Out of 38 Face Primers Tested, These 13 Keep Makeup Intact and Flawless All Day Long

Best Face Primer Overall

Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer

View on Sephora View On Sephora $20 View On Milkmakeup.com $20

Our Ratings

• Application
  5/5
• Feel
  5/5
• Look
  5/5

Consider Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer your secret weapon for creating a smooth, long-lasting look. While all primers act as a base for makeup, this one bridges the gap between skincare and makeup. Hemp-derived cannabis seed extract and blue agave help condition skin to leave you looking naturally more radiant, and hyaluronic acid helps to hydrate without making you look greasy — making it great to wear not only under makeup but also on its own as a moisturizer for your natural skin days. 

Milk Makeup has become a favorite among many beauty lovers for its vegan and cruelty-free formulas. This primer is a holy grail product for so many makeup artists and influencers (as well as myself), so it’s no surprise that our testers fell in love with it, too. "My face looks amazingly smooth and has just the right balance of moisture," our tester raves. "Just a pea-sized amount went a long way, and my foundation blended perfectly over top.”

Size: 1.52 fl oz.｜Skin Types All｜Key Ingredients: Blue agave, Hyaluronic acid, Hemp-derived cannabis seed extract 

Best Budget

E.l.f. Poreless Putty Primer

View On Amazon $10 View On Ulta $10 View On Elfcosmetics.com

Our Ratings

• Application
  4/5
• Feel
  5/5
• Look
  5/5

This face primer from e.l.f. Cosmetics impressed us with its smooth, buttery texture — once we got it out of the jar, that is. We initially had a hard time getting the putty out of the jar, but it was smooth sailing from there. It spread on the face “like butter,” according to one tester who applauded its smooth, velvety texture. Despite the butter-like comparisons, the face primer achieves a lightweight, airy feel that’s a little unexpected and 100 percent appreciated. Even when we skipped our moisturizer, we felt the Poreless Putty Primer was hydrating enough to keep us dewy and fresh (that’s probably thanks to the squalane, a key hydrating ingredient). Our makeup had a consistent satin finish that stayed matte for hours and minimized the appearance of pores with ease.

Size: .74 fl oz.｜Skin Type: All｜Key Ingredients: Squalane

Best Splurge

Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer

View On Amazon $58 View On Nordstrom $24 View On Ulta $58

Our Ratings

• Application
  5/5
• Feel
  4/5
• Look
  5/5

As the name hints at, Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer casts a luminous veil over your skin, hiding any redness and blurring the appearance of pores and fine lines. The luxurious formula has a cloud-like texture that quickly sinks into your skin and creates a hydrated, smooth base for your foundation. It also contains SPF 15, which is great, but make sure to use an SPF of at least 30 under the primer to be fully protected. 

Despite normally struggling with cakey-ness around her smile lines, our tester had no issues when using this primer under her foundation. "My foundation has no cracks or patchiness," she says, adding that as the day went on her complexion remained velvety. On top of the formula inside, the packaging is so pretty you’ll want to display it front and center on your vanity, too. 

Note: Our tester originally applied too much of the product, which left her with a slight white cast. On her second attempt, she used three small pumps to cover her whole face and was able to achieve the perfect base.

Size: 1.01 fl oz.｜Skin Types All｜Key Ingredients: Zinc oxide

Best Smoothing

Tarte Cosmetics Poreless Mattifying Primer

View On Amazon $32 View On Ulta $34 View On QVC $32

Our Ratings

• Application
  5/5
• Feel
  5/5
• Look
  5/5

Struggle with the appearance of large pores? Tarte Poreless Mattifying Primer smoothes out the look of your skin in seconds, mattifying your face and making an excellent base for makeup. Our tester loves how the silky formula glides onto skin. “I couldn’t even feel it on my face!” she says. 

Containing nutrient-rich ingredients — like avocado, echinacea root, and rosemary leaf extract — this primer works well with foundation to create a smooth, flawless complexion. We also love that it’s waterproof, so you can take your look to the beach or pool without it becoming a melted mess.

If you’re looking for a primer with major longevity, this is the one to grab because it can make your foundation last for up to 12 hours, shine-free. “This primer is a game changer,” our teaser says. “I'm going to include it in my makeup routine everyday.”

Size: 0.75 fl oz.｜Skin Types All｜Key Ingredients: Avocado, Echinacea root, Rosemary leaf extract

Best for Large Pores

Benefit Cosmetics POREfessional Face Primer

View On Nordstrom $15 View On QVC $15 View On Ulta $35

Our Ratings

• Application
  4/5
• Feel
  5/5
• Look
  5/5

You can say goodbye to your pores when you apply Benefit Cosmetics POREfessional Pro Balm Face Primer. This primer will instantly blur your skin, and although you can’t actually erase pores, it softens their appearance and leaves your skin looking airbrushed. With ingredients like vitamin E, shea butter extract, and hyaluronic acid, it creates what our tester describes as a “silky, lightweight formula” that applies so smoothly. While the natural tint skews light, it blends well on every skin tone. Talk about pore-fection!

Size: 0.75 fl oz.｜Skin Types All｜Key Ingredients: Vitamin E, Shea butter extract, Hyaluronic acid

Best Mattifying

Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Mattifying Primer

View On Sephora $20 View On Ulta $36 View On Fentybeauty.com

Our Ratings

• Application
  5/5
• Feel
  5/5
• Look
  5/5

This primer is a blurring filter in a bottle. A great pick for those who tend to get shiny, Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Pro Filt’r Mattifying Primer instantly absorbs any oils without leaving your complexion looking dry. The lightweight formula mattifies skin and makes a flawless base for any makeup application. Though it initially dispenses white, it immediately becomes translucent when it comes in contact with skin, and disappears as it’s blended — which our tester says is extremely easy to do. “Sometimes primers can feel really stiff, especially when they are matte, but this one only required two pumps and was easy to spread,” she says.

Size: 1 fl oz.｜Skin Types Normal, Combination, and Oily｜Key Ingredients: Blue agave extract

Best Illuminating

MAC Studio Radiance Illuminating Primer

View On Nordstrom $34 View On Ulta $34 View On Saks Fifth Avenue $34

Our Ratings

• Application
  5/5
• Feel
  5/5
• Look
  5/5

The secret to achieving dewy, glowing skin starts with your skincare, but the primer you use also plays a big role. If a radiant complexion is your makeup goal, there’s no better way to prep your skin than with MAC Studio Radiance Illuminating Primer. Made with hyaluronic acid, olive oil, jojoba oil, and vitamin E, it helps to revitalize your skin and give it a golden hour glow all day long. Our tester raves about its silky smooth, hydrating texture. “I would recommend this to all my friends as a must-have,” our tester says. “It feels wonderful on my face and keeps my foundation radiant and natural looking.”

Size: 1 fl oz.｜Skin Types Normal, Dry, and Combination ｜Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, Olive oil, Jojoba oil, Vitamin E oil

Best Vegan

NYX Professional Makeup Marshmellow Smoothing Primer

View On Amazon $17 View On Ulta $17 View On Macy's $17

Our Ratings

• Application
  5/5
• Feel
  5/5
• Look
  5/5

Want smooth, plump skin? NYX Professional Makeup The Marshmellow Smoothing Primer works to soften the appearance of pores, fine lines, and uneven skin texture, while also extending the wear of your makeup. The unique, fluffy texture reminds us of a marshmallow and helps hydrate the skin, leaving your complexion hydrated and makeup-ready. Our tester explains that her foundation has never applied better, saying “the whipped, cream-like consistency makes my foundation apply smoothly ,and diminishes the appearance of pores.” Just be sure to pair it with a water-based foundation (like Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte’s Beautiful Skin Foundation), otherwise makeup can become congealed and start to pill.

Size: 1.01 fl oz.｜Skin Types All｜Key Ingredients: Marshmallow root extract

Best for Oily Skin

Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer

View On Nordstrom $16 View On Dermstore $42 View On Ulta $42

Our Ratings

• Application
  5/5
• Feel
  5/5
• Look
  4/5

Dealing with excess oil throughout the day? If so, this primer from Smashbox is for you. Lightweight and oil-free, it works to reduce shine, minimizes the appearance of fine lines and pores, and protects skin from environmental stressors like pollution. The silicone-based formula is clear and invisibly glides over the skin, creating a photo-ready finish that keeps your complexion smooth and makeup intact all day. While it does work impeccably well for those with oily skin, be wary if your skin is also sensitive as it’s been known to sometimes cause breakouts.

Size: 1 fl oz.｜Skin Types Oily ｜Ingredients: Vitamins A and E

Best for Dry Skin

Too Faced Hangover Primer

View On Nordstrom $18 View On Ulta $42 View On QVC $36

Our Ratings

• Application
  5/5
• Feel
  5/5
• Look
  5/5

Just like a tall glass of water after a long night out, Too Faced Hangover Replenishing Face Primer revives your skin, making it feel instantly hydrated. Formulated with coconut water and probiotics, it works to lock in moisture and brighten your skin, helping you look and feel more refreshed. “The lightweight, moisturizing formula is easy to blend into the skin,” our tester shares. “It doesn’t feel sticky or glue-like like some other primers.” One thing to note: The primer does have a slight coconut scent (due to the coconut water in the formula), so if you have a coconut allergy it’s best to avoid this pick.

Size: 1.35 fl oz.｜Skin Types Dry and Combination｜Ingredients: Coconut water and Probiotics

Best with Sun Protection

Charlotte Tilbury Invisible UV Flawless Primer SPF 50

View On Nordstrom $55 View On Sephora $55 View On Charlottetilbury.com

Our Ratings

• Application
  5/5
• Feel
  5/5
• Look
  4/5

We love the combination of primer and SPF, especially for hot summer months when you’re minimizing your skincare and beauty routines. “The primer felt like a light moisturizer and immediately showed on the skin as dewy,” our tester said. Skin felt (and looked) plump and hydrated, and we experienced exactly zero pilling when we started layering on products. Looks-wise, our skin looked smooth and even-textured, even on our dry T-zone areas where we’re prone to flakiness. 

While we visually loved the primer and its effect on our makeup routine, we’d be hesitant to use this as a substitute for SPF. To fully protect your face (and neck!), you’d need to apply quite a lot of this face primer, so you’d run through it quickly. We’d save this for summer months when you just can’t even with a full skincare and makeup routine (and as always, make sure to reapply your SPF every two hours).

Size: 1 fl oz.｜Skin Types All｜Ingredients: Broad-spectrum SPF 50, Vitamins C and E, Hyaluronic acid