MAKE-UP PRIMER
If you’ve never tried a make-up primer, we honestly do everything but ORDER you to go out and treat yourself to one of these winners, which scored within a whisker of each other.
Over the years we have definitely become massive converts to primers, which work variously to minimise the appearance of fine lines and/or pores, create a smoother canvas for make-up and (the primary purpose of a primer) ensuring that make-up stays put for longer and goes on more smoothly.
If you suffer from Disappearing Make-up Syndrome, applying in the morning but finding that skin imperfections are already apparent by lunchtime, you definitely need a primer. If your skin is less-than-radiant, a primer can really help, too. It might seem like an extra faff – but the dividends are worth the few seconds it takes to apply one of these. The winners are all quite different, though – so do read the comments in-depth to see which might suit you best.
GOLD (JOINT) AWARD and BEST NATURAL INIKA Organic Radiant Glow Veil
We’re always impressed when a Gold winner is also ‘Best Natural’ in the category, and congrats to INIKA on this win. (It was in Silver position in 2022.) This uses light-reflective technology to prime skin for flawless application, but also offers skin caring benefits via botanicals that include aloe vera, argan oil and magnolia bark. Two or three drops are droppered into the palm, then dotted onto forehead, cheeks, chin and nose with a fingertip before reaching for a make-up sponge or brush to blend evenly over the complexion.
£44 for 30ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘Really impressed with this primer. The bottle is very clever: it locks and seals the pump away when closed properly, so you can't accidently spill the product. Gives a beautiful glow to your skin; foundation really went on well, and my skin was so smooth’ • ‘A must-have, if you want wonderful, glowing skin! I had many compliments about how wonderful my skin look, how radiant…’ • ‘It seems to stop my make-up disappearing into my skin. I truly loved using this and will be using it until the very end; such an elegant little bottle of glow’ • ‘Gave my skin a lovely radiance and helped keep foundation looking fresh for far longer than usual. It has a lovely soft citrus fragrance which gives you a lift when applying it of a morning’ • ‘Gave skin a lovely dewy look without being too shiny and sweaty looking. Very light and non-greasy, yet gives a lovely subtle radiance which is just enough to show through tinted moisturiser’ • ‘On no-make-up days I used this on its own, and it's just enough to give a nice glow to bare skin’ • ‘A multi-tasking product, not just primer; you can also use it as a dewy base mixing with your foundation or moisturiser, and use as a sort of highlighter to high points of your face or cheekbones. Overall, an impressive product that helped to make foundation appear smoother and more flawless. It gives a soft sort of glow; skin tone looks evened out and velvety smooth’ • ‘Make-up stayed on well throughout the day, I didn’t need to do any touch-up. This is a really great glow primer and if you like the dewy look, then it definitely does that too.’
£44 for 30ml - click to buy
GOLD (JOINT) AWARD Elemis Pro-Collagen Insta-Smooth Primer
This was the product that originally turned us on to primers – and we’re always a teeny bit chuffed when a product that we love ourselves (and have bought, on repeat) is recognised for excellence by our testers. It ‘bridges the gap between skincare and make-up’, promise Elemis, and harnesses in particular Padina Pavonica, a key firming and age-defying ingredient in the bestselling Pro-Collagen line-up. Italian glacial water and a ‘Cryo-Firming Complex’ also beef up the pore- and line-blurring formula.
£58 for 50ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘The best primer I have ever used. It is a wake up in a bottle! I don't normally do primers as my experience is that they make your skin feel odd, with a slightly dry, chalky feel But this has become part of my morning routine; it goes on before my foundation and feels really nice; my skin simply feels more awake than I do most mornings’ • ‘I have used this most days, and the tube is still not empty – so it’s good value, as a little goes a long way. I could feel a difference; every time I put it on, it was as if my skin was given a real pep-up. It felt quite uplifting and as if it had been woken up’ • ‘Loved this. I have never used a primer before, so wasn’t sure what to expect. A very small amount goes a long way, so this product will last you an age and whilst expensive, it definitely represents exceptional value for money. I applied after my moisturiser and it melted into my skin immediately. The fragrance is gorgeous and lingers on your skin for hours; however, it is the results that are immediately noticeable. My skin was exceptionally smooth and the lines on my forehead have faded within a couple of months. My skin looks radiant, glowing and youthful’ • ‘Best primer I’ve ever used; feels so soft and light on your skin, sets the perfect base for foundation – although I am wearing a lot less makeup since using this primer as it leaves my skin looking smooth, even – a flawless base. Pores less noticeable, too.’
£58 for 50ml - click to buy
GOLD (JOINT) AWARD delilah Under Wear
British make-up artist brand delilah have done incredibly well in the Beauty Bible Awards 2023, and we’re SO not surprised to discover that this primer is their No.1 selling product, as it’s something Team Beauty Bible rates highly ourselves. It’s a serum-style product dispensed from a tube, with what they describe as ‘an extremely fresh and silky feel, helping the skin to look softer, smoother, younger while optically reducing the appearance of imperfections on the skin.’ Skincare benefits, too: it’s enriched with peptides, to plump and smooth. It squeezes out of a nozzle atop a slimline tube; apply with fingers or a brush. (We personally always prefer fingers for primer.)
£36 for 48ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘I have used many different types of primers and I would say this is one of the best, with people noticing the difference. My skin felt softer; overall it was a lovely base to apply underneath my make-up and it helped that stay on all day’ • ‘A few people noticed that my make-up was looking better, after using this product. It’s something that will help give your make-up staying power throughout the day and I can’t recommend too highly’ • ‘Someone asked me at work what I put on my skin – which is something I’ve never had before’ • ‘This is an absolute game-changer for make-up application. It made it last much longer and look so much better. My complexion instantly became more radiant, soft, smooth and plumped – just the perfect base’ • ‘A silky soft, serum-like primer that glides onto the skin providing the perfect canvas for make-up, leaving the complexion plumped, dewy and smoothed’ • ‘Delivers a little bit of dewiness; foundation looked better, with maybe a bit more radiance’ • ‘There was a light glow that my make-up held on to all day. Lovely formulation, too: a dense gel- cream that spreads evenly and sinks in well, as primers go’ • ‘If you want your skin to feel and look smoother, then it definitely is worth investing in this. I was told I was looking "glowy" when I used this!’ • ‘Made my make-up “sit” better and enhanced radiance. I’ve never used a primer before, but this has swayed me!’ • ‘My daughter noticed that my make-up looked different – and the only thing I’d changed is the primer.’
£36 for 48ml - click to buy
SILVER (JOINT) AWARD Sculpted by Aimee Connolly Beauty Base All in One Moisturising Primer
This Irish make-up artist’s brand (there’s an actual person called Aimee Connolly) is another make-up line that has done so, so well in this round of testing. We were wowed to discover that within the range are many different primers (the version for oilier complexions is also a winner this year), but this is the does-it-all, moisturising, suits-all-skintypes option, infused with light-reflecting microparticles to give skin a glow and with the addition of an SPF50, which testers really liked – saved having to wear a separate SPF product. It’s lightly tinted but designed to suit all skintones.
£23 for 50ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘I absolutely love this primer – it's a perfect 10. Really pleasant to apply and non-irritating, even around eyes. Compared to my other primers that all do one thing well, this seems to do it all: smooths and brightens, makes my make-up go farther and last longer, and a huge selling point is the added SPF50’ • ‘The perfect primer: blurring, smoothing and slightly mattifying but still gives a fresh glow with the added bonus of SPF50’ • ‘My foundation lasted noticeably longer and still looked fresh at the end of the day; my forehead usually looks quite shiny by evening, and this was noticeably reduced’ • ‘Foundation sat really nicely on top of this; it made it easier to get the full coverage that I like, but using less product; my skin looked smooth and radiant’ • ‘Very easy to apply; instantly glowy and moisturising. Needs a minute to settle before you add other products’ • ‘Evened out skin tone, added a glow. I used powder to remove the glow where I did not want it’ • ‘Great every day multipurpose product. It was quite different to my usual product (a mattifying primer); this is better as contains SPF and gives your skin a real glow’ • ‘Helped make-up to go on longer and last all day without going patchy. It gave skin a dewy look. I really enjoyed this; it has encouraged me to use a primer daily, whereas I only used one when going out before’ • ‘A lightweight and easy to use primer. Easy to put on and a little goes a long way! Someone complimented my make-up and the only thing that had changed was using this.’
£23 for 50ml - click to buy
SILVER (JOINT) AWARD Illamasqua Hydra Veil
This is a ‘futuristic clear gel formula’, according to the always bold and brave make-up brand. They recommend it should be particularly concentrated around the T-zone, then blended out (with fingers, they suggest), to smooth out open pores and fine lines. They call it ‘part hydrator, part primer’, helping to maintain skin’s moisture levels, deploying microalgae, as well as vitamins C and B3 and plant extracts. This comes in a pot, into which you dip fingers. (Some testers loved that about it, others not so much.)
£34 for 30ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘I never really used primer before; I had bad experiences with them where they made my foundation flake and rub into lumps – but this was great, and I am a convert to primer now! Makes my foundation last longer and is quite moisturising on my skin. LOVE it!’ • ‘I am a convert to this primer. I think my foundation looked more even and it lasted all day without any patches of unevenness appearing, which would normally happen towards the end of the afternoon’ • ‘Foundation did go on smoothly and more evenly – it did not flake or rub where my skin normally has dry patches, so I was very pleased’ • ‘I’m amazed at how good this is. I was a bit unsure that it would make any difference but from the second I applied it I could see my skin looking more awake. It was glowing, looking really healthy and moisturised. Make-up just glided on and sat perfectly on top of it’ • ‘My skin certainly appeared smoother and dewy after application; it enhanced radiance and foundation application was super-easy’ • ‘A little goes a long way. Brilliant product! Makes such a big difference I loved this primer and definitely noticed and improvement in terms of smooth dewy finish and longevity of foundation. I was asked if I had had my make up done!’ • ‘I’d say to someone: it's like nothing I've used before – give it a go! It gives your make up staying power’ • ‘I've tried a few primers and they all irritated my skin in some way, but I've had no issues with this whatsoever’ • ‘Despite the unusual jelly-like consistency, this is a good primer that makes your skin look better, as well as your foundation.’
£34 for 30ml - click to buy
BRONZE (JOINT) AWARD Sculpted by Aimee Connolly Beauty Base Oil Control
Here is the second primer winner from Aimee Connolly’s dynamic brand, for which we predict even greater success. (If it’s not on your radar, it really needs to be.) This particular primer formula is also an all-in-one moisturising formula, but it has been formulated specifically for oily and combination skins, to combat shine and absorb excess oil while it smooths the canvas. We applaud Sculpted by Aimee’s sustainability commitment with TerraCycle: send back five empties and you’ll not only be doing your bit for the environment but will earn points to spend on the brand online.
£20 for 30ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘The tube is the perfect shape – love that the pump is at the bottom so you can always get product out first pump’ • ‘This works a dream: super-smooth, amazing under make-up, keeps you matte most of the day and I only required a small powder touch-up at night. The texture was like crème, but non-sticky or greasy’ • ‘Blown away by this product, will definitely be repurchasing. It is just the perfect primer for oily skin. It left a mostly matte finish but was slightly dewy in places too. It looked very natural’ • ‘I don't usually use primer, as I've found they actually cause my oily skin to over-produce oil, but this one had a really great balance. I wouldn't use it every day (too much faff), but I would definitely use it for special occasions, or if I had more time in the mornings. I'd say my make-up looked more “professional” too, and I’ve had a couple of compliments’ • ‘Flawless application. Gave a radiant look rather than being completely mattifying, which is wonderful as I don’t wish to be shiny, but I want to have a nice radiant glow’ • ‘My make up stayed on my face so much longer and did not "slide" around my nose like it normally does due to my oily t-zone’ • ‘Once you’ve got your make up on, the result is super-smooth and the perfect kind of matte! It does not look dry or too matte so your make up appears cake-y’ • ‘My make up stayed on my face so much longer and did not "slide" around my nose like it normally does due to my oily t-zone.’
£20 for 30ml - click to buy
BRONZE (JOINT) AWARD Super Facialist Skin Perfecting Primer
Looking a bit like an illustration of DNA helixes, thanks to its swirl of different pigments, this is ‘designed to correct uneven skintone, while cushioning skin with smoothing moisture’. The green, lavender and peach pigments aren’t just there to make the product appear eye-catching: they’re colour-correcting, countering sallowness, redness and brightening dull skin. There’s a good dose of moisture in there from hyaluronic acid, plus soothing Centella Asiatica (‘cica’, as it's now more commonly known), and niacinamide, to help control oil.
£17 for 30ml - click to buy
OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:
‘I noticed that even when applying a BB foundation or tinted moisturiser over this primer that the overall tone of my skin was smoother. This is a really quirky looking product but more importantly, it is an excellent primer’ • ‘A friend asked if I’d had a facial – result! My usual primer reduces redness, but I would say this one does a much better job of that. The cica definitely calms my skin, and the hyaluronic acid means the primer isn’t drying at all’ • ‘This was my favourite of all the products I tested; the primer was subtle but effective and I felt it improved my skin without the need for heavy make-up. I'm definitely going to buy this product and would wholeheartedly recommend’ • ‘I don't use a foundation, but this product on its own was perfect – such an ultra-light product, yet leaves a radiant luminous, enhancing glow to your skin’ • ‘Absolutely love this product. A little goes a long way and is so easy to apply. The bottle will last…well, almost forever!’ • ‘My foundation went on easily and the primer helped to enhance the finish. I was very pleased when a colleague mentioned my skin looked dewy’ • ‘I actually liked using this primer on days I wasn't wearing any make-up at all, as it really improved the look of my bare skin. Only a pea-sized amount is required, meanwhile, so I reckon the bottle will last for a very long time’ • ‘The glow lasted most of the day, although I do have a tendency to flush and the primer was not able to disguise a big, hot flush! (Not sure anything could, though!) Instantly saw it reduced redness in my cheeks, though and at the same time, improved the dullness of my skin.’
£17 for 30ml - click to buy