Mature skin types should look for a blurring primer to help smooth skin creases and minimize the appearance of fine lines. This hydrating option does just the trick thanks to shea butter, jojoba seed oil, aloe vera, and squalane, which work together to deeply moisturize and soothe rough skin texture. It also features antioxidant vitamin E to help protect skin from free radical damage caused by the sun, plus sunflower and camellia extracts, ingredients known to help soothe inflammation and irritation from dryness. It’s fragrance-free, too, which makes it a great choice for sensitive skin types.
“This is a reliable primer that doesn’t disappoint. I would be happy to add this to my makeup routine, especially since I could see that it made my pores disappear and skimmed nicely over the fine lines on my forehead. I used the Ethereal Rose Glow shade, and it imparted the nicest and most subtle rose sheen, almost like a highlighter, perfect for my pale complexion. It looked fantastic under my tinted moisturizer. If you want a real-life version of a ‘youthful’ filter like you can use while making TikTok videos, this could be a candidate.”—Charlotte Twine, Glamour contributor
- Key ingredients: Shea butter, jojoba seed oil, aloe vera
- Best for: Hydrating skin and smoothing wrinkles
- Size: 2 fl. oz.
Frequently asked questions
What should you look for when shopping for a long-lasting makeup primer?
When shopping for a long-lasting makeup primer, the makeup artists we spoke with advise looking for formulas with skin-care infused ingredients to help keep skin soft and hydrated, even after applying makeup on top. “Every additional layer changes the surface you’re applying makeup onto and creates another opportunity for excess texture, pilling, or products simply not interacting well together,” says pro makeup artist Lauren D’Amelio Ventre. To prevent this makeup meltdown, she recommends opting for primers that will hydrate and prime at the same time, featuring ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to soften uneven texture and discoloration. It’s also important to check what the base ingredient of your primer is: Silicone-based primers will play better with silicone-based makeup, while water-based primers will play better with water-based makeup.
Do you need makeup primer if you have mature skin?
Mature skin should absolutely use primer in their routine, says Brielle Pollara, a makeup artist based in New Jersey. “Primer will help smooth texture, blur fine lines, and create an even surface for foundation,” she says. Using a primer before foundation can also help the product last longer and prevent it from settling into fine lines throughout the day.
When should you apply primer in your routine?
You should always apply primer after your last skin care step (which should be SPF) and before your first makeup step (which should be foundation or tinted moisturizer).
How we evaluated the best long-lasting makeup primers
We evaluated long-lasting makeup primers by taking a look at their ingredients, how well they played with other makeup products, and their ability to keep all types of makeup in place. The best ones featured hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, soothing ingredients like niacinamide, and antioxidants to help brighten skin and combat dullness and discoloration. We also looked at how well these primers applied and how they interacted with the makeup products we layered on top—our final list consists of products that did not skip or smudge when adding layers of makeup on top. Finally, the ones we landed on lasted the longest—they didn’t crease throughout the day and kept our makeup intact for up to twelve hours.
Meet the experts
- Brielle Pollara, New Jersey–based makeup artist
- Deanna Paley, celebrity makeup artist
- Lauren D’Amelio Ventre, pro makeup artist
- Nicole Walmsley, pro makeup artist
