When it comes to makeup, primer is one of the most important steps. It helps foundation last longer and prevents your skin from becoming shiny or greasy. Here are some great options for makeup primers for beginners.
$38.00
I got this complimentary from Influenster. I’m a makeup novice still but this product is amazing! It’s not heavy and it makes my foundation last forever! ...I go back and forth with thinking primers are a scam. I've had good makeup days with and without primers.
What it is: A hydrating primer gel that gives skin a long-lasting, dewy finish while keeping foundation in place for up to 12 hours.
Ingredient Callouts: This product is vegan and cruelty-free.
What Else You Need to Know: This hydrating face primer grips foundation for up to 12 hours and refreshes skin with hydrating hyaluronic acid and agave extract. It can be worn alone for light moisturization and a natural glow or layered under foundation for a dewy-makeup look.
Size: 1 oz / 30 ml·ITEM: 2424695
Color: Hydra Booster - for dry, normal, combination skin
$39.00
I would 100% recommend this to any makeup beginner or anyone who needs a moisturizing primer!...Great primer!...Loving this primer! Makes my makeup go on flawlessly. There is no “pilling” or build up like with other primers.
What it is: A makeup primer that boosts skin's hydration and radiance for up to 24 hours while extending makeup wear.
Finish: Radiant
Skin Type: Normal, Dry, and Combination
Concerns: Dryness
Highlighted Ingredients:
- Ginseng: Known to protect, promote radiant-looking skin, and maintain a smooth complexion.
What Else You Need to Know: Refresh dry or dehydrated skin instantly with Step 1 Primer Hydra Booster. Its rich, creamy texture features ginseng, glycerin, and glycols to boost skin's hydration and a radiant look for up to 24 hours, while the invisible wear extends makeup. This primer works perfectly for all skin tones.
Size: 1.1 oz/ 32.5mL·ITEM: 2575322
Color: Main Squeeze - champagne gold for all skin types
$34.00
Perfect product to give you all the juicy glow for beginners to professionals! Wear it alone or underneath foundation for the yummiest glow from within. ...Love how hydrating & tacky this primer serum is. It gives a soft radiant glow. I like to wear it alone & as a primer for my makeup.
What it is: A skincare-infused, radiant priming serum that hydrates, preps, and protects skin for a lit-from-within glow.
Finish: Radiant
Skin Type: Normal, Oily, Dry, and Combination
Concerns: Dryness, Pores, and Uneven Tone
Highlighted Ingredients:
- Vitamin C: Visibly brightens dullness and protects skin from free radicals.
- Niacinamide: Minimizes the appearance of pores.
- Hyaluronic Acid: Hydrates and visibly plumps fine lines and wrinkles.
Ingredient Callouts: Free of parabens, formaldehydes, formaldehyde-releasing agents, phthalates, mineral oil, retinyl palmitate, oxybenzone, coal tar, hydroquinone, sulfates SLS & SLES, triclocarban, triclosan.
ITEM: 2448082
Size: 0.50 oz./15 mL
$15.00
After reading the reviews for the Rare Beauty Primer I though it would be a good choice for a lightweight makeup primer for my dry skin. ...would recommend for beginners...This product is pretty nice but it kinda has a weird texture but I would say my makeup wasn't to messed up after wearing it. The bottle does that a while
What it is: A hydrating, cushiony gel primer that blurs the look of pores and fine lines, boosts and extends makeup wear, and helps fight shine all day.
Skin Type: Normal, Oily, Dry, Combination
Concerns: Oil and Pores
Highlighted Ingredients:
- Hyaluronic Acid: Hydrates and conditions.
- Green Tea Extract: Helps soothe and calm skin.
- Vitamin E: Protects skin from environmental stressors.
Ingredient Callouts: Free of parabens, formaldehydes, formaldehyde-releasing agents, phthalates, mineral oil, and retinyl palmitate. It is also vegan and cruelty-free.
$90.00
I feel like I must preface this by saying I am a beginner in makeup and when I do wear makeup it’s usually drugstore makeup so take this as you will. ...I finally have a primer that is by far the absolute best! I have extremely oily skin, most of the primers I have used does nothing to keep my makeup on!
What it is: A primer that creates a protective barrier between skin and makeup for a soft matte finish.
Finish: Matte
Skin Type: Normal, Oily, Dry, Combination
Highlighted Ingredients:
- Avocado and Algae Extract: Help absorb excess oil.
- Salicylic Acid: Promotes exfoliation.
Ingredient Callouts: Free of parabens, phthalates, mineral oil, and sulfates SLS & SLES.
What Else You Need to Know: This hybrid primer transforms from a lush, protective gel
to a cloud-like, powdery veil—controlling shine and extending the quality of makeup wear for up to 12 hours. Sweat and humidity resistant, the formula is presented in a universal shade that dries down clear.
$22.00
The best lash primer out there...Highly recommend as a beginner or forever lash primer!...Makeup Must Have...I have used this primer for years and am so satisfied with the product that I don't want to try any other primers.
What it is: A lash-conditioning undercoat that enhances the benefits of other Clinique mascaras, moisturizes, and helps to condition dry lashes.
Ingredient Callouts: Free of sulfates SLS and SLES, parabens, phthalates, and mineral oil. This product is also vegan and gluten-free.
What Else You Need to Know: Lash Building Primer is ophthalmologist-tested.
Please note: Lash Building Primer is not recommended for use with Lash Power Mascara, High Impact Curling Mascara, or Bottom Lash Mascara (each sold separately).
$18.00
Perfect for Beginners and Pros...This primer is so light and smooth. It's the only one for me and I will probably never stray from it....MY GO TO ! I am a beginner at make and I absolutely love this primer.
What it is: A replenishing face primer that hydrates, smooths, and brightens for a dewy, healthy-looking complexion.
Skin Type: Normal, Dry, Combination
Concerns: Dryness
Highlighted Ingredients:
- Coconut Water: Hydrates skin.
- Probiotics: Boosts skin’s visible radiance and elasticity.
Ingredient Callouts: Free of parabens. It is also vegan, gluten-free, and cruelty-free.
$39.00
When you need a daily primer...I have oily skin so I tend to use a primer even with my basic everyday makeup looks. I typically hate primers designed for oily skin because they tend to be obscenely thick and just not comfortable for my daily wear, but this one seems to have more skin loving benefits ingredients than most primers....I never knew how desperately I needed this until one of the fairy godmothers at Sephora recommended it. I'm a complete beginner when it comes to makeup, so I thought I was the problem when any foundation (even 'non-drying' ones) I used made my cheeks and forehead all flaky.
What it is: A replenishing face primer that hydrates, smooths, and brightens for a dewy, healthy-looking complexion.
Skin Type: Normal, Dry, Combination
Concerns: Dryness
Highlighted Ingredients:
- Coconut Water: Hydrates skin.
- Probiotics: Boosts skin’s visible radiance and elasticity.
Ingredient Callouts: Free of parabens. It is also vegan, gluten-free, and cruelty-free.
$36.00
I'm still learning how to put makeup on and often don't like how it turns out (dry looking). ...Best Primer Ever...One of the best primers I’ve ever used, it moisturizes and leaves the face ready for makeup.
What it is:
A weightless, three-in-one coconut water-infused mist that primes, sets, and refreshes makeup while it helps keep skin hydrated.
What it does:
This super hydrating, multitasking mist can be used as a primer before makeup, a setting spray to keep makeup in place all day, and a mid-day refresher anytime your skin needs a boost, serving as the perfect cure for a beauty hangover.
$38.00
Perfect for beginners...I was gifted this Milk Hydro Grip primer and all I can say is.. Wow! I’m a beginner at doing my makeup so I’ve always bought the cheap stuff wondering why my makeup never looked good, blended, or stayed on long… after using this one time my makeup look has DRAMATICALLY improved. ...Please note I'm a make up novice - still learning put this is amazing.
What it is: A clean, silicone-free dewy makeup primer with hyaluronic acid that grips makeup for up to 12 hours and hydrates skin to prevent meltdown and caking.
Finish: Radiant
Formulation: Lightweight Gel
Skin Type: Normal, Dry, and Combination
Highlighted Ingredients:
- Blue Agave Extract: Grips makeup to prevent melting, fading, and caking.
- Hyaluronic Acid and Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) : Boost hydration to visibly smooth uneven texture.
- Aloe Water + Hemp-derived Cannabis Seed Extract: Provide additional boost of hydration to lock in moisture.