How to Pick the Right Primer for Your Foundation

If you think using a makeup primer is just an extra, unnecessary step in your makeup routine, we implore you to think again. For a beauty look that’s as flawless as is humanly possible, it’s essential to prime and prep your skin before you reach for your foundation. Not only will it help ensure that your face makeup doesn’t come out cakey, but it will also help keep your look lasting longer. Convinced you need to try a makeup primer but not sure where to start? Here, we’re sharing the right primers for every type of foundation.

FOUNDATION AND PRIMER PAIRING #1

Foundation: L'Oréal Paris Infallible 24HR Fresh Wear Foundation, Lightweight

Primer: L'Oréal Paris Magic Lumi Light Infusing Primer

One of the best things about this all-star foundation is that it’s formulated to help resist sweat, water, and transfer of your face makeup. However, in order to keep your complexion looking radiant and fresh, we recommend using a glow-boosting makeup primer underneath. The light formula we’re recommending here will blend easily onto your skin to help boost its luminosity and create an even canvas before foundation application.

FOUNDATION AND PRIMER PAIRING #2

Foundation: L'Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Glow Foundation

Primer: L'Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Glow Lock Makeup Primer + L'Oréal Paris True Match Lumi-Shake and Glow Dew Mist

If you tend to have dry skin, you likely use a foundation that’s formulated to give off a bit more glow, rather than a formulation that’s meant to absorb excess oil. Reach for your foundation with a radiant finish and pair it with a similarly glow-boosting primer. If your skin is extremely dry, you might consider adding an extra layer of hydration before reaching for your foundation. To do so, spritz your skin with a face mist, apply your primer, let it dry, then move on to your foundation.

FOUNDATION AND PRIMER PAIRING #3

Foundation: L'Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation

Primer: L'Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Lock Makeup Primer

On the flip side, if you have oily skin that gets shiny as the day wears on, you’ll want to choose a mattifying primer and foundation duo. First, apply your matte primer onto clean skin, all over your complexion—focusing more product on areas that tend to get very oily, such as your T-zone. Next, apply your matching matte foundation using a makeup blender, like the L'Oréal Paris Infallible Blend Artist Foundation Blender. This particular matte foundation goes on smooth and gives off a demi-matte finish that will help diminish the look of excess oil on the skin. When used together, this primer and foundation pairing pretty much works overtime to help ensure that your oil-prone complexion remains shine-free throughout the day.

FOUNDATION AND PRIMER PAIRING #4

Foundation: L'Oréal Paris Infallible Longwear Foundation Shaping Sticks

Primer: L'Oréal Paris Studio Secrets Professional Magic Perfecting Base

If you’ve chosen a cream foundation formula, it’s even more crucial to use a primer beforehand to help ensure that your makeup will last as long as you need it to. Plus, if you’re using shaping sticks as your base, chances are you’ll also want to play around with using foundation to sculpt and contour your facial features, which is even more reason to prep your skin and start with an even canvas. Before reaching for a shaping stick that matches your skin tone, apply a skin smoothing primer onto clean skin. Using this primer will help even out the texture of your skin, which will help make your foundation application more even.

FOUNDATION AND PRIMER PAIRING #5

Foundation: L'Oréal Paris Visible Lift Serum Absolute Advanced Age-Reversing Makeup

Primer: L'Oréal Paris Visible Lift Radiance Booster

You have mature skin and therefore anti-aging foundation is your go-to when it comes to face makeup. Similarly, you should also use a makeup primer that’s formulated for mature skin. After you apply an anti-aging facial moisturizer, reach for a primer that will help turn back time for dull, mature skin. Enriched with nourishing oils that help to hydrate and protect skin, the lightweight primer we’re recommending is perfect for preceding your anti-aging foundation. Apply your foundation with a makeup blender and you’re good to go.

Editor’s note: Whichever makeup primer + foundation makeup combination you go with, don’t forget that using a makeup setting spray, like the L'Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Spray & Set Makeup Extender Setting Spray, will help keep your makeup looking fresh for longer.

Next up: How to Find the Right Foundation for You