Moisturizing cream makeup base

What is a primer, why is it needed and how to choose it if you have dry skin - now we’ll tell you everything.

1. What is makeup foundation
2. Types of primers
3. How to choose a primer for dry skin
4. Primer overview
5. Tips for use and application

What is makeup foundation

The primer has many important tasks. One of them is to make your skin tone more even. © Getty Images

Product called primer (also known as foundation/base for makeup) was invented to ensure that the foundation applied better and the durability of the makeup increased.

In addition to smoothing the skin texture, primers can perform other important tasks:

give the skin radiance;

mask fine wrinkles and other imperfections;

visually hide pores.

The effect of the primer is difficult to overestimate, because it is capable of much.

Makes makeup more durable.

Hides minor skin imperfections.

Solves the problem of oily shine, mattifying the skin.

Evens out the color and texture of the face.

Types of primers

All primers vary in texture and color. © Getty Images

Like all product categories, primers differ in:

To choose the right product, it makes sense to understand this issue in more detail. Let's look at the types of primers with different textures.

This product does not moisturize the skin, but it perfectly helps to even out the relief: it hides pores, signs of post-acne, and sometimes has a mattifying effect. The foundation applied on top of such a base applies as evenly as possible, creating the effect of perfectly smooth skin without visible imperfections. Due to its ability to work on the principle of Photoshop filters, silicone primer is called “grout”. This product is more suitable for oily and problem skin.

The formula is based on nutritional and moisturizing components, vitamins, plant extracts and oils. In contact with the skin, such a product works in several directions at once: maintains moisture balance, evens out skin tone and texture, and adds radiance. Suitable for dry, normal and combination skin.

Before purchasing a primer, read the label carefully to become familiar with the ingredients.

Makeup bases with a liquid texture are most often transparent or translucent. Typically, such products are produced in bottles with a pipette. The basis of the formula is water or oil. Those with dry skin should pay attention to liquid primers. This product will provide a feeling of comfort.

As for shades, primers can be very different.

Transparent

Such products are universal and are intended more for correcting facial contours rather than tone.

Colored

Pigmented makeup bases are needed to disguise various types of imperfections:

pink refreshes the color of dull, tired skin;

yellow is suitable for camouflaging dark circles under the eyes;

blue is useful if unhealthy yellowness appears in the area around the eyes;

green hides redness (pimples, vascular network).

With shine effect

This primer contains reflective particles that help refresh the complexion and give the skin radiance. The product is also suitable for aging skin.

How to choose a primer for dry skin

When choosing a primer, you should focus on the condition of your skin. © Getty Images

Tendency to redness and irritation.

Skin reaction to a specific product.

We wrote more about how to prepare your skin for makeup here.

When choosing a primer for dry skin, you need to remember that products with a drying, mattifying effect are not suitable for it. Look for hydrofixing agents and oils in the composition or choose a water-based base.

It is not forbidden to layer primers on top of each other - the main thing is to use less product so that the coating does not roll off.

Primer overview

We have compiled a small guide to the best, from the Skin.ru editorial point of view, makeup primers. They are all different, but worthy of attention.

Moisturizing makeup base Face Studio Prime, Maybelline

Be careful: this product comes in two versions. The base in white packaging is a makeup base that disguises pores. In blue - moisturizing.

Makeup base All Hours Primer, Yves Saint Laurent

Quickly provides smoothness to the skin and increases the durability of the foundation.

Effectively prepares the skin for makeup application, smoothing its surface. As a result, pores are less noticeable, the skin is softened, moisturized, and looks smoother. The product increases the durability of makeup.

Evens out the skin surface and provides radiance. Contains a complex of caring components, including foam seed extract (for softening) and royal jelly (for nutrition).

Color-correcting primer Infaillible, L’Oréal Paris

Masks imperfections and serves as an excellent base for further makeup. Conceals redness and evens out skin tone.

When it’s summer outside, the problem of applying makeup for girls becomes more complicated: in hot conditions, low-quality cosmetics simply “flow” along with the secretions of the sweat glands. Therefore, it's time to talk about what serves the basis for flawless makeup, that is, about primers. We offer the TOP 10 makeup bases from the point of view of the fairer sex, omitting the superlatives used in advertising slogans.

Which makeup base is better: inexpensive or luxury?

The eternal question of whether to prefer an affordable price or buy something more expensive is something every woman decides for herself. It has long been proven that the most important thing in cosmetics is how it suits YOUR skin. Hence the relativity of compiling ratings - what has become a panacea for thousands of lucky women before you can fail on your face. However, the number of positive reviews indicates quality, so we explore women’s forums to evaluate makeup bases.

We take several indicators as a basis:

1. how effectively the base evens out the complexion, hides skin imperfections,
2. does it keep makeup in perfect condition for a long time,
3. Is it suitable for all skin types (if not, then what kind of skin owners should beware of purchasing),
4. Naturally, the cost.

The best makeup bases for any skin type: firming, moisturizing, mattifying

The multifunctional fixing base for makeup from the domestic brand Librederm provides complete hydration of the skin throughout the day. The primer is designed to even out the texture and complexion of the face, mask minor imperfections and mattify. For its ideal price-quality ratio, many Russian women in reviews recognized this primer as the best.

The texture of the base is quite thick, but on the face it becomes light and airy, spreading perfectly over the skin. The primer smoothes pores well, hides shallow wrinkles and lightens redness. It is not felt on the face, significantly extends the life of makeup, and prevents oily shine. But after applying the foundation, you need to give it time to absorb, and only then use foundation. Tube volume - 50 ml.

1. affordable price;
2. very economical consumption;
3. does not clog pores.

1. not detected.

The French makeup base of the Givenchy brand is presented in six transparent shades with different purposes: Milk (whitening and refreshing), Strawberry (healthy glow), Kiwi (disguising acne, redness and rosacea), Plum (neutralizing yellowness of the skin), Mango (for dark-skinned women ) and Peach (a universal primer for everyone). There is also a limited-edition Poetique Tulip shade with a subtle tan effect.

The texture of the base is weightless, fluid, with subtle shimmer. It gives the skin a natural glow and sleek look, significantly increases the durability of makeup, moisturizes, nourishes and softens. Suitable for local application. Tube volume - 30 ml.

1. possibility of individual choice of shade;
2. UV protection filter SPF15;
3. economical consumption.

1. impressive cost.

The Korean makeup base Sweet Cotton Pore Cover Base from Holika Holika contains a healing cocktail of extracts of cotton, purslane, orange, lemon, blueberry, lotus and noni. Thanks to them, the primer improves the condition of the skin, controls the activity of the sebaceous glands, heals and refreshes the complexion and is suitable even for problem skin.

The texture of the foundation is silky, delicate, slightly pigmented, but looks colorless on the face. The base is perfectly absorbed, does not give a filmy feeling, wonderfully moisturizes and evens out the skin, and layers well. However, to achieve maximum effect, you need to let the previous one dry before applying the next layer. Tube volume: 25 ml.

We all dream of a healthy and uniform complexion. If your skin is far from ideal, which is why the foundation applies unevenly, highlighting all the imperfections, this is not a problem, because there is a unique product on the cosmetic market: makeup foundation. With the help of such a base, the skin will take on a well-groomed and radiant appearance. You just need to choose the right foundation for your skin type.

A good base is the key to good makeup!

What is a makeup base?

Has a pimple appeared on your face? After a day spent in the cold, does your skin begin to peel? Using a base, you can completely disguise all imperfections and prepare your face for applying other cosmetics. Makeup base contains special ingredients that care for the skin, so sometimes it can even be used instead of day cream. The base performs several important functions:

1. evens out skin texture;
2. evens out complexion;
3. corrects redness;
4. covers peelings with a thin moisturizing layer, making them invisible;
5. fills pores and wrinkles, reducing their visibility;
6. prolongs the durability of makeup.

If you choose the right base according to your skin type and existing problems, you can visually make your face almost perfect.

What types of makeup bases are there?

There are many makeup bases available, and choosing the right one for you won’t be difficult. Based on the texture of makeup bases, they can be divided into the following categories:

1. Liquid base (fluid). It spreads easily, covers the skin with a thin, weightless layer and hides minor imperfections. As a rule, such a foundation contains a small amount of beige pigment, which easily adapts to skin color. Due to its light coverage, liquid base may not be suitable for those with problematic skin, as it is not able to disguise serious imperfections.
2. Liquid base (primer). This foundation is more pigmented and is suitable for those with problematic, porous skin with acne spots and scars. Most often, the primer is available in a universal shade.
3. Creamy base. This category includes today's popular BB and CC creams, which combine the properties of a caring cream and a foundation with a light or medium coverage. The creamy base will easily mask skin imperfections such as rosacea, minor pigmentation and post-acne spots.
4. Gel base. Ideal for very oily skin. Due to its light texture, the gel-like base cools the skin, does not clog pores and does not provoke acne. Makeup base in gel form comes with or without foundation pigment.
5. Solid base (stick). The most pigmented foundation. It comes in stick form and has a firm, lipstick-like texture. The base stick is suitable for masking the most noticeable imperfections, creating a dense coverage. Suitable for combination and oily skin. On dry skin, a hard base can accentuate flaking and provoke further dehydration.
6. Dry base. It comes in the form of loose or compact powder. Unlike regular powder that finishes makeup, foundation powder has a denser texture and is designed to hide imperfections. The dry foundation smoothes pores and is suitable for oily and combination skin. Apply the powder base immediately after the day cream.

Makeup bases also differ according to skin type, performing different functions:

1. Mattifying base. It contains antibacterial and sebum-regulating substances, as well as absorbent particles: talc, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide. A high-quality mattifying base regulates the secretion of sebaceous glands on the face without clogging pores or causing comedones. In tandem with foundation and setting powder, the mattifying base prevents the appearance of oily shine throughout the day.
2. Moisturizing foundation. Designed to soften and protect dry and sensitive skin. The moisturizing base necessarily contains components such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and natural oils. As a rule, all moisturizing bases are water-based.
3. Illuminating base. Can be with or without a tonal shade. The main distinguishing feature of the illuminating base is the presence of microscopic shimmering particles, similar to mother-of-pearl. This foundation makes the skin healthy, polished and literally glowing from the inside.
4. Corrective base. This base contains a certain color nuance that allows you to effectively hide skin imperfections: the green base neutralizes redness, completely masking it; pink - covers sallow and tired complexion; the purple base neutralizes the unhealthy yellow undertone of the skin; yellow base - removes bruises and dark circles under the eyes; A white base evens out the overall tone of the face and fills in wrinkles.

There are also basics for different areas of the face:

1. Eye shadow base. It has a thick texture and contains cosmetic silicone. This base mattifies and slightly dries the skin of the eyelids, preventing the shadows from rolling into stripes and prolonging their durability. Shadows applied to the base look more pigmented and vibrant.
2. Mascara base. Comes in a tube similar to mascara. Contains a powder component that significantly increases the volume and length of eyelashes, and also prevents mascara from falling off during the day. Many mascara bases contain caring components that strengthen eyelashes and stimulate their growth.
3. Lipstick base. Moisturizes, nourishes, evens out lips, fills small wrinkles. Thanks to the base, the lipstick stays on the lips much longer, does not roll or smear. In winter, the foundation protects the delicate skin of the lips from frost and drying out.

Before applying the base, the skin needs to be cleansed and prepared.

Preparing the skin for applying base

Despite the fact that the makeup base itself improves the appearance of the skin, it is still better to prepare the skin for the application of the base, making the complexion even more radiant and healthy, and the makeup fresh and natural.

1. Exfoliation. Do a deep peeling of your facial skin, removing all dead cells and scales. The skin, cleared of the stratum corneum, is actively renewed, breathes and generally looks healthier.
2. Cleansing. Use a gentle foaming cleanser to remove excess makeup and dirt accumulated from your skin during the day. This will help the pores cleanse and produce less sebum. Lightly blot your face with a tissue and immediately proceed to the next step.
3. Toning. Using a cotton pad, apply facial toner to your skin. It will help the pores close and enhance metabolic processes in the epidermal cells. Tonic activates the skin's absorption of beneficial substances, preparing it for the application of cream. If you wipe your face with tonic immediately after washing, without waiting for the skin to dry completely, the moisture will be “sealed” in the skin, making it soft and velvety to the touch.
4. Intensive nutrition. Spray your face with thermal or floral water and apply a thick layer of a nourishing mask. Leave the mask on for the required time. Rinse with water, blot with a napkin and apply tonic to the skin again.
5. Hydration. Apply day cream to your face (patching along the massage lines). If you are taking a course of serums, then apply the serum first, then the cream. After 10 minutes, your skin is ready for makeup.

Applying makeup base

Applying a makeup base to the face is somewhat different from applying a regular foundation, because the base is not only a decorative, but also a caring part of the makeup. There are several ways to apply foundation:

1. Application with fingers. The coverage will be light to medium.
2. Application with a special damp sponge (beauty blender). The coverage is light.
3. Apply with a makeup brush. The coverage will be medium to dense.

You can choose the best option for yourself based on the overall condition of your skin and the problems you want to cover. If the base shade is different from the neck color, be sure to apply makeup base to your collarbones and along the sides of your neck. This way you will visually even out the color in these areas.

Tips for creating the perfect tone

There are some tricks that professional makeup artists use to give the skin a natural and uniform tone.

1. Moisturizer + makeup base. If your skin is extremely dry and flaky, try combining a moisturizer with a makeup primer. Warm the mixture on your fingertips and rub into your skin in a circular motion, paying special attention to the driest areas.
2. Makeup base + foundation. Sometimes it happens that the makeup base does not completely hide imperfections, and the foundation is too noticeable on the skin. In this case, mix equal parts makeup base and foundation. The result will be a medium-density coating that will smooth out unevenness, but will still look natural.
3. Thermal water. Pharmacy mineral water will help eliminate the “peach” effect - when the face looks overloaded with makeup. After each layer of foundation or foundation, spray the skin with thermal water and wait until it dries completely. This manipulation will help moisturize the skin and blend all layers of makeup together.

If your goal is the perfect complexion tone and maximum natural coverage, then opt for a makeup base.