Primer has become an essential element in many a beauty-lover’s makeup routine, and rightfully so. Smaller pores, shine-free skin, does it get any better? Yes, it does. Foundations with built-in primers not only reduce time in front of the mirror, but are easy on both your skin and bank account.
[so long shine]
>>Cover Girl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3 in 1 Foundation
Cover Girl outdid itself with this one. Boasting SPF 20, full coverage foundation and a primer, the liquid foundation is sure to keep you covered in more ways than one. Forget thick, cakey liquid foundation of years past. Stay Fabulous is lightweight, and thanks to the built-in primer, your skin will stay shine-free hours after application.
Ulta, $12.99
[coverage control]
>>Ulta Double Duty Primer & Foundation
Ulta’s Double Duty Primer & Foundation may have won the battle when it comes to most natural-looking coverage. Once I applied a pea-size amount onto my face, it immediately disappeared, filling in fine lines without a trace of buildup. I recommend staying true to your skin tone with this product, as it makes for a great foundation and base for your brighteners and bronzers.
Ulta, $12.50
[picture per-fekt]
>>Per-fekt Skin Perfection Gel
I recently was introduced to Per-fekt, a beauty brand that prides itself on highly concentrated, multi-functional formulations created to save application time and reduce waste. So it would seem only natural for Per-fekt to have its own alternative to a foundation-meets-primer combo. No brushes needed; pat a small amount of the Skin Perfection Gel onto your face after moisturizing. It can be used along with your regular foundation or alone, depending on what kind of coverage you need. It’s free of oil, sulfates, parabens and other irritants and leaves your skin with an instant airbrushed finish.
Sephora, $48
[b plus]
>>Physicians Formula All-in-1 Beauty Balm Cream
If you’re looking for a product that covers, primes and brightens, then look no further than Physicians Formula All-in-1 Beauty Balm Cream. Unlike traditional foundation, this one has more than 10 beauty benefits (including SPF 30) while maintaining a lightweight texture. If you regularly wear bronzer, try the BB Cream in a shade or two darker than your skin tone. Not only will it give you all the benefits of a brightener and anti-aging cream, but also an instant bronze, saving you even more time in front of the mirror.
Ulta, $14.99
[face-lift]
>>Maybelline Instant Age Rewind The Lifter
The pretty packaging and mousse-like texture of Maybelline’s Instant Age Rewind The Lifter primer foundation is just the icing on the cake when it comes to this anti-aging foundation. Built with peptides to firm skin and instantly cover visible signs of aging, the primer then works to smooth out skin texture and reduce pore size. No cakey liquid foundation buildup here, The Lifter leaves your skin with a fresh and flawless finish.
Ulta, $13.99
Photo by Bill Barrett