Few steps to perfect skin – how to choose and use a makeup primer?

by Catelyn Cox

beauty.jpgBeautiful skin is every woman’s desire. Unfortunately, not every one of us can boast about having flawless skin. There is a small percentage of women who have healthy and gorgeous-looking skin and do not need to correct it, however, others have to use an appropriate makeup primer to conceal any flaws. Even famous models and actresses start their makeup with this product. This is the secret of flawless skin. If you want your makeup to be celebrity-like – make sure to get a good makeup primer first.

What is a makeup primer?

A makeup primer is a so-called ‘special task’ cosmetic. It is to be applied to the skin before the foundation and powder.

This way the skin acquires a nice, healthy colour, becomes smooth and unified, either mattified or brightened (depending on its needs). The makeup primer is able to hide imperfections and enhance the skin’s assets.

How does a makeup primer work?

The makeup primer is meant to extend the durability of the foundation and make cosmetics last longer on the skin in a perfect condition. In addition, it has many other functions: depending on the type of complexion, it can moisturize, brighten, improve the colour, mattify, and even … rejuvenate (many primers intended for mature skin can camouflage wrinkles).

The makeup primer also has skin-conditioning properties. The product nourishes the skin, protects against the adverse effects of wind, sun or frost, prevents moisture loss, reduces enlarged skin pores, seals blood vessels (in case of capillary skin). The best primer contain high-quality care ingredients: peptides, collagen, vitamins (A, C, E), a number of plant extracts and minerals.

Makeup primer – types 

  • silicone makeup primer – perfect for mature skin, it camouflages wrinkles, smooths out the skin texture. It blends easily with lightweight and water-based foundations, it is well-absorbed and does not leave a greasy coating on the skin surface. Additionally, it will be suitable for combination or oily skin as well.
  • oil-based makeup primer – works similarly to the silicone primer creating a protective layer that shields from adverse external factors; its key ingredients are natural oils, therefore, the product is perfect for dry, sensitive and normal skin care. Jojoba oil, coconut oil will also work well for oily, combination and acne skin. Oil-based primers are perfect for lightweight foundations (including mineral loose foundations).
  • glycerine-based makeup primer – it is intended for use with water-based and light foundations. Suitable for all skin types. It should be remembered, however, not to combine it with loose and mineral foundations, because the cosmetics will separate on the skin
  • gel makeup primer – ideal for people with oily and combination complexion: it does not create heavy, greasy film on the skin, it reduces the visibility of the pores, it makes the skin texture even and protects the skin against dryness and irritation; it is ideal for almost all foundations, with different consistency and purpose.
  • solidifying makeup primer – this base is only for oily skin: perfectly mattifies epidermis, because it contains aluminium, talc, silica. It reduces the visibility of the pores and keeps the flawless mat on the face for a long time.
  • creamy makeup primer – this is most often intended for people with dry or tired complexion; the cream makeup primer often has the form of a white, liquid paste, which is infused with pearl particles. It brightens the skin and camouflages discolourations, optically scatters light, making the face appear smoother and rested. It reduces the visibility of dry skin patches on the face.

Colourful makeup primers – characteristics

A separate “chapter” in the field of makeup is occupied by colourful makeup primers. They are specialized products which means that they are designed to solve a specific skin problem. They often combine the features of a primer and a camouflaging concealer, because their task is to hide imperfections, discolourations, bruises, yellowish skin areas and uneven pigmentation. Each colour of the primer neutralizes different skin problem:

  • yellow makeup primer – perfect for covering the blue tones on the skin: it will deal with dark under-eye shadows and subtly enhance the radiance of exceptionally cold complexion with purple bruises, or veins;
  • pink makeup primer – brightens, gives the skin a healthy hue, makes the skin texture look even and makes the face look fresh and rested; pink makeup primers also ensure the right degree of skin hydration; the pink makeup primer is perfect for a gray, tired and dull complexion;
  • green makeup primer – the green makeup primer is to neutralize red discolorations on the face. It is ideally suited for the skin that often gets irritations: the cheeks become red. The products reduce the visibility of spider veins in case of capillary skin;
  • purple makeup primer – perfect for quick skin freshening up after a sleepless night, an important event or days full of tension and stress. The purple makeup primer neutralizes yellow tones on the skin and perfectly conceals the discolouration caused by uneven pigmentation.

How to choose a makeup primer?

When choosing a makeup primer, think about your skin type and what you would like to hide or disguise most. Do you feel the need to mattify your skin or smooth it out to distract attention from wrinkles? Maybe you suffer from eternally tired skin lacking radiance? Many women choose a variety of primers in several shades (eg yellow for under the eye area, a green one for irritated and red cheeks, mattifying for the middle part of the face, etc.). The most important thing is that the primer will fulfil its task and contain skin care ingredients.

How to apply a makeup primer?

Go ahead and apply the primer just like a face cream. Remember a little goes a long way, thus a small bit will be enough to cover up the whole face. Spread the primer by applying it to the central part of the face and moving towards the sides: towards the ears, jaw, forehead.

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