisture. Combination skin types may like to mattify in the T-zone and hydrate dry areas with different face primer formulas.

Second, consider the finish you prefer. While some may want a hydrated dewy glow, others might prefer a matte look; Lancôme’s range of primers accommodate all these preferences. Don't forget to consider any additional skincare benefits too, like SPF protection or pore minimization.

Beginner-friendly face primers should be easy to apply, do not require expert techniques, and work well with all foundation types to create a smooth canvas for makeup application. Lancôme’s La Base Pro is a face and makeup primer that does just that. It’s oil-free, super lightweight, and absorbs quickly for effortless foundation application and seamless blending. La Base Pro is suitable for all skin types, making it versatile enough for anyone trying it for the first time, and leaves a matte, satiny‑soft finish. If you’re looking for something that’s a bit more multi-use with the added benefit of SPF protection, consider Lancôme’s UV Expert Defense SPF 50+ primer and moisturizer all-in-one. The antioxidant-rich formula hydrates, soothes, and acts as a makeup primer, while broad spectrum SPF 50+ plus Vitamin E helps protect and hydrate skin in one easy step. UV Expert leaves a healthy-looking glow finish which is perfect for dry, combination, and sensitive skin types.

The best face primer for mature skin is one that can address specific aging concerns, like fine lines, dehydration, and discoloration, while ensuring face makeup lasts longer and looks smoother. Consider Priming Serum from Lancôme; a face primer formulated with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to visibly plump and smooth the skin, giving it a more even appearance. It's also a silicon-based face primer, which is often recommended for skin over 45 because these primers are known to fill in uneven textures and pores to create soft, blurred, youthful-looking skin. Additionally, the peachy color of Priming Serum also offers subtle color correction to address dark spots for a more even skin tone. Remember, when choosing a face primer, focus on those that suit your individual skin concerns, providing both an effective base for makeup and skincare benefits, ultimately delivering a radiant and youthful look that lasts all day.