Make-up Primers

How many of you prime your face before applying your make-up? Sometimes? All the time? Never? Like so many others, I used to think that primer was extra and not necessary. Then I started using it. I noticed that my foundation wasn't settling into my wrinkles and pores. My skin didn't feel or look dried out. How can something so simple make a difference? Simple. Because that's what it's made for.

Primers serve many purposes. Some reduce pores. Porefection and Tarte Poreless are 2 popular brands. Some leave behind a matte finish. Both previously mentioned also serve this purpose. Some luminize, blur, have anti-aging properties, etc. Some work, some leave you feeling like something is missing.

I have tried so many primers, looking for what I need. I want matte with a little glow and EXTRA on hiding my pores. I'll be honest, I use 5 primers. Most of the time they're all on my face. None of them are exactly what I want on their own but together? Extra. So extra. But so worth it.

Ok!! Here's the rundown of my primers.....

#1 Dr. Brandt Pores No More Luminizing Primer
This stuff is legit. It will luminize like no other. I swatched and it almost looked like my arm had an incident with my highlight. So. Use it wisely.
It isn't intense enough on my pores though. If your pores aren't huge, this could work for you. But just remember what I said about the swatch.

#2 Tarte Matte Poreless
This is the exact opposite of the Dr. Brandt primer. It's really thick and almost slimy. I usually use a small amount of this. But it works. It hides the pores.

#3 Too Faced Hangover Rx
This is what I usually start with. This primer is so lightweight but leaves my face hydrated. It feels really refreshing.

#4 Benefit Porefessional
This has been a staple in my makeup routine for a long time. This is one of the best at hiding pores. It's also one of two primers that I will use solo. It has a matte finish and applied nicely.

#5 Youngblood Mineral Primer
This primer is very new to my collection. I bought it as an add-on with my spring fabfitfun box. After my purchase, I used only this primer so I could get a real opinion of it. This is thick but so smooth. It lays nicely on my skin and foundation applies beautifully over it. A side note is that I haven't needed to powder. I'm pretty impressed.

There you have it! My top 5 face primers.

I would like to mention a few that just did not work for me...
Ulta Poreless - I used a very small amount yet my face was insanely greasy all day. My foundation laid very weird on it and no amount of blotting or powder could keep my face from being shiny. Solid pass.

Smashbox Photo Finish - I feel like this is a product I should like, but I don't. My experience with it was very similar to the Ulta product mentioned above, just not as extreme.

Porefessional Matte Rescue - With what I already use, I feel like this primer serves no purpose. In my experience, it didn't even leave me with a matte finish.

L'oreal Magic Perfecting Base - This was simply awful. The consistency wasn't consistent. It was clumpy and so hard to smooth out.

A sneak peak into primers I've purchased but haven't tried yet.

What are your go to primers? Is there one you recommend or want me to try it first? Let me know!

Thanks for reading. I will see you all next time!!