Renowned makeup artist Karen Alder reveals her thoughts on this selection of eight unique and indispensable primers from some of our favourite brands.

The Spring Review 2017 - Primers The Spring Review 2017 - Primers

Prime Time

Clear, fresh-looking skin without a hint of makeup is a big trend this season, and primers are key as they can be used in place of makeup to smooth and add radiance to skin. Primers also create a flawless canvas for base makeup and can help to blur imperfections. Find the one to suit you with Karen's expert guidance.

shop primer
foundation primer radiance

radiance boosting

 


laura mercier


foundation primer radiance


“This is lovely with a beautiful, creamy texture. It evens out the skin tone right away and immediately adds radiance. It’s moisturising so great for dry or dull skin and it feels like it’s giving me a really smooth base for the foundation to stick to.”

First Light Priming Filter

radiance boosting

NEW


becca


First Light Priming Filter


“This colour-correcting primer is very exciting – it’s purple so it helps with any dullness or sallowness. It’s amazing; very light, like an eye cream, but really takes away the darkness from under my eyes. This is great for more mature skin as it leaves a non-shimmery glow.”

Backlight Priming filter

radiance boosting

 


becca


Backlight Priming filter


“This adds a dramatic all-over radiance to skin. Great for a strobed look, it has a really powerful glow that’s fantastic on younger skin. To use more subtly, mix it with foundation. This helps to re-texturise and really smooth - skin feels like silk and foundation applies really nicely on top.”

PORE & SHINE CONTROL PRIMER

mattify

NEW


NARS


PORE & SHINE CONTROL PRIMER


“This has a smoothing and mattifying effect, so it’s great for anyone who has an oily t-zone or large pores. It feels like a skincare product and even works on top of makeup. This has anti-ageing benefits too as the technology that fills pores has filled in the fine lines around my mouth.”

Veil Mineral Primer SPF 15

mattify

 


hourglass


Veil Mineral Primer SPF 15


“Great for winter, this stops skin looking dull. It evens out skin tone with natural coverage and a lovely lightweight feel. It visibly colour corrects – it’s taken out all the redness from my skin. This is a brilliant primer for oily skin as it mattifies and leaves skin perfectly smooth.”

Hyaluronic Hydra-Primer

smoothing

 


by terry


Hyaluronic Hydra-Primer


“This stuff is amazing; I use it a lot in my kit. When you apply this everything goes into soft focus. It’s just perfect – hydrating, blurring, smoothing, and there is a certain luminosity to it – an old-school film star glow, as if you’re standing in moonlight.”

Flawless Radiance Primer SPF 30

sun protection

 


eve lom


Flawless Radiance Primer SPF 30


“Like a glass of water for your skin, this primer is highly moisturising – perfect for dry skin. It feels soft and fresh and evens out the skin tone. It’s calmed redness too; I’d recommend it for sensitive skin. It leaves the complexion with a soft glow – it’s my skin, but better.”

Ultra Sun Protection SPF 45 PA ++ Anti-Glycation Primer

sun protection

 


chantecaille


Ultra Sun Protection SPF 45 PA ++ Anti-Glycation Primer


“This is a bit different as it has a really thin liquid texture and its focus is on protecting skin with a great high SPF. The texture is ultra-light; it’s like water. Sunscreen is not always good under makeup, but this is really smoothing and dries down almost to a powder finish."

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