BAZAAR’s Senior Beauty Writer Joyce Cheo Shows You How To Prep Your Skin The Right Way

Primers, or some may call them makeup bases, have been around for years. It's something that makeup artists have sworn by, especially when they're trying to keep makeup looking fresh and radiant on the model who's shooting outdoors or under harsh lighting. Fast forward to present day and today's primers have evolved to so much more than just something that forms a barrier between makeup and our sebum/sweat. Fortified with added benefits like oil-control, colour-correcting, hydrating and brightening, navigating primers might seem like a daunting tasks in itself. Here's how you can choose the right types of primers for your skin and why you might actually need more than one.

Step 1: Radiance Primer 

As its name suggests, radiance primer adds a glow to your skin so go ahead and apply it all over your face, because after all, who wouldn't need an extra oomph? These tend to contain light-reflecting pigments or have a pearlescent finish for instant luminosity. They're also usually formulated with hydrating ingredients to smooth and plump skin. Another thing to note when it comes to primer is less is more (or about a pea-sized) as they're not meant to provide coverage or hide flaws, but more to prep the skin for optimal makeup application. So always start with a thin layer and add on if needed.

2. Colour-Correcting Primer

Designed to counter any discolouration on the skin, colour-correcting primers come in a range of tints. For example, green cancels out redness, peach reduces the appearance of dark circles and spots while lavender minimises sallowness. Those who are prone to blotchiness can apply a green-tinted colour-correcting primer on affected areas; peach-tinted ones can be layered over your regular under-eye concealer if you have very serious dark circles; or those with very yellowish undertones can opt for a lavender-tinted one all over the skin to take away sallowness.

3. Mattifying Primer

Ideal in our humid climate and those with oily skin, mattifying primers contain oil-absorbing powders which helps eliminate shine for a velvety complexion. This primer should come last so all you need to do is dab it sparingly onto the T-zone areas like the forehead, nose and chin. You can even use it to touch-up when your skin is starting to look oily, just rub a tiny bit between your fingers and dab onto skin to take away the shine. And avoid rubbing onto skin to prevent makeup from smudging.

By Joyce Cheo