10 Most Frequently Asked Questions About Face Primers

Face primers are currently very trendy. Everyone is talking about them and that too for good reason. A face make up primer acts as a wonderful base to your makeup. Take a look at the 10 FAQs mentioned here to get a better understanding about face primers.

10 FAQs about Face Primer

1. What are makeup primers and how do they work?

Make up primers are nothing but a base on which the makeup sits better. These primers are coats that you apply on your bare skin, even before you apply your foundation. Primers are available in the form of powders, lotions and gels. The primers are primarily used to protect your skin against the heavy makeup that you apply. It has been in use in the entertainment industry for a long time. The actors have long applied face primers under their makeup to keep your skin healthy. The rest of us have only recently discovered this wonderful product. Makeup primers also elongate the life of the makeup and keep it longer on your skin, giving you a fresh and beautiful look for a longer period of time. Make up primers also help to cover up acne spots, skin blemishes, wrinkles and fine lines. You get primers for your face, your lips, your eyelids as well as your nails.

2. How is a makeup primer different from foundation and concealer?

Before we answer this, let us explain what each of these beauty products is used for:

• Concealer: A concealer is a pigmented cosmetic spread that is used to cover up prominent skin blemishes. A concealer is applied specifically on the spots where the blemishes show, but is distributed on the entire skin as well. Concealers are available in various forms such as powders and gels. You must choose the correct concealer, based on your skin type.
• Foundation: Foundation is also a pigmented cosmetic. Its main use is to give the skin an even tone. It is therefore spread across the face in equal proportions and the makeup is applied on top of it. Foundations too are available in different forms. You can choose a water based foundation, a powder based foundation or a gel based foundation. If you have oily skin a powdered foundation is ideal and similarly, for dry skin, the water based foundations are more suitable.
• Primer: The main objective of a primer is to allow the makeup to stick on better and therefore last longer. Foundations and concealers are often applied on top of a coat of makeup primer.

So as we can see, the three different types of beauty products have different objectives. These therefore are the main points of difference between the three. This apart, we get primers for the face, eyes, and also for the nails. Concealers and foundations are, in most cases, limited to the face.

You might also want to read: Top 5 Tips for Applying Foundation Flawlessly

3. How do you use a face primer?

Makeup primers are very useful. However, you need to know how to use them correctly to get the best results. Follow these simple steps for proper application of your makeup primer:

• Clean your face: Before you begin, rinse your face and pat dry. You can use a mild face wash to wash off the grease and dirt.
• Take a pea-sized portion: Primers need to be used in small amounts. Too much primer will affect your overall look and make the makeup look messy. So take a dot of primer and apply it evenly on your face.
• Message in an outward motion: It is highly advisable for you start at the middle and massage outwards. Apply the primer to the centre of your check and using your finger tips, gently spread it outwards. This will ensure you have an even application and it will also give you a healthy face message.
• Allow it to dry: The primer takes a very short while to dry, but you must be patient and wait for it. Applying foundation to wet primer will not fetch you the desired results. So just let it dry out before you proceed to the next step.

Follow these simple steps and you will be able to apply the makeup primer perfectly each and every time.

4. What colour makeup primer to use?

Makeup primers are available in clear shades as well as in colours. The clear primers are useful if you have an even skin tone without too many blemishes. The coloured primers work on a very scientific logic. They use the concept of a colour wheel, where colours on one side of the wheel correct the colours on the corresponding side. So the green primers are effectively used to counter red spots on the skin. The blue makeup primers work well to neutralise the tired and unhealthy tones of the skin. So you need to use a makeup primer in a shade that suits your skin.

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5. Do primers clog your pores?

If you have been worried that a makeup primer can clog your skin pores, you need to think again. While some primers do clog your pores, most don’t. The trick here is to choose your primer wisely. Makeup primers contain silicon. The silicon helps to provide a smooth look and also helps the makeup to stick on better. However, too much silicon can be bad for your skin. It can travel to the pores and clog them. So look for makeup primers that have a lower content of silicon. You may have to pay a higher price, but you will definitely do your skin a huge favour. Makeup primers have become a norm these days and if you want to look flawless, you need to apply them. It therefore is a wise decision for you to invest in a good product.

6. Which comes first: primer or moisturizer?

To understand this, let us once again take a look at the main objectives of a primer and a moisturizer:

• Primer: A makeup primer, like mentioned above, is used as a makeup base. Its sole objective is to allow the makeup to stick on better and in a more uniform manner. A face makeup primer does not intend to go beyond the surface of your skin.
• Moisturizer: The chief aim of a moisturizer is to hydrate your skin and supply it with the nutrients it needs. It travels deep into the layers of the skin and moisturizes it from within.

Understandably thus, a moisturizer needs to be applied before a makeup primer. You should ideally wash your face, apply some moisturizer and then get on to the primer. Your skin will feel fresh, hydrated and soft thereafter.

7. Can you use a primer without foundation?

A primer and a foundation should ideally complement each other. If you are going for a very glamorous look, with a lot of makeup and want it to last you the whole day, it is advisable for you to use both the primer and the foundation. As we know, the primer acts as a base and the foundation evens out the skin tone. So both are important. However, you can use a primer without a foundation too. Primers also help to even out the skin tones, although not with the same intensity that foundations do. When you are going for a light makeup look, you can very well skip the foundation. If however you have many skin blemishes, opt for a coloured makeup primer to get the maximum impact. Choose the primer carefully and ensure it suits your skin type.

Pro Tip: If you are skipping the foundation, your primer should be able to keep your skin tone even. To prevent dryness or excessive oiliness, select the right primer. Get a water based or gel based primer for dry skin and a powder based make primer if you have very oily skin.

You might also want to read: Is your foundation failing you? Here’s why

8. Do primers work for all types of skin?

Yes, primers work for all types of skin. There are many different types of makeup primers. You just have to be careful and select the correct primer. You have the clear primers for even toned skin. You have the coloured primers for the various skin blemishes. You also have anti-aging primers that help combat the early signs of aging. Let us take a look at the various kinds of makeup primers and which types of skin they complement:

• Primers for normal skin: If you have normal skin that isn’t too dry or too greasy, you will find many options when you go shopping for the makeup primers. The primers for normal skin are usually in a matte finish, though you get them in a dewy finish too. The normal skin primers are rich in SPF and give an added sun protection too.
• Primers for oily skin: There are many primers available for oily skin too. Oily skin requires a special kind of primer. The pores are larger on oily skin and so you need a primer with a pore minimising effect. The oily skin primers are almost always available in matte finish as they prevent your skin from looking greasy and shiny.
• Primers for dry skin: You have to be very careful while choosing a primer for dry skin. The primer ideally needs to be rich in moisturiser and give your skin a dewy look. If you don’t apply the correct primer on your dry skin, it will start to flake soon enough.

So as we can see, makeup primers work for all skin types. You however have to spend some time in selecting the right primer. There is no single product available for all skin types. Understand how your skin is and buy a product accordingly.

9. Is there any substitute for makeup primer?

Makeup primers are essential by products and ideally need to be applied. However, you can, at times, substitute a primer with the following:

• Milk of magnesia: This may sound odd, but give it a try! Just take some milk of magnesia on some cotton wool and apply it on your face, before you apply your makeup. The makeup will stick on for many hours and you won’t have to reapply it every few hours.
• BB Cream: BB cream has long been used as a makeup base. It won’t give the same effect as a primer. However, it will allow for a smooth coverage and an even application of the makeup thereafter.
• Aloe gel and moisturiser: Aloe gel mixed with a little moisturiser works as an effective makeup base for oily skin. The aloe helps soothe the skin discomforts and the moisturiser prevents the flakiness. Give this primer substitute a try if you need a quick-fix remedy sometime.

Always try using a proper primer but at times of emergency, these substitutes may definitely be used.

You might also want to read: How To Apply Makeup Guide: 10 Simple Steps To Get The Perfect Finish

10. Are there any homemade makeup primers?

You can make a quick makeup primer by mixing some aloe gel, moisturiser and some foundation. Take about two teaspoons of moisturiser. However, if your skin is very dry, increase the amount of moisturiser. Next, mix in some clear aloe gel, about three teaspoons. To it, mix a couple of spoons of foundation. You have to be very careful and choose a foundation that matches your skin tone. Give it all a good stir and apply on your face and neck. You have to mix the three ingredients very well, otherwise your homemade primer will become patchy and your hamper your overall look. Do not put a lot of this primer. Take a couple of drops on your finger tips and massage in an outward motion. You will get a good result and your makeup will stick on for longer too.

Conclusion

Now that you have all your doubts cleared, go on and get a good makeup primer if you have not done so already. A primer can transform your look and also help you to keep your makeup on for longer. Get your hands on the best primers and make them an essential part of your makeup kit.

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