Years ago, a famous makeup artist told me, 'not using a makeup primer is a beauty crime,' says editor Trudi Brewer. That stuck, and since then, I have tried almost every primer at beauty counters. Here's the latest on my radar made with natural ingredients, free from silicone, and dermatologically tested.
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First, let me confess, not all formulas are created equal. But when you do find the right formula, a primer will reduce the amount of makeup you need, create a barrier between the product and your skin, and, most importantly, give your skin a natural-looking finish that offers long-lasting results. Here are the latest and why they work.
Nude by Nature Perfecting Primer Hydrate and Illuminate, $40.
An invisible shield when blended into the skin, this primer not only extends your makeup wear and disguises minor skin imperfections, it’s stacked with skincare brightening and hydrating benefits. From Australian Kakadu plum, green tea, papaya and vitamin A, C and E, while the addition of hyaluronic acid and olive oil stops the skin from becoming dry.
Think of how makeup primers work in the same way a paint primer works. If you want a smooth, even wall, without bumps or patches, then a skin primer gives the same canvas for a flaw-free finish on the skin.
Skin prep is the most essential part of your makeup application; it makes a big difference to how your makeup looks and lasts. Consider primer the finishing touch to your skincare routine (applied after moisturiser) before foundation or concealer.
Nude by Nature Perfecting Primer, $40.
Untinted, it’s invisible when blended into the skin, but makes a big impact. This primer not only extends your makeup wear and disguising minor skin imperfections, it’s stacked with skincare brightening and hydrating benefits such as Australian Kakadu plum, green tea, papaya and vitamin A, C and E.
When it comes to applying a primer, fingers are great tools. Massage in your primer; it helps the product warm with the heat from your hands and helps give the skin a massage pick-me-up to start your day. Start applying from the centre of your face across the T-Zone and work outward to toward the cheeks.
Nude by Nature Perfecting Primer Blur and Mattify, $40.
If you battle with shiny skin or want to blur the look of open pores and fine lines, this primer could be your skin's new best friend. It helps mop up excess oil with the active natural ingredients, including the native Australian Kakadu plum, green tea, Lilly Pilly and papaya extracts, while calming and correcting a combination skin type and offers a satin-matte finish.
If open pores are your issue, try tapping a little extra on the T-Zone, this motion helps fill and blur the look of pores around the nose and cheeks and stops the foundation from looking patchy. Or for those who flush easily or have red veins, press primer where you need extra cover or mix it with your foundation, before application.
Nude by Nature Perfecting Primer Correct and Even, $40.
Colour correcting pigments will help enhance your complexion in seconds and not only conceal redness, but dark spots will be blurred too. The velvet-like formula blends to leave a satin-matte finish, which helps extend makeup wear. Also enriched with skin-loving ingredients, including the native Australian Kakadu plum, Lilly Pilly, olive oil and vitamin E calm and soothe stressed skin.
Finally, if you’re going for a glam makeup look, a brush will help. First, apply a radiance-boosting primer all over the face with a buffing foundation brush; after moisturiser. Let it sit for a minute before applying the foundation. This will allow it to lock down the foundation like a magnet and keep it in place for hours.
Here’s why it’s a summer essential.