I hope you're all doing really well and enjoying the heat or the cold depending on which hemisphere you're in right now. It's been crazy hot here the last couple of weeks, but this is South Africa so it's not something that we aren't used to. I love the heat and much prefer summer to winter; probably because I'm more of an outdoorsy person and get really bored if I'm stuck inside for too long. Leave me a comment or tweet me your favourite season and why?
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As you may have guessed, thanx to the title, this post is all about primers. Face/skin primers, eyelid primers and lip primers. What's the deal? Why are they suddenly so popular? Are they really necessary? When are they necessary? Do I have to go and buy one today? ... Actually, I don't even know what a primer is? HELP!
So, I went and did a little research for you guys. I know, you're welcome. Here's what I learnt...:
What Is Face/Skin Primer?
Face primer is a gel or a lotion which you apply after moisturiser and before foundation, like a second coat of moisturiser except it is deemed to have some other "magical" abilities. The whole idea behind primer is that it evens out your skin tone (that is if you're using a tinted primer) and hides fine lines and wrinkles by filling them out. Some primers are said to have collagen in them to 'lift' your skin before applying foundation.
Face primer's most important function is that it acts as a defence-mechanism for your skin. During the day, your skin breathes and if you are wearing any sort of foundation, powder, blush, bronzer or concealer, your skin is going to slowly absorb it over the course of the day. A primer's main function is to prevent that from happening and thus keep the impurities out of your skin and pores despite your extended wear of make up.
It's other function is to act as a base coat for any other make up that you may apply. Just like a base coat on your nails, primer gives the make up something to cling to during the day and prevents your make up from running or smudging or just disappearing in its totality. Primer is applied just like moisturiser or foundation with a brush or with your fingers.
Fair enough. So, What Is The RIGHT Primer For My Skin?
The type or primer that you should use really depends on your skin type; in other words normal, oily, dry or combination skin.
1. Normal Skin. If you have normal skin, you are one in a million and all other girls are jealous of you. You don't require a heavy primer since your skin will probably be pretty flawless and your foundation won't be a full coverage foundation either. In your case, primer will only be used to keep your skin clean and act as a base coat so a light, creamy formula will work best for you. Also, try to go for a colourless primer since you probably don't have much redness or blotchy patches. Lucky you!
2. Oily Skin. If you are a teenage girl then unfortunately this is the type that probably applies to you. Your most important task is to find a mattifying primer that will keep your skin matte (duh) for a longer period of time. It's essential that your primer does not feel heavy and cakey on your skin because that inevitably means that it's blocking your pores from breathing which will only lead to more oil! And trust me, if you already have oily skin that is the LAST thing you want.
3. Dry Skin. Quite simply you have to, I repeat, HAVE to find a primer that is plenty moisturising without any silicone. Silicone lifts your skin to make you look younger so it may seem tempting to give your skin more life, but it will simply rub off (along with any other make up that you apply afterwards) because your skin cannot absorb it without the help of a little oil.
4. Combination Skin. I'm afraid every article that I came across simply said that combination skin types will have to find a primer that works for each individual personally. It's best to stay away from silicone but mattifying isn't a great idea either. Make use of a light, creamy formula primer to keep both areas of skin happy.
Last but not least, 5. Sensitive Skin. If you have skin that becomes inflamed or irritated easily, your best bet is to use a water-based primer that does not contain silicone, oil or fragrance.
I looked through plenty of pictures of face primers to find one to post here but there are so many different types that I thought it best not to post one so that I didn't appear to be favouring one type if I haven't even tried it myself. Once I have tried a few brands, I will post pictures of my favourite.
Now I know which one I should use, but Is It Really Necessary?
So far, the research that has been done into face/skin primers suggests that a primer is not necessary for every day wear. Having said that, it is however going to vary depending on what your "every day" consists of; for example if you spend a lot of time in front of people or on camera, a primer is a very good idea to keep your make up from running. If you live in a very hot and humid climate or are very active throughout the day but have to (or want to) wear make up regardless, a primer might be necessary every day once again to keep your make up from running during the day. Lastly, a primer is a must for special occasions like weddings or matric farewells since you don't really have time to reapply or do touch-ups to your make up once the event is in full swing, but you want to keep looking your best right until the last moment.
I feel like I've been doing a lot of talking now and you guys have had to do a lot of reading so I'll keep this bit short and simple.
As with face/skin primers, eyelid and lip primers are used to keep the make up firmly in place all day. Personally, I feel eyelid primer is only necessary on special occasions when lots of photographs are going to be taken and you want to look your best the entire time. For every day use, simply applying a small amount of concealer on to your eyelid can achieve the same effect for a smaller budget. Even better, the exact same principles apply to lip primer. Concealer works really well as long as you've blended it in to your skin fairly well so that it doesn't begin to smudge after a couple of hours.
Some times I think that lipstick actually sticks to bare lips better than it does to concealer or primer, because both can make your lips very "wet" causing the lipstick to rub off easily when you eat or drink anything.
As with all my posts, this is merely my opinion after having done some research on the topic and I am by no means an expert, nor am I claiming to be one. If you feel differently about primers, leave me a comment so that we can all learn from each other. I appreciate all of your opinions and will take them in to account when leaving a reply.
On the personal side of things, tomorrow I'm going to a guidance counsellor to talk about my future. I'm actually pretty nervous so please think of me in the morning! Also, I know this was way too much reading, so if you are seeing this thank you for sticking around!
I photographed this little van in the minute town of Williston on our way down to Langebaan last year:
I thought it was just too cute and it is now my wallpaper on my iPad.
Thank you for reading all of that, I really hope that it helped to inform you a little more on primers! Comment anything you like and I promise to reply as soon as I can!
Also, TWEET ME! I follow back and reply to everything. (Yes, I do spend more than half my life on Twitter.)
Aaannnd, follow me on Instagram @lynxvzyl! The same applies to comments and following back.
Have a smashing Tuesday! Chat soon
xxx
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