One of a range of targeted primers, this blurring formula from Laura Mercier is oil-free and absorbs excess oil for a mattifying effect that helps your make-up go on extra smoothly.

With a velvety feel, Estée Lauder’s mattifying primer won’t dry out your skin, while being relied upon to keep shine at bay throughout the day.

If you find your make-up tends to ‘sit’ in your pores, Benefit’s cult status primer is the shortcut to a flawless complexion. Warm up the oil-free formula on the back of your hand for a smooth finish.

Using soft focus powders to absorb excess oil and give skin a photo-ready finish, Nars’ balancing primer is lightweight and oil-free but seriously effective at keeping oiliness to a minimum.

One of the prettiest primers we have come across, Guerlain’s elegant bottle houses a formula that not only mattifies your skin but which has skincare benefits too, protecting against pollution and helping smooth your complexion over time.

Specifically designed for oily complexions that tend to vanquish make-up before midday, MAC’s gel-textured formula uses green tea extract, caffeine and antioxidants to keep your base in place and even out your skin tone.