Whether you’re wondering about the importance of a primer or you have a collection of primers, finding the perfect one can sometimes be a struggle. The primer might be great, but just not the right one for you. A primer is basically a layer before your foundation to give it something to hold on to. There’s one major question to ask when choosing the right one for you: what’s my skin type?

For oily skin, the  MAKE UP FOR EVER Step 1 Skin Equalizer Primer is a great choice. If you have oily areas but the rest of your face is a bit on the dry side, you definitely don’t want to use this all over. I usually just apply it on my nose to keep it from getting shiny throughout the day.

You may not be oily all over but most of us have oily eyelids. I usually use concealer as a primer just to save time but I recently tried the Too Faced Shadow Insurance and now take the time to use this every time I wear shadows or eyeliner. I like that it’s flesh toned just like a concealer so it still hides any red or purple on my skin. This makes my eye make up stay on all day and it doesn’t get flakey or crease like some other products.

For dry or mature skin, hydration is key. If you like that dewy glowy finish this is the one for you. Have you ever looked at your skin after a few hours and realized that your face has eaten up your foundation? This happens to me all the time, because my face is begging for some moisture. Becca Backlight Priming Filter is a primer that I not only use under my foundations, but sometimes I even just mix a few drops because I’m obsessed with the glow it gives. I’ve tried it under numerous foundations and always get consistent results.

Aline Agopian