What is the point of Primer?

[HeresJohnny]

I was just nodding along to the woman at the beauty counter today about primer but I've honestly no idea what it's for and whether it's worth having. Can someone fill me in please? Will this make any sort of difference to my usual make up routine which is basically eyeliner and mascara?

i always think it just makes make up last longer, i went into shu uemura to buy an eyeshadow and they demonstrated how much more vibrant the colour was with a primer, so I bought it! i do like it , it makes make up last longer

I use Becca Ever Matte. It mattifies my skin (as the name suggests) and it softens the focus a bit so I look better instantly; then it's a nice smooth surface to put make up onto, and it helps fix my make up so it stays longer. Some of them are brightening, some are colour correcting (and designed to be worn under foundation not alone), so they do different things. But they are meant to prime your skin to help your make up hold on for longer.

I love them so much I use 2: one on my nose to mattify and one on my cheek bones to highlight.
I now never wear foundation. They are just great!

You can get primers which do different things such as keep your skin matte, add glow or prolong how long your makeup stays.

I find they help my makeup look polished for longer. You can also wear them in their own (without makeup over the top if you want to add a bit of glow to your skin or reduce shine) My favourites are:

Elizabeth Arden advanced eye fix primer For fixing eyeshadow: http://m.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod10701110001123044866799?CMP=SSH&tmcampid=28&tmad=c&sku=6182457&placmp=SSHH23613632322977671811_18491891421&mkwid=sl9dajdJs%7Cpcrid%7C79169392461%7Cpkw%7C%7Cpmt%7C%7Cpdv%7Cm%7Cprd%7C6182457&gclid=CMrjg-v4tcwCFSQW0wodrmEIEg&m-referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.co.uk%2F

Lancôme LA base pro hydra glow (makes my foundation look dewy and makes me look rested and fresh) http://m.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod107011100011210530047999-1

MAC prep and prime SPF 50 (for use on hot sunny days to keep my skin matte) http://m.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod107011100011234435288999-1

You can wear it alone or use it as a 'base' for foundation e.g. When I wear my Rimmel Stay Matte primer, I generally don't have to put powder over my foundation to prevent it from going shiny. They also help smoothen out your skin and any imperfections to make the foundation glide on better and make any imperfections or bumps less noticeable.
The right kind of primer can also cover any fine lines and wrinkles so your foundation doesn't "settle" into them and make them more prominent.

Primers can be great! But you don't need one. Brands will tell you do to sell more product. If you want to address a concern they can be great for example to help mattify if you have oily skin, or to make pores look less obvious. I love the smash box hydrating primer as I'm dehydrated, and it does prolong foundation but I don't use it everyday.

Eyeshadow primers are the same deal, if you are prone to creasing etc... If you have never pondered the question OP, then you probably aren't in the market for one.

Left my primer at home this weekend and bloody hell what difference it made without it - my make up felt like it was sliding off my face! I felt (and looked) so shiny.

I love primer!

George in adds do the best primer I've ever tried and believe me I've tried lots.

Or lanacane itch cream in the yellow tube is amazing, lasts ages and a fraction of the cost.

My sister is a TV/Film MUA and they use.....Nivea soft as a primer!!!