13 Best Drugstore Primers That Are So Good, They Rival High-End Ones
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Our top picks for the best drugstore makeup primers in 2024:
IMHO, the secret to flawless makeup isn't dewy foundation or creamy concealer—it's the primer. Legit, it all starts at the beginning, my friends! Just like finding any other product to add to your makeup routine, finding the perfect primer for your skin can be quite the challenge. But what if I told you that the key to achieving a stellar base isn’t hiding in some high-end beauty counter (that costs mega $$$), but instead can be bought at your own very local drugstore? Yep, that's right, drugstore brands have come a long way, and the best drugstore primers are packing serious power when it comes to smoothing, blurring, and prepping your skin for makeup that lasts all day.
Whether you have super oily skin that results in your makeup looking like a shiny, greasy mess only a few hours in, have dry patches that cling onto dead skin and beg for some hydration, or are in desperate need of a radiance boost to combat dullness, there’s a drugstore primer out there for every skin concern. And while these drugstore primers work like magic, the truly magical part is that they won’t hurt your wallet and make ya look just as good (if not better) than one you could buy from a luxury brand.
From mattifying picks to ones that’ll give you that Hailey Bieber-esque glazed donut dewy finish (say that five times fast), you’re sure to find one you’re ready to name your MVP (most valuable primer). Below, find all the top picks for the best drugstore primers that will elevate your makeup game.
Let’s BFFR: No one IRL actually looks like that IG blur filter. Skin texture is a thing, people! But if you want to come close, Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser Primer is a total game-changer for achieving a smooth, airbrushed finish. As the name suggests, baby smooth skin is yours for the taking when you use this primer. This lightweight, breathable formula helps blur the appearance of pores and creates a perfectly prepped canvas for makeup.
Hey, sometimes you’re getting ready to have a super long day out! Perhaps you’re traveling, gearing up for an eventful night out, or maybe you just want your makeup to look just as perfect as it did at the start of the day. Whatever the case, this pop dew primer from e.l.f. is the answer to ensuring your makeup stays on and looks good. This one has a pretty unique sticky texture that lets you know it has a hold on your makeup, but don’t think for a second it feels gross on your skin! Instead, you’ll feel hydrated and refreshed.
This primer is like a big cup of water for your skin. With the power of rose water and camellia leaf extract, this lightweight, silky serum will quench your skin’s thirst and leave it feeling plump and dewy. Its smooth, water-based texture absorbs quickly, creating the perfect hydrated base for long-lasting makeup. Although it’s ideal for dry or combination skin, this primer works just as well on oily skin and locks in moisture while helping to blur fine lines.
Want makeup like Kendall Jenner? Well, the model has given her stamp of approval to the L’Oréal True Match Lumi Glotion (and on the red carpet, nonetheless!), so this is a good place to start! This luminous formula delivers a truly radiant and dewy finish and is infused with hydrating ingredients like glycerin and shea butter. When used underneath your makeup, you’ll get a beautiful, dewy finish that enhances your complexion and adds a touch of brilliance. And don’t worry, there’s no glitter residue!
Around here, we love a multi-tasking beauty hero. This spray does it all! Not only does it lock in your makeup for up to 16 hours, but this mist also works as a primer, setting spray, and refresher all in one. Before putting on your makeup, spray this primer to create an even base that grips at your foundation without ever feeling sticky.
Consider this the ultimate pick-me-up for dry skin. This powerhouse primer is packed with electrolytes and skin-plumping ingredients that instantly boost hydration, leaving your skin feeling refreshed and revitalized. Its unique hybrid formula acts as both a serum and a primer, smoothing out fine lines and creating a bouncy, radiant base for makeup that lasts all day. Perfect for dry or dehydrated skin, it locks in moisture while giving your complexion a healthy, dewy glow. Plump skin, here you come!
Reminder that aging is a natural and beautiful thing! But if you’re looking to avoid signs of premature aging, then let me introduce you to this primer with broad-spectrum SPF 50. This advanced formula will shield your skin from harmful UV rays while smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles to create a flawless base for makeup. Oh, and not to mention, it’s packed with hydrating ingredients, too!
Looking to make your skin more radiant? Then check out this Pacifica face primer. This primer is a multi-tasker that brightens, evens out skin tone, and delivers a surge of antioxidants that help protect against environmental stressors. The lightweight, illuminating formula creates a smooth, velvety base for makeup while adding a natural, healthy glow that lasts all day. It’s ideal for dull or uneven skin since it enhances your complexion and truly brightens.
This primer is where sun protection meets long-lasting makeup prep. This innovative primer not only shields your skin with broad-spectrum SPF 30, but it also blurs imperfections for a flawless, soft-focus finish. Its lightweight, breathable formula smooths fine lines and pores, creating a velvety canvas for makeup while providing vital sun defense. Since it has SPF, you can prime your makeup and protect your skin against UV rays daily all in one go.
Look, I get it. There’s nothing worse than seeing redness in places you don’t want redness to be! But achieving an even-toned complexion has never been easier than with this primer. Infused with color-correcting green pigments, this lightweight primer instantly neutralizes redness and calms irritated skin, leaving you with a smooth, balanced canvas for makeup. Its hydrating formula soothes and preps your skin, ensuring a flawless, long-lasting finish without feeling heavy or cakey. Perfect for sensitive or redness-prone skin, this primer helps create a calm, even base, making it your go-to for redness correction and makeup that stays fresh all day.
Excess shine has met its match with this primer. This one controls oil and reduces shine, creating a smooth, matte base that keeps your makeup looking fresh and flawless all day long. Its lightweight, oil-absorbing formula effortlessly blurs pores and helps to maintain a matte finish without drying out your skin. Ideal for those with oily or combination skin, Stay Matte Primer ensures your makeup stays in place, while keeping unwanted shine at bay.
This primer is a dream come true for sensitive skin. Infused with a hydrating blend of natural ingredients like aloe and cucumber, this ultra-gentle primer soothes and calms irritation-prone skin while delivering a boost of moisture. Its lightweight, water-based formula smooths out texture, preps your skin for makeup, and creates a healthy, dewy glow—all while avoiding irritation.
I love a skincare meets makeup product. Made with hyaluronic acid to hydrate and plump and peptides that boost collagen for firmer, smoother skin, this primer will be your go-to pick-me-up product. It also is infused with niacinamide that brightens and refines pores and antioxidants to protect against environmental damage.
Daisy Maldonado is an editor who covers everything from the latest fashion news to deeper looks at beauty culture and the internet’s most talked-about pop culture moments. She’s especially interested in the intersection of style and digital culture, and loves exploring what the trends we follow say about us. When she’s not writing, she’s probably four pages deep on The RealReal searching for vintage designer pieces or planning her next trip abroad (she lived in Paris for a year and hasn’t stopped talking about it since). Her work has appeared in Vogue, Bustle, Allure, and many more.
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