If there’s one thing that makes for a great beauty look, it’s flawless-looking skin. And the best part is that it requires little to no skill to perfect (unlike that enviable cat-eye flick, smoky eye, contour and highlight – these take serious skills to execute). All you have to do is to get a good primer to go under your foundation to give the illusion of baby-smooth skin. Here are some options to give it a shot.
1. Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Hydrating Primer
Dry skin types will especially enjoy this lightweight, moisturising primer. It keeps the skin hydrated and comfortable throughout the day, with the help of grapeseed oil and sodium hyaluronate that are both known for their hydrating powers. The formula is also said to be fast-absorbing, feels silky and is undetectable on the skin.
2. Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Mattifying Primer, $48, Sephora
Whereas this one will work better for oily and combination skin types. With the same lightweight, cushiony texture that the original Pro Filt’r Primer possesses, this mattifying version instantly mattifies skin, fights shine all day and minimises the appearance of pores without making the skin feel overly tight or dry.
3. Dear Dahlia Skin Paradise Pore Perfecting Primer, $49, Sephora
Dear Dahlia’s Skin Paradise Pore Perfecting Primer reportedly minimises the look of visible pores, fine lines and imperfections. The lightweight emulsion-like texture regulates sebum and primes the skin for long-lasting makeup wear without dryness.
4. Anna Sui Sui Black Primer Water, $42
Besides being a skincare lotion, this two-in-one beauty water is also a makeup primer. Its high concentration of Moist Water Polymers allows it to capture moisture and release it onto the skin once it comes into contact. It also contains oils which form a veil over the skin to supplement moisture, while Pore Cover Powder works to conceal pores and smooth out bumpy skin.
5. Shiseido Waso Poreless Matte Primer, $39
This primer gets its green tint from the watercress moisturising extract that’s derived from a plant belonging to the same family as wasabi. It’s a nutrient- and mineral-rich plant that contains folic acid, potassium, iron, vitamins A, C, and E. A pore-refining peptide, consisting of two amino acids, alleviates damage from unsaturated fatty acids and minimises the appearance of pores. An oil-absorbing powder absorbs excess sebum to help keep the skin matte.
6. 3ina The Matte & Smooth Primer, $29
This paraben-free primer smooths out skin texture and helps control oil for shine-free skin all day. It also has light-reflective particles to boost skin radiance and even out skin tone.
7. Etude House Fix and Fix Primer Pore, $22.90
This tinted gel primer helps even out skin tone while covering up pores and smoothing out skin texture.
8. Nyx Professional Makeup Total Control Drop Primer, $27
The formula of this fluid primer spreads easily to blur out pores for a smoother-skin finish. This is also vegan-friendly.
9. 3CE Pore Silky Stick (White), $25, Sephora
This not only helps smooth out skin texture and conceal pores and fine lines. It contains shea butter, argan oil and macadamia nut oil to help keep skin nourished and hydrated too.
10. Benefit Cosmetics The Porefessional Face Primer, $23
This oil-free, lightweight balm leaves skin looking smooth and flawless and also mattifies skin at the same time.
11. Smashbox Photo Finish Minimize Pores Primer, $24, Sephora
Great for those with oily skin, this oil-free mattifying primer not only blurs out pores, but it also controls oil without clogging up the skin too.
12. Erborian Matte Creme Mattifying Face Cream Blur Effect Face Primer, $24, Sephora
This primer does five things – it gives an ultra-matte finish, refines skin texture, reinforces skin barrier functions, helps lock in moisture and preps skin for makeup.
