If you read our foundation beauty post earlier this year then you’ll already be aware that every member of the team has a different skin type as well as individual beauty product requirements. Despite our differing beauty preferences we all like decent primers; be it for our eyes or for our faces or even indeed for both, it’s clear we just can’t get enough of the stuff.
In the spirit of sharing we thought we’d reveal which primers the RMS team use on a daily basis, just in case you were looking for a recommendation or were thinking of trying out something new…
Charlotte {Dry & Sensitive Skin}
For Face
I don’t wear foundation, so I have always thought primer was a bit pointless for me personally. Obviously that hasn’t stopped me trying a few, of course I have, I’m a bonafide make-up junkie after all. Up until recently, I’ve always disliked the way they feel on my face, often heavy and sticky and they also seem to make my skin dehydrated.
It’s no secret I am a huge fan of Estee Lauder so when I heard they had bought out a priming Moisture Balm called “Genuine Glow” it sounded exactly like the type of goop I like. So far so very good, it makes you look that little bit healthier and sheeny rather than shiny, and my powder and blusher look fresher for considerably longer when I’ve used it. I’d say a couple of hours at least. I use the version with SPF 15 although there is also one without sunscreen if you prefer. It feels very light on and has a very pleasant subtle scent which doesn’t seem to bother my hyper sensitive skin.
Of course the problem is I now want everything else in the Genuine Glow range as well…and there was me, trying to “Live with less”.
Lisa {Combination Skin}
For Eyes
I am not a mascara wearer. Maybe I just haven’t found the right one, but I don’t like the way it clumps, gets in my fringe, and inevitably ends up melting down my face.
However I AM a fan of mascara primer. I use Estee Lauder’s Little Black Primer as a mascara in itself. It claims to Tint, Amplify and Set, and I can certainly vouch for the first two. My eyelashes are black but I like the way it makes them even blacker, and they’re also really short and straight, but one coat of this and they look so much thicker and longer.
Judging by the reviews it works even better as its intended purpose – under proper mascara – so I may need to give this a go.
Lauren {Combination Skin}
For Eyes
I had never used an eye primer before but I realise now I was seriously missing out. I first used blinc Life Proof Eye Shadow Primer with my NARS foundation and found the formulation repelled the primer leading to a whole load of eyeshadow slippage. However when I ditched the NARS in favour of a tinted moisturiser Blinc came into its own. I apply a few dots of the light coloured formulation to my eye lids and then apply eyeshadow. Minimal creasing ensues and my shadow lasts around ten hours now rather than disappearing by lunch.
For Face
Despite Benefit’s Porefressional being the no. 1 selling primer in the UK. I’m afraid I saw minimal impact when I used it on my skin. Instead my secret weapon is Avon’s MagiX Face Perfector. (Yes I would still buy this product if my other job wasn’t at Avon HQ). I apply a small amount over my t-zone and extend out to my cheeks and find MagiX works wonders on my enlarged pores and helps reduce shine. My make-up lasts several hours longer too.
I don’t have the complexion to go foundation free but the SPF20 makes it a perfect summer staple.
Lolly {Normal Skin}
For Eyes
I’ve long been a fan of eye primer since 90% of the time I tend to focus on this area of my face when applying makeup. (It’s only recently that I’ve become a bit of of a lipstick hoarder.) Frustrated with having to reapply eyeshadows and liners as the day wore on, a makeup artist friend of mine recommended that I invest in a primer and encouraged me to buy the Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base from NARS. I’ve not looked back since.
It’s easy to apply; I tend to smear a dollop from the applicator stick onto the back of my hand and then smooth on with my fourth finger over the eyelid. Eyeshadows stay put and I never have to reapply when I wear it as a base. I’m currently on my fourth tube which I think says it all.
For Face
In contrast, I only ventured into the face primer market last month when I knew that I would be attending a wedding complete with scorching sunshine and hot hot hot temperatures. Desperate to avoid a slippy face situation I started to research the top recommended primers using good old google and Tom Ford’s Complexion Enhancing Primer came up trumps time and time again.
Admittedly it’s pricey but I really wanted something that was going to work so I was prepared to splash the cash. What do I think? I like it…it definitely does what it says on the tin and my face appeared smoother with less obvious pores. I didn’t have to reapply my makeup at all and the pump action is neat and fuss-free. If I had any criticism then it’s that the product smells slightly odd…not chemical as such but has a whiff of the unpleasant. Perhaps that’s just my sensitive nose. It does disappear when I use my Luminous Silk foundation though.
And now it’s over to you. Have you got any recommendations that the RMS team need to know about? Please do share!
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Lolly – I think you recommended that NARS eye base on RMW about four years ago, and I’ve worn it nearly every day since. It’s amazing – thank you! My favourite face primer is Dior’s Glow Maximizer but it’s just been discontinued, and I’m gutted. I might try the Genuine Glow as an alternative… Thanks ladies!x
Emma the Dior one was about he only one I ever rated before I tried the Estee Lauder (my sister used to work for Dior so I used to be able to buy it VERY cheaply, but not anymore…sad face) so if you liked that you should LOVE the Genuine Glow xx
Gosh Emma was it that long ago?! I’m chuffed to pieces that a) you’re a loyal reader and are still with us four years on and b) that you love the eye primer as much as I do. You’ve made my Monday xxxx
Urban Decay eyeshadow primer was a game changer for me – my eyeshadow does not budge for a whole day and night, it’s amazing! And I don’t know if I’ll ever finish the tube as you only need a tiny bit, so it works out as good value too. Never tried a face primer before, my Clinique powder foundation tends to stay put on its own, but maybe I should test some of these out.
For eye primer, I don’t actually use a primer but instead use MAC’s Paint Pot in Painterly – it was recommended to me by one of their make up artists and doubles as an eye shadow itself too. My eye shadow doesn’t budge at all and I like the colour on its own too for a more natural look.
In terms of face primer, I don’t use one at the moment because I’ve run out but I’ve used a MAC one before which was excellent and also picked up one from Sephora in the US (their own brand) which was okay ish.
Jo I do a similar thing in that I use an eyeshadow stick (either Bobbi Brown or BY Terry) which works really well as a primer under eyeshadow, I don’t get any creasing and it stays on all day x
Lisa I have a sample of the “little black primer” from a recent Estee Lauder order that I’m yet to try! Will give it a whirl xx
It was a sample that got me into it! The samples have a lot to answer for! x
Perhaps I need to try this too!
Becca Backlight Priming Filter is the way to go – awesome stuff!