Where do you fall on the face primer issue?
Well, it’s not really an issue… I mean, do you love ’em or hate ’em? Because it seems like most people are in one of the two camps. I don’t come across a lot of middle ground. Most folks either love face primers…or they don’t.
I love ’em, and I usually wear one daily, even if I’m just doing minimal makeup to take my cat for a walk. I’m not a huge fan of the extra step, but I’ve come to terms with the effort. It doesn’t take a ton of time for me to rub some primer on my cheeks and my forehead, and the payoff is smoother-looking skin, better texture and longer-lasting makeup.
What’s an unsung makeup hero? For me, it’s an oftentimes underrated makeup morsel, a permanent collection product that scoots under the radar screen of many makeup lovers but regularly rocks my world. The long-running Unsung Heroes series features some of my favorites.
There’s no shortage of great face primers out there, but this one by Urban Decay is one of the best. It’s $34 Urban Decay Urban Defense Complexion Primer Broad Spectrum SPF 30, and it’s clear, even though it has sunscreen in it, which makes it something of a makeup unicorn…because, as you know, primers that contain SPF often leave a noticeable white cast on the skin — especially tan skin and darker skin tones — and, frankly, it can be hella annoying.
Sometimes it’s really obvious, but I don’t see any white cast when I use this. It’s completely invisible, and that’s one of the reasons I like it so much.
This feels light, absorbs and dries quickly, doesn’t give me breakouts, and when I wear it under foundation, BB cream, powder, concealer — you name the face product — my skin just looks…better. Smoother. Oh! — and my pores look less aggro, LOL! I have combination skin, by the way (dry on my cheeks and oily in the T-zone), and this works well all over my face.
Urban Defense is a fabulous face primer with the added benefit of sun protection, although I wouldn’t rely on it as my sole source of SPF (you still gotta wear sunscreen!). Plus, no visible tint!
If you’re a fan of smoothing primers like Smashbox Photofinish and Make Up For Ever Smoothing Primer, I think you’ll like it. Heck, you might even love it because it feels A LOT lighter than either of those.
It’s available in the permanent line, and you can find at the usual UD spots, including Sephora, Ulta, Macy’s and the UD website.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Most of the time when it comes to an extra step with my makeup I am like “No thank you, please!” But I do like to use a primer if I am going all out with my makeup like on a weekend night out. That being said, I don’t think I’ve ever actually bought a full size primer. I have a few that I’ve gotten with various gifts with purchase or sets.
I’m definitely a primer fan! I have drier skin and an extra layer of protection always helps! Not to mention helping with those pesky pores on the sides of my nose!
Thank you for your unsung heros series!! I loooove it!! ??
Hi Michelle,
Ya know, now that I think about it, my skin does seem a little less dry (I have combo dry/oily skin) when I wear primer! Interesting to think of it as another layer of protection against the elements.
BTW I used MAC Coffee liner the other day and remembered how you wished you bought backups… ME TOO. I hope they bring it back one day.
Oh coffee liner!!! Seriously, enjoy it for me too!! ? I would be so happy if they brought it back!
I just hope that I don’t lose the last stick I have! *fingers crossed*
I’ve heard that it’s still available outside of the U.S.
Oh I’ll definitely look into that!! Thanks for the tip!!
I absolutely love primer! Not so much the silicon-feeling ones, like Smashbox Photofinish. But I have a moisturizing primer from First Aid Beauty that I love. The best part about using a it is that I can use less foundation for the same amount of coverage that I get when not using primer.
Speaking of MAC eye liner, I ordered my first one yesterday. (Modern Twist Kajal in Black Walnut) Apparently several colors have been discontinued and formulas changed, because there were a lot of seriously ticked off people down in the reviews.
I’m on the fence about primers. I just don’t see a difference in my foundation when I use one. I’ve tried the smoothing ones and my pores are still the size of garages and all the foundation just moves right in and settles there for the stay. When I compare the ingredients in my SPF they’re very similar to most primers, except my SPF is 50, so while I’ve been dabbling with primers, I haven’t really found one that does the job. You know, keep my foundation from filling my pores and expression lines and help my foundation to last longer. The search goes on.
I should try this! I use an SPF 30 and a primer every day, so if I can combine them… I wear primer mostly to stop my foundation from falling into my pores, so this sounds like it’ll be perfect for that! I’m really trying to be serious about my sun protection as well, because even though I don’t get sunburns and usually tan instead, I’m still only an NC10-15 and I use chemical exfoliants regularly so I shouldn’t ever be complacent!
I fall between. I wear a primer when I need extra longevity, but if I am only at home, I just skip the step. Which is why I haven´t tried many, the two tubes I have at home will probably last me till the end of time.
Hi Karen! My holy grail combo used to be UD’s Pore Perfecting primer and Naked Skin foundation. When they replaced the primer with Optical Illusion Complexion Primer, I didn’t like the way the new one felt on my face–sort of oily and too slick, like it sat on top of my skin instead of sinking in. My skin is same as yours with dry cheeks and oily T-zone so I was wondering if this new primer is similar to Pore Perfecting or if it feels more like Optical Illusion?
I like primers, I don’t always wear them. Maybe 65 percent of the time I do. I really love a purple one–Becca First Light Priming Filter. But I often layer that over my foundation.
Speaking of, I just tried some samples of Urban Decay All-Nighter Foundation, have you reviewed this yet and I’ve just missed it? I’d like to know your thoughts.
I know it’s supposed to be a full coverage but I felt like I was blending for half an hour. Not a big fan. It felt extremely heavy to me.
I feel like I HAVE to wear primer because foundation itself can break you out and i feel like primers are gentle and sort of protect my skin from whatever foundation im wearing. in addition to the visible effects it provides.
AHHHH! I’m so excited to read this post because this sounds just like the clear Cover FX sunscreen which is the same size but substantially more expensive. I was just going to order another one of those but I’m going to try this instead 😀
Hi Shiny,
I haven’t tried that sunscreen but FYI, you might still want to layer a sunscreen underneath this since it functions primarily as a primer. 🙂
Good point, will keep it in mind for those rare sunny days (London resident here).