Do you actually need to use a primer?

[Tinks15]

I use to use a primer but stopped. Some days my make up stays on better than others - guess it depends how much I’ve been sweating etc. I just want to know if a primer is really that important? Is it suitable for everyone? Does it clog your skin? I’m very careful what I put on my skin as it’s very sensitive & I can break out really easily.

I find a fixing spray works much better for me than a primer. I tend to use Rimmel, cheap and does the trick!

All the primers I tried were shit, until someone on here recommended Elf Puff Puff Primer, and it's great.

I put it on with a brush and then put my foundation on straight away and I cannot tell you how much better my skin looks, for almost the whole day.

Elf poreless putty or something like that is also really good, but unless my skin is prepped (glycolic acid and moisture before hand) it wont make too much difference. with these 3 my skin glows and the foundation looks smooth like glass. It used to look shit every day.

ItsAHardKn0ckLife1

I have been using that one all week! Not sure it stops the make up from smearing my mask but it looks ok when I remove the mask at least! (I do not have to wear one all day in my job as I am protected by glass (yep I am a National Treasure!!)

I'm 40 and only started using a primer around 35, up until then I didnt have pores and make up looked great, then it started looking patchy. If you dont know if you need one chances are huge you don't, but I couldn't not use one now (ones that havent worked for me are Rimmel, benefit, caprice, ones that have include Clarins, Max Factor and the ordinary)

Humm, I was just about the buy a primer and read this thread. Now I’m hovering between my original choice and the Elf puff puff primer.

Any idea how Estee Lauders primer performs? This one- ‘The Mattifier;
Shine Control Perfecting Primer + Finisher‘

???
Thanks

Do people who use primer also use sunscreen under their make-up? Because I can only do moisturiser, SPF, foundation - OR moisturiser, primer, foundation...If I try to use all four, it all goes Pete Tong.

Thanks all.

Yes @Danglingmod I’m the same, i use a moisturiser & a separate SPF. If I included a primer that’s quite a lot to put on your face before make up isn’t it?

Or is this normal?

I also can’t use moisturiser, SPF, primer, foundation. It all gets too much.

I use a benefit primer but it’s not great in summer - works better in winter for what ever reason

I use a spray sunscreen that is made to go on top of makeup.

@GooodMythicalMorning oooh do you have a link please? Or even just the name of it? I’ve been wondering if such a thing exists!

I use moisturizer in the morning but wait a little while and then use Roche posay anthelios suncream, primer and make up. (Again, I'm 40 so need it all!) It doesn't feel too much when it's on, weirdly!

If you don't need full coverage or use foundation for your entire face I don't think a primer matters that much. But I think for a full face they do make the finish better.

I personally find it more helpful when I've prepped my skin beforehand - exfoliate then heavy moisturiser.

I’ve got another thread going about needing help with make up. Could you tell me the products you use and why you use foundation and not tinted moisturiser? I’m confused

I'm of the opinion that if your foundation is decent, then you don't need a primer. It's just more crap that clogs up my pores IME. And I have a very shiny forehead.

Which foundation would you recommend?

This is me @Fatted I’m currently using Nars & I love it I used to use Esteé Lauder but fancied a change.

@1AngelicFruitCake tinted moisturiser isn’t enough coverage for me.

@1AngelicFruitCake foundation tends to be higher coverage.
For a general day off I use a primer and mix in a couple of drops of tinted moisturiser, just for a little something on my face. I've got The Ordinary serum foundation at the moment so just use a little drop.

For work. I use a primer and long lasting foundation. I tend to use Mac Pro long wear.

I used to use primers to help with my oily skin, but I don't think they really helped. What I do find useful is applying some powder on my face with a brush before I use foundation. I think I got the tip from a Jackie Aina video. It sounds like it wouldn't work, but it does!

@ItsAHardKn0ckLife1 its an ambre solaire dry mist but the face one.

@GooodMythicalMorning great, thanks!

I’ve tried many primers. Some make no difference whatsoever (Elemis, Clinique, Estée Lauder illuminating one), but I think Benefit porefessional makes a huge difference. I don’t have large pores, but it makes my skin look very even and smooth and foundation lasts much longer.

I don't tend to wear one in the Summer, I have combination skin and I find my makeup goes on perfectly fine without

However in the Winter I wear a primer, even though I get a really oily t-zone the rest of my skin gets patchy if I have nothing underneath. I use the Elf poreless putty primer which seems to fill in pores and stop the patchiness

The best one I've used is Estee Lauder Illuminator. It looks great even without foundation (really brightens my complexion). I use an EL light/nude foundation over it