Heat. Humidity. Bright sun. With all of our date night meals happening outside, my makeup needs to stay in place regardless of the weather. And nothing helps your makeup stay where you applied it better than a good primer. Here are a few to choose from.
The Eye Primer
Urban Decay’s Eyeshadow Primer Potion is the best for keep eyeshadow and liner from running. It makes no sense to invest in a beautiful eye palette, spend time applying the perfect smokey eye, and then let it melt away. A little goes along way, so buy the mini-size and give it a try this summer.
The Hydrating Primer
Milk’s Hydro Grip Primer has won all the awards. The primer has aloe and hyaluronic acid for moisture and blue agave to give you that lightly dewy glow. It’s oil-free, silicone-free, and paraben-free.
The Matte Primer
L’Oreal’s Infallible Matte Lock primer is the one you’re looking for if you like a matte finish. If you have oily skin, even in high humidity, this primer will hold your makeup in place. And unlike many matte primers, it’s not drying.
The Primer for Aging Skin
No.7 Airbrush Away Primer blurs fine lines and imperfections to create a flawless foundation for makeup. The hyaluronic acid moisturizes and softens fine lines. And the primer is designed to be hypo-allergenic and a good choice for sensitive skin.
The Primer with Sunscreen
Suntegrity Moisturizing Sunscreen Primer is one of my favorite products. With a light moisturizer and SPF 30 this sunscreen primer is the perfect thing for summer. It feels light on the skin, holds your makeup in place, and blends seamlessly.
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What are your thoughts on using Supergoop sunscreens as a primer?
Would you use a regular sunscreen + primer separately, or are the company’s claims of the 2-in-1 legitimate? (Note: I’ve been using their Mattescreen sunscreen but haven’t been wearing makeup so I haven’t tested this myself.)
It can work on a not too humid day – I’m using Play sunscreen, some concealer and powder foundation lately and it seems stable. I’d probably add setting powder or spray for an outdoor event.
On the rare day I’ve worn makeup this summer, I’ve been using Supergoop’s Unseen Sunscreen in lieu of sunscreen + primer. I have found that it works as well, if not better, than some of my normal primers. It has a velvety texture like the standard Smashbox primer, so for anyone who is a fan of lotion-like primers, it might not be for you.
I also am a huge fan of using Coola’s makeup setting spray, especially on hot and humid days — it works well for holding makeup in place, and the added SPF is a nice bonus. I use it on makeup free days too — after applying a standard base of sunscreen, it helps provide a bit of a matte finish without needing to rely on power or makeup.
Their Unseen sunscreen has the exact same texture as a primer. I would give that a try.
I use the unseen sunscreen as a primer year round and it works well for me. I find putting setting powder on between the sunscreen and the rest of my makeup gives it additional staying power as well!
Abra, would the Suntegrity Moisturizing Sunscreen Primer work for olive/tan skin? In the past, Suntegrity sunscreen has left a promiment white cast on my skin.
There’s a bit of a white cast. There’s no doubt about that. Once I get a little more tan in the summer, I switch to the Unseen Sunscreen from Supergoop.
The Milk Primer is a gamechanger!! It reduced my redness to the extent that after multiple uses my rosacea calmed down even on no make-up and primer free days. Cannot recommend highly enough!
Abra/Everyone,
Laura Mercier discontinued my favorite primer – golden radiance – gave you that summer tan glow without looking like you are wearing a tanner. Do you have any suggestions for dupes? I’m trying not to despair too much.