Great makeup starts with a great base. This is exactly why applying a primer has become an everyday extension of my skincare routine to create the ideal canvas for my glam. Even on days when I'm not wearing more than a skin tint and some blush, I religiously throw on a hydrating primer to keep all my layers intact from when I first put my makeup on at 9 a.m. until I get home at 9 p.m.
Whether you have oily skin and want a matte finish, or have dryness and prefer a glowy base, the best face primers will keep your makeup looking its best up until the moment you wash your face before bed. But not all formulas are created equal. We’ve all experienced that overly tacky feeling or a primer that doesn’t play well with your foundation. So, it’s important to choose the right primer for your skin type and makeup style.
Ahead, the best makeup primers that Cosmo beauty editors rely on for a long-lasting, smooth makeup look. Plus, how to choose the best primer for your routine.
Why we love it: This skincare-filled primer is ideal for matte makeup lovers. It goes on smoothly and prevents makeup from sliding around your face thanks to shine-controlling chia seed extract and maple sap extract for extra gripping properties. And even though it’s mattifying, it has nourishing ingredients like niacinamide, glycerin, and vitamin E.
At first pump, it comes out of the bottle pink, but once blended out onto the face, it turns into a silky, clear base. Plus, it comes in a hydrating version for those with dry skin.
One Cosmo editor says: “All of the foundation on my T-zone is usually gone midday thanks to my oily skin. But this smoothing primer adds a little grip to keep shine at bay while smoothing texture for a butter-like base.”—BETH GILLETTE, BEAUTY EDITOR
Why we love it: This base product is the key to a glowy makeup routine. It comes in four radiant finishes, and is ideal for a hydrated canvas (thanks to its stacked formula of plant-based glycerin, squalane, and rosehip oil). Aside from giving you that lit-from-within glow apropos of its nourishing ingredients and dewy finish, it’s also non-comedogenic, so you don’t have to worry about it exacerbating breakouts.
One Cosmo editor says: “I want my skin to look as close to glass as humanly possible, so for that reflective, high-shine finish, I always start my makeup routine with Saie’s Super Glowy Gel. It plays well with my skincare-heavy pre-makeup routine, and never pills under makeup, no matter how much concealer or blush I layer on. I can’t count how many bottles of this I’ve burned through.”—JH
Why we love it: PSA: You can never have too much sunscreen in your makeup routine. This protective primer comes in both natural and radiant finishes, and it offers enough coverage to double as a lightweight skin tint on days you want to go minimal with makeup. Just add a touch of blush and concealer atop this glowy primer for a true skinimalist finish.
One Cosmo editor says: “This is my go-to SPF primer any time of year. In the winter, I wear this when I see the sun maybe once a week, and I wore it all weekend long under my makeup in the desert heat and sun at Coachella, which is probably the most intense wear test ever. And it passed with flying colors.” —JH
Why we love it: Oily patches don’t stand a chance against this primer from One/Size. The brand is beloved for its viral setting spray, but this mattifying formula deserves just as much hype. You can use it all over or just on your most shine-prone areas, and it instantly helps blur the skin and control excess oil with sebum-absorbing ingredients that create a smooth, makeup-loving base.
One Cosmo editor says: "This is the only primer that's ever helped control the oil in my T-zone. Even in the depths of summer, when my nose produces enough grease to fry a McDonald's large fry, this helps reduce immediate shine and lock down my makeup for hours."—BG
Why we love it: This French pharmacy staple is technically a moisturizer, but that’s exactly what makes it such a great makeup prep step for extra-dry skin. Launched more than 75 years ago, Embryolisse has long been a favorite among makeup artists and beauty editors alike thanks to its rich yet lightweight formula that smooths and deeply hydrates. That means no more dealing with flaky patches or makeup clinging to dry spots just a few hours into the day.
One Cosmo editor says: “I first discovered this beloved cream back in 2020 when it absolutely blew up on TikTok (yes, I was several decades late to the game), but to this day, no moisturizer preps my Sahara-level dry skin for makeup quite like this one. I love a product that does the most, and this formula plumps and moisturizes while also doubling as the perfect primer for my face.”—JH
Why we love it: This drugstore primer has a cooling, water-gel base supercharged with hyaluronic acid, making it less prone to separating the way some silicone-heavy formulas can. Instead, it feels more like a serum—almost like an extra step in your skincare routine—and creates the ideal base for foundation to glide on and stay put all day.
One Cosmo editor says: “This primer rivals other formulas that cost upwards of $30. It’s safe for my sensitive and eczema-prone skin and has never let me down when it comes to keeping my makeup locked in place all day. It also has a coinciding setting spray to finish it off, which I love for an extra dewy finish.”—JH
Just like your foundation or moisturizer, the best primer for you depends on your skin type and what your complexion actually needs. If you’re dry, look for hydrating formulas packed with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or squalane to help plump the skin and prevent makeup from clinging to flaky patches. Oily or combination skin types should go for mattifying primers that help control shine and blur pores. And if you’re sensitive or acne-prone, opt for lightweight, non-comedogenic formulas that won’t feel heavy or clog your pores.
Your primer should work with—not against—the makeup you’re layering on top of it. A good rule of thumb: Pair water-based primers with water-based foundations and silicone-based primers with silicone-based makeup to help avoid pilling or patchiness.
You’ll also want to consider the finish you’re after. If you love glowy skin, reach for an illuminating or radiant primer; if you prefer a soft-focus, long-wear look, a blurring or gripping formula will be the better fit.
Jasmine Hyman is the assistant beauty editor at Cosmo who covers all things skin and makeup. For this story, she, along with Cosmo’s beauty-loving editors, tested dozens of primers to find the best ones based on texture, price, efficacy, and wear time, to narrow it down to these picks.
Siena Gagliano is the associate editor at Cosmopolitan, where she primarily covers beauty, fashion, travel, and lifestyle. Wanna know how to get the best brows of your life? gotchu. What about how to find the best fashion deals of the season, the softest sheets on the market, or exactly how to use retinol without irritating your skin? Check, check, and check. Before joining Cosmopolitan, Siena was a writer at Bustle and several other media outlets. As her 2024 goal, she has vowed to find the best (extra) dirty martini NYC has to offer—and yes, that means ~attempting~ to try every cute cocktail spot in the city (hit her up with some recs, pls). Follow Siena on Instagram for a behind-the-scenes look at that magazine life.
Jasmine Hyman is the Assistant Beauty Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she writes about the latest beauty trends and must-have products. Her most prized beauty possessions are a meticulous skincare routine and salon blowouts. You’ll also likely find her in bed reading a good book or endlessly scrolling TikTok (spoiler: it’s usually the latter) while listening to Harry Styles’ entire discography on repeat. Follow her on Insta to be inundated with pictures of her meals.
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