Primer

[MandyFl0ss]

Hello. I am looking for a primer to wear under foundation that will make my skin not go oily. Would love some high end recommendations.

[ILostItInTheEarlyNineties]

That's my holy grail - a primer that stops your skin looking shiny.
I've tried loads but the best so far has been the Body Shop, Wonder blur primer (green tube). I use it without foundation but the lady in the shop was advising me that not all foundations will ' sit' on all primers. I think you have to match the main ingredient, so if your foundation is silicone based, then you need a silicone based primer for example.

[PuertoVallarta]

I cannot wear silicone primers for more than three or four hours. They make my makeup slide off after that point.

I highly rate Laura Mercier primers which are water-based. Her Radiance Primer is the best thing ever. A cheaper alternative is Revlon Photoready Skinlights.

[Beautifullymixed]

I'm on the lookout too OP.
I hated the bodyshop instablur - made me look parched and dry.
At the moment I tend to stick with this one. Make up goes on beautifully smoothly, and my skin feels velvety and touchable. I'm not sure how well it controls the oil though, as I do have to blot it throughout the day, and powder at lunch time.
I have yet to find a primer that controls oil, but goes on so smoothly, doesn't show dry patches and doesn't make my skin feel tight.

[FeliciaJollygoodfellow]

I'm using smashbox oil primer. I have an oily
T-zone and some rosacea - like puerto I just can't use silicone primers at all.

It sounds counter intuitive but for some reason oil on my skin before make up (I was using nars monoi oil until it ran out) just works for me.

You can get small tester pots from smashbox I think, I would definitely try it if I were you. I use a damp real techniques sponge to apply the oil, allow it to sit for a few minutes to absorb and then apply foundation. I use the same sponge to blend the foundation as well.

[FeliciaJollygoodfellow]

....and it makes my make up stay on and look fresh so much better than others! I do still get breakthrough on my nose but so minimal I just blot with tissue. I used to powder every couple of hours. This stuff just seems to make my make up stay put and not wear at all.

[Beautifullymixed]

Sorry OP.
Just noticed you asked for high end recommendations - mine is certainly not high end at all!
It's certainly better imo, than no7 airbrushed primer at around £16. I won't pay anything more than that for a primer. Unless it makes me look and feel like a goddess

[MandyFl0ss]

Thank you all. I like the sound of the Laura Mercier one. I will be using it underneath Estee Lauder's double-wear. I never considered a primer and a foundation might 'clash'! Any ideas if these two will work together?

[Monkeyface26]

Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer is excellent.
It is worth bearing in mind that sometimes water based foundations do not work well with silicone based primers and vice versa. You can get that strange thing where your foundation forms those little swirly ball things so it is worth choosing formulas with same base.

[Beautifullymixed]

Felicia, I had to look up this miraculous sounding primer oil that you described.
It sounds wonderful, but on reading more, I wondered if it was any better than using my jojoba oil
When my skin is dehydrated, I apply a couple of drops on my skin before foundation, or add a drop to my foundation (no7 stay perfect ) and apply.
It gives the most radiant, glowy finish,and my skin is left so smooth.
I am a bit too oily (and hormonal hot) for this to be an everyday thing, but I'm wondering how different the smashbox primer is at £28, as it also contains jojoba oil, which is supposed to control sebum and be great for oily skin.
I would have to be much more convinced, to spend that much on it.

[Petal02]

Boots no 7 airbrush primer is amazing, has a slightly mattifying effect and makes your skim look really smooth.

[LordEmsworth]

I use Becca Ever Matte and I love it. It immediately mattifies my skin without making it look flat, make up goes on easily and stays all day. I rate it more highly than Laura Mercier or Smashbox, both of which I have tried and were fine, but just not as good on my skin...

[FeliciaJollygoodfellow]

Beautifully it's probably no better than a decent oil on its own TBH. As I said I was using monoi oil - but that's even more expensive that the smashbox one (on a per ml basis).

I do use mine as a moisturiser as well so I should really buy some generic jojoba oil!

[Softkitty2]

Highend charlotte tilbury wonderglow-- its amazing! You can ask for a sample at the counter.