Primer as alternative to concealer/foundation?

[Winterjoy]

Over the last 20 years I've tried every different type of foundation and concealer, from premium to own brand, and just cannot find a foundation/concealer with 'perfect' colour and texture for my skin.

Since working from home I've not been wearing make-up on a day-to-day basis, and I've just realised that I really don't want to go back to concealer/foundation on a daily basis once I'm back in the office. However, I'd like to use 'something' to just soften/even things out a bit, and wonder if using primer alone might fit the bill for this? It's been 5+ years since I've really been 'into' make-up so I've missed the primer boat completely and have no idea.

IT cosmetics CC cream or Nara has a good one

I use Collection tinted primer, really cheap but gives just a light smoothing.

I love Maybelline face studio master blur tinted primer stick, but I'm in Aus and they're quite hard to get now.
I've also looked at Nudestix tinted blue stick which is similar.

Evens out the face really well but is light enough to not feel like you're wearing makeup.

This is what I do these days - W7 clear primer is fantastic for this and it's £4! It reduces redness, fills in fine lines and resurfaces my old acne scar texture . Sometimes I need a little powder over the top on my nose and chin and that's it.

I use Estée Lauder’s cc creme, which is good, although I’ve recently discovered Clarins serum foundation and that feels lovely to wear. Very light, good shades and buildable coverage.

I've had the same realisation at nearly 50 years old - after years of full foundation, the long wear kind, but have had enough. I am not quite brave enough to not cover at all but have started using glossier skin tint. Not a primer but a very thin liquid that absorbs in rather than sits on the skin. Just gives a dewy slightly evened out tone.

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser and a touch of concealer under my eyes, around the nose works for me.

IT Cosmetics CC Cream is full coverage. It’s lovely but definitely not a whack it on in 30 secs - it needs to be blended or buffed in.

Rather than a primer, I would try a blurring product. Like a primer, this is also clear and colourless, but it makes the surface of the skin look much smoother, fills in pores and gives it a slightly matte finish.

Something like this: hylamide.deciem.com/nz/finisher-ha-blur-30ml.html

Or this indeedlabs.com/shop/nanoblur/

Just to add, you can also use blurring products as a primer under makeup as well. But unlike a primer they are designed also to be used as standalone products.

Fenty do a blurring tinted moisturiser which might fit the bill.

I used to have a green tone primer, which doubled as SPF and could be used on its own. I forget what the brand is called, but I got it from Asos ages ago.

I prefer using a tinted moisturiser or a BB cream for this as primers can be a bit too mattifying or illuminating without something on top.

That said the Clarins Beauty Flash Balm works well for me. I'm not really sure what that is!

Thanks everyone for the suggestions, I'll have a look into the blurring products and primers suggested. Good to hear this is a thing - shame I've decided I need to explore it at a time when I can't go into stores and test products!

Tinted moisturisers are a no no for me - I can't use moisturising creams at all as I end up with breakouts every time without fail. I've used bb/cc creams in the past and not keen to go back down that road as I just don't want to deal at all with trying to make sure a colour matches/is blended out well/isn't sitting fine lines etc.

I use Dermalogica agesmart primer for this purpose.

I feel the same and use Laura Mercier Radiance primer. It’s great, gives a little subtle lift to the face & when I use concealer it sets it nicely.

So is there a blurring primer-thingy that is really moisturising and has a good SPF as well? I'm thinking this could be my way forward too

Jurlique do a blurring primer with SPF. It’s green on application, matches skin tone on buffing and neutralises any redness and blurs fine imperfections. If you follow the make up artists Freya on Insta, she uses it a lot and often has a discount code. SPF is 50.

I can highly recommend this Erborian CC cream. It’s lightweight, has an spf but most importantly the colour goes on white but then matches your skin tone; I use this instead of a tinted moisturiser, it’s worth every penny.

I like the sound of the nano blur primers so am going to investigate.

Nars have a primer with SPF30

The Eborian CC cream ends up way too dark on my skin unfortunately. I find the lightest shades of most bb or cc creams come up either too dark or the wrong undertone for me unfortunately.

I've ordered two Catrice primers as a starting point as didn't want to buy anything in the higher price range without testing. Both can be used as primer or worn alone. Never heard of the brand before so excited to give them a try and see how they get on with my skin!

I'm with you on this OP.
I guess what I'm looking for is for a PP to come up with the perfect product, that gives a dewy glow for an over 50s face but not too many lines yet.
I want someone to shout out "GET THIS ONE!"
I realise it's probably unrealistic as we all have different skins etc...But if anyone feels so strongly about their product, let us know.

@Oneearringlost

I'm with you on this OP. I guess what I'm looking for is for a PP to come up with the perfect product, that gives a dewy glow for an over 50s face but not too many lines yet. I want someone to shout out "GET THIS ONE!" I realise it's probably unrealistic as we all have different skins etc...But if anyone feels so strongly about their product, let us know.

If it's dewiness and radiance you're after, look no further than the By Terry CC serum. It's a primer but can be worn alone, and gives your skin a subtle lit from within glow.

www.byterry.com/makeup/face/primer/cellularose-brightening-cc-serum/#no-1-immaculate-light

It comes in a few different shades, although these are sheer so fairly forgiving. I'm a light medium skintone and wear the Apricot shade, I can also wear Sunny Flash for a healthy slightly bronze glow. The lightest shade suits very fair skintones and the rose shade is great on light cool skintones.

Swatches here: thebeautylookbook.com/2014/10/by-terry-cellularose-brightening-cc.html

Smash box primer

Benefit porefessional is bloody amazing for this !

arianepoole.com/product/ultimate-face-tint/

This face tint might be worth a try too.