I really wanted to call this 'Prime Of Lime' but less and less people are 'getting' my friends references these days. I was never in to primers, didn't really even moisturise before applying makeup because my skin was already so oily but as I age my skin is changing and I'm finding it more and more difficult to get a good finish from my foundation. And so begins the great primer experiment.

Setting Sprays

These were where I started when I was initially happy with my base but trying to get it to last longer/control oil. I use setting sprays more in the summer months when I feel like the wear time really suffers, plus, they're refreshing. Both the Avon Makeup Setting Spray and the Makeup Revolution Pro Fix do a good job of helping my makeup last but because they leave a dewy finish (almost a film) on the skin I can't recommend any sprays for shine control. If you want to control oil I'd suggest using it as a primer spray underneath foundation.

Gel Primers

For a long time I hated primers because I'd only ever tried silicone based formulas. I don't like the texture and I felt like they just moved around on my skin whereas these gel primers are a totally different animal. Both the Freedom Oil Control Base and the new Porefessional Matte Rescue from benefit are great at helping to keep skin matte underneath foundation. Gun to my head the Benefit is a little nicer but if you're looking to save some cash the Freedom version is still very good. I think what gives Matte Rescue the edge for me is that it's not a primer at all, it's supposed to be more of an alternative to moisturiser and so it feel a little lighter/more refreshing on the skin. Finally the Laura Mercier Radiance Primer, the glow getting version of the original and the first primer I ever really saw a difference with. As with the others this sets on your skin so you don't worry about it shifting under your foundation, I can't say I saw a tremendous amount of difference 'radiance' wise under a heavy base however mixed with a sheer BB cream it gives a subtle sheen and helps it last longer than it would without.

I'm still not using a primer every time I do my makeup but I'm definitely noticing a difference when I do. I'm even trying to use the pore blurring silicone primers I hate from time to time to see if I can get used to them (easier when I use a beauty blender but I'm too lazy most of the time) so I may do another of these posts when I've tested more but in the meantime let me know your favourites! Anything to make my skin feel like MY skin underneath makeup again!

PR Samples