As a junior beauty editor at Who What Wear UK, I’m always looking for the secret to getting that glow that we all want so badly. Luminous skin trend is a beauty trend that has never gone out of style.
Over the years, I’ve tried a lot of products, from facial serums to tinted moisturizers and glowy foundations, to get that look. But about a year ago, I realized that I had been missing one thing that would help me make a perfect glowing base. I’m talking about the best base coats.
I don’t know about you, but I used to skip primer because I didn’t want to add another step to my daily makeup routine. That said, my desk was always full of primers that promised a glowing complexion.
Grace Lindsay junior beauty editor for Who What Wear UK, is wearing a primer that makes her skin look brighter under her makeup.
Not only did these products keep my makeup on all day, but a few of them gave me that beautiful lit from within glow that I had been trying so hard to get.
It was very similar to the finish of glowing moisturizer. Since I found out about this, I’ve made it my mission to try out some of the best and most popular illuminating primers market.
Grace Lindsay junior beauty editor, shares her favorite illuminating primers. You don’t need this many products to get a glowy makeup look, but I strongly suggest that you add at least one of these primers to your makeup bag today.
I’ve put together a list of my favorite illuminating primers for you to buy below. I even talked to an expert in field to find out what makes these products so great.
What is the purpose of an illuminating primer?
First things first, what do these things do? We all know that regular makeup primers make your foundation last longer normally, but why choose an illuminating one instead?
Mona Baubant, an EME pro artist at Rare Beauty, says that an illuminating primer often works to reflect light.
“They can smooth hydrate brighten in one step. They also help you get a glowing base makeup that you can use under foundation and concealer.
Silicone Primers vs. Water-Based Primers
If you want a glowing finish look, think about the formula when you pick a primer. Be careful of ingredients that end in “icone,” like dimethicone silicone ingredients.
These are silicones that help makeup last longer and make skin feel smoother and softer. But they usually make things look matte, so make sure you don’t use too many silicones and that they’re not the main ingredients formula.
If you want a glowy dewy finish, a water-based primer is the best choice possible. Look for “aqua” as the main ingredient formula.
How to Use an Illuminating Primer
Baubant says, “I like to put one to two pumps of the primer on clean moisturized skin before putting on foundation or concealer.”
“You can also put it on your neck and décolletage to make your collarbone look bright. I like to mix in one pump foundation too if you want your skin look better.
Now that you know how to use illuminating primer, check out my favorite glowing primers.
The Best Brightening Primers
- Beauty Pie Wonderfilter Brightening Primer, £14, is the best overall primer.
- Rare Beauty Always An Optimist Illuminating Primer, £27, is the best long lasting makeup primer.
- Vieve Skin Nova Instant Radiance Primer (£33) is the best glowing finish.
- Charlotte Tilbury Wonderglow Face Makeup Primer (£42) is the best dull skin solution.
- Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Hydrating Primer is the best oily skin primer.
1. Primer that brightens and protects your skin from Beauty Pie
Best Overall: Beauty Pie + Wonderfilter™ Brightening Primer
Beauty Pie Wonderfilter Brightening Primer for £14. Buy now price. This is the price for members.
- Squalane ficucell vita and hollow prism pearls are the main ingredients formula.
- 30 ml size
- Water and silicone based formula
This primer from Beauty Pie is great for getting that dewy glowing look. You can put it straight on skin or mix it into your foundation base routine. It blurs the skin and gives it a natural glowing finish.
Pros
- Silicones smoother makeup application
- Beauty Pie members get lower price
2. Rare Beauty Always An Optimist Illuminating Primer
Best long lasting illuminating primer.
Rare Beauty Always An Optimist Illuminating Primer £27 £22 SHOP NOW online
- Glycerin lotus gardenia white waterlily ingredients
- 28 ml size
- Water based silicone free formula
This is, without a doubt, one of the best illuminating primers I’ve ever used. It almost melts into skin and makes a very smooth foundation base.
I like that it gives me a natural looking glow instead of being too strong shine.
Pros
- Works all makeup types
Disadvantages
- Frequently out stock
3. Primer for Vieve Skin Nova Instant Radiance
Mica Ricketts is testing the Vieve Skin Nova Instant Radiance Primer. (Image credit: Mica Ricketts)
Best glowing finish illuminating primer.
Vieve Skin Nova Instant Radiance Primer costs £33.
- Beta glucan rose water orchid extract
- 30 ml size
- Water based silicone free formula
I always use Vieve for glowy base products, and this primer is no different product. The sleek packaging makes it easy carry anywhere, and it really moisturizes the skin.
The formula is a bright gold color, but don’t let that stop you because it blends perfectly skin.
Mica Ricketts, a freelance beauty editor, says, “I used to think primers were only special occasions, but I fell in love with this illuminating primer Vieve the first time I tried it.
It’s been a must have makeup bag for the last few years.”
Pros
- Radiance lasts all day
Disadvantages
- Too shiny oily skin
