Primer – The Best Beauty Prep
When applying makeup, what goes on first? Want your makeup to last longer and look 3x times better? Use a primer. But what is a primer? A primer creates a smooth base for your foundation and other face makeup. This often-neglected essential can blur pores, smoothen fine lines, correct discoloration, and magically set your makeup in place for hours. To achieve the best results, knowing how to apply primer properly is crucial. The correct way is to apply primer after moisturizer or your last skincare step and before your makeup. One primer we absolutely recommend is the Porefessional Primer from Benefit. It’s silky, lightweight formula is oil-free, translucent, and complements all skin tones.
Serum Vs. Primer
Both, serums and primers, serve distinct purposes – serum for nourishment and treatment and primer for a polished look. A serum provides targeted skincare benefits; it penetrates deep, addressing specific concerns like fine lines or dark spots. A primer, on the other hand, creates a smooth canvas for your makeup, blurring imperfections and ensuring a flawless finish. Clearly, a serum and primer are not interchangeable and serve very different purposes. While serums provide your skin with hydration, glow, and long-term enhancement from the inside, a primer helps you with your immediate cosmetic needs for a flawless makeup look. You may use a serum, followed by a moisturizer and sunscreen before applying a primer for any makeup look. [ Read: Top 15 Makeup (Foundation) Primers And Their Reviews ]
Foundation – The Second Skin
Are you unsure whether to apply concealer or foundation first? Applying foundation is the second step in a typical makeup routine. The right foundation formula can help cover imperfections, even out skin tone, and give your skin the desired finish, like dewy, matte, satin, or natural. It can also help other makeup products – such as blush, highlighter, and concealer – go on much more smoothly. Christine, a beauty blogger, shares her makeup application method for a flawless base. “I have quite the dark circles around my eye area. After I prime, I apply my foundation with a sponge. I use a light coverage foundation as opposed to a full coverage product as you can always cover blemishes with concealer (i),” she observes. To avoid the dreaded “cakey” look, apply your foundation using a damp beauty sponge. It absorbs products, allowing you to add the ideal amount of foundation to your skin gradually. It is also important to not add too many layers of foundation to avoid looking “cakey.” There is a wide variety of foundations available in different shades, coverages, and compositions. The three main categories include liquid, cream, and powder foundations. If you are a beginner, we recommend trying Maybelline’s Fit Me Foundation. It comes in both matte and dewy finishes in over 45 shades for a diverse range of skin tones. [ Read: 10 Of The Best Foundations For Combination Skin ]
Concealer – A Magical Quick-Fix
Once you have your primer and foundation on, your skin can look quite amazing. However, nobody’s perfect, and we all have days where our skin refuses to cooperate with us. From angry zits to redness and dark circles to spots, concealer comes in handy to fix all your skin issues instantly. Use a concealer brush or your fingertips to apply concealer. If you want it to look natural and undetectable, make sure you blend it out thoroughly. No matter what your skin type, it is a good idea to have two concealers on hand – one to cover spots, and one to cover dark under-eye circles. If you do not know how to choose concealer shades that suit you, we recommend learning a bit about skin types and undertones. This will give you an idea of the type of formula and concealer tone to use. For instance, liquid formulas suit dry skin while matte formulas flatter oily skin. Further, avoid a washed out or burnt look by picking mindfully between warm, cool, and neutral concealer shades. Note: You can apply concealer before foundation in order to cover ‘problem spots’ to reduce the amount of foundation you use in the end and create a more natural look. [ Read: Best Liquid Concealers Available In India – Our Top 10 ] Check out the difference between foundation and concealer, concealer vs foundation.
Concealer vs Foundation vs Primer
Can I use concealer without applying primer? Yes, you can. However, if you wish to conceal stubborn spots, using a primer will help the rest of your makeup stick to your face better and last throughout the day. Can I use concealer without foundation? Yes. If you want a minimal look, you can skip the foundation and use concealer for a light, fresh-looking complexion. Can I use moisturizer instead of primer? No. A moisturizer has a different function from a primer and won’t give the same effect and results. However, both are crucial steps in makeup application. You need a moisturizer to hydrate the skin and a primer for better and longer coverage. Can I mix my primer and foundation? Yes. You may mix your primer and foundation to prepare a thin base for your makeup. This will help you achieve a lighter and more natural look. Is primer better than CC cream? No. Both are different products and have different purposes. A complexion corrector cream is tinted and can hide skin discoloration. Primers usually don’t have pigments and are meant to fill pores and let the makeup stay for long. However, you can skip primers when using cc creams. Is primer good for oily skin? Yes. A primer can control the excess oil and keep the oily sheen off your face when applying makeup. Watch this video to learn the difference between primer, foundation, and concealer and how to use them for the perfect makeup look!
