The Best Primers Ever

As someone who chit chats (I'm being polite, moan is more apt) about their oily skin on an almost daily basis it is of little surprise that many ask what do I use to keep make-up in place.
The answer is primer. Primer walked into my life around four years ago and I haven't looked back. My taste has changed and there is certainly more choice be it budget or blow out, with that in mind I have gathered together all my personal must haves...

The Best Primers Ever

My Everyday Face Primer - Max Factor Facefinity Primer £10.99
I rave about this primer to just about anyone who will listen and affectionately call it super glue for the face. It doesn't matter what foundation or product you apply over the top trust me it is going nowhere fast! As mentioned I have oily skin but my sister has a dry complexion and both of us rate it as a holy grail product. It doesn't dry out the skin nor is it loaded with silicones (it won't disguise enlarged pores), it somewhat moisturises the skin lightly yet keeps oil at bay and more importantly prevents make-up from sliding off. I personally rather enjoy that Max Factor Facefinity Primer contains an SPF of 20 but the main reason I have several bottle scattered around my house is that nothing and I mean nothing prolongs base products like it. Heat, sweat, oily skin? All a piece of cake for this light, silky lotion. If only this magical primer could blur my pores I would have no need for any other facial primer...okay maybe still an illuminating one if we are being picky.

For Blurring My Pores - Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch Primer £22.85
Along with bemoaning my oily complexion I do enjoy grumbling about my enlarged pores - basically I am a right laugh! Anyway I have tried several silicone smoothing primers, many do a good to great job but if you are hoping for airbrushed skin Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch Primer is your go to guy. Okay it may be on the pricey side but a little goes a long, long way. I personally apply this to problem areas after I apply Max Factor Facefinity Primer  all over my face for the best complexion possible. I will admit that for a night on the tiles I have been known to gently buff this primer all over my face for a flawless, pore-less airbrushed finish. Although Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch Primer strong point is blurring imperfections the silicone base does a great job of keeping skin matte and prolonging make-up wear. I will be entirely honest in saying that for me it is an additional product as it lacks the "grip" of the aforementioned Max Factor offering. If you don't have oily skin and simply want to soften pores and fine lines this will be more than enough.

For Dull Skin Days - L'Oreal Lumi Magique Pure Light Primer £9.99 
I may mention Chanel Le Blanc de Chanel more often as I do use that mixed into foundation as a liquid highlighter of sorts and many do use it as a primer. I however need something that both adds luminosity and will prolong make-up wear which is where L'Oreal Lumi Magique Pure Light Primer comes in. I like that it is well priced, adds radiance to my skin without settling into my enlarged pores or containing glitter. Personally I reserve L'Oreal Lumi Magique Pure Light Primer for good skin days in which I only intend on using a BB/CC Cream as such primer doesn't quite hold on to make-up like other primers but defintely prolongs make-up to some extent. I would recommend this more for those with normal/dry skin who don't require oil control (hey you can't have it all). In L'Oreal's defence it is super light weight, not full of silicone and doubles up as a liquid highlighter - not bad for less than a tenner.

The Do It All Eye Primer - Garnier 5 Sec Blur Smoothing Primer for Eyes £8.66
I do quickly want to say that the Garnier 5 Sec Blur Smoothing Primer for the Face is also a great buy but in all honesty the Clarins version above does pip it to the post of first place ever so slightly. Anyway back to Garnier 5 Sec Blur Smoothing Primer for Eyes this is a little like say Benefit The Porefessional but only for the eye area. Not only does it smooth out any fine lines but it mattifies the area (great if you are prone to mascara smudges) as well as prolonging any make-up applied to the undereye. Oh but it is the gift that keeps on giving it can also be used to intensify eyeshadow and lock it in place too! A great little buy especially if you have oily eye lids and even more pleasing a little goes a long, long way.

The Best Primers Ever

My Number One Eyeshadow Primer - Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion  from £8
Nothing and I mean nothing keeps my eyeshadow crease free like this primer and as someone with really oily eye lids that is easier said than done. I like that Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion also intensifies the colour of any eyeshadow be it cream or powder applied on top and certainly keeps it in place for up to 10 hours. I fully recommend purchasing the travel sized Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion over the full size version as I have never finished a full tube but did have to disregard a half used dried up bottle not so long ago. Basically even with daily use there is a good chance the full size tube will expire before you have worked your way through it.

The Eyeshadow Come Primer  - MAC Paint Pots £15.50 each
A cream eyeshadow that quickly settles to a powder finish, comes in numerous shades and once set it doesn't crease, flake or budge. Can be worn alone or as a base for powder products. On lazy days I buff a little of my choose shade of MAC Paint Pot all over my lid and call it a day and at other times I will use in conjunction with most likely an Urban Decay Naked Palette. If your make-up bag doesn't contain at least one MAC Paint Pot you are missing out. A great budget alternative is Maybelline Color Tattoo Eyeshadows, my only gripe is that the shade selection is pretty limited in comparison.

A fairly condensed line up but they are the primers I rate over everything I own and have tried up to this point. I am always open to suggestions so if you have a primer you rate above and beyond do share!