Do You Need Primer For Makeup?

Maybe you’re looking to simplify your routine to get ready faster, and you’re wondering what products you can cut from the roster. 

Or, perhaps you’ve just discovered you’re out of your favorite primer and now you’re scrambling to get ready and stressing about how your face will look.

Either way, you’re wondering - do you need primer for makeup? Technically, you can do without it. After all, you don’t necessarily need any makeup products if you’re comfortable and confident in your own skin!

However, primer plays a pivotal role in setting your face before you apply other products. It offers benefits for your complexion, too, from hydrating dry skin to mattifying oilier parts of your face. 

That’s why we still swear by the use primer. While you don’t need it, why work harder than necessary to bring out the best in your beauty regimen? Order our Korean primer today and see for yourself what a difference the right products can make in your routine or learn more below.

What is Primer?

Let’s take a step back - what exactly is primer? This preparatory product is applied to the skin before makeup to create a smooth, even surface. It sets the stage for the rest of your products.

Its main purpose is to improve the application and longevity of makeup, ensuring it stays in place and looks fresh throughout the day. Primers also address various skin concerns and enhance the overall makeup look.

That being said, you can easily choose a primer that aligns with your unique needs. Some of the most common styles include:

• Silicone-Based Primers: Ideal for those looking to blur imperfections and achieve a matte finish. Use it to fill in pores and fine lines, creating a silky-smooth surface.
• Water-Based Primers: Recommended for individuals with sensitive or oily skin who prefer a natural finish. It can hydrate the skin without clogging pores, providing a lightweight feel.
• Color-Correcting Primers: Those with uneven skin tone or specific concerns like rosacea should use this style to neutralize skin tone issues, such as redness or dullness.
• Hydrating Primers: Dry or dehydrated skin types need extra hydration, and this type delivers. It adds moisture to the skin, preventing dryness and flakiness.
• Mattifying Primers: Best for oily skin types seeking a long-lasting matte finish. It helps control excess oil and reduce shine.

We’ll help you choose the right product for your specific skin type and concerns later on. Let’s find out if you should even bother with these in the first place - do you need primer for makeup? 

Do You Need Primer For Makeup?

Some look at primer as an optional step in makeup routines. Depending on the state of your skin, you may be able to get by without it. Your makeup goals and the other products you use will also dictate how important primer is in your regimen. Here’s what you need to know…

Why Do You Need Primer for Makeup?

So why do you need primer for makeup? There are 5 specific benefits we want to highlight:

• Smoothing the Skin: Primers create a smooth base by filling in fine lines, pores, and uneven textures. This allows foundation and other makeup products to glide on effortlessly, resulting in a more even and flawless application.
• Enhancing Makeup Longevity: Primer extends the wear time of your makeup by helping the foundation adhere better to the skin. It prevents fading, creasing, or melting throughout the day. This is essential for long days or special occasions where you need your makeup to last, whether you’re getting ready for a double shift or a wedding.
• Controlling Oil and Shine: Mattifying primers in particular are designed to absorb excess sebum, keeping your makeup looking fresh and matte for longer periods.
• Hydrating the Skin: Hydrating primers provide an extra layer of moisture, preventing makeup from clinging to dry patches and ensuring a smooth, dewy finish.
• Color Correcting: You can address specific skin concerns like redness, sallowness, or dullness with the right primer to create a more even skin tone. Again, this allows the foundation to provide better coverage.

Can You Get By Without it?

Now, let’s be honest - do you NEED primer for makeup? Not necessarily. Just like you don’t need concealer, eyeliner, or lip gloss, primer is always optional. But with a better understanding of the benefits it offers in your makeup application, why would you forego it?

Applying primer is quick and easy and makes a world of difference. So there’s really no reason to skip it unless you’re in a pinch. That being said, there are a few situations where passing up on the primer might make sense.

For example, you might not need it if you’re wearing minimal makeup or just a tinted moisturizer, which often has its own hydrating and smoothing properties that will serve a similar purpose.

Those with naturally smooth skin might find themselves skipping primer more frequently too. On days your skin is naturally behaving well - meaning it’s not too oily, dry, or uneven - your foundation and other makeup products should suffice.

Alternatives to Primer

If you do decide to skip the primer, you may want to consider some of these alternatives that work similarly:

• Moisturizer: This can create a smooth base for makeup if you choose one that suits your skin type. Hydrating moisturizers can plump the skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and creating an even surface for makeup application.
• Sunscreen: Many sunscreens now come in formulations that provide a smooth, matte finish, which can help makeup adhere better and last longer. This is an essential step in any morning ritual to protect against harmful UV rays.
• BB Cream or CC Cream: These often contain hydrating, smoothing, and color-correcting properties. They offer lighter coverage while still improving the overall look and feel of your skin.
• Setting Spray: These can extend the wear time of your makeup. Some setting sprays are designed to prep the skin as well, providing a slight tackiness that helps makeup adhere.

Still, primer has its purpose. It’s so easy to include in your makeup routine that there really isn’t any reason to skip it unless you’ve been blessed with perfect skin or have a separate product with priming properties. 

That being said, we want to offer some tips on choosing and using it below before we wrap this guide up.

Choosing the Right Primer and Tips on Using it

Primer will only deliver benefits when you choose the right one for your unique skin and use it correctly. So, here is some advice to help you effortlessly bring out a flawless makeup finish.

Identify Your Skin Type

Primers are often categorized based on skin type. You may already know yours, but if not, start by determining which category you fall into below:

• Oily Skin: Produces excess oil, particularly in the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin). Look for mattifying primers that control oil and provide a matte finish. These reduce shine throughout the day.
• Dry Skin: Feels tight and rough, especially after cleansing. It may have visible dry patches and flakiness. Opt for hydrating primers that add moisture to the skin through ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin.
• Combination Skin: Features both oily and dry areas, typically with an oily T-zone and dry cheeks. You might need different primers for different areas of your face. 
• Sensitive Skin: Responds to products and environmental factors with redness and irritation. Choose primers with soothing ingredients like aloe vera or chamomile and avoid primers with alcohol, fragrances, and harsh chemicals.

Consider Skin Concerns

Beyond your skin type, you can choose your primer based on the specific skin concerns you’re dealing with. Some of the most common include:

• Large Pores and Fine Lines: Primers with blurring effects can minimize the appearance of pores and fine lines. Look for silicone-based primers that fill in imperfections for a smooth finish.
• Redness and Uneven Skin Tone: Color-correcting primers (especially green-tinted ones) neutralize redness and even out skin tone. These often contain additional skincare benefits to soothe and calm the skin.
• Dullness: Illuminating primers can add a natural glow and brighten your complexion. Ingredients like pearl extract and light-reflecting particles are common.

Key Ingredients to Look for (and to Avoid)

There are ingredients you should make sure are included in your formulation and some you should avoid. Here’s a brief breakdown of some of the good stuff:

• Hyaluronic Acid: Provides hydration and plumps the skin.
• Niacinamide: Reduces the appearance of pores and evens skin tone.
• Ceramides: Strengthen the skin’s barrier and retain moisture.
• Antioxidants (Vitamin C or E): Protect against environmental damage.

On the other hand, steer clear of alcohol which can dry out and irritate the skin. You should also stay away from parabens as these controversial preservatives can do more harm than good. While not always the case, many find that fragrances can be irritating on sensitive skin.

What Makes Our Primer So Special?

There’s clearly a lot to look for in a quality primer that aligns with your skin needs. It’s easy to get overwhelmed. The good news is your search for cruelty-free Korean skincare, including primer, ends here at Elizabeth Mott.

You can choose from a variety of formulations to match your skin type and concerns, each of which is crafted with care to meet the philosophies of Korean skincare. All our products are Leaping Bunny registered too.

Thank Me Later Blurring Face Primer with SPF 30

This primer preps the skin for smooth, lasting makeup application while protecting against UVA and UVB rays with SPF 30. Its creamy velvet texture melts into the skin, leaving no white cast. 

Formulated with blurring minerals, it smooths fine lines and pores and helps even skin tone. Enhanced with shea butter for moisture and packed with plant extracts like green tea, cucumber, and linseed, it soothes the skin and provides antioxidant benefits. 

Thank Me Later Mattifying Face Primer

A smooth, lightweight primer that minimizes the appearance of pores and fine lines, ensuring your makeup stays put all day. It instantly prevents shine, providing a matte finish. 

It’s cruelty-free, paraben-free, and contains sebum-controlling powder to combat oiliness. The sweatproof and waterproof formula enhances makeup appearance while brightening and balancing skin tone.

Thank Me Later Illuminating Face Primer

This hydrating primer provides a natural glow for a smooth and poreless canvas for makeup. It’s ideal for balancing and brightening the complexion. 

The formula is lightweight, sweatproof, and waterproof, ensuring long-lasting wear. It’s cruelty-free and paraben-free, offering a non-greasy and comfortable feel.

Thank Me Later Color Correcting Face Primer

This primer reduces the appearance of redness and evens out skin tone with encapsulated pigment technology. It transitions from green to skin tone once blended. 

It’s enriched with ceramides and cica to hydrate and soothe the skin. It’s perfect under makeup or on its own, providing a smooth, even complexion. It’s cruelty-free, paraben-free, and vegan like all the formulations in our catalog.

Application Tips

No matter which you end up choosing, understanding how to apply your primer is essential for reaping all the benefits it has to offer. We have videos showing you the ins and outs of using each of our products, but here’s a brief overview:

1. Prep Your Skin: Start with a clean, moisturized face. Allow your moisturizer to fully absorb before applying primer.
2. Apply Primer: Use a pea-sized amount and apply evenly over your face, focusing on areas with larger pores or more texture, such as the T-zone.
3. Layering with Other Products: Primer should be applied after skincare products (cleanser, toner, moisturizer) and before foundation. Ensure it works well with your foundation to avoid separation. Give the primer a minute to set before applying the foundation for smooth and even coverage.

You can always reach out to our customer service team for help choosing or using your primer, too. But now that you know why you need it and which is right for you, it’s time to place your order and see what a difference it can make in your makeup ritual!

Parting Thoughts on Why You Need Primer for Makeup

In summary, do you need primer for makeup? While it’s often viewed as optional, the benefits it brings to your routine are impossible to ignore. 

From creating a smooth base for effortless makeup application to addressing specific skin concerns, why would you skip something so powerful? The perfect primer is just a click away at Elizabeth Mott, too.

As your one-stop shop for all vegan Korean skincare products, you can count on us for all the other essentials you need as well, including:

• Korean skincare for aging skin
• Korean skincare for dark spots
• Korean skincare for blackheads
• Korean skincare for oily skin
• Korean skincare for hyperpigmentation
• Korean skincare for redness
• Vitamin C Korean skincare

Discover how a great primer can elevate your routine today. Shop our selection and see the magic yourself as you achieve a flawless finish every time!