• Makeup primer is one of those steps you might be tempted to skip, but you’ll be happier with your foundation application if you don’t.
  • It can help make your makeup apply more smoothly and last longer, and depending on the formula, can also help mattify and decrease the appearance of large pores.
  • Stila’s One Step Correct is our top pick because it makes skin tone look more even as well as keeping foundation in place all day.

Primer can seem like a gimmick, but I promise it isn’t. The step adds a cumulative 30 seconds to your routine but makes a world of difference in your makeup application whether you wear foundation or not.

But, there are so many options out there. Choosing a primer can quickly become overwhelming if you’re wandering around the beauty aisle unprepared. There are ones that mattify, hydrate, illuminate, blur pores, and more. How can you ever pick just one?

There are two important things to keep in mind when shopping for a primer – your skin type and base makeup preferences. People with oily skin might gravitate toward mattifying or pore-blurring primers, while those with dry skin might prefer hydrating or radiant primers. Even those who don’t wear foundation can benefit from primer to keep other products like eyeshadow in place, especially if your makeup does the Slip ‘N Slide before your first cup of coffee.

This breakdown of the best makeup primers I’ve personally tested will help you narrow down the sea of options to find your one perfect pick.

Here are the best makeup primers you can buy in 2020:

Updated on 2/13/2020 by Ashley Phillips: Swapped in Stila One-Step Correct as the best overall primer, Tatcha Silk Canvas as the best solid primer, and Benefit POREfessional Face Primer as the best blurring primer after several months of testing each.

The best makeup primer overall

Stila's One-Step Correct is the ultimate all-in-one product that makes your skin tone look more even, so you can skip the foundation altogether if you want.

I've tried dozens of makeup primers over the years, from fancy prestige brands to drugstore finds, and I can confidently say that Stila's One-Step Correct is the best. Admittedly, I was skeptical to try it as first because I didn't love the idea of rubbing bright colors all over my face. But, I quickly found that it goes on transparent and absorbs quickly - with no streaks of green or purple left behind.

What makes this primer stand out among the many others is that it's actually a multitasking product, which is always welcome news for anyone (myself included) who wants to cut down the steps in their daily routine. The three-in-one formula hydrates skin with vitamins and minerals, evens out your complexion with color-correcting pigments, and preps skin for makeup so that foundation stays fresh longer.

In fact, I've found that the color-correcting benefits work so well that often I don't even need foundation at all. The primer has been one of Stila's best-sellers for years, and has racked up over 50,000 loves on Sephora - I'm not at all surprised because, to put it simply, it works. Read my full review here.

Although designed for all skin types, Stila also has a version called One-Step Prime that's a great option for oily complexions.

Pros: Lightweight, neutralizes redness, three products in one

Cons: Can be used for multiple purposes, so it goes quickly

The best radiant primer

Foto: sourceBecca

Don't let the intense luminosity scare you off - Becca Backlight Priming Filter gives you a gorgeous, natural glow that shines through foundation.

I don't know what kind of fairy dust they're working with at Becca Cosmetics HQ but these people know about glow.

The Becca Backlight Priming Filter is the first primer I ever wanted to write poetry about. It makes my complexion look healthy and bright, whether worn alone or under foundation or tinted moisturizer. Unlike with some of our other picks though, this one didn't extend my foundation wear-time.

I tend to gravitate toward this primer in the winter when my skin is feeling dull or on occasions when I'm wearing fuller coverage foundation. Just one pump blurs imperfections and imparts the most natural champagne-colored luminosity to the skin.

The radiance comes from Filtering Luminescent Pearls that diffuse light and add subtle shimmer - not glitter. The formula also contains nourishing vitamin E.

With a 4.2 star rating on Sephora based on 1,300+ reviews, this is a fan-favorite primer that has been featured on Best Products, Cosmopolitan UK, Vogue UK, and Women's Health, among other publications.

Pros: Beautiful natural glow, can be worn alone or with foundation, cruelty-free, paraben-free

Cons: Has a strong scent, doesn't extend foundation wear-time

The best moisturizing primer

Foto: sourceToo faced

Quench your thirst with the hydrating, coconut water-infused Too Faced Hangover Rx Replenishing Face Primer.

Dry patches and overall dehydration are the bane of anyone's existence. Enter Too Faced Hangover Rx Replenishing Face Primer - a super-light moisturizing primer that plumps skin and keeps makeup looking fresh all day.

I reach for this when I'm doing my makeup several hours after applying skin-care products to give my skin an extra shot of moisture. If you have dry skin, you'll probably want to use it on the daily. It's hydrating without being greasy, so you can use it under matte base products without disrupting the finish, though people with oily skin might prefer our mattifying pick more.

Another plus is the travel-friendly packaging. The primer is housed in a flexible tube with a pump on the end. The design prevents spillage in transit and also makes it very difficult to accidentally dispense too much, thus cutting down on waste. The cruelty- and silicone-free formula is packed with coconut water and probiotics to keep your complexion happy.

"New favorite face primer!" writes one Sephora reviewer. "It is the smoothest thing I have ever put on my skin, feels amazing. It is super hydrating and my makeup goes on beautifully and prolongs it so well!" Still not convinced? There are nearly 3,000 other reviews and mentions in Women's Health, Cosmopolitan UK, Women's World, and Best Products.

Pros: Moisturizing, silicone- and cruelty-free, travel-friendly pump packaging

Cons: Strong coconut scent, not ideal for oily skin

The best solid primer

Foto: sourceSephora

Tatcha's Silk Canvas Primer is a solid balm primer that lives up to the hype. It melts onto your fingertips, gives skin a pearly glow, and is a perfect travel companion.

The idea of a solid makeup primer might seem odd, but there are actually a few reasons why you might want to consider one. The balm design is especially portable, so you can keep it in your handbag without worrying about spills, and it won't contribute to your liquid count when passing through TSA.

Tatcha's Silk Canvas is probably the most-hyped of all, with 156,000 loves and 3,000 reviews on Sephora. To be completely honest, I didn't think I'd like it, but it melted into a liquid on my fingertips instantly, and had a really nice silky texture that glides right onto skin. The soft feel comes from silk extracts and silk powders that minimize pores and make skin appear smoother overall. The Silk Canvas also contains anti-pollution ingredients and Japanese superfoods - a Tatcha signature - that lend a radiant glow.

Something to note is that the container is fairly small, so you might be surprised the first time you see it, but a little product goes a long way. Overall, it does its job of keeping makeup from fading as fast, while making skin look more luminescent, too.

Pros: Luxe ingredients, silky feel, great for travel

Cons: Small, expensive, needs to warm up before applying

The best blurring primer

Foto: sourceUlta Beauty

Benefit's POREfessional primer is a longtime favorite that gives skin a truly matte finish, prevents shine, and can be used with both powder and liquid foundations.

If shine is one of your biggest concerns, then you'll likely find a new favorite in Benefit's POREfessional Primer. It's been around for years, and continues to be a favorite for its oil-free formula that gives skin a truly matte finish. Like the name implies, it also minimizes the appearance of pores to get you closer to the goal of an airbrushed look.

The first time I used this primer, I was slightly concerned when I saw that it was tinted. But, any worries quickly diminished as I found it's much more translucent once you actually put it on. I was also pleasantly surprised to see that it soaks up quickly and leaves you with a soft feel that pairs well with powder foundation. Since I often use pressed compacts over liquid foundation, primers can create a sticky mess, but this one lets me easily go between both.

One thing I'd change is the thick consistency of the formula. It's difficult to spread, and I often find that I need two-to-three times as much as other primers. Still, it's worth the purchase for anyone who prioritizes shine-control or wants a blurred, poreless look.

Pros: Matte finish, oil-free, silky feel

Cons: Doesn't spread easily