What is makeup primer and how do you apply it?
Face primers have become a staple of the everyday makeup bag in the past few years, and there is a very important reason why. Priming your face is the most important part of your makeup routine, as it sets the foundation for how your makeup will look like. It prepares your skin for makeup and helps add a layer of protection to your face – it can also help your makeup last a lot longer. Everyone who wears makeup regularly should be wearing primer, and how to properly prepare and prime their face before they start their makeup routine. Here are all the key steps when it comes to properly priming your face!
Why should you use a makeup primer?
Primers can have many benefits when it comes to your skin’s health and overall appearance. For example, primer can have anti-ageing effects, making your skin look smoother and more youthful. Many modern primers also have built-in SPF, which is important for protecting your face against harmful UV rays, which is especially useful now that summer is here! They can also add extra moisturisation to your face, so your skin can stay extra nourished and hydrated.
Tips for choosing a makeup primer
Different skin types need different types of primer that will adequately protect and prime their skin. Just like with moisturiser, oily, dry, and mature skin may need different primers that will work with their face type. It’s important that you select the right one so that you can prime your face properly. Furthermore, different primers provide different effects – if you want more colour correction, a hydration boost, or you want to minimise your pores, it’s important that you look for a primer that will provide what you’re looking for. If you’re looking for a specific priming effect, make sure you do your research to find the best primer for you!
Steps for priming your face
These steps are very important to follow when properly priming your face.
Wash your face thoroughly
This is one of the most important steps in a makeup routine, and it will ensure that the primer sticks to your face a lot better. You should be washing and cleansing your face with gentle and natural skin care products, so your skin won’t become agitated or irritated with harsh chemicals. This will ensure that your skin is a great base for your moisturiser and primer. Once you have exfoliated and cleansed your face, pat dry with a towel so as to not drag the skin. Dragging the skin can cause wrinkles and damage to it, so take care to be as gentle as possible. Once your skin is dry, apply your moisturiser as you would usually do.
Introduce the makeup primer to your skin
Once the moisturiser has been absorbed into your skin, you can then start to apply your primer. It is recommended that you only use a pea-sized amount when first applying primer (too much primer can make your foundation look uneven and not settle onto the skin properly!) You can always add more later on if you feel your skin isn’t primed enough. Make sure to blend the primer in gentle, circular motions to ensure it settles on the skin properly. Take care to distribute the primer around your whole face, paying close attention to your forehead and nose. This will ensure the primer sits well on the skin, building a great foundation for the rest of your makeup.
Wait at least one minute before applying makeup
It’s important that you wait at least one whole minute for the primer to settle before you start your makeup routine. This one minute is crucial for allowing the primer to properly set on your face – if you don’t wait, your makeup could look patchy or uneven. Allowing the primer to set on your skin properly is crucial when it comes to priming your face properly. However, once this minute has passed, you have primed your face properly and can then start your makeup routine!
Remember to check the ingredients
When you go to buy a primer, do a test on the back of your hand before you buy. This will help you assess whether a primer is easy to use and will glide on your skin well. You need to make sure that the primer you buy will help out your makeup routine, not make your makeup patchy or uneven! This is also a good way to check that you’re not allergic or irritated by any ingredients in the primer, especially because your facial skin is particularly sensitive.
Preparing your face for makeup with a primer is one of the best secrets to having a great makeup look, without it budging all day! It can also help protect your face from the sun and provide your skin with more hydration. Start priming your face properly today for better makeup looks, and better skin as well!
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Guest post by Zoe-Louise Thomlinson
I’m quite new to primers, and still kind of learning how to use them properly. I actually didn’t realise you’re supposed to wait for them to set! I probably should try that next time!