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How primers can improve your make-up, and the best formulas for mature skin
It's the product that can deliver on an even skin-tone, radiance and make-up longevity all in one
Having a good skincare base is everything when it comes to achieving flawless make-up on mature skin, or so we've been told. But what about a primer? The in-between step that bridges your skincare and make-up can often be overlooked, but the humble primer might actually be the answer to a host of your make-up related issues, from longevity to smooth application.
What is a primer?
A primer is applied after the final step of your skincare routine and just before your first base product. Much like an artist will prime their canvas before applying the paint, a primer will help to create a more even texture and finish on the surface of your skin for your make-up to adhere to.
What are the benefits of using a primer for mature skin?
All primers are tasked with doing the same job: helping your make-up go on more smoothly, and increasing its longevity. That said, there are plenty of primers that are formulated with extra benefits, such as improving the concerns associated with mature skin. Some will help to give you a radiance boost, while others will amp up the ability to blur the skin, and then there are the formulas suited to specific skin types and conditions, such as oily or dehydrated complexions.
For the best application, make-up artist Grace Ahn suggests using your fingers when applying a primer, which will help to warm up the product. "It ensures the primer melts evenly over any texture," she explains.
The best primers for mature skin
What to look for in primers for mature skin
Taking your skin type into consideration is important when choosing your primer, but Ahn also recommends looking for certain ingredients and finishes if you have more mature skin, which will give you the best starting point for the rest of your make-up.
"For mature skin, I find a blurring and smoothing primer really beneficial. It not only lays the foundation down more smoothly, but it also helps the base to look polished for longer," explains Ahn.
"I also look for moisturising ingredients in any primer for more mature skin," she says. "Keeping the complexion moist and hydrated will help foundation to wear longer on the skin." Keep an eye out nourishing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin and ceramides.
Below, find our round-up of the best primers for mature skin, from Bobbi Brown's cult formula to Tatcha's silky complex, and for more mature skin make-up tips, read our guides to the best tinted moisturisers, bronzers, blushers and setting powders.
The best primers for mature skin, according to Bazaar
One of the original primers in the game and loved by professionals and everyday users alike, Bobbi Brown's creamy formula is packed with vitamins B5, C and E, as well as hyaluronic acid and shea butter to create a hydrated, plump canvas for your base, ensuring it will last all day.
Finish: Dewy
This primer might look minimal, but its effects are mighty. A great option for mature skin, this imparts a smooth, slightly velvet finish while looking as if your skin is glowing from within. Foundation glides on top of this beautifully, and it will take you through to the end of your day without budging.
Finish: Satin
The perfect combination of skincare and make-up, Tatcha's primer is infused with its Hadasei-3 complex that will help to improve the appearance of your skin over time, meaning your natural complexion will look better after removing your make-up, not worse. In addition to that, this primer will leave your skin with a silky feel, blurring fine lines and imperfections upon application.
Finish: Satin
Vieve recently released this souped-up version of its much-loved Skin Nova, and the ultra-hydrating formula makes it an ideal candidate for those looking to plump up skin and smooth fine-lines. Plus, its glow-giving finish is hands-down one of the best we've tried in terms of primers, imbuing the skin with a golden, sun-kissed effect that radiates through your make-up.
Finish: Glowy
If a product comes with red-carpet approval, then you can trust that it's going to go above and beyond in your daily routine. Kat Burki's primer is a favourite of Ahn's, having recently used it on Jamie Lee Curtis for the SAG Awards. Infused with nourishing seed oils as well as Irish sea moss, algae bioferment and silk amino acid, this primer preps the skin with a blurring effect, leaving your complexion silky soft and perfectly primed for your make-up.
Finish: Smooth
In need of an instant radiance boost? Sisley's pearlised primer delivers a glowing sheen to the skin while reflecting light away from the face for a more youthful, brightened appearance. Our secret tip? Gently pat a touch of this on the high points of your face throughout the day to refresh your complexion.
Finish: Glowy
If you have enlarged pores or skin that's on the oily side, this is the primer for you. The innovative formula is water-based, making it great for oily skin that also suffers from dehydration (it's a common misconception that skin can't be both). It also minimises oil production throughout the day and blurs the appearance of pores thanks to a mattifying peptide. The formulation ticks colour correction off the list as well, leaving you with a more evened-out complexion before you've even applied your foundation.
Finish: Soft matte
A multi-hyphenate primer if ever there was one, RMS Beauty's skin-enhancing formula grips onto your make-up to ensure a long-lasting finish, while hydrating and imparting a dewy glow, making it a great option for dull and lacklustre complexions that need a quick revival.
Finish: Glowy
