Why You Don't Need Primer

Guys, I'm about to tell you a secret that people who are paid to create and sell makeup don't want you to know. You don't actually need a face primer! I know, I was shocked when I learned it too! 

But in all seriousness, I'm going to share with you guys some key bits of information to help you become more savvy shoppers, and save your money and your skin!

Let's get into it!

Number 1.

--Primers are designed to lock in everything underneath it--

Most conventional primers are designed to keep our makeup locked in place all day, so it creates a barrier between your makeup and your skin to prevent your makeup from breaking down.

So, all that bad bacteria, oil, dirt, sweat, you're keeping that trapped under your makeup all day. I have noticed a tremendous improvement in my skin's texture since I stopped using a face primer.

Particularly if you have acne prone or oily skin, it's one more layer of product our skin just does not need.

Number 2.

--Whether it's to hydrate or control oil, that's the job of your skincare routine--

Primers usually have a distinct claim; to help control oil, to hydrate the skin, to brighten the complexion, to reduce redness, you get the idea.

Well, if your skincare routine is doing it's job, you won't need a facial primer to fix these issues. Masking the problem won't make it go away, it will only be a temporary fix. Get your skin under control and you'll never have to waste money covering up imperfections again!

If you have dry skin, your moisturizer will take care of the dryness--and if your skin gets dry throughout the day, you need a better moisturizer. 

If you have oily skin, don't be fooled and think that silicone based primer is going to prevent that oil build up, you need to properly moisturize your skin and use a matte powder and foundation. Speaking from personal experience, the more I tried to control the oil with cosmetics, the oilier I became over time. 

Number 3.

--If your makeup doesn't last all day, that's the products fault--

Generally speaking, people use face primers to prolong the wear of their face makeup. Yet here's the problem, your makeup should last all day anyway.

If my foundation only lasts 6 hours before fading or breaking apart, it's not right for my skin, so I'll find one that works better. Why would you purchase a product with sub par longevity, only to need to purchase an at least $30 product to make it work as it should?!!

So that $10 drugstore foundation and that $5 bronzer that you like, but only with a $30 primer worn underneath, now costs as much as that $35 high-end foundation that wears perfectly all day without any primer needed. 

Number 4.

--Most primers contain Dimethicone--

Going back to my original point, most primers are designed to trap everything underneath. Most primers achieve this through the ingredient Dimethicone, or other forms of silicone.

It's designed to act as that barrier between the skin and your makeup so your makeup withstands all the oil that wants to break it apart.

The problem here besides the fact it's keeping all that junk in your pores, prolonged exposure to Dimethicone prevents your skin from doing it's normal processes. So the fine lines and wrinkles, uneven pigmentation, acne, or sun spots you hate, your skin isn't able to go through the steps to rid your skin of it.

Just properly moisturize and hydrate your skin, don't fake it with synthetic moisturizing agents like Dimethicone.

Number 5.

--They're too expensive for what they are--

When you buy cosmetics, whether it's high-end or drugstore, you're generally paying for the brand name and the packaging. It's sad but true. There is no life changing ingredient in most conventional primers that is going to make your makeup look perfect.

Primers such as the Benefit POREfessional, Hourglass Mineral Veil Primer, Laura Geller Spackle Primer, Smashbox Photofinish Primer, are largely comprised of Dimethicone--I dare you to go look at your primers and read what the first 5 ingredients are--I guarantee that most of them contain it. Dimethicone is a cheap moisturizing agent that is designed to hold in whatever is underneath it, that's it! The rest of that $30 you spent, that was on the cheap preservatives, fragrance, packaging, and brand name. 

And lastly, primers such as the BECCA Backlight Priming Filter or the Too Faced Hangover RX, one of the main ingredients is typically glycerin. GLYCERIN! That product that you can buy for under $10 at the grocery store, it's being sold from a makeup brand--with other preservatives, color additives, and maybe some coconut water and nice parfum-- for $30 to $40 for 1 whole ounce of it. 

My suggestion, buy the Heritage Products Rosewater & Glycerin Spray. It works as a makeup prep spray, moisturizes the skin, but doesn't ruin your skin in the process. And it's less than $10 at your local Whole Foods or Health Food Store.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE!

Save your money and skip the primer, you really do not need it!