Tried & Tested: Six products that call themselves primers

Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Oil €35

Smashbox is a brand that takes its primers very seriously indeed. It is famous for its excellent “traditional” primers, although this one contains a blend of 15 oils. Don’t buy it thinking it will help to keep your make-up on your face – it won’t. It is basically a nice facial oil. The fact that Smashbox urges you to use it at night, too, and to apply it to dry hair, gives me an “ah here” moment. This is playing fast and loose with the definition of primer: this product is actually skincare.

Benefit Stay Flawless 15-Hour Primer €35.50

Benefit has stacks of primers and mattifying products, which can make it difficult to tell which one will suit you. The brand creates primers that are useful to its largely younger consumer base. This why many of its primers promise to “mattify” oily and combination skin and reduce pesky pores. I like Stay Flawless; it’s a good all-rounder. It will prep any skin type for foundation application and can also be used later in the day on top of existing make-up if you start to get shiny. The stick format also ensures that application is fuss-free: just scribble on your face.

Laura Mercier Foundation Primer €41

Most definitely a fixture in the beauty hall of fame and a primer I have used for ages. Ideally, primer should be lightweight and provide a good base for foundation. It should make your skin appear smoother, reduce the look of pores and help to stop your foundation from sliding during a long day or night. This one does all of that. It’s a good, reliable buy.

Bourjois Happy Light Serum Primer €15.99

This tinted primer is available in two different formats. The matte version is good for oily and combination skin, as it reduces the look of lumps and bumps and helps to even out skin tone. Normal-to-dry skin will get on well with the Luminous choice, which brightens. Both of them will help your make-up to stay on for longer and prevent it from wearing off unevenly.

Shiseido Ibuki Quick Fix Mist €28

This spray can be used either under or over foundation. It is, however, full of alcohol. This will dry out skin very quickly, which is not good for oily or dry skin, so I’m not keen on its use as a pre-foundation prep. Use it to “set” your make-up instead. Close your eyes and spray it on over your make-up. It is also good as a grease dissolver if shine begins to appear. If you like the sound of this, Smashbox Photo Finish Water can be used in a similar fashion.

Aisling loves . . .

Clinique Superprimers €28

I really like this range for a few reasons. The primers are lightweight and suitable for all but the oiliest skin and make a good base for foundation. They are also available in a range of colour options, plus Universal, which is a neutral tone. The coloured choices help to correct skin concerns such as redness and sallowness and include an option to lift dullness in darker skin tones.