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Using a face primer is not always a necessary step in makeup application but when you do, you will notice longer-lasting makeup, diminished fine lines, filled in pores and an all-over easier makeup application.
Below are some excellent radiant face primers that function as normal primers but have the added bonus of giving your skin a luminosity, radiance or glow you may not achieve with foundation alone. The beauty of these primers is that in addition to acting as a prep step prior to makeup application, they can also be worn alone for those no-makeup days when you still want to glow and as a highlighter over your makeup for some subtle enhancement.
These primers also provide excellent hydration, smooth and even out skin tone and some are even multipurpose in use. A couple of our options have a ton of beneficial skincare benefits that will help keep your skin bright, looking healthy and keep your makeup on fleek.
Detailing the Leading Radiant Face Primer in 2024
Elizabeth Mott Thank Me Later Illuminating Face Primer — Best Overall
Experience a radiant transformation with the Elizabeth Mott Thank Me Later Illuminating Face Primer. It’s a secret weapon for a luminous and long-lasting makeup look. This illuminating primer is expertly formulated to create a flawless base. Not only does it enhance your natural glow but the lightweight and velvety texture effortlessly glides onto the skin. In turn, it smooths out imperfections while providing a dewy yet subtle sheen.
Enriched with light-reflecting particles, this primer not only extends the wear of your makeup but also offers a radiant luminosity. In that way, this primer captures light and then diffuses it for a picture-perfect finish. Designed to be the first step in your makeup routine, this face primer blurs the lines between skincare and makeup. Infused with nourishing ingredients, it not only creates a perfect canvas for foundation but it also hydrates and primes the skin, making it our top choice.
Pros
- Provides a radiant and luminous glow
- Offers flawless makeup application
- Hydrating and nourishing
Cons
- Might not suit oily skin
Radiant Complex Face Primer — Non-greasy Formula
The Radiant Complex Face Primer is a non-greasy, waterproof primer that is applied after skincare, before makeup to ensure your makeup stays in place all day long. This is a hydrating primer that works to block facial oil throughout the day to ensure a flawless glow while creating an instant mattifying base. Spread this primer evenly all over a freshly cleansed and moisturized face and watch as your fine lines and pores are minimized, creating the first step to a perfect makeup application.
Pros
- A no questions asked money-back guarantee is available if not satisfied
Cons
- If you have very oily skin another option might be better
100% PURE Luminous Primer — Runner Up
The Luminous Primer by 100% Pure diffuses pores and illuminates skin by using light reflective pigments to make skin look more radiant. In addition, it will enhance already luminous foundations and blur imperfections, making the perfect base for glowy makeup or a luminous foundation. Wear on its own or under foundation, this primer is also silicone-free and infused with antioxidants to protect, nourish and restore for a flawless, long lasting cosmetic application.
Pros
- This primer is made without toxins, contains no synthetic chemicals or heavy silicones
Cons
- If you suffer from severe dandruff, you may want to spring for a different option
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Radiant Booster Primer & Serum — Honorable Mention
Neutrogena’s Radiant Booster Primer and Serum is infused with peptides and pearl pigments formulated to nourish and even out the look of skin’s tone and texture. This primer pulls double duty and when used alone as a correcting serum, can help even skin tone and smooth uneven texture. When used as a primer, simply add a few drops to your moisturizer or apply to clean skin and use it to prep and give skin a smooth, glowing surface for a long-lasting, radiant makeup application.
Pros
- This primer serum is also infused with Vitamin E
Cons
- Make sure to let the primer dry fully before applying makeup
L'Oréal Paris Makeup Visible Lift Radiance Booster — Contender
L’Oreal’s Brightening Primer is a skincare-based primer that instantly boosts radiance while hydrating skin all day. With a promise of 24-hour hydration, this primer will create a smooth, clean canvas for flawless makeup application and can be used under or without makeup, always leaving your skin softer and more luminous. This formula is lightweight, non-greasy and contains nourishing oils and iridescent pearls to create your smoothest canvas possible for a flawless makeup application.
Pros
- This primer will never settle into lines or wrinkles
Cons
- This product contains fragrance
Too Faced Dew You Fresh Glow Luminous Face Primer — Most Reliable
Too Faced’s Fresh Glow Primer is a weightless gel-cream formula made to create the perfect base for foundation while leaving your skin hydrated and brightened. This face primer is infused with soothing watermelons and cucumbers to help even skin tone while providing a deliciously fresh scent. This weightless primer applies seamlessly and sets fast for an easy, long-lasting makeup application and can be worn as a primer or mixed into your foundation for the ultimate soft-focus luminosity.
Pros
- This primer is in the shade Radiant Pearl which looks natural on fair to light skin tones
Cons
- This item has added fragrance
Estée Lauder The Iluminator Radiant Perfecting Primer — Also Consider
If your skin is dry and in need of some extra hydration, starting your makeup with Estee Lauder’s The Illuminator primer will help immensely. This primer is full of moisturizing ingredients that will hydrate and brighten the skin for a dewy, healthy-looking finish. This is another priming option that is great worn on its own and even better under or mixed into your favorite foundation or moisturizer for a luminous, radiant-looking finish.
Pros
- In addition to prepping the skin for makeup, this can be used as a finisher to highlight your high points throughout the day
Cons
- This primer has minimal oil control
Buying Guide: Radiant Face Primers
Imagine putting hours of effort into your makeup look only to spot massive pores poking through the foundation. If you’re a newbie who’s still stumbling through the rollercoaster ride that is the makeup world, rest assured, a radiant face primer will be your best friend. Let’s be honest, nobody looks like airbrushed Instagram models! That’s the Photoshop talking, not real skin. Everyone has pores and while they’re nothing to be ashamed of, it doesn’t hurt to minimize them for a more seamless makeup look. Instead of slathering on a bunch of unnecessary products that don’t do much, a thin layer of primer will get the job done better than expected.
Are Only High-End Face Primers Supposed to Be Good?
Buying good skincare or makeup can sometimes feel like looking for a needle in the haystack. There are just so many options around to overwhelm even professionals! Just go to Sephora and you’ll want to buy the entire store. It is a struggle because you want everything, but it’s incredibly hard to choose what’s worth the buck. With luxury brands cranking prices up like a religious exercise, drugstore brands are rapidly coming under the spotlight for their affordability. That said, face primers don’t get the hype they deserve which is why the line between high-end and drugstore is rather well defined. Luckily, not all great face primers will dig a hole in your pocket and those that do might be worth it! It all depends on how much you’re willing to spend since there’s good and bad in every price range so tread carefully.
Factors You Must Consider When Buying a Radiant Face Primer
Texture
Makeup fanatics know that it’s all in the texture of the primer. The lighter it is, the more easily it glides over and absorbs into the skin. Think about it, if the product’s texture isn’t good enough, to begin with, how will it possibly resolve the texture of your dermal layer? The last thing you want is a thick primer that sits on top of the skin rather than sinking in and minimizing the appearance of pores.
Finish
People with oily skin have to be extra careful when choosing face products. Naturally, you don’t want to appear greasy. So, buy primers that have mattifying finishes, as these will soak up the oil produced by your pores and make it easier to layer makeup on. Some primers are so good that they keep your skin looking fresh and refreshing for hours, hence, limiting the need for constant powdering.
Silicone-free label
If you’re a clean beauty freak, you already know that silicone is perhaps the most horrible skincare ingredient out there. It wreaks havoc with every application, causing deep-rooted damage you want to steer clear of. However, when primers first surged in popularity a few years ago, those with silicone were touted as the best ones out there. In reality, silicone-free primers are just as good!
Is a Radiant Face Primer With Antioxidants Better Than the Rest?
Makeup gurus would tell you that anything with a hint of antioxidants will be your best friend. Now, the question remains, is that true? The answer is a loud “yes”. Antioxidants are star performers in the world of beauty and modern brands are rapidly incorporating them into all sorts of products. From combating oxidative stress to reducing hyperpigmentation, antioxidants flaunt a long list of benefits. So, why wouldn’t you want to treat your skin while putting makeup on? Do yourself a favor and look for primers that have at least some percentage of antioxidants mentioned in the label. Trust us, nothing comes close to a primer rich with antioxidants compared to its subpar counterpart.
Reasons You Should Buy a Radiant Face Primer ASAP
Lasting makeup
Makeup enhances your natural beauty and gives you a hefty dose of confidence but for how long? Even high-end foundation and blush stay intact only for a handful of hours. Needless to say, you want to maintain that ravishing look for as long as possible. With a radiant face primer, you can! This holy grail of an invention acts as a barrier between your skin and layers of foundation, chances are, you’ll be admiring yourself in the mirror even after half the day has passed.
Prevents oily sheen
Don’t you just hate it when oil starts peeking through the makeup? With the combination and oily skin, this is probably the most nerve-wracking problem there is. It’s not like you can change your skin type but you can certainly tame it! Mattifying primers keep excessive oil at bay so your makeup doesn’t become diluted. Remember, the better the primer, the longer your skin will stay matte!
Pore minimization
Are large pores your enemy? Then, don’t even look further and order face primer right now! No matter what they tell you, pores do not shrink. However, their appearance can be minimized with proper skin products. At the top of the list is a primer, although it doesn’t reduce pores like salicylic acid, it certainly makes for a much smoother makeup look!
