Collage: Gabrielle Langdon; Source images: Allure editors
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The best face primers are the secret to long-lasting, fresh-looking, and locked-in glam. Just like you would prep a canvas before painting a masterpiece, your makeup deserves the same treatment. A good primer—liquid, cream, or balm—can help blur the appearance of pores, curb redness, stave off greasiness, and grant some extra glow that shines through your foundation and concealer. After all, there's nothing better than a beat that looks equally pristine at 8 a.m. as it does at 8 p.m. The options are plentiful, with a range of finishes and skin-loving ingredients, so we went ahead and rounded up the face primers we wear daily. Shop 'em and bask in your upgraded makeup prep routine.
Our Top Face Primers
- Best Overall: Armani Luminous Silk Hydrating Primer, $46
- Best for Large Pores: Smashbox The Original Photo Finish Smooth & Blur Primer, $34
- Best Brightening: Refy Glow and Sculpt Primer, $50
- Best For Dry Skin: Merit Great Skin Priming Moisturizer, $38
- Best for Oily Skin: Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder, $39
- Best with SPF: Charlotte Tilbury Invisible UV Flawless Primer SPF 50, $55
Frequently Asked QuestionsLargeChevron
- What are the benefits of using a face primer?
- How should I apply a face primer?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Best Overall: Armani Luminous Silk Hydrating Primer
Armani Beauty
Luminous Silk Hydrating Primer
Nordstrom
Sephora
Allure contributor Deanna Pai applying Armani’s Luminous Silk Hydrating Primer
Deanna Pai
Why it’s worth it: Silky, but not at the expense of the grippines that makes a primer work, Armani’s Luminous Silk Hydrating Primer hits all the right notes. Infused with shea butter, rice bran, and glycerin, the skin-care-makeup hybrid formula boosts radiance, moisturizes swiftly, and smooths the look of fine lines and wrinkles. Layer it under Armani’s Luminous Silk Foundation, conveniently our favorite foundation for mature skin, for an extra dose of dewy radiance.
Pai immediately after applying Armani’s Luminous Silk Hydrating Primer
Deanna Pai
Pai eight hours after applying Armani’s Luminous Silk Hydrating Primer
Deanna Pai
Tester feedback from Allure contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai
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"True to its name, this primer really does make my skin look more luminous. In my mid-30s, I've been dealing with both large pores and fine lines, so I love that this multitasking formula can handle both with ease. It feels smooth (but not greasy) and leaves my skin looking airbrushed, especially when layered under foundation." —Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: shea butter, rice bran, glycerin
- Who it's good for: everyone, especially people with mature skin
- Finish: glowy
Best for Large Pores: Smashbox The Original Photo Finish Smooth & Blur Primer
Smashbox
The Original Photo Finish Smooth & Blur Primer
Smashbox
Allure commerce writer Lily Wohlner applying the Smashbox The Original Photo Finish Smooth & Blur Primer
Lily Wohlner
Why it’s worth it: Smashbox's primer formulas are nothing short of legendary, and the 2025 Best of Beauty-winning Photo Finish Smooth & Blur Primer—a.k.a.. the one that basically invented the skin-blurring category back in 1996—remains an editor favorite. Packed with vitamins A and E, it delivers serious hydration and smoothness, plus a soft-focus blur that makes makeup glide on seamlessly and stay put all day.
Wohlner immediately after applying the Smashbox The Original Photo Finish Smooth & Blur Primer
Lily Wohlner
Wohlner eight hours after applying the Smashbox The Original Photo Finish Smooth & Blur Primer
Lily Wohlner
Tester feedback from Allure commerce writer Lily Wohlner
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“The only primers I use are the blurring formulas that make my pores disappear, and this one is a forever fave. At first touch, it feels a little oily, but once it melts into skin, it smooths out in a few swipes and blurs imperfections into oblivion. Unlike super-mattifying formulas, it leaves more of a soft satin veil, so makeup glides on super easily.”—Lily Wohlner, commerce writer
More to Know
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- Key ingredients: vitamin A, vitamin E, polymers
- Who it’s good for: people with large pores or texture
- Finish: satin
Best Brightening: Refy Glow and Sculpt Primer
Refy
Glow and Sculpt Face Primer
Sephora
Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying the Refy Glow and Sculpt Primer
Sarah Han
Why it’s worth it: A facial roller and primer in one, Refy’s Glow and Sculpt delivers glass skin with every roll. We love using it as a little self-care moment before makeup, especially in the morning, to smooth out puffiness. The primer packs niacinamide to brighten and calm redness, plus glycerin to keep skin hydrated. One step gives your skin all the glow of a full skin-care routine, without any extra effort.
Han immediately after applying the Refy Glow and Sculpt Primer
Sarah Han
Han 8 hours after applying the Refy Glow and Sculpt Primer
Sarah Han
Tester feedback from Allure commerce writer Sarah Han
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“I don't always wear primer, but when I do, I make sure it's a glowy one that will liven up my dull, slept-too-little complexion. Refy Sculpt & Glow to the rescue! This formula is infused with niacinamide, which we all know is a great brightening agent, and the cooling effect of the applicator perks up my mood (and skin). It has a surprising amount of tack to it, too, so it grips onto makeup really well. I find that it layers with cream products the best and leaves such a seamless finish.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: niacinamide, glycerin
- Who it’s good for: people with dry, dull skin
- Finish: glowy
Best For Dry Skin: Merit Great Skin Priming Moisturizer
Merit
Great Skin Priming Moisturizer
Sephora
Allure commerce producer Sarah Hoffmann applying Merit’s Great Skin Priming Moisturizer
Sarah Hoffmann
Why it's worth it: Few things tickle Allure editors’ fancies more than versatile formulas, so you can imagine our excitement when we got our innovation-loving hands on Merit's Great Skin Priming Moisturizer, we were pumped. This cream is super lightweight and packed with hyaluronic acid to soothe and lock in hydration, allowing makeup to go on smoothly sans pilling. Those with super dry skin may want a moisturizer underneath, but oily and combo skin types can use this alone. It's non-comedogenic and fragrance-free, making it a safe option for people with sensitive skin.
Hoffmann immediately after applying Merit’s Great Skin Priming Moisturizer
Sarah Hoffmann
Hoffmann eight hours after applying Merit’s Great Skin Priming Moisturizer
Sarah Hoffmann
Tester feedback from Allure commerce producer Sarah Hoffman
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“I've been a fan of Merit's take on skin care since they dropped their first serum in 2022, and the Great Skin Moisturizer is a worthy addition to the brand's truly great lineup of products. I keep this priming moisturizer in my makeup bag and use it pretty much daily as a prep step. It adds a layer of silky hydration to my skin that plays great under makeup, but it also contains a biomimetic emulsifier that creates a blurred, suede-y finish that's perfect for makeup- free days."—Sarah Hoffman, commerce producer
More to know
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- Key ingredients: glycerin, hyaluronic acid
- Who it's good for: people with sensitive skin, dry skin
- Finish: blurring
Best for Oily Skin: Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder
Danessa Myricks Beauty
Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder
Sephora
Allure associate manager of audience development Melanie Curry applying the Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder
Melanie Curry
Why it’s worth it: Looking for a skin-blurring primer and tinted balm in one? The 2023 Allure Best of Beauty–winning Danessa Myricks Blurring Balm is basically an IRL smoothing filter. Wear it solo or under foundation (it even comes in a clear version if you want zero tint), and enjoy a lightweight, breathable feel—a big win for oily skin.
The balm-to-powder formula melts into skin without leaving a greasy residue, actively mattifying thanks to blurring silicone, oil-balancing vegan squalane, and upsalite to soak up excess sweat throughout the day. There’s also a dose of hyaluronic acid for hydration, because oily skin still needs moisture to keep the barrier healthy.
Curry immediately after applying the Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder
Melanie Curry
Curry eight hours after applying the Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder
Melanie Curry
Tester feedback from associate manager of audience development Melanie Curry
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“I need an oil-free primer that keeps my makeup intact, especially in the humid New York summer. Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin balm does just that—and more. What I love the most about this bb is its cream-to-matte finish and lightweight feel. Plus, a little goes a long way. So while this balm isn't the cheapest on the market, it'll last you a long time (like months), even if you're wearing it every day.” —Melanie Curry, associate manager of audience development
More to know
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- Key ingredients: squalane, upsalite, hyaluronic acid
- Who it’s good for: people with oily skin
- Finish: natural-matte
Best with SPF: Charlotte Tilbury Invisible UV Flawless Primer SPF 50
Charlotte Tilbury
Invisible UV Flawless Primer SPF 50
Nordstrom
Ulta Beauty
Allure former commerce writer Jennifer Hussein applying the Charlotte Tilbury Invisible UV Flawless Primer SPF 50
Jennifer Hussein
Why it's worth it: What's better than a hydrating primer? A hydrating primer that contains SPF, of course. Charlotte Tilbury's Invisible UV Flawless Primer has a little something for every skin type: vitamins C and E for brightening, hyaluronic acid for moisture, and a combination of UVA and UVB filters to protect skin from sun damage and pollutants. Just don’t forget to apply two fingers’ worth of sunscreen for the recommended coverage—or layer a standalone sunscreen underneath for added assurance. Since this formula reduces flashback, it's a good pick for photo-forward events like weddings and parties.
Hussein immediately after applying the Charlotte Tilbury Invisible UV Flawless Primer SPF 50
Jennifer Hussein
Hussein eight hours after applying the Charlotte Tilbury Invisible UV Flawless Primer SPF 50
Jennifer Hussein
Tester feedback from Allure former commerce writer Jennifer Hussein
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“My biggest beauty flaw is that I constantly forget to apply sunscreen (a total skin sin, I know), but I don't have to fret about that when I have Charlotte Tilbury's Invisible UV Flawless Primer SPF 50 in my makeup bag. Not only does it provide sun protection, but it also grips my complexion products in place all day long while feeling totally weightless on my skin.”—Jennifer Hussein, former commerce writer
More to know
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- Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, camellia oil, ovobenzone 3%, octinoxate 6.79%, octisalate 4.5%, octocrylene 2.00%
- Who it's good for: people who want a one-and-done, people with dry skin
- Finish: radiant
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of using a face primer?
"Face primers can help prep the skin, smooth uneven texture, even the skin tone, and may help makeup last longer," says Dillon Peña, makeup artist and founder of Leland Francis. When shopping for a primer, keep your skin concerns in mind to get more out of the primer than just grippiness. Oil-prone? Look for a lightweight mattifying or oil-controlling primer that employs ingredients like silica or salicylic acid, says Peña. People with dry skin should seek creamy, hydrating, or plumping primers formulated with hyaluronic acid or glycerin. If you have redness, Peña suggests opting for a color-correcting primer with a green tint to help neutralize. (Soothing ingredients like aloe or green tea can also help.) Enlarged pores will fare well with a thicker, balm-like, or silicone-based primer that can help smooth the appearance.
How should I apply a face primer?
Makeup artist tip #1? Allow the primer to dry fully for around a minute before you put on your makeup. "The trick with any primer is to make sure it's applied in a small dime-to-nickel-size amount and fully blended in first [before going in with foundation]," makeup artist Allan Avendaño previously explained. "Applying lightly and sparingly is my go-to rule," he adds.
Makeup artist Vincent Oquendo also recommends starting small. He says that someone with dehydrated skin who tends to absorb makeup more quickly can handle a quarter-size dollop of primer. In contrast, those with oily skin should stick to the bare minimum because it sits on the surface longer.
Always apply primer with clean fingers so your makeup absorbs fully and isn't sullied by outside grime. To keep your makeup from pilling, align your primer and foundation formulas—for example, your best bet is to use a water-based primer with a water-based foundation, or a silicone-based primer with a silicone-based foundation.
Meet the experts
- Allan Avendaño, a makeup artist based in Los Angeles
- Dillon Peña, a makeup artist based in New York City and Los Angeles
- Vincent Oquendo, a makeup artist based in New York City
How we test and review products
Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?
For our review of the best makeup primers, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and professional makeup artists to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product's performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
