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What's been your go-to primer and foundation combination?

I don’t usually wear primer (it’s unnecessary for my needs), but if I do, I go for Too Faced Hangover RX with Tarte Rainforest of the Sea foundation. I have normal-to-dry skin and don’t like to touch-up. Usually if I wear primer, I’ll also use a setting powder and spray (currently, Laura Mercier Loose Setting and Clarins Fix’n Makeup).

— Christine

60 Comments

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Faerwen Avatar

Too Faced Primed and Poreless and MUFE Mat Velvet+ is my holy grail combination! I’ve worn it for up to fourteen hours needing only to blot once or twice and apply a touch of MUFE Pro Finish powder foundation on my T-zone. Will not budge. A few spritzes of Urban Decay De-Slick go a long way, too.

Erica Avatar

I don’t use a primer or setting spray. The more stuff I put on my face the worse it behaves. I wear either MAC Prolongwear nourishing foundation, Estee Lauder Double wear, Loreal Trumatch or Loreal Infallible. I set with powder. Use an oil blotting sheet to touch up

M Avatar

Tizo3 facial mineral sunscreen as primer. (It is silicone-based, and acts like a silicone primer, but with spf 40, using titanium dioxide and zinc oxide as the sunscreen. I love this product.) Urban Decay Naked Skin on top. This combination holds up fine for my purposes for a work day, and doesn’t break up in my oilier areas, or get weird patches, or scary flake-cling ( I prefer a “light to light-medium coverage” and am willing to accept some blemish show-through in exchange for a low – maintenance base look, so Naked is great for me.)

M Avatar

Nice to see Tizo love!! I wear Naked 3.0 and 4.0 (either and both), NC25 ish, and the Tizo3 tint is ok for me (wrong “color”, but supposedly it just negates the white cast… ha ha) If I was lighter, I’d use the Tizo2. Probably anyone lighter than nc/nw 20 would go with Tizo2??

Sun Avatar

I’m still trying to find a perfect primer to suit my needs! Based on your and other YouTubers’ recommendation, I’m also using the Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Foundation (love the coverage and finish), but have yet to find an ideal primer. I use Make Up For Ever’s Mattifying Base on the oily areas, which works great on the oily areas, but I also need another primer to go on the other areas of my face. Still haven’t found one that plays well with the MUFE Mattifying Base and helps my foundation last longer. I’ve tried Smashbox, Stila, Hourglass Mineral Veil, and am currently trying out Givenchy’s Mr. Mat.

Mariella Avatar

When I wear foundation now, it’s always IT CC Cream, which claims to include a primer so I skip it entirely. I do like the Smashbox Water Primer though. I bought a small travel sized bottle of it, thinking for sure it was a gimmick and I wouldn’t like it but I’ve been very surprised by how “not a gimmick” it is.

Pavithra Balakrishnan Avatar

I have extremely oily skin so I always go for a primer that mattifies and also fills in my pores like the Smashbox Photofinish Face Primer and for foundation I like something lightweight like the Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Foundation. I set it with powder to make it last all day without slipping or sliding off of my face.

chelsea Avatar

Right now I’m enjoying Cover FX Mattifying Primer with Cover FX Natural Finish Oil Free. This line also offers the closest match to my skin tone coupled with helping me deal with my skin care needs. I like to set it using Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder and I’m good to go!

RAEANNE Avatar

I use Paula’s Choice Ultra Lite Antioxidant Serum as my primer and daytime moisturizer all in one. It created a soft, smooth surface for all my foundations, but my favorite combination is IT Cosmetics CC+ Cream with a dab of the Loreal Matte and Poreless. I have normal to oily skin and love this combo for keeping me moisturized without being too oily.

Erynn Avatar

I used to be stuck on Laura mercier hydrating foundation but I got a sample of the Mac primer and I LOVE IT. (I’m super dry) my favorite foundations at the moment Estée Lauder double wear (with a few drops of face oil) and I’ve managed to make the kat Von d foundation work, hated at first hard to blend cakey etc however when I mixed it with some face oils to thin it out I actually really like it.

Jessika Avatar

Sephora Primer, NIVEA men Sensitive Post Shave Balm, KIKO Matte Primer and NARS
All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation. I don’t pay for primers anymore. They’re too expensive to purchase and they DON’T WORK FOR ME!

dixiedolittle Avatar

Too Faced Hangover RX primer and the Becca Ever-Matte Shine Proof foundation are my HG at the moment. I’m super oily (like, could solved a natural resource crisis with the amount of oil on my face and scalp) and while I still have to blot with this combo, I don’t have to blot nearly as often and my makeup isn’t separating or melting. Love it.

Michelle Avatar

Have to try this combo. I have super oily skin and super humid hot weather made my pores look HUGE and tested my foundation staying power!

Kylie5 Avatar

Primer: wonderblur from the Body Shop, my new favourite primer, the best one I have Ever used
Foundation: manic Panic white Foundation Mixed with becca matte Foundation in the lightest shade + a Little bit of a lavender toned Primer from givenchy

Because the primer is new I am trying out all my foundations with this primer at the Moment, so far it worked with every Foundation but I have not tried all combinations yet

I use The manic Panic white Foundation with every Foundation

Kylie5 Avatar

I forgot Marc Jacobs Foundation concentrate
The lightest shade works really well but I am still struggeling with Application, now finally I have the coconut primer and Hope that it will work now
When I have found a way to make this Foundation Look Good on me I think I will use this a lot

LaMaitresse Avatar

I have some residual ice pick scars and oily skin, and I’m pretty fussy about how my skin looks so I do use primer all the time. My favourites are Anna Sui pore refiner, it’s in a little jar from Beautylish, and Kevyn Aucoin Skin Developer in normal oily. Both together make a pretty perfect canvas for foundation, I’m currently wearing Armani’s luminous silk, but Ford’s traceless foundation or byTerry cover expert are my very favourites for medium full/coverage for fall winter. I use Chanel’s loose powder, I’m thinking of switching back to Guerlain’s because it was more finely milled and a bit lighter on the face. A ton of illusion to look flawless!

claudia davis Avatar

My switch to drugstore recently resulted in great results. I use Maybelline Baby Skin Pore Eraser as my primer and Maybelline Fit Me Foundation but previously and sometimes still, I use Bare Minerals Prime Time Primer and Estee Lauder Double Wear. I recently purchased UD’s All Nighter on a whim but I am really very happy with the Maybelline Fit Me and its only about $8.00.

Michelle Avatar

Stumbled on my new Holy Grail by using the beloved foil pack samples that come with cosmetic orders! I am in love with Dr Brand pores no more primer with Hourglass Hyaluronic Skin Tint. I’m 43, no wrinkles, combo skin, some hyper pigmentation..I look flawless! Topped off with Geurlain Meteorite pearls!!

Teresa Avatar

I kill mutliple birds with one stone. I do not use a primer. I take my Dr. Denese SPF 30 Day Cream and mix it with my Cover FX Custom Drops. That gives me SPF and the perfect color foundation.

Alexandra Avatar

The Benefit Porefessional, coupled with a moisturizing primer, and the Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation has been my favorite combo for years now. I almost always set my makeup with a powder (bake under the eyes and Makeup Forever HD Pressed or Maybelline Fit Me all over the face and to kick off bake), but hardly ever with a setting spray.

Chacha Avatar

I dont use primer even if i have one from Laura Mercier “FOUNDATION PRIMER HYDRATING” and one from Chanel “LE BLANC”
Because i think i dont need it,and i know how to work with every foundation that i have…
Also because that “i’m afraid”by the result! I know how my foundation look like so if i use a primer i am afraid to see a disaster and to be dissapointed by that!
And im also thinking that the primer will change the effects of a foundation! Example:How a glowy foundation will look like with a primer? less glowy? matte? I really dont know because like i said before i dont use primer by fear lol
But it’s enough,tomorrow i’ll try because im tired too see this kind of question and be aware about that so i will use Laura Mercier Tomorrow,the next day Chanel and i have a sample from Burberry “radiance primer”like that i’ll be set!! lol
Maybe i’ll become an addict? even if im not sure because i’m sure that change the application and the result of the foundation…;)

Sophie Avatar

Bare Minerals oil-free prime time which I’ve just discovered has been discontinued. I panic bought 3 bottles. Annoyed that I now need to find another prime that controls my oily skin and doesn’t contain silica! As for foundation, I’ve been using Estée Lauder Doublewear in Pale Almond. It’s the only foundation that withstands a 12hr shift for me!

Martha Aldridge Avatar

Drugstore: Revlon Photo Ready Primer & Color Stay Whipped Creme Foundation.
High end: Too Faced Hangover Primer & Born This Way Foundation

Angie Avatar

mufe step 1 smoothing primer + hourglass mineral veil primer with hourglass immaculate liquid to powder (shade is porcelain) is my holy grail at the moment. i set it with givenchy prisme libre or nars loose powder (t-zone, this foundie sets on its own) and spray it with jurlique rosewater balancing spray. it does not move for about 14-16 hours.

* other foundations i like at the moment is mufe ultra hd stick, mufe face & body, hourglass stick foundie, and givenchy eclat matissime

Valerie C. Avatar

I’m fair/oily. Right now I’m using Hourglass Mineral Veil Primer, then Laura Geller Real deal concealer in Fair on flaws, followed by UD Naked Skin Ultra Definition Powder Foundation in Fair Cool.

RMW (Rose) Avatar

I have been using for a primer, Maybelline New York New Master Prime By FaceStudio Blur + Illuminate 200. For foundation, NYX Studio Photogenic HD and I LOVE them BOTH together!
I absolutely feel that even at 45, when using a primer, you don’t need to use it all over your face. I know it sounds CRAZY! I have only used it in places I need my makeup to stay.or I also mix a pin drop with my moisturiser! So you’re not overdoing the primer and have the Makeup run off your face a few hours after you put it on. It works AWESOME! ?

Calimom Avatar

My HG combo is Monistat Chafing Relief Gel as primer and EL Double Wear Light foundation. With a little loose powder my makeup lasts forever!

Bonita A Schermerhorn Avatar

You are the first person I e seen on here that also uses Monistat chafing gel. I love it. I spread the word as often as possible.

Jessica Avatar

I’m really enjoying my Smashbox Photo Finish Light primer with L’Oreal True Match Lumi. I never thought I needed a primer until recently and until I started using more of the dewy finish foundations. I don’t have many other primers to compare this to but it definitely beats out the original Sbox primer as well as the others that I can’t name right now lol

Bonita A Schermerhorn Avatar

I love my primer. Monistat chafing gel. It takes just a bit and is less than $7.00 a tube. It lasts me a very long time with almost daily use. Currently for summer shade foundation I’m wearing Laura Geller light. As winter approaches I’ll wear Becca foundation mixed with Elizabeth Arden mousse. The first has too yellowtish a color and the later has a pinkish tone that combined is perfect for me.

Bea Avatar

My face is an oil-slick, so if I really want my foundation to last with minimal to NO touch-up, I’ll use plain milk of magnesia with ANY foundation. Trust me, it works! I don’t care what anybody says. Don’t knock it ’til you try it! ?

VAL MARTIN Avatar

I’m loving Laura Geller Mattifying primer at the moment. When using this I can get away with just wearing Balance n Brighten on top.

Monika Avatar

Becca Backlight Targeted Colour Corrector (green) then Nyx Pore Filler Primer then Etude House Big Cover Concealer BB (tiny bit dots here and there) and finally Hourglass Diffused Light (all over the face) and Innisfree No Sebum Mineral Pact (on T-zone).

Silvia Avatar

Nars foundation i really like and have used Loreal Bb cream youth code and liked as well no need for primer is all included. Wondering which is best Loreal or Garnier BB creams? Will purchase again for winter. Lately have purchased all Loreal Lumy foundations and find them great. Light, natural coverage and not crazy dewey as I was afraid it would be, simply great! Perfect for me! I always wear a bit of sunblock if in the day before applying foundation of any kind or at night any light cream for my face to absorb like Oil of Olay or any other handy and then apply the foundation with a sponge so it runs smoothly. Tried primer but don’t think I’ll buy again don’t see the need for it. Other foundation I have tried is from Body Shop but found it a bit on the heavy side real full coverage although good I prefer lighter. Also Revlon DNA one a bit heavy also but ok. if applied lightly. Need to try Maybelline Fit keep hearing is good although for now I’m loving Loreal’s one!

PerfumedGal Avatar

I use Tarte’s Timeless Smoothing Primer which blurs the laughter lines round my eyes and fills in my large pores. I am thrilled to find something that works so brilliantly. It pairs well with their ROTS foundation.

Dianne Avatar

For primer, I use Hourglass Mineral Veil most of the year. On particularly hot and humid days, I prefer Skindinavia Primer Spray. For foundations, I switch between Estée Lauder DW, Lancome Teint Idole 24H, and Clarins Everlasting. I set my makeup with a very light brushing of powder foundation, either MAC Studio Fix or Chanel Perfection Lumiere Extreme. A light misting of Skindinavia setting spray in Bridal Finish and my makeup isn’t going anywhere for 12+ hours.

Bonnie Avatar

The only time I ever wear primer is if I get a sample in a beauty box. Then I will give it a try for a day or two. It’s not a big enough difference that I would actually buy one, or even regularly take the 5 seconds it would take to apply it. Instead, I try to use foundations that make my skin look great. Nothing beats Armani Luminous Silk.

Carmen Avatar

For myself, I prefer to only use my Hourglass Mineral Veil Primer in the Summer months. The rest of the year I usually switch out my many primers but do have quite a few that I love a lot. Foundation wise I only use the Covergirl Ready, Set, Gorgeous Powder Foundation as it is so buildable and looks flawless.

Schuschubaby Avatar

The Tom Ford Illuminating Primer is simply amazing. Worn with Tom Ford foundation, either stick or liquid. I do some very long days and I’m quite impressed with the staying-power.

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