My Favorite Face Primers

Hey Everyone! I'm already up to post number 4 for today! This post will be going over some of my favorite face primers that I've tried. I haven't bought a full sized face primer yet because I keep getting new samples to try out. There are a few that I' going to be purchasing from this list. Let's get to the list!

Smashbox Photo Finish Water Primer: I received this deluxe size as part of the Sephora Favorites Last Call set. I will be reviewing that shortly, so stay tuned. I really love that this is a hydrating spray primer. I like to spray my face before applying any makeup, and then spraying again once everything is done. It really helps my makeup apply flawlessly, and then it locks everything in place. I typically use this for every day makeup looks, not for a night out. I find that my makeup lasts an entire work day with this primer. Overall, this a great day-to-day primer. I will definitely be repurchasing this one.

Bare Minerals Prime Time Foundation Primer: I received this as part of a Bare Minerals introductory set many years ago. It was my first experience with a primer, and it was really amazing at the time. It made the Bare Minerals foundation apply flawlessly, and it helped my makeup last a while. It did tend to make me shiny within a few hours, so I probably wouldn't buy the full sized primer.

Make Up Forever Step 1 Smoothing Primer: This is one of my favorite primers. I have dry-combo skin with some textured spots. I really love how well this primer smooths out my skin and makes makeup application a breeze. My makeup lasts all night with this primer, and doesn't make me look shiny. There are a few MUF Step 1 primers in this review that I actually like better, so I will probably hold off on buying the full sized primer.

Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Oil: I used 100 Sephora Beauty Insider points for this sample. At the rime I was experiencing extreme dryness. I used this on my skin directly and mixed with my foundation. It really helped keep the dryness under control, and helped my makeup look even. I don't like to use this primer oil when I'm not dry because it can get your skin looking like a grease ball. I will probably repurchase if my skin gets dried out again.

Tarte BB Tinted Treatment Primer: I actually purchased the travel size of this primer. It is one of my absolute favorite primers. I like to use it when I want extremely full coverage foundation. The tint is medium to full coverage itself, and then I apply a medium coverage foundation on top. My skin looks so amazing with this combo. I'm so upset that I'm already out, I really need to purchase a new one. I like that it has an SPF of 30 since I don't have any foundations with SPF, and it really lasts at least 12 hours. The only thing I don't like about this primer is that it completely dries out my skin. I save it for occasions that I need my skin to look amazing.

Make Up Forever Step 1 Hydrating Primer: This MUF Step 1 Primer is great for my dry-combo skin. I like it better than the Smoothing Primer. It really helps me control dry spots all day. I tend to get very dry when wearing layers of makeup, so this primer really saves my skin. It helps with makeup application and helps my makeup last all day. If you can see in the photo above, I also have a small packet sample of this primer for when the deluxe sample gets used up. I am definitely going to be purchasing the full size of this primer.

Cover Fx Illuminating Primer: I was excited to try this because I love any product that gives your skin a glow. I got this as a deluxe sample with a Sephora purchase a while ago. I keep trying this out, hoping to see some illuminating effects, but sadly it is just a regular primer. I like that it isn't mattifying, because those dry me out, and it does keep my skin fairly hydrated. It's not a bad primer. It helps my makeup go on easier and makes my makeup last for a very long time. I just don't see any illuminating effects. That being said, I will continue to use this sample, but I will not be purchasing the full sized primer.

Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer: Of course my absolute favorite primer is the most expensive. This primer is everything a primer should be. It glides on so smooth, preps your skin so well for makeup application, and keeps your makeup looking fresh all day and night. I got this in a VIB Rouge gift a while ago, and since then I've received many packet sized samples. A little goes a very long way with this primer, so my samples have been lasting me a long time. When I finally finish all my samples, I will definitely be purchasing the full sized product. It does suck that this primer is so expensive, but it is 100% worth all the money!

Korres Anti-Aging Primer: This primer is no longer being sold at Sephora, but in the photo it is the white primer in the sample container from Sephora. I'm not surprised that it's no longer sold. I don't find that it's a great primer (my makeup kept separating on top of this one), but it is a great skincare product. I find it to act more like a moisturizer than a primer. It did work as a primer for tinted moisturizer or BB/CC creams. It just did not work well with makeup. 

Make Up Forever Step 1 Redness Correcting Primer: This is one of my favorite MUF Step 1 primers. It covers up redness so well! It is the green primer in the Sephora sample container. I have redness around my nose, on my chin, and on my cheeks. I apply this primer directly to those areas only and use a different primer for the rest of my face. It turns a medium coverage foundation into a full overage foundation if you are trying to cover up redness. I don't even have to use concealer over blemishes when using this primer. It works like the other MUF Step 1 primers (makeup applies smoothly and lasts all day). If you are concerned with redness, I suggest trying this one out. I got my mother a sample as well, and she has already bought the full sized primer! 

Smashbox Photo Finish Pore Minimizing Primer: I have a few packet sized samples of this primer and I love it! I have some pretty large pores on my cheeks, nose, chin, and forehead. I love pressing this primer into those areas. It fills in my pores so well, and I look completely poreless when using this primer. I have about 5 packets left, and I only use a tiny drop each time. Once I run out of sample, I will definitely be purchasing the full sized primer.

Laura Mercier Foundation Primer: I have samples of this primer in packet form, and you need so little at a time that I seem to never run out. It's not my absolute favorite primer, but it does work well. I won't be purchasing the full sized product when the samples run out. If you have normal skin, and don't need a primer to correct any imperfections (such as texture, dryness, or redness), this primer may be for you. There are other versions of this primer, but I haven't tried them out yet.

These next two products I wouldn't consider primers, but I like to mix them into my foundation to give my skin a nice glow. I got samples of Burberry Fresh Glow Luminous Fluid Base and Giorgio Armani Fluid Sheer a while ago and I'm still using them when I want an extra boost. They create a beautiful glow that looks so natural and radiant. I really recommend checking these products out.

Last I have a primer that I just did not like. I got this sample of Smashbox Photo Finish Blemish Control primer at a time that I had a major acne breakout. I had high hopes for this primer, because I thought it would solve both my primer and acne treatment needs in one. It did work great for my acne. My blemishes were gone in about 2 days, but this is such a horrible primer. It did not help my makeup go on smoothly, and my makeup started breaking apart within a few hours! Save your money with this one.

I hope this review was helpful! If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments below.

-Miriam