Primer - is it worth it?

[Banhaha]

Hi, I've been thinking of trying primer under my foundation to see if it helps it stay on a bit longer. Does it actually work? Or is it just a gimmick to make us spend more money? Have you got any recommendations? I don't mind spending a bit if it actually does something!

Not sure on whether primer is effective, but if you want to try it without spending £££, Aldi have a primer which is supposed to be a dupe of the Smashbox one, and it’s £6.

The Aldi one is great!

Primers can be really good, it depends on what you want? Smoothing/brightening/moisture?

I find you have to use much less foundation so it's actually fairly cost effective. Mine lasts all day.

I was hoping it would smooth things and generally make my make up stick on for longer. If it can make me look brighter that would be an added bonus but I find my finishing powder is usually enough. I don't have big pores.

I now swear by ELF face setting spray to keep my makeup on for hours. My makeup was usually disaster by about 4 - now it lasts til bedtime. Only costs about £5

Off to Aldi next week so going to see if I can pick some up thanks :)

@happytobemrsg setting spray was next on my list of things to try. Does it smell nice? I'm a bit worried it will smell like hairspray!

I use this one, works well and not too pricey.

I use Number 7 airbrush away primer. The effect is very subtle, it reduces shine after moisturising and lessens the appearance of pores and fine lines. I don’t usually wear foundation, I find the primer is enough with a bit of blusher.

Second the ELF one, the one in the small black bottle.

Becca backlit primer is amazing. I don’t wear foundation over the top. Lovely and glowy.

@Lunaballoon I use the no7 airbrush away too, it does make my foundation look smooth and flawless!

Absolutely worth it.
Makes foundation last and gives you a smoother canvas.
I use Frezyderm sunscreen 50 which is also a primer.

What’s your skin type like and what do want to achieve with primer?

When my skin was dry, primers were redundant as they never did much for me. Never made my makeup last longer etc. I have a long & fabulous skincare routine so primer felt like an unnecessary extra step.

Now that my skin is oily (and annoying!) it does help to matte out my skin and make my makeup last a tiny bit longer. It’s still not a holy grail item for me though, my makeup still fades and slides off in areas.

I'd like to smooth things a bit as I have a bit of scarring. Also if it is glowy that would be good. My skin is fairly dry but the t-zone has it's oily moments!

Mens nivea aftershave balm is a very good primer.

Oh! I have access to some of that! I'll try it out tomorrow :)

Yes! I use the nyx studio perfect primer which is dupe of the smash box photo finish one. And much cheaper! The Bodyshop matte one is also pretty good but the tube is small for the price (£12)

Elf have a good primer.. I'm now alternating between this and the boutique Aldi one. Both are good.

The nivea aftershave balm seemed to work. I'll pop into Aldi next week and find their primer and see how I get on. Thanks!

I love the maybelline baby skin.

No.7 airbrush away is brilliant

Another no7 airbrush away user here. It transforms my face with such a subtle, blurred look.

Wilko's £3 is one of the best I've tried.

Primer definitely makes makeup last way longer and sit smoothly! I love Mac Prep and Prime at night but the Aldi one is also great. I would say during the day, most sunscreens are great primers on their own though.

I've noticed a huge difference in my skin since I stopped using primer.

I found it very harsh.