Battle of the Bases: Primers

Finding the right primer for your skin type can be as challenging as finding a perfect foundation match. What works miracles for someone else may be wrong for you as everyone’s skin is different. So, I have put together a collection of the best primers for oily, dry and combination skin types, and the best eye primers too.

For Oily Skin: The Ordinary, ‘High-Adherence Silicone Primer.’ I personally know it’s an absolute nightmare finding primers for oily skin. That constant shine those of us with oily skin suffer from can make us very conscious about the look of our foundation, so primer is a must. I tried loads of primers before which always left me looking shiny by the end of the night; that is until I found this one from The Ordinary. The perk of this primer is that it’s mattifying and hydrating at the same time. This means it doesn’t give you the really heavy matte look lots of primers for oily skin do. It’s matte enough to keep the shine at bay but also hydrating enough for your skin to be able to breathe. What’s more, it’s super student budget friendly, with prices ranging from £3.90 - £4 depending on where you choose to buy it from. It’s available online at Cult Beauty, Beauty Bay and ASOS.

For dry skin: NYX, ‘Studio Perfect Primer.’ This primer is silky in consistency, so is perfect for skin that needs hydrating. When applied to skin, it creates a smooth and moisturised base that’s amazing to work with, perfect for those who suffer from drier skin. The other perk is that it comes in three formulas/colours; ‘Clear’ to cover large pores, ‘Lavender’ to brighten sunken/yellow undertones and ‘Green’ to counteract any redness in the skin. All these colours will make your skin smooth and moisturised. If that’s what you want in general for dry skin, then opt for ‘clear’. However, if your dry skin causes other issues, look at the other colours. Opt for ‘Lavender’ if lack of sleep makes your skin appear dry and sunken, or opt for ‘Green’ if having dry skin leaves you with slightly irritated red patches. This primer is £10.50 from Boots, Cult Beauty or Feel Unique.

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For combination skin: Revlon, ‘PhotoReady Perfecting Primer.’ This primer has been a beauty staple and cult product since it’s release. It is loved and raved about by everyone with combination skin who uses it. Its formula makes it perfect for use under foundation, but also evens-out skin tone when used alone. It instantly softens skin and reduces imperfections such as large pores and fine lines. The formula leaves your skin feeling smooth, but not oily.  It is also talc, oil, paraben, and fragrance free so will not irritate combination skin in any way. You can buy this primer at Boots or Superdrug. It’s a tiny bit pricier at £12.99 but look out for ongoing 3 for 2 deals at both Boots and Superdrug.

Eye Primer: Urban Decay, ‘Eyeshadow Primer Potion.’ Okay, I’m going to jump right in and admit it is pricey at £17. However, it is well worth the investment. It’s worth remembering your eyelids are small so you won’t need a lot of it and that you really can’t put a price on keeping that eyeshadow you work oh so hard on in place. It keeps your shadow in place and ensures crease-free application. This primer comes in an amazing six different shades depending on the desired look/finish. My personal favourites include ‘Original’ for an invisible and flawless look, ‘Freebase’ for a white undertone (amazing for giving bright colours that extra pop) and ‘Eden’, a matte that completely covers redness. In terms of where to buy it from, Urban Decay and Feel Unique both do year-round 10% student discount, but keep an eye on Feel Unique as this is often boosted to as high as 20%.

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