Okay by now you know all about primers right? I mean unless of course you don’t read magazines, use social media, look at YouTube, shop, or talk to other people you kind of know about primers. At least, you know that they exist to make your make-up easier to apply.

This is an update post to the primer piece that we did last year because of course with the passing of time more products come out each one most productive in the last, with more amazing ingredients and promising to do more amazing things to your skin.

But ultimately, all primers are designed to fulfil one main purpose: to prime the skin for smooth make-up application either by moisturising, mattifying or enhancing. Plus you have some that are specifically targeted at blemish control, positive ageing, pore minimising and making  you look your most fabulous self.

Of course when primers first came out many of us ignored them because they seemed like just another unnecessary step, and let’s be honest many of the formulas left much to be desired …but that is no longer the case any longer. The brands have seriously upped their game by creating primers that tick pretty much every box in the “I want a primer that makes me look amazing” category.

One of the many things that I’m loving about primers now is the fact that they are so well formulated that you can wear them on their own without the need to put foundation over then… you can just prime and be ready!

All three of the primers featured here are great in their own way, as always it’s just a matter of personal preference and what you want the primer to do for you at any given time.

First up is this Armani Maestro ‘Maestro UV’ make-up primer Not only is this SPF 50 but its lightweight too. Yes, you read right …this primer is SPF 50!! The spf bit :Broad Spectrum SPF 50 provides completely transparent anti-UVA/UVB filters that disperse onto the skin and provide invisible absorption of UV rays to prevent them from reaching the skin.

I love the transparency of this primer as well as its lightweight and silky fine texture all of which makes it feel as though you are applying a face lotion …it sinks in and virtually disappears. It’s about time a brand brought out a sexy, multitasking primer that has a high SPF and is totally transparent so that women of every colour can use it.
This is marketed as suitable for all skin types, and it works well on my combination skin. The brand say “Thanks to its fluidity, Maestro UV feels at one with the skin and can be worn alone or under makeup.” Love it.

Buy it for £40 from Debenhams

Next is the Marc Jacobs Under(Cover) Perfecting Coconut Face Primer  

Funny how the humble but suitably exotic coconut is everywhere at the moment: seriously we are either cooking with it, drinking coconut water or using it to moisturise our skin and hair, so surely we can’t really be surprised that its made its way into a primer… can we? This offering from Marc Jacobs contains 5 different types of coconut this hydrating, nutrient rich primer, primes your skin while still allowing it to breath. This also has the consistency of a face lotion and sinks into the skin with ease and is perfect for normal to dry skin. I have used it on my combination skin, over my serum instead of a moisturiser. The brand say “The result is makeup that stays on longer and skin that appears younger-looking and better than ever”.

Buy it for £32 from John Lewis here

Finally here’s Becca’s First Light Priming Filter… when you first look at this you wonder if its gorgeous lilac colour is going to show up on your skin… the answer is no. What it will do though is brighten your skin adding a luminous glow and instantly refreshes the complexion the brand say “Cool Light Technology softly scatters translucent, cool violet light to brighten & even out imperfections” . Traditionally, makeup artists would use lilac to counteract dull, sallow skin tones, fortunately this modern formulation works its magic invisibly. It contains prickly pear to capture moisture and plump and rejuvenate the skin, as well as ginger and hyaluronic acid to hydrate, plump and energise. Like the others, this works for all skin types and tones. I love using this because it makes my skin look good even when I’m in need of intravenous coffee.

Buy it for £32 from Cult Beauty here

So beauties, there you have it, three gorgeous primers to help you to have your best summer skin. Love to know if you’ve tried any of them and what you think.

Denise xx