Of all the time-saving measures [1] we have in our beauty routines [2] these days, when foundation is a factor, there's a solid case for makeup primer buddying right up alongside it. After all, primers not only smooth skin to create a more even surface, but they also include ingredients to adhere to makeup [3] so it lasts longer. (If you've ever come home and pulled down your face mask to a colourful surprise [4], this one's for you.)
Like the final setting-spray step [5], primers can also offer a boost of hydration [6], and plenty pack in other nutrients and even sun protection [7], too.
Ahead, find 25 of the best makeup primers [8] at Sephora. Not only do these have ratings of at least four stars from other shoppers, but each one also has hundreds of reviews — or, in some cases, thousands — on its own.
Smashbox Photo Finish Vitamin Face Glow Primer
Dull skin gets a brightening boost with this Smashbox Photo Finish Vitamin Face Glow Primer [9] ($39). It packs vitamins B, C, and E inside to revitalize skin while, of course, prepping it for makeup, too.
Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Primer - Hydrating
Naturally, this water-based Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Primer - Hydrating [10] ($20-$38) adds moisture — making it a good option for dry skin — but it also creates a protective barrier that allows face makeup to last longer. Oh, and did we forget to mention it's got a 95 percent approval rating from other shoppers, too?
Shiseido WASO: Poreless Matte Primer
If your concerns include oversized pores and an oily t-zone, this Shiseido WASO: Poreless Matte Primer [11] ($28) minimizes pores and leaves skin shine-free (and has an average 4.5-star rating from other shoppers, too).
Tatcha The Liquid Silk Canvas: Featherweight Protective Primer
Tatcha The Liquid Silk Canvas: Featherweight Protective Primer [12] ($22-$52) features thin layers of silk alongside botanical extracts to limit clogged pores and create a smooth canvas pre-makeup. (And, if the more than 1,000 5-star reviews don't convince you, it comes in a new mini size to test out, too.)
Ren Clean Skincare Perfect Canvas Clean Primer
Ren Clean Skincare Perfect Canvas Clean Primer [13] ($45) is a popular pick for sensitive complexions as its noncomedogenic formula packs nurturing treats like probiotics and lactic acid to treat skin well, but also adds in mattifying agave when you want foundation to follow.
Laneige Glowy Makeup Serum
This top-rated Laneige Glowy Makeup Serum [14] ($32) hydrates skin with ceramides once it goes on, plus there's a diamond mineral powder inside to smooth out skin and add a dewiness under makeup and on its own, too.
IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Makeup Primer+
Help foundation stay on your face with this oil-free IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Makeup Primer+ [15] ($39). It's earned top marks from other Sephora shoppers, and offers up bark and ginger root extracts to improve skin's texture.
Urban Decay All Nighter Face Primer
Like the brand's super-popular setting spray of the same name [16], this top-rated Urban Decay All Nighter Face Primer [17] ($36) also grips makeup to your skin, but this one leaves even bare faces feeling silky and hydrated, too.
Bite Beauty Changemaker Skin-Optimizing Primer
This clean Bite Beauty Changemaker Skin-Optimizing Primer [18] ($38) has earned top marks from Sephora shoppers for its work gripping foundation. It works to mattify oily skin or hydrate dry skin, because there are two separate formulas to target each of those skin types.
Lawless Set The Stage Hydrating Primer Serum
The consistency of this top-rated Lawless Set The Stage Hydrating Primer Serum [19] ($48) sets it apart as the rosehip seed and sea buckthorn oils inside hydrate skin after it's applied, but it still ends a satiny-gel finish that smooths skin, even if no makeup follows.
BareMinerals Prime Time Foundation Primer
This preservative-free BareMinerals Prime Time Foundation Primer [20] ($26) has a slightly tacky feel once it's applied which makes it much better at locking down powder, and limiting dry patches, too. Not only does it also have more than 2,000 5-star reviews, there are antioxidants, vitamins, and skin-soothing plant extracts, too.
Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Blur Primer
This Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Blur Primer [21] ($52) has special light-infused pigments and blur technology inside to leave skin glowing — and more than 72,000 loves from other shoppers. Better yet, the shimmer is meant just for you as there's the classic gold version for warm skin and a silvery one to help cool undertones instead.
Hourglass N° 28 Primer Serum
This top-rated Hourglass N° 28 Primer Serum [22] ($22-$65) gets its name from its ingredients that are especially good for drier complexions. Inside are 14 essential oils, 10 lipid-rich plant oils, and four vitamins that hydrate and protect skin, while also creating a smooth, luminous surface, no matter what makeup follows.
Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40
Yes, this insanely popular Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 [23] ($34-$44) is technically meant for sun protection but it also sets to a velvety finish that both controls shine and can grip your makeup, too.
Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base Priming Moisturiser
Another double-duty option, this Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base Priming Moisturiser [24] ($20-$60) is a vitamin-rich, shea butter cream that fills in fine lines to help prevent makeup from settling in where it's not wanted.
Olehenriksen Banana Bright Face Primer
Are you curious about banana powder in your skincare [25]? Well, this top-rated Olehenriksen Banana Bright Face Primer [26] ($38) packs those pigments — and vitamin C — to brighten, plus it blurs any uneven skin texture you face.
Benefit Cosmetics The POREfessional: Hydrate Primer
Other Sephora shoppers rave about how this lightweight Benefit Cosmetics The POREfessional: Hydrate Primer [27] ($13-$32) manages to smooth out skin and diminish the look of pores without settling into fine lines or dry spots. It's also incredibly hydrating (for up to 12 hours) with both hyaluronic acid and shea butter working hard inside, too.
Becca Cosmetics First Light Priming Filter Face Primer
Infused with vitamin E and hyaluronic acid, this Becca Cosmetics First Light Priming Filter Face Primer [28] ($21-$39) nourishes and brightens skin — and, while it may look purple in the bottle, it still goes on smooth and sheer.
Tarte BB Tinted Treatment 12-Hour Primer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen
Yes, this popular Tarte BB Tinted Treatment 12-Hour Primer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen [29] ($37) packs in sunscreen and skin-smoothing primer, but it also comes in four different shades so it can completely replace your face makeup as well.
Dr. Brandt Skincare Pores No More Pore Refiner Primer
There are nearly 100,000 loves for this Dr. Brandt Skincare Pores No More Pore Refiner Primer [30] ($22-$45) which mattifies skin and creates a smooth surface for makeup. Of course, there's also a salicylic acid derivative inside to exfoliate and flush out pores, plus red clover flower extract to help shrink their size at the same time.
Origins Original Skin Pore Perfecting Cooling Primer with Willowherb
This Origins Original Skin Pore Perfecting Cooling Primer with Willowherb [31] ($32) has an airy, mousse-like texture that goes on cool to smooth and soothe skin, plus its special ingredient, willowherb, reduces dullness so complexions can truly glow, too.
First Aid Beauty Hello FAB Coconut Skin Smoothie Priming Moisturiser
Packed full of good-for-you ingredients, this First Aid Beauty Hello FAB Coconut Skin Smoothie Priming Moisturiser [32] ($29) is a moisturiser featuring proteins, electrolytes, and minerals to hydrate skin, but there are also micro-pearls inside for some bonus dewiness as it helps skin's texture stay even . . . even with no makeup.
Too Faced Hangover 3-in-1 Replenishing Primer and Setting Spray
Talk about a primer that does it all as this top-rated Too Faced Hangover 3-in-1 Replenishing Primer and Setting Spray [33] ($16-$32) packs in coconut water to soothe skin (and lock in and refresh makeup anytime), but it also has probiotics and other nurturing ingredients that can brighten skin and help its elasticity so it stays smooth pre-makeup, too.
Milk Makeup Luminous Blur Stick Primer
If you love a bit of a shimmer on your skin, this top-rated Milk Makeup Luminous Blur Stick Primer [34] ($18-$36) goes on clear but leaves a golden, pearly finish (while its powder-filled blurring microspheres help mattify at the same time).
Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Pro Filt'r Instant Retouch Primer
With more than 147,000 loves from other shoppers, this Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Pro Filt'r Instant Retouch Primer [35] ($16-$32) is an incredibly lightweight primer that absorbs oil to leave a complexion matte . . . but not dry or chalky. It also blurs imperfections so makeup looks better on uneven textures, and lasts longer, too.
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