After my ‘Five Favorite Things’ guest blog on FreshDimez I got to thinking about primers. One of my favorite beauty products right now is a foundation primer. Primers are a relatively new concept in the makeup industry and you’ll notice they’ve popped up everywhere.

They actually work much like a moisturizer under your foundation does: they ease the application of foundation and are meant to create a barrier between foundation and skin. Makeup artists swear primers go one step further than moisturizers: they’ll even out skin tone, help your makeup stay on longer and absorb oil with salicylic acid.

After guest blogging about this particular primer I like (keep reading if you want to know which one I’m talking about!), I realized I have used a lot of different primers in the past. I decided to do a review and compare the ones I’ve used! I decided to keep it brief and simple. I’ve looked at 8 primers. Note that I have VERY oily skin. My comments below pertain to how well these primers worked for me. It can be completely different for you!

From left to right:

Sephora Tricks of the Trade Perfection Primer
What it is: A highlighting make-up base.
What they say it does: It brightens and beautifies the skin. The pink pearlescent micro-particles and soft-focus pigments reflect the light for a radiant complexion.
What I say: I bought it on sale a while back together with other stuff (3 Sephora-brand products for 10 euro), but I haven’t used it yet.

MAC Prep + Prep
What it is: An ultra-fluid lotion formulated with special-effect silicones.
What they say it does: Calms and soothes the skin, blots away excess oil, and evens out skin redness. Improves the laydown and application of foundation or powder.
What I say: Works well, but my face is still very oily and shiny at the end of the day (a work day that is, so 8 hours +).

Gosh Anti-wrinkle Velvet Touch foundation primer
What it is: A perfect base for all kinds of make-up.
What they say it does: The apricot coloured formula contains an active ingredient called Matrixyl 3000 boosts the collagen fibers and improves the natural elasticity of your skin. It reduces the appearance of fine lines and deep wrinkles while tightening and smoothing your skin.
What I say: I’ve tried it a few times now. It’s not a miracle worker, but it works well. I like the fact that it’s an anti-wrinkle as well. I’m starting to need this!

Avon MagiX Face Perfector SPF 20
What it is: A magical air-light gel-powder colorless formula.
What they say it does: It makes all skin tones look flawless… invisible coverage; instant perfection. Banish shine up to 10 hours.
What I say: This is my absolute favorite primer EVER! It works really really well. The best thing about this is that is goes on as a gel, but then it dries into a silky powder. Mattifies like no other and feels great under powder foundation! It doesn’t last all day, but it sure goes a long way!

MAC Prep + Prime Skin Refined Zone
What it is: A partial primer designed for use in the T-Zone.
What they say it does: This lightweight, oil-free, soy-based emulsion instantly helps minimize visible pores while helping to control excess surface oil and shine. The result: an invisible, natural-looking, long-lasting matte finish that also helps keep pores clean, clear and unclogged. It mattifies and hides imperfections.
What I say: Works fine, but it does the exact same as the regular Prep + Prime (see above). I don’t see why MAC needed to make something just for the T-Zone. You get the same result with the regular Prep + Prime….

Monistat Soothing Care Chafing Relief Powder-Gel
What it is: It’s a powder gel that works as a skin protectant.
What they say it does: From moisture, heat, movement & shaving. Dries to silky finish. Provides on-the-go daily prevention and relief from chafing and irritation of skin in intimate, delicate areas like the inner thigh, bikini area, under arms and breasts. A lot of people use this product as a make-up primer as well.
What I say: It’s ok. I feel a bit weird to use something on my face that is meant for something else…. Especially because this particular product meant for your inner thigh, bikini area etc. etc….if you know what I mean.

Make Up For Ever All Matt (not pictured, cause I ran out)
What it is: An oil-free foundation primer designed to remove shine with long lasting results.
What they say it does: Mattifying powders absorb the excess of sebum and prepare the skin to help makeup stay. The silicone gel base, with its cotton-soft texture, leaves the skin matte and velvety.
What I say: I love this stuff. My skin is still oily at the end of the day, but applying this does make it less shiny. I actually ran out a while back and I haven’t re-bought because I’ve been using the Avon one. I wrote ‘full’ reviews on it a while back. You can find it here and here.

Benefit Dr. Feelgood
What it is: A velvety complexion balm with a feel-good finish.
What they say it does: Benefit Dr. Feelgood mattifies the complexion and reduces the appearance of fine lines and pores. With vitamins C and E, consider this your ‘pretty prescription’.
What I say: I received this only yesterday (via eBay) and I haven’t used it yet. Read good reviews about it though AND I like the packaging, can’t wait to try it!