15 Best Face Primers That'll Ensure Your Makeup Lasts All Day

Editor Tip: To prevent pilling, let it set for one minute before applying makeup.

Key Ingredients: Blue agave extract, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide | Who It's Good for: Everyone | Finish: Satin

Best Multitasking: Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré

Why It's Worth It: Is there anything the Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré can't do? A beloved makeup artist staple, this rich, shea butter-infused cream goes above and beyond a traditional primer by effectively priming, moisturizing, and eliminating the risk of foundation clinging onto dry patches. "You massage it in and the skin takes on a beautiful tone without looking greasy," makeup artist Rafael Pita previously told Allure. That's not it, either: You can also use it as a non-stripping cleansing milk, nourishing face mask, and soothing post-sun care all in one.

Editor Tip: To use as a cleansing milk, apply a generous amount onto the skin as you would a makeup-removing lotion. To use as a face mask, apply a thick layer onto the skin for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing.

Key Ingredients: Beeswax, aloe vera, and shea butter | Who It's Good for: Those strapped for time | Finish: Radiant

Best for Dry Skin: Make Up For Ever Step 1 Hydra Booster Primer

Why It's Worth It: Named an Allure Best of Beauty winner in 2021, Make Up For Ever Step 1 Prima Hydra Booster Primer is a staff favorite. "This product feels more like a hydrating serum than a typical primer and gives my stressed complexion a much-needed wake-up call every morning," commerce editor Sarah Han says. Glycerin brings serious moisture to the skin and ginseng does it all, including reducing redness, brightening up dull skin, and firming up the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Editor Tip: Because it has the texture of a serum, you can easily mix it into your moisturizer or foundation of choice for a more seamless and natural finish.

Key Ingredients: Ginseng, glycerin | Who It's Good for: People who need extra moisture | Finish: Radiant

Best for Smoothing Texture: Tatcha The Silk Canvas Primer

Why It's Worth It: A perfect makeup look calls for a perfectly primed canvas, and Tatcha's The Silk Canvas Primer delivers just that. "This is a silicone-based primer that has the ability to truly fill in pores under makeup," says celebrity makeup artist Courtney Hart. "If I am working with someone who has texture or bigger pores this is my go-to for smoothing and filling in." The priming balm acts as a barrier layer between skin and makeup, so folks with acne-prone or sensitive skin don't need to worry about clogged pores.

Editor Tip: It comes with a flat, round spatula that you use to scoop the product, keeping it clean.

Key Ingredients: Glycerin, squalane, camellia leaf extract | Who It's Good for: Anyone who wants a smooth base for easier foundation application | Finish: Matte

Other Primers We Love:

• For Oily Skin: Tatcha The Liquid Silk Protective Primer, $51

Best for Mature Skin: Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base Moisturizer & Primer

Why It's Worth It: Bobbi Brown's iconic Vitamin Enriched Face Base Moisturizer & Primer teeters the line between moisturizer and primer — something we're all for considering how dewy and plump it makes the skin appear pre-foundation. Lightly scented with grapefruit and germanium, this rich yet quick-absorbing cream is laced with all the good stuff like hyaluronic acid, squalane, and shea butter, and glosses over dry patches and uneven texture like a dream.

Editor Tip: Pair it with the brand's Vitamin Enriched Eye Base for primed skin all over.

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, squalane, shea butter | Who It's Good for: Those with texture and dryness | Finish: Radiant

Best for Tired Skin: Too Faced Hangover Replenishing Face Primer

Why It's Worth It: If you're looking to fake a good night's sleep, may we recommend the highly sought-after Hangover Replenishing Face Primer from Too Faced? Think of this smoothing formula as a cup of coffee in a tube, effectively jolting your skin's radiance and inducing a more restful-looking complexion. That's all thanks to the probiotics and coconut water in the formula, which hydrate and boost skin elasticity — the perfect morning pick-me-up after a wine-filled night.

Editor Tip: Wear with makeup or alone for a well-rested, more radiant complexion.

Key Ingredients: Coconut water, probiotics | Who It's Good for: Anyone dealing with dull skin | Finish: Radiant

Best Drugstore: E.L.F. Liquid Poreless Putty Primer

Why It's Worth It: Clocking in at just $10 is E.L.F.'s Liquid Poreless Putty. It won a 2023 Allure Best of Beauty Award for Best Matte Primer and continues to be a drugstore favorite for how well it minimizes the look of pores and locks in face makeup — all at a seriously impressive price point. You'll also find notable skin-care ingredients too, like moisturizing squalane and calming resveratrol.

Editor Tip: Let this sit on your skin for roughly 30 seconds before going in with foundation.

Key Ingredients: Dimethicone, squalane, resveratrol | Who It's Good for: Anyone looking to mattify their skin and fill in pores | Finish: Matte

Other Primers We Love:

• For Cooling: E.L.F. Power Grip Primer, $10
• For a Dewy Finish: E.L.F. Power Grip Primer + 4% Niacinamide, $10
• For Color Correcting: E.L.F. Mineral Infused Face Primer, $10 (clear, green for reducing redness, peach for a subtle glow, and purple for brightening dull skin)

Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Glow Recipe Strawberry BHA Pore-Smooth Blur Drops

Why It's Worth It: If satin skin is the new matte skin, Glow Recipe's silicone-free Strawberry BHA Pore-Smooth Blur Drops is about to be the primer du jour. This makeup-skin-care hybrid targets pores and skin texture using beta hydroxy acids (BHA) and strawberry enzymes. It works instantly and over time — upon application, you'll see an immediate skin-blurring effect, and over time it minimizes the appearance of pores.

Editor Tip: Try the Watermelon Glow Serum for a luminous finish and the Hue Drops for some bronzey goodness.

Key Ingredients: Tapioca, rice, beta hydroxy acid | Who It's Good for: Those prone to breakouts | Finish: Satin

Best With SPF: Charlotte Tilbury Invisible UV Flawless Primer SPF 50

Why It's Worth It: What's better than a hydrating primer from a beloved beauty brand? A hydrating primer from a beloved beauty brand that contains sunscreen, of course. Charlotte Tilbury's Invisible UV Flawless Primer has a little something for every skin type: vitamins C and E for brightening, hyaluronic acid for moisture, and a combination of UVA and UVB filters to protect skin from sun damage and pollutants.

Editor Tip: Since it reduces flashback, it's a good pick for big events, like weddings.

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, camellia oil | Who It's Good for: People who want a one-and-done | Finish: Radiant

More Primers We Love:

• For a Foundation-Infused Primer: Hollywood Flawless Filter, $49
• For Dull Skin: Wonderglow Face Primer, $55

Best for Oily Skin: Smashbox Photo Finish Control Mattifying Primer

Why It's Worth It: Oily skin types, this one's for you. Smashbox's primer formulas are nothing short of legendary, and the brand's Photo Finish Control Mattifying Primer has a 2022 Best of Beauty Award to prove it. Packed with oil-controlling skin-care ingredients like salicylic acid and witch hazel, this formula minimizes pores and mattifies skin without causing further irritation or breakouts.

Editor Tip: If your skin is on the drier side, the brand's Primerizer+ Hydrating Primer contains three forms of hyaluronic acid that can hydrate even desert-dry skin. Mention The Original Photo Finish Foundation Primer as the OG too!

Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, zinc, witch hazel | Who It's Good for: Anyone looking to control excess oil | Finish: Matte

For a Cooling Effect: Beautyblender Boost Firming & Smoothing Peptide Primer

Why It's Worth It: This overachiever won a 2023 Best of Beauty Award for its ability to do the work of several beauty products in a single application. It plumps skin, moisturizes, blurs pores, and locks down makeup for up to 18 hours. Plus, the gel formula has a cooling effect when you apply it.

Editor Tip: Pair it with the brand's setting spray for even better wear.

Key Ingredients: Peptides, mimosa flower extract, ceramides | Who It's Good for: People looking to smooth fine lines and wrinkles | Finish: Satin

Best for Brightening: Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Illuminating Primer

Why It's Worth It: When Hart wants to turn up the radiance in a matte-finish foundation, she reaches for the Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Illuminating Primer. "It contains glycerin, which is hydrating, and mica that gives a beautiful glow to the skin," says Hart. Micronized pearls in the formula reflect light to make the skin look healthy and plump, pre-and post-makeup application.

Editor Tip: You can use it over foundation for subtle highlighting, too.

Key Ingredients: Micronized pearls, porcelain flower extract, jojoba seed oil | Who It's Good for: People with dull skin | Finish: Radiant

Best for Large Pores: NYX Professional Makeup Pore Filler Primer

Why It's Worth It: Shrinking the actual size of pores is impossible, but the Nyx Professional Makeup Pore Filler Primer makes that seem like a reality as soon as it's rubbed onto skin. The cashmere-soft cream acts like a veil over the skin, making it look crystal clear (even if you aren't genetically blessed with "glass skin").

Editor Tip: A little goes a long way, so start with a pea-sized amount.

Key Ingredients: Vitamin E, glycerin, dimethicone | Who It's Good for: People who want to make pores (temporarily) disappear | Finish: Matte

Other Primers We Love:

• For Soft-Focused Skin: The Marshmallow Primer, $17

Best for Deep Skin Tones: Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Instant Retouch Primer

Why It's Worth It: You'd be hard-pressed to find a group of people more obsessed with Rihanna than the Allure staff. The Pro Filt'r Instant Retouch Primer is an oil-free, mattifying formula that smooths skin for a touchable, blurred skin effect. The universal Invispink shade works for all skin tones to instantly even out redness and skin texture, even before makeup.

Editor Tip: The peach-toned tint reduces any chalkiness.

Key Ingredients: Dimethicone, vitamin E | Who It's Good for: Everyone, but especially people with medium to deep skin tones | Finish: Matte

Best for Sensitive Skin: Maybelline New York Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser Primer

Why It's Worth It: After slathering your face with moisturizer, reach for the beloved Maybelline New York Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser Primer. It leaves your skin looking intentionally dewy, plump, and seemingly poreless — just like a newborn baby's. Its blend of silicones and polymers helps blur away pores in seconds and makes your foundation last even longer.

Editor Tip: It's fragrance-free, making it great for sensitive skin types.

Key Ingredients: Dimethicone, cherry extract | Who It's Good for: Those who want to blur skin on a budget | Finish: Satin

Other Primers We Love:

• For Smoothing Texture: FaceStudio Master Prime Blur + Smooth, $12
• For Redness: FaceStudio Master Prime Blur + Redness Control Primer, $12

Frequently Asked Questions

"Face primers can help prep the skin, smooth uneven texture, even the skin tone, and may help makeup last longer," says Dillon Peña, makeup artist and founder of Leland Francis. Like skin care, you'll want to choose a face primer compatible with your skin type. Oil-prone? Look for a lightweight mattifying or oil-controlling primer that uses ingredients like silica or salicylic acid, says Peña. Those with dry skin should seek creamy, hydrating, or plumping primers that are formulated with ingredients like hyaluronic acid or glycerin.

Beyond skin type, primers can help address certain skin struggles so that they don't become issues when it comes time to apply your makeup. For instance, if you have redness, Peña suggests opting for a color-correcting primer with a green tint to help neutralize said redness (soothing ingredients like aloe or green tea can also help). Enlarged pores will fare well with a thicker, balm-like, or silicone-based primer that can help smooth the appearance.

While some people see face primers as an unnecessary step in their makeup routine, it can make a big difference in how your makeup looks and wears.

The number one tip that makeup artists give is to allow the primer to fully dry for around a minute before you layer anything on — to avoid disturbing the makeup. "The trick with any primer is to make sure it's applied in a small dime-to-nickel-size amount and it's fully blended in first [before going in with foundation]," makeup artist Allan Avendaño previously explained. "Apply lightly and sparingly is my go-to rule for primers," he adds.

Makeup artist Vincent Oquendo also recommends starting small. Someone with extremely dry skin who tends to absorb makeup more quickly can handle a quarter-size dollop of primer, whereas someone with oily skin should stick to the bare minimum because it sits on the surface longer, he previously explained. Whatever your skin type, makeup artists recommend applying primer with (clean!) fingers so that the makeup products you put on top absorb fully and seamlessly. And remember, to prevent your makeup from pilling, make sure your primer and foundation bases match — for example, water-based primer with water-based foundation or silicone-based primer with silicone-based foundation.

Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?

For our review of the best makeup primers, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and professional makeup artists to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product's performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.

A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors — in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon — is essential to reaching that goal.

After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.

More on primers:

• The Ultimate Guide to Makeup Primer and How to Use It
• The 13 Best Primers for Mature Skin, According to Makeup Artists
• 15 Best Primers for Oily Skin to Minimize Mid-Day Sheen

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