18 Everything-Proof Makeup Primers Beauty Professionals Swear By

Every editorial product is independently selected by our editors. If you buy something through our links, we may earn commission.

As with many things in life, good makeup typically starts with a good foundation. And by foundation, we mean what you put on your skin as part of your routine before even getting to your actual base makeup — like your serum, moisturizer, and, most importantly, primer. It ensures everything that follows goes on smoothly and stays there, so you don't end up wasting all of that time applying your powder, blush, bronzer, and highlighter.

Makeup primers are what makeup artists and beauty influencers alike rely on to smooth uneven texture, keep excessive oil at bay, and keep makeup products from creasing. They come in a variety of finishes, from matte to dewy, and are often packed with skin-loving ingredients that help improve your skin while you wear them. Some face primers even contain a light tint so you can wear them without makeup altogether.

Whether you want a mattifying primer to keep your skin looking fresh or a luminizing primer to attain that dewy glow, read on for professional makeup artists and beauty editors to reveal their go-to makeup primers.

01
Urban Decay Eye Primer Potion
sephora.com

Urban Decay Eye Primer Potion

"When it comes to eyes, I always turn to Urban Decay Eye Primer Potion ($24). It neutralizes any discoloration on the lids, giving me a perfect canvas to start with and serving as a base layer that allows for easier blending of those layers that follow. It also adds more dimension, which makes eyes appear bigger." — Stephanie Flor, makeup artist

02
Wunder2 Prime and Behold
ulta.com

Wunder2 Prime and Behold

"Wunder2 Prime and Behold ($15) has a bit of an iridescence to it, which helps brighten up the eye area and make you appear more awake. What's more, it really helps grab hold of pigments, so whatever you put on has serious color payoff and won't come off easily." — Frankie Boyd, makeup artist

03
Charlotte Tilbury Wonderglow Face Primer
Nordstrom

Charlotte Tilbury Wonderglow Face Primer

"This Charlotte Tilbury Wonderglow Face Primer ($55) gives a really subtle warmth and glow to the skin without making you looking like you have a face full of sparkle or like you've just applied a ton of bronzer. I'm personally sensitive to the feel of makeup on my skin, but this is weightless and very comfortable. I particularly like it on dull or sallow skin that needs an extra boost of radiance." — Jenny Patinkin, celebrity makeup artist

04
Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer
sephora.com

Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer

"Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer ($54) is the best all-around multipurpose primer for dry, oily, or combination skin. It has a high mineral content, which creates a barrier on the skin and is good for anyone with oily skin who has issues with makeup slipping and sliding. It's also good for anyone with dry, thirsty skin who finds that makeup absorbs or fades over the course of the day." — JP

05
Mehron Skin Prep Pro
amazon.com

Mehron Skin Prep Pro

"Especially great for those with acne-prone skin, Mehron Skin Prep Pro ($14) keeps any oil from breaking through and down your makeup, as well as helps mattify the skin. Be sure to apply by the hairline to protect your makeup from your hair products." — Merrell Hollis, makeup artist

06
Erborian Glow Crème Illuminating Primer
ulta.com

Erborian Glow Crème Illuminating Primer

"I have been obsessed with using Erborian Glow Crème Illuminating Primer ($42) as a primer lately because it has so many benefits. Perhaps most notable is its ability to leave skin ultra supple and hydrated and its sheer, built-in luminizer, which helps reflect light and gives skin a beautiful glow." — Neil Scibelli, makeup artist

07
Make Up For Ever Step 1 Primer Pore Minimizer
sephora.com

Make Up For Ever Step 1 Primer Pore Minimizer

"Make Up For Ever Step 1 Primer Pore Minimizer ($37) helps to mattify skin and minimize excessive oil for keeping shine at bay. It also works as a filler for a smooth, even texture — it works wonders on large pores and those deep forehead lines." — Kelli J. Bartlett, director of artistry at Glamsquad

08
Bioderma Sebium Pore Refiner Cream
target.com

Bioderma Sebium Pore Refiner Cream

"Choosing a mattifying primer is a must for oily skin types and addressing the T-zone problem, and Bioderma Sebium Pore Refiner Cream ($20) is hypoallergenic, paraben-free, and noncomedogenic. Massage it into the face right before applying foundation and see the product quickly absorb, tighten pores, and refine skin texture for smooth makeup base results without greasiness. Bonus: it can help limit blemishes for acne-prone skin types." — Francesca Roman, master makeup artist at the Butterfly Studio Salon in NYC

09
Skindinavia The Makeup Primer Spray
skindinavia.com

Skindinavia The Makeup Primer Spray

"Anyone who knows me knows how much I love Skindinavia Makeup Primer Spray ($35). It's long-lasting (up to 16 hours) and helps control oil, so makeup will look just as good throughout day as when you first applied it — a must for my red carpet clients." — SF

10
Lancôme La Base Pro Perfecting Makeup Primer
sephora.com

Lancôme La Base Pro Perfecting Makeup Primer

"Lancome La Base Pro Perfecting Makeup Primer ($42) is really amazing for people with large, oily pores and has the most divine silky finish. Use an Artis Oval 6 Brush to apply and smooth it over the T-zone along with the center and apple of your cheeks." — KB

11
Pop Beauty Face Magnet Primer
cvs.com

Pop Beauty Face Magnet Primer

"As a pale girl, the red tones in my face always manage to show through my makeup a few hours into the day, but this Pop Beauty Face Magnet Primer ($10) is amazing. I apply this before my foundation, and my skin remains neutral all day long. The key ingredient in the formula is licorice root, which is known to eliminate redness with its soothing properties. The formula is not sticky or gooey; it seamlessly blends into my skin, almost like a lotion. My makeup truly stays on all day long — I never have to do any touch-ups." — Macy Williams, senior editor, shop

12
Beauty Bakerie The Butter Hydra Silk Primer
ulta.com

Beauty Bakerie The Butter Hydra Silk Primer

"The Beauty Bakerie The Butter Hydra Silk Primer ($24) is so great, it even won best primer in the February POPSUGAR Beauty Awards. The stick allows for hands-free, mess-free, precise application to areas that need a little extra TLC, which for me is under my eyes and around my nose. 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." — Jessica Harrington, associate editor, beauty

13
Benefit The Porefessional Hydrate Face Primer
ulta.com

Benefit The Porefessional Hydrate Face Primer

"My skin freaks out as soon as the cold weather arrives. It gets dry and flaky, which makes for a cakey disaster when applying foundation. The Benefit The Porefessional Hydrate Face Primer ($32) quenches my skin but doesn't leave a greasy, slippery film behind like many other primers do. It absorbs into my face rather than sitting atop it. I also love that it feels refreshing, as if I'm putting on a face cream. Once I add foundation, it blends right in seamlessly; there's no problem with different formulas being layered over each other." — MW

14
E.l.f. Cosmetics Luminous Putty Primer
ulta.com

E.l.f. Cosmetics Luminous Putty Primer

"I feel the combo-skin struggle: sometimes it feels like we can never have something that works for our fussy skin, but the E.l.f. Cosmetics Luminous Putty Primer ($9) is the game changer you've been waiting for. It hydrates and plumps using a healthy dose of hyaluronic acid and vegan collagen that doesn't clog pores or make your skin look greasy halfway through the day." — Samantha Sasso, editor, branded content, Group Nine Media

15
Clarins SOS Primer
nordstrom.com

Clarins SOS Primer

"As a longtime acne sufferer, my face has quite a few scars that are hard to cover up. I recently started using this Clarins SOS Primer ($39) and have been fielding compliments daily on how good my skin looks. The consistency is silky smooth, and my skin soaks it right up. Before I even apply my foundation, my skin instantly looks more even, brighter, and glowing. Once I follow up with my usual products, it makes my makeup look even better." — Krista Jones, editor, shop

16
Tatcha The Silk Canvas Protective Primer
tatcha.com

Tatcha The Silk Canvas Protective Primer

"The Tatcha The Silk Canvas Protective Primer ($52) is quite unique; it comes in a pot instead of a bottle. The formula is a thick, balm-like consistency, and you use a small disk to scrape your desired amount out of the pot. What first captured my attention was the incredible scent — the floral notes are pretty enough to be a perfume. The velvety consistency melts into your face the moment you apply it; it's hydrating and sleek without feeling greasy. Even before I apply my foundation, I can see a huge improvement in my complexion." — MW

17
DHC Skin Care Velvet Skin Coat
dhccare.com

DHC Skin Care Velvet Skin Coat

"One of the issues I've had with primer is how unnatural it can feel on my skin. Sometimes they're too sticky or so thick that my skin feels trapped. The DHC Skin Care Velvet Skin Coat ($23), however, is extremely breathable. It's very much one of those 'your skin, but better' products. While I was impressed by its pore-masking abilities alone, I also noticed that my skin stayed matte throughout the day. For someone prone to overactive oil production, this is a major win." — Maggie Panos, senior editor, Voices

18
Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser Primer
amazon.com

Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser Primer

"The clear formula of the Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser Primer ($7) is very breathable, so you don't feel it on your skin all day. It blurs pores and gives your face a matte finish perfect for applying makeup. You simply apply it with your fingertips, and you're ready for foundation." — MW