Prime Time

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I only recently discovered primers and made them a part of my daily routine. Since incorporating primers into my routine I have found that my pores look smaller, my foundation goes on smoother, and it lasts longer. Using primers are the best way to hide wrinkles and pores. Most primers fill in these wrinkles and pores with silicone, which gives you a smoother, more even base to apply foundation to. There are some primers that even have more benefits, like moisture renewal, anti-aging, highlighting, and colour correcting.

My go-to primer is Benefit's The Porefessional. I find that a pea size amount leaves the larger pores on my nose and forehead looking smaller. On hotter days, when my T-zone becomes oily, I like to re-apply a little to the oiliest areas to mattify the shine. I then top this with some translucent powder, and I am good to go. Another perk of this primer is that it contains Vitamin E, which helps protect against free radicals. Although I haven't seen any indication of this on my own skin, I like that it includes Vitamin E because that is something I like to apply to my skin regularly. Even on days when I don't wear foundation I like to apply this primer just to even out my skin tone and mattify my T-zone.


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How to Apply

After applying moisturizer and sunscreen it is best to give it time to sink into your skin. After a couple minutes, you can apply primer to your whole face or problem areas, before any other makeup is applied. You need to make sure that you don't use too much primer, or it will ball up under your foundation. Every website you visit is different in telling you how much primer you really need. Some say a pea size, some say a raisin, nonetheless, it is really trial and error until you find the right amount for you. If you only apply to your T-zone then you will need less then someone who uses it on their whole face. The best way, in my opinion, to apply primer is by using your fingers. The heat from your body will warm the product and help melt it into your skin. However, if you are opposed to using your fingers to apply makeup, for hygienic reasons, then a sponge or brush could be used to apply it. However, I think that using a brush or sponge will cause you to use more product then necessary.

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Did You Know?

• Primer isn't just for your face. You can put some on your neck, hands, chest, etc., and your skin will look younger all day.
• Buy a yellow toned primer to help hide bruises. Yellow will neutralize the blue tones in bruises.
• Buy a brightening primer and use it as a highlighter after you have applied your foundation. I like to use Benefit's That Gal as a light glowy highlighter on most days.
• Primers, even waterproof primers, do not make your other makeup waterproof. So if you sweat your makeup will run or wash away. If you want waterproof makeup then everything you buy must be waterproof.
• Using an eyeshadow primer under your eyes will make your concealer last longer. It will help eliminate creasing, and redness.
• Lash primers are great for making your lashes longer and thicker, however, using a lash primer limits the amount of mascara you can apply to your lashes. Too many coats and you will be left with clumpy lashes.
• Green primers will reduce the redness in your skin. Great for when you get a sunburn.
• Pink and lilac primers will help give your skin a natural glow.

What are your favourite primers? If you have oily skin like me I would love to hear some of your recommendations, leave them in a comment below!