Perfect makeup primers
by Lisa Young – Salon Director
Primers are fast becoming a makeup bag essential for both makeup artists and women alike. They have shot into the limelight due to the demand for that airbrushed and cat walk perfect look make up.
This makeup essential will aid a flawless complexion in many ways such as:
- Smoothes skin.
- Diminishes fine lines.
- Minimises pore size.
- Creates a flawless even texture.
- Evens out skin tones.
- Extends the longevity of make up.
For creating a velvety base, a primer is a makeup artists go to product.
Many makeup primers can also provide skin benefits. They do so by enriching the skin with anti-ageing ingredients and essential nutrients as well as providing hydration to create flawless make up that lasts all day. This means that they make a really great product to pop in your makeup bag.
How do you use makeup primers ?
Primers are applied to clean and moisturised skin. They should be applied before your foundation.
They provide a silky barrier that prolongs the life of the makeup application as they prevent the skins natural oils from seeping onto the skins surface.
Makeup primers come in a range of different formulations including:
- Gel, cream or powder based.
- Clear and tinted.
- Colour correctors such as anti-redness.
- Silicone based to control oiliness in oilier skins.
- Satin based create a dewier look for dryer skins.
The great thing about makeup primers is that they can be worn on their own or underneath make-up, making it a really versatile product to pop into your gym or make up bag.
How do you apply makeup primers ?
Dab the primer all over your face and then work into the skin all over the face. You can use fingers, a sponge or a brush to apply (whatever you find easier).
Focus especially on areas around the eyes and nose. The primer will create a velvety finish and ensure that your foundation glides on effortlessly.
Key Ingredients to look for in a primer:
- Hyaluronic Acid – is super hydrating for the skin and helps to plump out fine lines and wrinkles. Great for all skin types
- Vitamin E, C & A. Great for mature skin types.
- Vitamin E is a great anti-oxidant and perfect for protecting the skin. It also works well with Vitamin C for natural UV protection.
- Vitamin A is high in Retinol, which is a fabulous anti-aging ingredient as it interrupts free radical damage whilst increasing collagen production.
- Peptides – work in many ways but especially to help the skin produce more collagen to help plump out fine lines and wrinkles. Great for mature skin types.
- Silica – great for oily skin as it doesn’t clog pores and it absorbs excess sebum.
- Ceramide White with LHA – brilliant for controlling pigmentation as it attacks excess melanin and it’s super hydrating. Great for all skin types.
For sensitive skin, White Tea and soothing botanicals such as raspberry, lavender and ginger as well as cucumber extract and oat kernel are great ingredients to look for.
Products to try:
Dermalogica Age Smart SkinPerfect Primer SPF30
If you’re serious about anti-ageing then SPF30 is a must. This gem of a product combines the qualities of a makeup primer with a skincare treatment. It uses light diffusing Pearl Powder to smooth and add luminosity while Polymers prime the surface to create a soft matte effect. Fine lines are smoothed with Silica whilst absorbing excess oils helping the primer to cling to the skin.
It also contains Anti-oxidants, White Tea, peptides and Sodium Hyaluronate to protect the skin from further damage, stimulate collagen production and help stimulate hydration. Zinc Oxide and Titanium Oxide provide an SPF 30 to ensure protection from UV damage.
As used by Makeup Artist Diane Dusting on the set of The Great Gatsby to create the perfect afterglow for the actors filming the grand party.
Available from Dermalogica Skincare Centres including Studio 8 Beauty
Redness relief primer SPF20
A Redness-reducing primer, which counter acts skin redness, balances skin tone and soothes skin with natural botanical extracts.
Velvety silicones smooth the skin and strengthen barrier protection while physical sunscreen shields the skin from UV rays.
A fantastic product for sensitive skin.
Available from Dermalogica Skincare Centres including Studio 8 Beauty
Mii Minerals Silk Primer
A smoothing face preparation primer for all skin types, that creates a velvety veil base over the skin for a longer lasting flawless look. Packed with potent peptides, skin will appear visibly plumped and firm.
The luxuriously soft serum glides effortlessly over skin, smoothing over pores and fine lines.
Available from Mii Mineral Stockists including Studio 8 Beauty
Mii Minerals Enhancing Eye Prep
A superlight eye primer infused with restorative walnut seed oil suitable for all skin types. It glides onto the eyelid for a flawless, smooth finish.
Can be worn alone to uplift and brighten the eyes or with eyeshadow to enhance colour and deliver even longer lasting wear
Available from Mii Mineral Stockists including Studio 8 Beauty
Coming Soon!
To complete the family of makeup primers, Dermalogica is introducing “Hydrablur“, a super hydrating skin perfecting tinted primer to its product range. Launch date to be announced.
Quote of the Day
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Mary Lou Retton