There are hundreds of primers on the market that promise all manner of things.
So whether you want your primer to fill pores and fine lines, brighten and illuminate or work to keep your make-up in place for longer, out there is your perfect match (you just need to find it). With so many to choose from, team ELLE decided to do the leg work for you; we have tested primers with ranging promises and price tags to bring you our pick of the best, read on for our reviews…
Price: £21.50
Verdict: A great highlighting base
The claim: "Our silky pink primer takes your complexion from dull to darling! One shade helps brighten all skin tones. Can be worn alone, under or over makeup."
Pros: This light pink cream (that smells addictively fruity) is perfect for imparting a dewy, peachy sheen onto skin. It blends easily and you only need a tiny amount on each application. It's perfect for highlighting the face, offering renewed radiance and illumination; I can best describe it as being rather like a primer version of Benefit's iconic High Beam highlighter. It also offers serious application satisfaction thanks to the loud and clicky twist applicator! If you want a peach sheen that gleams all day, this is definitely the product for you.
Cons: If you want a product that fills in pores and smoothes out wrinkles, you won't find it here. Its sole highlight is that it, well, highlights. And it does this very well. But ask it to multi-perform by smoothing, filling and perfecting, and you'll be left disappointed. This is definitely one for radiance-boosting only. And if I'm being really picky, you could technically just mix some highlighter in with your moisturiser/foundation to create the same effect...
Price: £29
Stockist: Chanel
Verdict: A product that is pricey but performs exceptionally well.
The claim: “This Sheer Illuminator Fluid acts as a light source on the surface of the skin, while also giving a feeling of total comfort.”
Pros: As someone who prefers to let my skin breath I tend to avoid anything that will cover up the skin too heavily. Naturally, I am wary of anything like a primer but Chanel’s iconic illuminating base was light, and gave me a more even complexion and left my skin silky smooth for the day. I am a convert!
On its own, my skin was noticeably softer and had a shimmery glow without shine; perfect for a light summer cover-up. For winter, it would work better under or mixed with a foundation to act as a second layer of moisturiser, leaving the skin protected and more even. Despite the price tag, it’s a multi-functioning product that goes a long way- and not only gives skin a glowing, velvety touch, it ensures make-up lasts longer and is easier to blend.
Cons: The glamorous packaging is impressive but gives the product a bulkiness that prevents you from being able to carry it easily- this certainly isn’t a product for using on the train every morning. More of a show piece for the bedroom or bathroom, it is also prone to leaks if shaken too much. The no pump bottle also means a spatula (provided in the box) has to be used which can be fiddly, especially in the morning rush. Because of the price, Le Blanc de Chanel is quite an extravagance.
Price: £32
Stockist: Space NK
Verdict: Perfect if you like your beauty bag to be low maintenance and fuss free.
The Claim: “The primer that does everything – a moisturiser, illuminator, tint and sun screen all in one.”
Pros: It’s lovely and light, easy to apply and streak free – the idea is to start with a base layer and build up to get the effect that you want. And there’s no need to apply foundation on top, but if you do this primer will ensure it stays put all day.
Cons: It’s almost invisible, which means that it’s great if you’re looking for something to even out your skin tone. But if you feel that your skin needs camouflage then it may not be the product for you.
Price: £15
Stockist: Mac
Verdict: A professional make-up primer with great results.
The Claim: “A light, oil-free emulsion that helps cloak visible pores while controlling oil and shine.”
Pros: Mac’s Skin Refined Zone Treatment is an incredible product. I used it on top of my moisturiser and followed with Mac’s Face Protect Protection Visage SPF50, £20, to protect my skin from the sun. I was pleasantly surprised, my make up (Mac Studio Fix, £19) stayed fresh all day; no more oily shine by lunchtime and even after eight hours at the office my make up still looked fresh, without feeling cakey. It also helped to minimize the appearance of pores, which was a bonus. This primer is now a staple in my make-up bag.
Cons: I couldn’t see a downside to this primer, it worked brilliantly.
Price: £29
Stockist: QVC
Verdict: Ideal for people with enlarged pores or fine lines.
The Claim: “Helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and pores for flawless skin with a velvety-smooth finish.”
Pros: I loved the bottle, and I like the pump action that gives just the right amount for one application. The light silky texture of the primer felt nice and refreshing on my face and it didn’t make my skin feel sticky or greasy. My pores looked less visible, as did my fine lines. My foundation lasted the day with fewer touch ups too. I think in summer, with a natural sun kissed glow I could wear this primer alone without foundation.
Cons: Quite heavy, so if you don’t think you need to apply all over I wouldn’t, just put it where you need it such as the T-zone where make-up slides and under the eyes to fill fine lines.
Price: £18
Stockist: Beauty Bay
The verdict: Brightens and evens skin tone; best avoided if your skin type is dry.
The claim: “A makeup base that shields against the damaging UV rays of spring and summer”.
Pros: The texture of this primer is light with a lovely subtle, floral fragrance. It was easy to apply, brightening and evening out my skintone in one go, which meant I didn’t need to use as much foundation as usual. Also, with SPF 40 it will be great in summer for everyday use.
Cons: It was supposed to keep my skin hydrated all day, but come the evening my complexion felt slightly dry and tight.
Price: £21
Stockist: Estee Lauder
Verdict: Great for ensuring even, long-lasting coverage of foundation, not so good at illuminating.
The Claim: “Leaves skin with a soft, pearly underglow.”
Pros: This primer has a silky texture went on smoothly and dried fast. My foundation went on much easier than usual, stayed in placed all day and didn’t smudged or crease. Also, when I took my make up off in the evening my skin felt noticeably softer.
Cons: I didn’t notice any sort of “underglow” or illuminating effects.
Price: £22.50
Stockist: Space NK
Verdict: Amazing, I’m now very excited for the new spring lilac eyes now I know they will stay put on my lids.
The Claim: “Laura Mercier’s Eye Basics creates the perfect canvas for eyes by camouflaging eye imperfections and enhancing the durability of eye makeup.”
Pros: My prayers have been answered with this product. No matter how much I put on, my eye make-up tends to disappear without a trace, but this product, applied sparingly, gave me magnet of a base for my favourite eye shadows. Hours later I looked in the mirror, expecting to see an oil slick at the eye socket crease but instead I discovered my eye make-up fully in tact.
Cons: Very heavy, too much and it starts to look like clay. Definitely apply sparingly.
Price: £19.50
Stockist: Benefit
Verdict: An eye primer that really works to beat creasing.
The claim: “This dual-action power primer works 360° around the eyes to make concealers AND eyeshadows STAY PUT. Concealers don't crease, eyeshadows stay vibrant and true...you'll wonder how you ever lived without it!”
Pros: One pump of this product is enough to cover both eye areas. The consistency and colour are like a foundation, which absorbs quickly for a fine, powder finish. Once dry you are free to apply concealer and eyeshadow. I was dubious of this product, is there really a product out there that can stop creasing? Yes, and this is it. My eyeshadow stayed put, miraculously well all day, and night.
Cons: While this is a primer and it’s not meant to colour match to your skin, it only comes in one shade: a mid-tone; this could be too dark for porcelain skintones and far too light for black skin.
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