Reasonably Priced Foundation Primer

Feb 18, 2012

Ashley B.

Okay, so I've tried two, the L'Oreal Primer (I forget what it's called, it's something like studio secrets) and the Rimmel Fix and Perfect Pro in 002. I find the L'Oreal primer to be to thick and it makes it seem like my skin is smothering under it. The Rimmel primer isn't thick enough, it's more like a moisturizer than a primer. It does nothing. I'm willing to spend up to $25 USD (not including tax) on a good primer. I'm not able to get to a MAC store or an ULTA, but there is a Sephora around here. So Urban Decay, Makeup Forever, Sephora, Benefit, Too (or is is Two, idk) Faced, those brands. Thanks in advance! 

Feb 18, 2012

Madi M.

get bare minerals primer at sephora works really well and is reasonably priced

Feb 18, 2012

Dani P.

Hard Candy has a nice lightweight primer called Sheer Envy. It's definitely affordable. I like it just as much as my Bare Minerals Prime Time primer I have, I would say they're pretty much equals in on how well they perform. But the Hard Candy one is half the price.

Feb 18, 2012

Ashley B.

@Dani I've tried one of the Hard Candy primers about a year ago, I don't remember what kind it was, but it was in like a pinkish tube. It was so greasy! I couldn't even accurately apply foundation because it just streaked up. It was so yucky, but I'm willing to try this one if it's not greasy.

@Madi I'll be sure to look into that primer! Thanks.

Feb 18, 2012

Stephanie M.

I Love the Victoria Secret Primer is light-weight and still it lasts. Trust me I sweat at various times during the day and my makeup stays up on my face lol. Sometimes I only use it all over my face and some on my lashes to hold my mascara. It works promise and it only $18 bucks and gives more then some other brands. Oh and it doesn't clump up also !!! 

Feb 18, 2012

Ashley B.

I've heard that Palladio primer is a lot like the smashbox primer. Is that true?

Feb 18, 2012

Dani P.

@Ashley The one I have is the clear formula in the white tube. I know they make several different kinds I do believe you may have picked up a color correcting primer from the sound of the packaging. The one I have isn't greasy at all and doesn't streak on me. I have combination skin and it works fine on my oily and dry areas. It just has the normal kind of silicone feeling that most primers do where it feels slick but its dry, its a hard feeling to describe.

Feb 18, 2012

Caroline G.

I've been having this same issue. I tried the Smashbox Primer. I did not like the Bare Minerals gel type of primer it just felt wrong. I ended up with the Benefit Porefessional and the Urban Decay pore refining primer. I love both. Both are a little pricey. Also Sephora has their brand of primer that may work well for you. It's about 17-18 USD. 

Feb 18, 2012

Ruwani N.

Benefit Porefessional is really nice. I have so many flaws like acne scarring and fine lines, but this gives you a nice smooth canvas to work with. Just don't rub it into the skin too much, or you defeat it's purpose. It is above your price limit at $29, but I love this and I share what I love. lol
Check out this search I did on Sephora.com and decide how you would prefer to get it. 
http://www.sephora.com/search/search_results.jhtml;jsessionid=P4RUPXI5I5BF0CV0KSGBXCQ?command=text&attr1=porefessional&attr2=&%2Fcom%2Fsephora%2Fsearch%2Fendeca%2Fui%2FEndecaSearchFormHandler.search=search&_D%3A%2Fcom%2Fsephora%2Fsearch%2Fendeca%2Fui%2FEndecaSearchFormHandler.search=+&maxRecords=18&recordOffset=0&seeAllCategory=false&searchString=porefessional&x=0&y=0&_DARGS=%2Fincludes%2FsearchFinder.jhtml

Feb 18, 2012

Shelly T.

I'm going to give you something to consider: Price per ounce.

VS's primer is a full ounce, as are the full-size Smashbox ones.

Meanwhile...
Benefit POREfessional = $29 for .75 oz = approx. $38.67/ounce.

Smashbox Photofinish To Go = $16 for .5 oz (Original and Light) = $32/ounce ($4 less than full size).

Hard Candy Sheer Envy = $8 for 1.6 oz. = $5/ounce.

* * *

I used to use Smashbox Photofinish Light religiously, but given what the ingredients are (mostly silicones... nothing wrong with them; they're just dirt cheap to get), for the $36 you pay for a full ounce, it's a bit of a rip-off.

Not to mention I found something I like better: Laura Mercier's oil-free primer.

LM has a few other foundation primers you can try, depending on your skin type and your needs. $30 USD gets you 1.7 ounces of product (works out to $17/ounce).

Feb 20, 2012

Felicia K.

I don't know if you'd be able to purchase something from Avon, but I have their MAgiX Face Perfector. It works really well at mattifying my oily areas and it has SPF 20 in it which is always nice. :) This one is also only $10. It's worth a try. :)

Feb 20, 2012

Angela H.

I like BOTH of the Sephora brand primers a whole lot, the Anti Shine Primer and the Ultra Perfecting Primer. The Anti Shine one is my favorite, it is more oil controlling and really makes my liquid foundation last forever. It's a great value too it comes in a big tube and not some complicated pump or anything. I also really like the Bare Minerals one as someone mentioned earlier, but the Sephora Collection Anti Shine is my favorite primer I've ever used. 

Feb 20, 2012

Nikki G.

If u have dry skin opt for a creme primer, if you have oily/combination skin like me, DEFO OPT for a serum type primer, - my two faves are GOSH's Anti-wrinkle primer & Model Co.'s primer. DOESNT comeoff until I take it off.

Feb 22, 2012

Christina L.

I love Bare Escentuals Prime Time. It is the best primer I ever used. My makeup never looked so natural and smooth. It also made my skin super smooth and silky! Unfortunately it is $22 and that's for 1.0 fl oz. Right now I'm not even using a primer. I use my Cetaphil moisturizer with spf 50 and let that soak in, then apply my foundation and it usually lasts all day. I don't notice any difference in my foundation really. 

Feb 22, 2012

Jane A.

A bunch of YouTube gurus swear by Monistat Anti-Chaffing Relief Powder Gel. It's the same ingredient as the Smashbox Photofinish primer, and pretty much all those "clear gel" primers (Laura Geller, etc. etc.).

Make sure you get that exact one though. I've used it and it worked really well on me. Try to Google it, or even search for it on Beautylish. =)

Here is a link to a previous thread about it on Beautylish: http://www.beautylish.com/t/vxgvv/monistat-as-face-primer-

Feb 23, 2012

Miss Manny S.

I know this is a little over your budget (just by $3 though) but right now I'm using philosophy's the present and I'm completely in love. It's a primer AND a moisturizer, doesn't feel greasy or slick, fills in lines, and does wonders for keeping foundation in place. Plus it actually has 2 ounces instead of 1 like most primers so you're really paying $14/ounce. 

Feb 26, 2012

Samantha G.

i would check revlon's perfecting primer. it's really nice. not silicone feeling and holds up all day.