The most popular way to use a primer is before your foundation, and this is a fantastic method of creating a smoother-looking canvas. As the skincare ingredients treat your complexion, the smoothing makeup will create silky soft feeling skin that helps your face makeup glide on effortlessly.
Primer is often referred to as a base for Foundation or a Foundation primer. They are most commonly used to achieve a controlled matte finish. It isn't necessary to use a Primer before foundation, yet there are many benefits to adding this product into your makeup bag.
Applying primer over the foundation can give any look a beautiful and flawless finish. This technique can make a huge difference as it gives the skin a more even look without any obvious pores. A bit of primer on top of the foundation can work great for setting the makeup and is less obvious than a setting powder.
It's always advised that you let your moisturiser fully absorb before applying primer, makeup, or sunscreen. If your moisturiser hasn't absorbed, your primer may go on unevenly, which defeats the purpose of applying one. It should only take a few minutes for your moisturiser to set.
Use only a thin layer of primer (usually a pea-size blob for your entire face)—glob on too much, and your makeup can end up sliding around instead of melting into your skin. 3. Wait a full 60 seconds for your primer to “set” before slathering on your concealer and foundation.
How long to wait between moisturizer and primer? To get better results, apply a thin layer of moisturizer first then wait 30-60 seconds before applying primer or any other products.
In regard to application, makeup artists Allan Avendaño, Mary Phillips, and Robin Black all recommend using fingers to apply primer, as they say it's the best and easiest way to blend everything and get a seamless finish.
Primer is applied before foundation, and it should be the first step in your makeup routine. Foundations are applied after primer, and they should be the second step in your makeup routine. With that being said, some primers can be applied on top of the foundation to touch up your makeup or control shine.
Just as it does with makeup and on cars, primer creates a smooth base that promotes better adhesion and truer color from your topcoat paint. Pro-tip: Apply primer using a brush first to “cut in" around edges, then use a roller to fill in. That's how the pro's do it.
Some primers make your makeup look worse for many reasons. You're either using too much or you just don't need a primer. It could also be a foundation-primer mismatch. If your moisturizer and primer don't mix well, your makeup won't sit perfectly on top and it will end up looking worse!
If your foundation is sitting well on top of your skin, you don't need a primer. However, if you have oily skin or big pores, you can use a mattifying primer to help smooth out the skin. If you have dry skin, you can use a hydrating primer.
It's simple. If you're using a moisturizer, apply that first, then let your skin dry for a few minutes. Beginning at the center of your face, apply just a light layer of primer, dabbing it in with your fingers or a makeup sponge. Allow the primer to dry for a few minutes before applying your foundation.
As much as it's debated, foundation comes after primer.
"Whether it's a BB cream, cream to powder, liquid or mousse foundation, is totally your choice," she said. "Afterwards though, I always suggest lightly off-setting your foundation with a powder foundation that warms your face."
The truth is, you should always apply moisturizer before reaching for primer (seriously, always). As we mentioned above, the purpose of a moisturizer is to lock in moisture to keep dryness at bay. If you apply primer first, you run the risk of sporting dry, lackluster skin.
Always apply moisturizer BEFORE you apply the primer. If your skin is dull, try a tinted primer to help add some glow and life back into your skin. Always make sure your primer is compatible with your foundation.
As long as the primer applies uniformly over the previous color, then one or two coats should be sufficient. Again, it is not necessary to apply several coats of primer to try to get a perfect white finish. That is the job of the topcoat (paint) which has to be applied on top of the primer.
If you have combination skin, you may want to apply both primer and moisturizer. The benefits of using primer and moisturizer together include a flawless complexion and longer-lasting foundation.
Whether you wet sand primer or not depends entirely on what type of primer you're sanding. For latex paint primer (water, oil or shellac-based,) you don't need to wet sand, since the layer of paint will cover that perfectly smooth surface anyway. Auto-body primer, on the other hand, should be wet sanded.
If you are using it underneath foundation, you can buff in your foundation on top. Or you can even mix it together for a sheer, dewy glow.