How to Apply Primer The Right Way

Curious to know how to apply makeup primer? You’ve come to the right place. Keep reading to discover how to apply primer before your foundation, lipstick, eyeshadow, and more in just three easy steps!

It’s easy to understand why face primer is such a hit with beauty junkies, editors, and makeup artists alike. Not only can most primers help your makeup stay put and smudge-free for hours, they can also help improve the look of your skin and address concerns. That is, if you apply them correctly. Ahead, we share how to apply primer the right way so you can reap all its benefits—plus, tips on how to choose the right primer for your skin’s needs!

Step 1: Choose the Right Product

First things first: Arm yourself with the best primer for your skin type and concerns. Take the time to examine your skin and decide what you’d like your primer to accomplish, whether it’s helping to reduce the appearance of large pores or mattifying your complexion. To help you narrow down your search based on common skin woes, we’ve listed three of our favorite primers—from the L’Oreal portfolio of brands—and their respective benefits.

For large pores: Large pores got you down? Try L’Oreal Youth Code Texture Perfector Pore Vanisher. Scientifically developed for all skin tones, the formula—with the brand’s highest concentration of Perline-P—strengthens and tightens to shrink the appearance of pore size over time. What’s more, targeted LHA micro-exfoliates to smooth skin’s surface while airlite powders instantly give skin a soft-focus finish.

For very oily skin: Help reduce the look of excess shine and prolong your makeup wear with Urban Decay De-Slick Complexion Primer. The oil-absorbing formula glides on comfortably and dries matte to deliver a shine-free complexion. 

For discoloration: To help camouflage discolored areas—think: dark circles and marks—brighten dull skin and more, reach for a color-correcting primer like Urban Decay’s Naked Skin Color Correcting Fluids. The yellow tint can help brighten up fair, lackluster complexions. The peach or pink formulas are the ones to reach for to help disguise blue-hued dark circles. Lastly, reach for the green tint to help counteract spot redness common with blemishes. Check out our step-by-step guide to learn how to color correct.

Step 2: Prep Your Skin

Now that you’ve got your ideal primer in tow, it’s time to begin the application process. But before you open up the formula and go to town, be sure to prep your canvas. To ensure all traces of dirt and impurities are off your skin, cleanse your skin. Since you’ll likely be applying your primer (and subsequent makeup) with your fingers, give your paws a good rinse as well to reduce the risk of spreading germs onto your face. Bonus points if you follow up with a hydrating toner.

Once your skin feels clean and refreshed, apply a lightweight moisturizer for all skin types like Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Moisturizer. While many primers boast hydration benefits, they’re not meant to replace your daily moisturizer use. Allow your moisturizer to fully absorb into your skin before you apply your primer on top. This can take a few minutes, so be patient!

Step 3: Apply & Blend

And now for the grand finale! Squirt a pea-sized amount of primer onto the back of your hand. A little bit goes a long way with primer, so you really won’t need more than that to cover your face and neck. Besides, using too much primer can cause your foundation to clump up. (No thanks!) Start by applying the primer to the center of your face using gentle circular motions and blending outwards, similar to how you would treat your moisturizer. Be sure to reach every last nook and cranny of your face and neck to ensure smooth, even coverage. If you have a separate eyelid primer, gently pat it onto your lids. Follow with a thin coat of lip primer over a parched pout if you wish. Allow all formulas to dry completely before applying foundation, eyeshadow, lipstick, or any other makeup!