Published on December 3rd, 2022

Last updated on January 24th, 2023

What Is Primer Makeup Used For? How To Use It Like A Pro

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
woman with makeup

Protecting the skin of the face is one of the most important aspects when applying makeup. Many girls, especially models, are very worried about their face because they have to apply makeup too often on the skin’s surface, which can ruin its health. There are several ways to solve this problem at once – do not use cosmetics at all, use gentle cosmetics or use a primer before the makeup.

With the last one, you can protect your face from the harm of basic makeup by creating a barrier between your skin and makeup. You can also make applying makeup easier and reduce its amount.

This article will tell you about the types of primers and how to apply them correctly.

What Is Primer?

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Makeup primer is one of those products that can easily be misunderstood. So, what exactly is primer? Put simply, primer is a base for your foundation or face makeup. It creates a smooth surface for your foundation to cling to (preventing streaks) and allows your makeup to last longer throughout the day.

As for the importance of primer in makeup, a good quality product will soften the appearance of pores and fine lines, giving your skin a more youthful and even appearance overall.

In general, if you feel like something is still missing after applying your makeup or feel heaviness on your face, you should consider using a primer before makeup. In addition, modern solutions can also carry beneficial properties for the skin by moisturizing it.

Now let’s take a look at the types of primers and their applications.

How To Apply A Primer?

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It is one of those products you may not think you need, but once you use makeup primer, you’ll wonder how you ever went without it. If you’re not sure how to apply makeup primer, never fear! We’re here to help. Read on for our step-by-step guide:

  1. Step One: Start with a clean face. Before doing anything else, ensure your face is clean and free of any oils, makeup, or dirt. To cleanse your face, splash some warm water on your face and massage a dime-sized amount of cleanser into your skin. Gently rub your face in circular motions for about 30 seconds, then rinse thoroughly with cool water. Pat your skin dry with a clean towel.
  2. Step Two: Apply moisturizer. Once your face is clean, it’s time to apply moisturizer. This step is crucial because it will help your primer go smoothly and evenly. Dispense a pea-sized amount of moisturizer into the palm of your hand and gently massage it into your skin using upward motions. Allow the moisturizer to absorb your skin for a few minutes before moving on to the next step. 
  3. Step Three: Apply primer. Now it’s time for the main event: applying makeup primer! Pump a small amount of primer onto the back of your hand – you really don’t need much at all. Using fingers or a foundation brush, spread the primer evenly over your cheeks, forehead, nose, and chin. It would be best if you used light, feathery strokes so that the primer has a chance to sink into your pores. 
  4. Step Four: Let it dry. Now comes the most challenging part: waiting for the primer to dry! Depending on the primer you’re using, this could take anywhere from 30 seconds to five minutes. Once the primer feels dry to the touch, you can move on to applying foundation as usual. 

Primer vs No Primer Makeup: Is It Necessary To Use A Foundation? 

So, if you want your cosmetics to look its best, you need to use a prep coat. Why? Here are two reasons for you:

  1. Applying a foundation creates a smooth and even texture on which any cosmetics will adhere perfectly. This approach will help you avoid the appearance of fine lines and pores throughout the day. And your makeup will last all day without a single damage.
  2. What’s more, the foundation works great in combination with oily skin and hot weather. If you want your cosmetics to look fresh and not shiny even in the hottest weather, you should definitely consider using a foundation.

As you can see, such a solution can serve as a great helper even at the critical moments, which makes it a favorite among girls.

Types Of Primers

There are different types of makeup primers for different purposes, each with its specific benefits. In this block, we’ll introduce you to the different types of foundations and when to use them:

  • Silicone. This classic face foundation looks great with all types of makeup but works best with concealer. It eliminates wrinkles and fine lines. However, there are cases when the silicone primer leads to the rolling of the concealer. To prevent this, try to wait until the product is completely dry before applying the first layer of cosmetics.
  • Water-based. This type of face foundation is great for dry skin and helps it look many times better. The product also helps control shine throughout the day. However, this solution has a drawback – it can emphasize dry areas of the skin on your face. To prevent this, try to use a moisturizing face serum before applying the first layer of face foundation.
  • Oilless solution. If the previous type of primer was a great solution for dry skin, this product would complement oily skin types well. The task is simple: to keep your skin from getting greasy. Such a product effectively absorbs all the oil on your skin and controls the shine of your face. However, you are advised to apply a light layer of moisturizing serum before using the foundation, as your makeup can dry out.
  • Color-correcting. With the aid of these primers, uneven skin tones can be corrected, resulting in a more even application and better coverage of your foundation. For instance, yellow primers can brighten sallow undertones, while green primers can balance out redness. Color-correcting primer might be worth a shot if you’ve struggled with the foundation in the pastori and find that it always looks cakey.
  • Powder-based. Another great solution for oily skin is a powder foundation. Such a product also perfectly absorbs oil and maintains the normal shine of makeup throughout the day. However, this product is not recommended for use on severely dry skin, as a primer powder can accentuate skin dryness and flaking.

As you can see, with so many product types, there is the importance of choosing the right makeup primer to get the proper product for the specific skin type.

Bottom Line

So, a primer is an essential part of makeup. Besides making it easier to apply makeup on your face, it also provides many other benefits, like moisturizing your face and improving its condition. 
Using a primer for makeup is quite simple. The main thing is to properly prepare the skin of the face and choose the right type of primer. However, always be careful when applying makeup, as the most common mistake is choosing the wrong makeup primer purpose and skin type, which spoils the whole experience of use.

FAQ

What Is Primer Makeup Used For?

The primer is mainly used to facilitate the application of basic makeup, reduce the amount of it and improve the experience of using makeup on the face.

How To Apply Face Primer?

To use it, it is enough to pre-wash your face, dry it, use a facial moisturizer and after that you can apply a primer for your skin type. After that, wait until it dries and apply the main makeup.

Is Makeup Primer Necessary?

In fact, this is not the most necessary measure. However, if you feel heaviness on your face from regular makeup and your skin suffers from this, you should consider a primer.

Is Primer A Cheap Solution?

To be honest, all high-quality cosmetics are always expensive and can hit your pocket. However, you can always find cheap primers starting at $20.