Are you confused about what makeup primers actually do? Well, to put it into simple terms, makeup primers are a pivotal part of creating a flawless makeup look.

Known mostly as base makeup, primers will give you a smooth blank canvas before starting your work of art. Primers will keep your makeup intact and reduce smudging, transfer and fading. Thus it can actually be the product and step that makes or break your makeup look!

They come in many forms, formulas and styles. With that, today Beauty Insider is listing down the best makeup primers!

Best Makeup Primers in Singapore

1. JULIETTE ARMAND Hydra Mattifying Gel

If you are searching for an affordable primer that will not only benefit your makeup but also your skin, this is the one for you! It is great for all skin types as it acts as a moisturiser that controls oil production, giving you lasting matte skin. This makes an ideal base for your makeup, ensuring that it won’t budge or fade.

Moreover, the ingredients in this gel primer are ultra-hydrating such as Aloe and Hyaluronic Acid. It is also enriched with a vitamin complex that helps to reduce the appearance of pores and fine lines for a smooth finish. Making it one of the best makeup primers you’ll have!

Why we love it:

  • It creates a matte finish
  • It helps keep makeup intact all-day
  • Keeps the skin hydrated and not tight throughout the day

Price: $69.00

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2. Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Primer

The Internet loves this recently released filter by Rihanna’s brand. This makeup primer has no oil and is designed specifically to make skin matte. But unlike other primers for oily skin, it feels light on the skin. Thus, you can apply this all over your face fearlessly.

Because who wants to feel more stuff on their face when you already have oil weighing you down 24/7? It comes in a single colour for a reason—the soft pink adds radiance to your skin. Makeup artists also use it alone on the skin if you are skipping the foundation but want a bit of help making your skin look healthier.

Why we love it:

  • It is lightweight
  • Evens out pink tones

Price: $48.00

Where to buy: Sephora Singapore

3. Make Up For Ever Step 1 Nourishing Primer

Makeup Product

If you are afraid that your makeup might crack or reveal your dry skin, this well-loved and affordable primer will save you. Make Up For Ever Step 1 Nourishing Primer was designed for dry and dehydrated skin. The consistency is both rich and creamy and the primer restores skin’s elasticity and revitalises your skin to create an even texture. And of course, it also gets an A+ at keeping your makeup lasting all day long. What’s more, is that you can apply some primer onto your eyelids as well for longer-lasting shadow!

Why we love it:

  • Doesn’t feel tight
  • No dry feeling
  • Lightweight

Price: $37.00

Where to buy: Sephora Singapore

4. Stila One Step Prime

This is one heck of a makeup primer as it has the benefit to fill in pores and fine lines. Therefore making your makeup look smooth and flawless, as well as one of the best makeup primers on hand! It contains silicones, which you can thank for your “no filter” beauty. Stila One Step Prime also contains Youth Revival Bio-Available Mineral Complex™ which includes 15 bioavailable vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants. It is oil-free and fragrance-free and contains no parabens. All you need is a very tiny amount, just the size of a pea. That is enough to prime your entire face. At 30ml, this is going to last you a while! And who could resist such elegant packaging!

Why we love it:

  • It nourishes the skin
  • Smooth finish

Price: $43.50

Where to buy: LookFantastic

5. It Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Oil-Free Poreless Skin-Perfecting Serum Primer

Incredibly affordable, this makeup primer blurs pores, fine lines, and wrinkles. It contains Moroccan lava clay, hydrolysed collagen, papaya fruit extract, and purifying charcoal. The formula allows makeup to glide on easily and it even helps minimise shine. Reviews have praised that despite oily, sensitive, and acne-prone skin, makeup will stay on for almost 10 hours!

Why we love it:

  • Affordable
  • It is buildable

Price: $16.05

Where to buy: Shopee Singapore

6. TATCHA The Liquid Silk Canvas Face Primer

If you’re prone to breakouts and need an oil-free makeup primer solution that still does the job, this primer from Tatcha is your pick. Its lightweight formula will create a velvet smooth canvas for your makeup without ruining your skin. It contains Silk Extracts, which offers a nourishing feeling on your skin and reduce the appearance of pores and fine lines.

Additionally, it is also water-resistant which helps to diminish shininess throughout the day. It contains incredible ingredients such as 35% Hadasei-3, a complex of Japanese anti-ageing superfood to give your skin a more youthful look.

Why we love it:

  • It is suitable for all skin types
  • It evens out skin tone
  • Creates a protective barrier from external harm

Price: $79.00

Where to buy: Sephora Singapore

7. Tarte BB Tinted Treatment 12-Hour Primer Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF30

Sometimes, we wonder if a do-it-all product exists, and then there is this makeup primer by Tarte to answer our prayers! This primer will not only keep your makeup in place, but it will give you a slight tint to even out your skin tone as well. To add, it is also a broad-spectrum sunscreen that helps protect your skin from sun damage. This is always a big plus in our books!

This innovative, multi-purpose primer is also one of the highest-rated primers on Sephora as it is a fan favourite among customers. It has a cream, silk-like consistency that is easy to blend and creates a smooth finish.

Why we love it:

  • The tint is buildable
  • It has anti-ageing properties
  • It is long-lasting and oil-free

Price: $56.00

Where to buy: Sephora Singapore

8. Etude House Face Blur

makeup primers

If you’re a K-Beauty junkie, this face primer by Etude House is a game-changer. This liquid-smooth primer is not only just a great makeup primer, but it will brighten and create a blurring effect on your complexion too. It feels like you’re walking around with a beauty effect on as it diminishes pores and fine lines.

Moreover, it comes in three varieties which are Smoothing, Mattifying and Moisturising to suit everyone’s preference and skin tone.

Why we love it:

  • It evens out skin tone
  • Smoothens complexion
  • Can wear on its own

Price: $27.90

Where to buy: Shopee Mall Singapore

9. Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Primer – Hydrating Face Primer

makeup primers

Many primers often have that drying, tight feeling due to the lack of moisturising ingredients. However, this water-based makeup primer by Laura Mercier contains a hydrating formula that is simply amazing. It keeps your makeup in place but also locks in moisture to keep your skin feeling fresh all day.

Its formula is made with Olive Extract and Marine Hydra Botanicals to replenish the skin while promoting long-term hydration recovery.

Why we love it:

  • It is silicone-free
  • Suitable for all skin types
  • It is lightweight and breathable

Price: $70.00

Where to buy: Sephora Singapore

10. Elf Poreless Putty Primer

makeup primers

This makeup primer is a true cult favourite. We are talking about the iconic Elf Cosmetics Poreless Putty Primer that has made waves on the internet of course! Many are amazed by its effectiveness at eliminating the appearance of pores and imperfections.

Furthermore, it contains Squalane to ensure that your skin stays hydrated by locking moisture in its place. It is suitable for all skin types and will give you a long-lasting flawless finish.

Why we love it:

  • It is easy to blend
  • Has different shades to suit everyone
  • It evens out skin tone

Price: $19.90

Where to buy: Shopee Singapore

11. Maybelline New York Baby Skin Pore Eraser Primer

makeup primers

Everyone loves a good Maybelline product and the Maybelline New York Baby Skin Pore Eraser Primer is exactly that! This makeup primer is loved by many thanks to its amazing capabilities to transform your complexion. With a super silky texture, it is suitable for all skin types. Its lightweight and transparent gel have the benefit of instantly giving your skin that youthful radiance. Despite a matte finish, it also helps moisturise your skin. 

Why we love it:

  • Smooth skin
  • Suitable for all skin types
  • Instant glow

Price: $21.90

Where to buy: Watsons

12. Bite Beauty Changemaker Skin-Optimizing Primer 

makeup primers

The Bite Beauty Changemaker Skin-Optimizing Primer is a cream makeup primer that offers a matte finish. Since it has skin-optimising technologies, it has the ability to help neutralise your skin. Aside from that, it also has the benefit of helping grip onto your foundation for lasting and flawless wear. It even features two different variations to cater to different skin types. Choose to mattify with the Normal to Oily skin primer, or hydrate with the Normal to Dry skin primer. 

Why we love it:

  • High-performance primer
  • Suitable for all skin types
  • Long-lasting 

Price: $54.00

Where to buy: Sephora

11. Too Faced Hangover Primer

Renowned among beauty gurus and makeup aficionados, the Too Faced Hangover Primer stands out as an exceptional choice for those contending with dry skin. 

Whether your skin tends to be naturally dry or is in need of rejuvenation after a late-night escapade (hence the “hangover” nod in its name), this primer, enriched with coconut water, provides an instantaneous surge of hydration. Say hello to revived, radiant skin!

Why we love it:

  • Instant hydration
  • Refreshing glow
  • Perfect for dry skin

Price: $46

Where to buy: KrisShop

12. Hourglass Nº 28 Primer Serum

Why settle for a primer or a serum when you can have both in one luxurious bottle? Enter the Hourglass Nº 28 Primer Serum, a skincare powerhouse that pampers your skin day and night. 

This botanical-infused elixir not only deeply moisturises but also preps your canvas for flawless makeup application. Consider it your skin’s VIP treatment.

Why we love it:

  • Deep moisturisation
  • Smooth canvas for makeup application
  • Dual benefit of serum and primer.

Price: $112

Where to buy: Sephora

13.  NARS Radiance Primer SPF35/PA+++

Double up on protection and radiance with the NARS Radiance Primer. Bursting with encapsulated sunscreen beads, it’s your shield against UV rays, delivering SPF35/PA+++ coverage. 

This primer not only defends your skin but also imparts a pearlescent finish, ensuring you glow while you conquer the day.

Why we love it:

  • Antioxidant boost
  • Sun protection
  • Pearlescent finish

Price: $64

Where to buy: Sephora

14.  Benefit The POREfessional Hydrate Face Primer

Introducing the hydration hero of the Benefit family — The POREfessional Hydrate Face Primer. Building on the success of its pore-blurring predecessor, this edition combines the magic of flawless skin with a surge of hydration. 

With Hyaluronic Acid and Shea Butter, it’s your ticket to a velvety-smooth complexion that lasts for a dazzling 12 hours.

Why we love it:

  • Pore-blurring effect
  • Hydrating formula with Hyaluronic Acid and Shea Butter
  • Keeps the skin soft, smooth, and hydrated for up to 12 hours

Price: $59

Where to buy: Sephora

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