The lucky bunch of the 20-something ladies with clear skin can get away with wearing just moisturizer under their foundations – or no foundation at all! But for the most of us that wear foundation on a daily basis, “simply moisturize” does not seem to be a rule that sticks. (ha ha, get the pun?)

Without using a primer under the layer of foundation, the makeup can look, well, just like the surface of your skin. This means all the little blackheads you may have on your nose, some acne scars from your would-love-to-forget teenager years, and any other little imperfections will show – alas in a uniform colour.

Primers work like a thin, sheer layer of silk over your skin – which makes applying foundation as smooth as a newborn’s bum. Also helps any makeup last longer.

Less re-application = Less “cake-y look”
Less re-application = Less money wasted
Less re-application = happiness!

I must say, I’m a firm believer (and forever lover!) or Smashbox primers. They come in a few different colours – a green base, a purple base, etc – which has their own advantages. For example, I use the green base coloured primer (which glides on transparent) – which counteracts the redness in your skin. Best for skintypes that tend to get blotched easily!

Smashbox primers glide on like those Glycerin hand creams… if you’ve used either, you know what I mean!

If you need a heavier primer, CoverFX has very nice ones as well.

What’s your favourite?