What primers do you have in rotation right now?
If I use primer, it’s Smashbox 24 HR Primer, and if I use an adhesive spray/primer, it’s MAC Fix+.
— Christine
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Milk Hydro Grip, e. l. f. Jelly Pop Dew Primer, and Wet n Wild Photo Focus Primer Water in Coconut.
Oh, and original formulas of UDPP and TFSI.
The only primers I ever use are for powder eyeshadows: NYX Proof It Waterproof Eyeshadow Primer for a more natural eye look or MAC Paint Pot in Painterly for a more intense eye look.
Once again, most of my favourites are DC’d but I’ve still got backups or practically full bottles. I really love the Becca Backlight Priming Filter (I think that’s the name) – I use it just as a last step, over my moisturizer/sunscreen without usually bothering with a foundation of any sort. Ditto the Estee Edit’s Treat+Prime+Glow (or whatever it’s called). Just today, I have applied a discontinued Smashbox primer (one of the very few from that company that I like) – I think it’s called Vitamin Glow and it’s also discontinued! It’s in an orange bottle with a pump and I thought it was still available but it seems to be GONE from Smashbox’s website. I used to adore the Hourglass primer but it’s just too pricey for what it is.
Oh – I thought this was a question about face primers. I thought we already did eyeshadow/eye primers (and I lamented how all my faves have been either discontinued or reformulated so that they’re nothing like their originals.
For eyeshadow primers, my faves are NARS (rarely available at Sephora), the original UDPP, the original TFSI, the now discontinued one from Bare Minerals. I do like the MAC current one from MAC but don’t like the opening of the tube.
I’m finishing up my last Marc Jacobs eye primer and for face, I’m using ritual de file thorn oil and too faced hangover 🙂
If I use primer, it’s Shiseido Synchro Skin Soft Blurring Primer.
For eyes: UDPP in Eden, and if I’ll be wearing something that a stickier base, Nyx Glitter Primer on mobile lid where I’d be using it.
For face: Monistat Anti-chaff Powder Gel (I think that’s what it’s called now?)
I have always used the Nude by Nature Airbrush primer. A year or so ago, the brand reformulated their primers into different formulations – one to illuminate, one to even out redness (which is the one I am currently using). However the updated formulations are not quite as good as the original (where have we heard that before?).
Luckily I have scored two of the original Airbrush primers on sale, so I will be using them once I finish my current Redness one.
I forgot to mention that I also have purchased an eyeshadow primer – the one from Mecca Cosmetics – their own brand and it is really quite good. It has a doe applicator that I like and is reasonably inexpensive.
My skin is not as oily s it used to be so I do not find that I am using as much primer, but MAC fix+ will always be a fave for both under make up and a setting spray. I also love Laura Mercier Luminescent primer.
Laura Mercier, MAC prep & prime matte/oil control, Tatcha silk (the balm kind), Dior backstage & I’ve been loving the Super Goop unseen sunscreen as a primer.
Oh & eyeshadow primers: ELF mineral or putty primer (the reg one) primer, Fenty, ABH or NYX HD.
I do not use foundation primers but I have been using Urban Decay Shadow Primer Potion on heavy rotation since 2004. Cannot bear to be without it!
Paula’s Choice SHINE STOPPER Instant Matte Finish with MICROSPONGE Technology (because I accidently ordered two at some point 😆 , usually I prefer the one with SPF)
I only use the Smashbox Photo Finish Primer now. It works best for my skin. I’ve been using the Miss A Paw Paw Waterproof Eye Makeup Sealer as an eyeshadow primer for a while now.. That stuff is seriously amazing and you can’t beat the price ($1.55). It has a ton of different uses but I generally just use it as eyeshadow primer. It really makes my eyeshadow vibrant and last a lot longer before it starts to crease or fade. I always have like 5 backups since its so cheap and I worry it’ll get discounted or go out of stock. I used to use the Juvias Place eyeshadow primer and still like it but the MIss A primer blows it and the other eyeshadow primers I’ve tried out of the water.
For eyes, I still haven’t found one I really like, I was given a suggestion here some time ago, but that one wasn’t available here, and I try not to buy from outside the EU unless it’s something remarkably unique.
But back to eye primers, I’m trying one from Lumene, OK but not as good as UDPP, I’ve also tried one from Linda Hallberg. Sometime I do still use MAC Paint Pot in Painterly and I still wish UDPP was in its original formula.
For face I rotate between MAC Prep and Prime, Benefit Porefessional and the Becca matte one. If I feel my cheeks are looking dry I use MAC Strobe or Becca Becklight.
I do wish Becca was still around!
A lot of the smashbox primers have been discontinued and not all have been replaced with new products. I am on the search for an under eye primer. I’ve tried a few but I’m not happy. I use smashbox one for many many years. The 24 hour lid primer is no longer available, but I think there is a replacement.
Nars Pore and Shine Control and Tatcha Liquid Silk Canvas. Pore and Shine is the only primer that keeps my makeup from melting off in the humid swamp-like NYC summers and Nars just discontinued it so I’ve been looking, without much success, for a replacement. I recently bought the Glow Recipe Strawberry Blur Drops and Clinique Even Better Pore, both of which are supposed to blur and control oil like Nars’s, but neither keep me shine free so I’m still on the hunt.