Reviews and opinions of popular illuminating make-up primers
Benefits
- Gives the complexion a natural, healthy glow.
- Leaves skin looking fresh, radiant and well-rested.
- Deeply hydrates and smooths the complexion.
- Extends make-up wear.
- Improves foundation grip.
- Helps products blend evenly.
- Visibly smooths the skin's surface.
- Helps even out skin tone.
- Regulates sebum production.
- Protects the skin against oxidative stress.
- Improves skin softness and elasticity.
- Helps maintain skin firmness and bounce.
- Works well under both day and evening make-up.
- Can be worn on its own for a natural glow.
Disadvantages
- Only available from selected retailers.
Nutridome make-up primer is the perfect blend of effective skincare and a beautifully illuminated, radiant complexion. Its advanced formula not only preps the skin for make-up but also deeply hydrates, smooths and helps your make-up last longer. Delicate mica particles give the complexion a subtle, natural glow, leaving it looking fresh without excessive shine. A major strength of Nutridome primer is its wealth of nourishing active ingredients. Hyaluronic acid deeply hydrates the skin, improving its softness and elasticity, while niacinamide helps regulate sebum production, even out skin tone and enhance the overall look of the complexion. Vitamin C brightens the skin and boosts its radiance, while vitamin E protects against free radicals. The formula is also enriched with peptides, which help maintain skin firmness, as well as shea butter and squalane, which help keep skin properly hydrated. The primer leaves a silky, smoothing layer on the face, so foundation blends more easily, grips the skin better and keeps looking flawless for longer. Another bonus is its versatility – it works brilliantly under both everyday and evening make-up, as well as on its own for a natural glow. Nutridome illuminating primer is an excellent choice for women who want to combine long-lasting, flawless make-up with everyday skincare.
Benefits
- Gives the complexion a subtle, pearlescent glow.
- Visibly smooths the skin and fine lines.
- Improves the grip of foundation and BB cream.
- Helps extend make-up wear.
- Helps products blend evenly.
- Leaves the complexion looking fresh and radiant.
- Helps maintain proper hydration.
- Arbutin helps even out skin tone.
- Adenosine has anti-wrinkle properties.
- Squalane and moringa oil soften the skin.
- Works well with BB creams.
Disadvantages
- Pearlescent particles may over-emphasise enlarged pores and uneven texture
- May leave some skin types looking overly shiny.
- Small size (20 ml).
Missha M B.B. Boomer make-up primer gives the skin a radiant look, visibly smooths its surface and improves the grip of foundation or BB cream. Its light, creamy texture blends easily, creating a subtle pearlescent finish that revives the complexion and adds freshness. Light-reflecting mica particles in the formula make fine lines and uneven texture less noticeable. The primer is enriched with arbutin, which helps even out skin tone, and adenosine, known for its anti-wrinkle properties. Glycerin and squalane help maintain proper hydration, protecting the skin from dryness, while moringa oil further softens and nourishes the skin. The silicone-based formula smooths the skin, helps products go on evenly and keeps make-up looking flawless for hours.
Benefits
- Gives the complexion a subtle, golden glow.
- Instantly smooths the skin's surface.
- Visibly minimises the look of enlarged pores.
- Blurs minor unevenness and imperfections.
- Keeps make-up looking better for hours.
- Gently softens and smooths the skin.
- Non-comedogenic formula.
- Handy dispensing pump.
Disadvantages
- May cause dryness and a feeling of tightness.
- The glass bottle makes it hard to get the last of the product out.
- Very high price.
Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat Blur Primer is a luxury make-up primer that delights with a velvety-smooth, subtly illuminated complexion. Its transparent gel formula with delicate golden particles visibly blurs imperfections, minimises the look of enlarged pores and gives the skin an elegant, radiant finish. Thanks to its silicone content, the primer forms a silky, smoothing layer that helps foundation blend evenly and improves its finish. Golden pigments subtly reflect light, making the face look fresher and more rested. The formula is enriched with four plant oils – apricot kernel, passion flower, rice bran and corn – which help soften the skin and make application more comfortable. An elegant glass bottle with a pump completes the product's exclusive feel. Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat Blur Primer delivers smoother-looking skin and a fresh glow in your everyday make-up.
Benefits
- Gives the complexion a natural, radiant glow.
- Visibly smooths the skin and evens out skin tone.
- Delivers a glow that lasts for hours.
- Works well with foundation.
- Helps maintain proper hydration.
- Vitamins C and E provide antioxidant protection.
- Combines the functions of a primer and a highlighter.
- Vegan product.
Disadvantages
- The glow may need refreshing towards the end of the day.
- Some shades may lean orange, especially on fair skin.
- The small applicator can make it difficult to dispense the product precisely.
Rimmel Multi-Tasker Better Than Filters is a multi-purpose make-up primer that gives the complexion a radiant glow, visibly smooths its surface and helps achieve fresh, well-rested-looking skin. The light, creamy formula blends easily and melts into the skin, creating a natural, luminous finish. Light-reflecting mica particles subtly mask signs of tiredness and visibly even out skin tone. The formula is enriched with vitamin C, which has antioxidant properties and helps brighten the skin, and vitamin E, which protects against free radicals. Glycerin and panthenol help maintain proper hydration, while film-forming ingredients boost the product's staying power. The primer delivers a glow that lasts for hours and can be worn on its own, under foundation or as an illuminating touch to your make-up. Rimmel Multi-Tasker Better Than Filters is especially suited to anyone who loves multi-tasking products and a naturally radiant complexion.
Benefits
- Gives the complexion a natural, radiant glow.
- Provides up to 24 hours of hydration.
- Helps even out skin tone.
- Helps protect the skin's hydrolipid barrier.
- Visibly minimises the look of fine lines.
- Helps extend make-up wear.
- Contains SPF 25 to protect against UV radiation.
- Can be worn on its own or under foundation.
- Dermatologically tested.
Disadvantages
- Contains denatured alcohol, which may cause dryness or discomfort for sensitive skin.
- The strong illuminating effect may emphasise fine lines.
- Very strong scent.
- High price.
Shiseido Revitalessence Skin Glow Primer is a luxury make-up primer that combines intense hydration with a radiant, silky-smooth complexion. Its lightweight texture glides easily over the face, instantly smoothing the skin's surface and giving it a fresh, luminous look. The formula is enriched with niacinamide, which helps even out skin tone, strengthens the skin's protective barrier and improves the overall condition of the complexion. Rice ferment Lactobacillus supports the skin's microbiome, while glycerin and a hyaluronic acid derivative help lock in moisture, providing up to 24 hours of hydration. Gently light-diffusing ingredients visibly smooth fine lines and make the face look more rested. Another bonus is SPF 25, which provides protection against UV radiation. The silicone-free formula works well both under foundation and on its own, and a small amount is enough to cover the whole face.
Illuminating make-up primer – the secret to radiant, smooth skin
An illuminating primer helps you achieve flawless make-up and a radiant complexion right from the skin prep stage. It smooths, visibly minimises imperfections and gives the face a natural glow. Thanks to light-reflecting pigments, the skin looks more rested and foundation takes on a luminous finish. Many primers also contain hydrating and nourishing ingredients that make make-up more comfortable to wear. The right product can also improve foundation grip and extend its wear.
How to choose the best illuminating make-up primer?
When creating our ranking of the best illuminating primers, we considered the following criteria:
Does the primer give the skin a natural glow without excessive shine?
Does it smooth the skin and visibly minimise imperfections?
Does it improve foundation grip and longevity?
Does it contain hydrating and nourishing ingredients?
Does it feel light on the skin without emphasising dry patches?
Is it easy to blend and does it work well with other products?
Does it suit different skin types?
Does the illuminating effect last for many hours?
Does the primer go a long way and is it easy to apply?
Does its price reflect its quality and effectiveness?
Which ingredients should you look for in the best illuminating make-up primers?
The best illuminating primers are worth checking for the following ingredients:
Mica – Reflects light, giving the skin a subtle glow and visibly smoothing its surface.
Hyaluronic acid – Binds water in the epidermis, improving skin hydration and elasticity.
Niacinamide – Helps even out skin tone, strengthens the protective barrier and regulates sebum production.
Vitamin C – Has antioxidant properties, helps fade discolouration and improves the look of the complexion.
Vitamin E – Protects the skin against free radicals.
Glycerin – Prevents excessive moisture loss and helps keep the skin soft.
Squalane – Softens and smooths the epidermis, reducing dryness.
Peptides – Depending on the type, they can improve the condition and firmness of the skin.
How does an illuminating make-up primer work?
An illuminating primer preps the skin for foundation while enhancing its appearance. Its pigments reflect light, giving the complexion a radiant glow and making minor unevenness and signs of tiredness less visible. Smoothing ingredients even out the skin's surface, helping products blend evenly. Depending on the formula, a primer may also hydrate, soften the skin and reduce dryness. Some products form a thin layer that improves foundation grip, helping make-up look polished for longer. The illuminating effect can be subtle and natural or more intense, depending on the type of pigments used.
What is the best illuminating make-up primer?
The best illuminating primer should give the skin a healthy, natural glow, smooth its surface and extend the wear of your make-up. It's worth choosing lightweight formulas that blend easily, don't leave a greasy film and don't emphasise imperfections. Hydrating ingredients are an added bonus, helping keep the skin comfortable all day long. A good product should also go a long way and deliver a polished finish both under foundation and on its own.
How to use a make-up primer?
A primer is best applied to cleansed, moisturised skin, once your moisturiser and any SPF product have been absorbed. Spread a small amount evenly with your fingertips, a brush or a sponge, starting from the centre of the face. After applying the primer, wait a moment before applying foundation. For a more subtle effect, you can mix the primer with your foundation, provided the formulas work well together.
The product can also be worn on its own, especially when you want a natural glow without full make-up. If you have oily skin, use less product in the T-zone; if your skin is dry, make sure to moisturise it well beforehand.
What are the benefits of using an illuminating make-up primer?
The key benefits of using an illuminating make-up primer include:
- Giving the skin a natural, healthy glow.
- Creating a fresh, well-rested look.
- Visibly smoothing unevenness and fine lines.
- Minimising the appearance of pores and imperfections.
- Improving foundation grip.
- Extending the wear of make-up.
- Helping products blend evenly.
- Improving skin hydration and softness.
- Giving foundation a luminous finish.
- Achieving a natural glow without foundation.
- Making make-up more comfortable to wear.
- Combining skincare with a beautifying effect.