10 Best Primers For Powder Foundations (2024)
You can blindly trust these primers to give you the smoothest finish ever.
Savanah Norman is a full time professional makeup artist with six years of experience in the field. She originally started college studying fashion design but took a leap of faith to start accepting clients when she knew makeup was her passion. Since 2017, she has put her whole heart into becoming a better artist and business owner.
Read full bio of Savanah Norman
Experience: 2 yearsSrijita De is a makeup and fashion enthusiast with a passion for empowering readers through practical tips and tricks to present their best selves with confidence. Armed with a postgraduate degree in English and Literature from the University of Calcutta, she has honed her writing skills and developed an in-depth understanding of the beauty and fashion world.
Read full bio of Srijita De
Experience: 3 yearsSrijani is an associate commerce editor with a master's degree in journalism and mass communication from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal. She is certified in makeup techniques and is also a certified style and image consultant.
Read full bio of Srijani Roy Chowdhury
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Primers are heaven-sent, especially when you are into a powder foundation. But all primers are not made equal and so it is essential to know how to pick the best primer for powder foundation before you get to invest in one! The primary task of a primer is to prepare your skin for other makeup products as well as offer a polished finish. It ideally paves the path for the layers of makeup that follow. And only the very best ones do the task as effectively as it needs to be done. That is to say, only a handful of popular face primers fit well with powder foundations. Others can leave your perfect makeup patchy, clumpy, or faded over the course of the day.
As neither skipping a primer before makeup nor using a bad one sounds good to us, we have carefully collected a list of the top 10 primers designed especially for powder foundation right here. We have got options for all skin types and tones, this list can be the answer to your quest. So, dive right in.
In This Article
10 Best Primers For Powder Foundation To Enjoy Long-Lasting Makeup – 2024
1. Best Non-Comedogenic:Maybelline New York Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser
Conspicuous pores can ruin an entire makeup look single-handedly. But not if you have this pore-blurring primer packed with skin-conditioning and moisturizing benefits. Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser has a breathable texture that glides smoothly like a moisturizer to leave a soft matte and blurred finish. However, it is not pore-minimizing but conceals them instead to give your makeup a smooth base with its blurring effect. Suitable for dry, oily, and normal skin types, and a good primer for powder foundation, you can also wear it without your regular moisturizer because of the infused hydrating skin care ingredients. The primer contains sour cherry extract, which has skin-lightening benefits to reduce acne scars or dark spots. Check out a reviewer’s experience featured in this video to make an informed decision about your purchase.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Instant pore minimizer
- Non-comedogenic
- Skin-loving ingredients
- All-day moisturizing
- Fragrance-free
- Suitable for dry skin
Cons
- T-zone may turn slightly greasy
Pro Tip
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
This product has received 56,466 reviews from customers on Amazon, indicating its popularity and reliability.
2. Best Lightweight:NYX Professional Makeup Studio Perfect Photo-Loving Primer – Clear
It’s no secret that mineral powder makeup is great for sensitive, aging, and acne-prone skin, so why not use it with a mineral-based primer? Mineral makeup primers form a shield between your skin and the foundation and do a better job at protecting your skin from free radicals than others. This primer, for instance, will smoothen your complexion with a matte finish, and it contains silica to improve skin elasticity and reduce acne and acne-causing inflammation. So, while your makeup routine provides you with a flawless look on the top, the primer will work on the inside to fight acne and anti-aging conditions. This drugstore product is not tested on animals and is a good option for ethically conscious consumers.
Pros
- Vegan
- Lightweight
- Cruelty-free
- Silky formula
- Extends makeup wear
- Available in 3 shades
Cons
- Contains parabens
Quick TipWhy We Think It's Worth Buying
With over 1,885 reviews, this product has become a fan favorite among users.
3. Best Fragrance-Free:Wet N Wild Photo Focus Dewy Face Primer
This one will make your dull skin glow through the makeup! Wet N Wild’s Photo Focus Primer contains micro pearl pigments to deliver a stunning dewy skin effect, so you can put your best face forward in all the close-ups. A must-try for normal, dry, combination, and aging skin types, this soft-focus finish photo-prepping primer creates a luminous layer that moisturizes dehydrated skin too. The formula contains vitamin E to nourish and protect the skin from UV damage and free radicals and hydrogenated castor oil to soften and moisturize the skin. Besides, the infused silica produces collagen to fight aging signs and control greasiness and acne. Here’s a video showcasing a tester’s experience to help you know more about this product.
Pros
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- Gluten-free
- Paraben-free
- Fragrance-free
- Lightweight formula
- Dewy finish
Cons
- Some may find it slightly shiny
Maybelline New York Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser Best Non-Comedogenic | NYX Professional Makeup Studio Perfect Photo-Loving Primer - Clear Best Lightweight | Wet N Wild Photo Focus Dewy Face Primer Best Fragrance-Free | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skin Type | All | All | All |
| Dimensions | 2.01 x 2.76 x 5.62 inches | - | 1.38 x 1.02 x 3.94 inches |
| Weight | 2.08 Ounces | - | 1.28 Ounces |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | 56,466 | 1,885 | 5,943 |
| Price | $6.98 | $9.64 | $5.49 |
4. Best Water-Resistant:Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer
If you are looking for a high-end primer, the Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer goes beyond the traditional priming benefits to deliver a picture-perfect canvas. With a premium formula, it preps the skin for makeup while concealing blemishes, reducing redness (rosacea), and minimizing the appearance of pores, wrinkles, and fine lines. A high-performing and sleek primer for oily skin and powder foundation, its cloudy-airy texture is also ideal for sensitive, acne-prone, and blemish-prone skin. Besides priming and caring, this oil control primer also protects the skin from UV damage with its broad-spectrum SPF 15. And if you are wondering if it is safe, this vegan primer is free from harsh chemicals such as parabens, sulfates, fragrances, gluten, phthalates, synthetic dyes, and others. Multiple online reviewers mention that this airbrush primer is so worth the money!
Pros
- Oil-free
- Cruelty-free
- Silky and luminous finish
- Non-greasy
- Water-resistant
- Extends makeup wear
- Works with cream and liquid foundation too
Cons
- Expensive
"This mineral primer makes the powder foundation looks amazing on my skin. It effectively minimizes pores and manages excess oil. It even extends the wear of foundation beautifully."
5. Best For Acne:L’Oreal Paris Age Perfect Blurring Face Primer
This anti-aging primer is a boon for mature skin with its priming, caring, and blurring benefits. If your powder foundation is settling into creases and fine lines, you must try this Age Perfect Blurring Face Primer from a celebrity makeup artist-recommended brand for its radiant, natural-looking, and soft-focus finish. It claims to show a visible difference in your skin’s texture after the first use and blurs pores and lines instantly. The tried-and-tested primer contains a universal rosy formula and a caring serum with eperua falcata bark extract to increase elasticity, lentil seed extract to reduce enlarged pores, and salicylic acid to tackle acne and inflammation.
Pros
- Softens skin
- Comfortable wear
- Can be worn alone
- Improves skin quality
Cons
- May not be best suited for those with extremely sensitive skin
6. Best Blendable:Elizabeth Arden Flawless Start Instant Perfecting Primer
Here’s a primer that your skin and makeup will love! Give a flawless start to makeup by creating an ultra-smooth canvas for it to stay on and look fresh all day. This primer uses triple blurring complex and light-diffusing technology to blur imperfections, pores, aging lines, and evens-out skin’s texture to offer enhanced features. And it doesn’t stop there; it works overtime to provide skin-caring benefits with silica beads and time-release skin balancing technology that absorbs excess oil, maintains moisture, and controls shine. With 95% of women claiming their skin texture improved after using this primer, the blend also contains long-wear polymers that increase makeup and powder foundation longevity. According to numerous reviews, this product works amazingly to offer exceptional results on mature skin types.
Pros
- Oil-free
- Lightweight
- Silky texture
- Blends seamlessly
- Non-comedogenic
- Suitable for all skin tone and types
Cons
- Expensive
7. Best For All Skin Tones:Dermablend Professional Poresaver Matte Makeup Primer
Oily skin can be unforgiving when it comes to makeup, which is why it’s imperative to deal with it pre-makeup. This dermatologist-tested face primer for powder foundation has a weightless gel texture that mattifies the skin without drying. It reduces shine and greasiness, while minimizing the appearance of pores to leave your skin ultra-soft and smooth. And the best takeaway— it is sensitive skin-tested, allergy-tested, and it increases makeup longevity for up to 24 hours! This is just the mattifying primer you need to control your skin’s tantrums. Moreover, this high-performing primer is vegan. The formula is also free of toxic chemicals such as parabens, fragrances, triclosan, phthalates, and SLS. Moreover, this clean skin product does not undergo any animal testing rounds and is a good fur-friendly option.
Pros
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- Irresistibly soft skin
- Lightweight formula
- Non-comedogenic
- Suitable for all skin tones and tones
- Semi-matte to matte finish
Cons
- Expensive
"This product is great for controlling oil both under makeup and alone. It has a lightweight feel and can help reduce redness, making it an excellent addition for those with sensitive skin. It offers a matte finish throughout the day."
Pro Tip8. Best Matte Finish:Sacha Cosmetics Mattifier Face Primer
Greasy T-zones and oily spots can be a nightmare to deal with, which is why we have this natural mattifier and primer on the list. Ideal for combination skin, the primer uses the natural ingredient cornstarch instead of toxic silicones to mattify your skin and control the excess sebum (especially on the T-zones!). Plus, it also reduces shine and blurs pores and aging lines to leave a smooth and picture-perfect canvas to extend your makeup’s longevity. Now, whether you want to use this primer alone or with powder foundation, it ensures one thing – no more greasiness!
Pros
- Matte finish
- Absorbs quickly
- Glides smoothly
- Lightweight texture
- Mattifies without drying
Cons
- May not be suitable for very oily skin
"This primer is a reliable ally for those with oily skin. It offers hydration for the powder foundation to glide on smoothly but does not feel heavy at all. It works well with other products that are used on top of it."
9. Best Non-Drying:Glo Skin Beauty Face Primer
Packed with skin-loving and antioxidant-rich ingredients, Glo Skin Beauty Face Primer will turn your priming experience into a pampering one. The formula contains vitamins C and E to protect your skin from environmental aggressors and UV damage, sandalwood, barley, and camellia oleifera leaf extracts for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. It also moisturizes with safflower seed oil and grape seed oil! And as far as the priming is concerned, it fills in the pores and fine lines (in a good and non-comedogenic way) to leave a porcelain-like smooth application base for the powder foundation to stay on all day.
Pros
- Non-drying
- Silky-soft finish
- Translucent texture
- Ideal for all skin tones
- Suitable for dry, normal, combination, and oily skin
Cons
- May not be suitable for very oily skin
10. Best Long-Wearing:ProBeautyCo Retexturizing Face Primer
This primer’s velvety blend is not to be underestimated. It forms a stunning matte coat on the skin with its powder-gel texture and blurs conspicuous aging lines, pores, and imperfections effortlessly. Packed with antioxidant-rich ingredients to pamper your skin while creating a smooth canvas, the formula contains silica to control and absorb the excess shine, oil, and sweat. Besides this, the primer also protects from daily environmental stressors with the infused olive oil.
Pros
- Long-wear
- Clear texture
- Weightless formula
- Fragrance-free
- Colorant-free
- Wear alone or with makeup
- Suitable for all skin tones and types
Cons
- Slightly expensive
"This primer creates a smooth canvas on the skin, which makes the powder foundation apply beautifully and last throughout the day. The texture is easy to work with. The primer also softens the appearance of my pores. Its inclusion of SPF 20 is a thoughtful touch."
Get, set, prime with the best for a long-lasting makeup experience! There you go, those were the 10 best primers for a powder foundation that you must try. And if you still need assistance while shopping for the right one, we have some tips for you in the buying guide below:
How To Choose The Best Primer For Powder Foundation?
Here are some features you must look out for in the product before buying:
- Skin type
Besides choosing a suitable product for your skin type, look out for beneficial active ingredients in the product too. After all, what goes on the skin; shows on the skin, right? So, why not choose something healthy? If your skin is oily, pick an oil-free or gel-based primer with non-comedogenic moisturizers, silica beads, sandalwood, etc., for a mattifying and non-drying experience. Silica beads (oil-absorbers) or mineral-based primers are also great for sensitive, blemish, and acne-prone skin. Also, primers with vitamins C and E are ideal for reducing sun damage or for spot treatment. If you have dry skin, opt for water-based primers that keep your skin hydrated.
- Versatility
Primers offer umpteen benefits than just creating a smooth base for the makeup. They not only smoothen your skin but also blurs out pores, blemishes, redness, acne scars, and aging lines. And, since these skin troubles always show up unannounced, it’s ideal to choose a product that will be able to tackle your skin tantrums when needed.
- Ingredients to avoid
A multi-purpose primer will act as a skin-protecting shield and a smooth canvas for the makeup all at once. So, naturally, this shield should be free of toxic chemicals. Look out for ingredients such as parabens, phthalates, sulfates, gluten, and more that can be harmful to your skin. If you have sensitive skin, avoid silicone-based primers to keep the risk of breakouts at bay.
- Staying power
The longer the primer stays on, so will your makeup! As a matter of fact, an efficient primer increases a makeup’s longevity. So, before choosing one, check the staying power and finish it delivers to determine whether it’s suitable for the power foundation you use.
Infographic: Tips For Applying Primer Before Powder Foundation For The Best Results
Applying primer before powder foundation is a crucial step to prep the skin, smoothen out the texture, and create a barrier between the skin and foundation, ensuring that your makeup stays put all day. However, applying the primer incorrectly can lead to patchiness or uneven makeup. Check out the infographic below for helpful tips.
Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
The Bottom Line
A good primer can make a massive difference to your makeup and can help provide an even skin tone. So, rather than skipping it because of one bad experience, choose one that suits your skin and your foundation type for the best experience. Nowadays, primers are versatile and provide skin benefits, making them even more essential to use as a pre-makeup in your beauty routine, especially when it comes to powder foundations. The reason is, with a powder-based foundation, there’s a high risk of clogged pores, creasing, or makeup fading within a few hours, but a good primer can prevent it all effortlessly. To help target acne scars, dark spots, or pores, try the Maybelline New York Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser. The Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer works to control oil production and provides sun protection, or you can opt for the NYX Professional Makeup Studio Perfect Photo-Loving Primer to improve skin elasticity and reduce acne and inflammation. Savanah Norman, a professional makeup artist, says, “Another step that will prevent your makeup from looking patchy and flaky is using an exfoliating face scrub to get dead skin cells and dry patches off your face. It will help create a smoother canvas for skin prep, primer then powder foundation.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a primer work with a powder foundation?
Yes, primers are used to even out the skin’s texture and provide a smooth base that works with all kinds of foundations.
Is primer necessary for powder foundation?
No, there is no necessity to use a primer for powder foundation. But, using a primer helps get a smooth, even skin texture for your makeup products.
What do you put on before a powder foundation?
To get the best look, apply a concealer and a moisturizer before applying a powder foundation.
Can I only wear a powder foundation?
Yes, you can wear a powder foundation alone without any other products. However, it does not last very long and the skin may look textured and unsmooth .
How do you make powder foundation not look cakey?
Keep your skin moisturized, apply a good primer, and then apply foundation powder with medium coverage. At last, you can use a setting spray to bind the makeup in place.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
Srijita De is a makeup enthusiast who has compiled this list of the best primers for powder foundation after thorough research. The products were chosen by analyzing user reviews and considering factors such as ingredients and quality. She has also prepared a buying guide and offered tips on choosing the right product. These primers will help your powder foundation blend well and last longer.
Read full bio of Savanah Norman
Read full bio of Srijita De
Read full bio of Srijani Roy Chowdhury
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