I Rely on This Makeup Primer to Keep My Skin Hydrated in My Apartment's Dry Heat

It's not often that you can say you equally love a product for its formula and the applicator, but that's how I feel. It's so great it even won "best primer" in the February POPSUGAR Beauty Awards. The stick allows for hands-free and mess-free application, which is more important than ever now that I avoid touching my face as much as possible. It also allows for precise application to areas that need a little extra TLC, which for me is under my eyes and around my nose. I would be remiss not to call out Beauty Bakerie's adorable packaging. The "butter" primer looks like an actual stick of butter, with measurements and everything.

The formula itself is nothing to scoff at either. With goji berry extract, the primer helps give your skin antioxidants, which help protect against free radicals and environmental aggressors. It melts into a silky finish when it comes into contact with your skin, like a real stick of butter (sans the greasiness). There are also notable blurring benefits to the primer, but in a natural-looking way. The result is a naturally smooth and supple-looking canvas for makeup.

I like to apply the Beauty Bakerie The Butter Hydra Silk Primer ($24) all over my face and then use my hands or a densely packed brush to blend it in lightly. You don't have to wait for this primer to set or dry down before you can apply your foundation — it won't pill or move. When you go to blend your base products in, you can notice the stain finish it leaves behind.

To really put its abilities to the test, I took a photo right after I did my makeup with the primer at the start of my day, midday around lunchtime, and then at the end of my day, exactly 10 hours and one very large slice of cheese pizza for dinner later. You can see just how well it keeps your makeup looking smooth and natural.

Rating: ★★★★