Whether you prefer a gloriously complex face beat or you fly out the door with little more than a swipe of concealer, you no doubt have some strong opinions about your level of sheen. Healthy, dewy skin will always be in style, but there’s a devilishly fine line where you can tip the scales from glowing to greasy. Despite the name, a mattifying primer might actually be your ultimate secret weapon, even if you wouldn’t touch a matte makeup look with your longest foundation brush. With some targeted application techniques and an exceptional formula, it’s completely feasible to tone down your shine to a level that won’t crack your iPhone lens.
Of course, the most important feature in a really, really good primer is that it feels comfortable on the skin. Do I feel tight, dry, or itchy by the time I leave to collect my second matcha latte of the day? If the answer is yes, it doesn’t belong on this list. Secondly, it needs to last throughout the entirety of your packed schedule. We don’t always have time to covertly touch up in the office bathroom before running to dinner with friends, so your primer needs to do the hard work for you. Finally, does it actually keep the makeup you decide to wear in place? With scorching summer temperatures sticking around for the foreseeable future, no one can afford for their cream blush to slowly melt down toward their jawline.
So, with these beauty parameters in mind, here are eight elite mattifying primers to keep your complexion glowy, grease-free, and phenomenally gorgeous.
Revlon ColorStay Grip Matte Primer
By absorbing excess oil and reducing the appearance of enlarged pores, this industry-favorite primer leaves your skin divinely smooth and matte. It also uses a superfood detox blend to help protect your skin against free-radical damage throughout the day.
caliray So Blown Blurring & Hydrating Collagen Peptide Primer With Niacinamide
For an extra boost of hydration for your chronically dry skin, swipe this niacinamide-rich primer over your T-zone and cheeks on top of your favorite SPF.
Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer
If you’re looking for a satin smooth finish with your foundation that never leaves you greasy by midday, this award-winning primer is a must for your beauty cabinet.
ONE/SIZE by Patrick Starrr Secure the Blur Makeup Magnet Primer
Uneven skin texture is no match for this mattifying primer, which utilizes witch hazel to help tighten pores and glycerin to help hydrate and minimize shine.
Smashbox The Original Photo Finish Smooth & Blur Oil-Free Primer
Take a peek inside any makeup artist’s tool kit and you’ll inevitably spot this oil-free primer, which helps to blur fine lines and leave your skin with a flawless finish.
Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Hydrating Makeup Primer
It only makes sense that the beauty industry’s favorite luxury foundation has an equally luxe, silky primer to match.
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Primer
If it’s good enough for Rihanna and her poreless skin, it’s good enough to help your complexion stay at the perfect level of satin matte from day to night.
Tatcha The Silk Canvas Filter Finish Protective Primer
The velvet balm texture of this cult-favorite formula leaves your face deliciously soft and supple, and helps your makeup look indistinguishable from your skin.
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