The best part of watching a makeup tutorial is witnessing how the right combination of products can transform your skin in just a matter of minutes. Foundation can conceal your most stubborn scars or redness, while concealer can camouflage the evidence of any late-night social media scrolling (guilty!). Perhaps the most alluring part of a makeup routine is how one particular unassuming base product can keep it all in place: Primer.
“Primers are a product that ‘prep’ or ‘prime’ the skin for foundation; they create a smoother surface for easier, even application, and help lock makeup in place for long wear. Today, many primers are formulated with ingredients that offer additional benefits, addressing specific needs such as mattifying, hydrating, etc,” says David Razzano, makeup artist and Sephora beauty director. Beyond these benefits, illuminating primers can especially impart a glow that radiates through each layer.
“An illuminating primer will add a radiant finish to the skin, while also smoothing and locking makeup in place. Usually, these types of primers have a touch of a reflective pigment within, so the radiant light will bounce off the skin and create an ‘illuminated’ effect,” Razzano adds. Not for the faint of heart, illuminating primers enhance your base routine to provide a “lit from within look.” You’ll get radiance from the primer, and when you apply your foundation on top, the light will glow from under the foundation, creating a soft, ethereal finish,” he continues.
Many of the formulas on the market offer sophisticated glowy finishes that look more sunkissed and less like the glittery veil of Twilight’s Edward Cullen. With summer on the horizon, fake a fresh-from-vacation glow with these 12 expert-approved illuminating primers.
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While this illuminator creates a pearly base for makeup, its sheen looks even better when lightly dusted down the neck and along the décolletage. The pink tint is universally flattering and blends seamlessly into the skin, rather than sitting on top.
Fluide Enlumineur Iridescent Illuminating Fluid, $94, CHANEL BEAUTY.
While this illuminator creates a pearly base for makeup, its sheen looks even better when lightly dusted down the neck and along the décolletage. The pink tint is universally flattering and blends seamlessly into the skin, rather than sitting on top.
Hydro Grip + Glow Illuminating Primer, US$30 (about S$38.90), MILK MAKEUP.
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Are you truly a makeup fan if your arsenal doesn’t at least have one product from makeup whisperer Kevin Aucoin’s offerings? If you’re looking for the perfect place to start, this illuminating primer is worth your attention. Not only does it come in a slew of golden shades, but it also conditions the skin with passionfruit and marula oil.
Glass Glow Face, $49.79, KEVYN AUCOIN.
The best thing about this formula lies within its name—enhancer. An illuminator this good shouldn’t only be relegated to priming when it works beautifully as a blush, bronzer, highlighter, and so much more.
Fluid Sheer Glow Enhancer Liquid Highlighter, $54, ARMANI BEAUTY.
Unlike other illuminating primers that simply enhance your glow, this one goes the extra mile to plump (using hyaluronic acid) and nourish (thanks to glycerin and shea butter).
V-Lighter Face Primer & Highlighter, $66, VALENTINO.
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If a bronze, sun-kissed glow is what you're after, Kosas has the remedy. This formula comes in 10 shades that complement a range of skin tones, featuring ingredients that brighten and hydrate.
Glow I.V. Vitamin-Infused Skin Enhancer, $54, KOSAS.
Chasing a summer glow is one thing, but protecting your skin in the process is even better. Nars’ Radiance Primer is designed to give you a radiant finish while offering broad-spectrum protection—SPF 35, to be exact. Furthermore, the oil-free formula won’t clog pores, so acneic skin can glow, too.
Radiance Primer SPF 35, $66, NARS.
Dryness is no match for Rare Beauty’s illuminating primer, which conditions the skin with glycerin as a botanical blend, comprised of white lily and gardenia.
Always An Optimist Iluminating Primer, $48, RARE BEAUTY.
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Victoria Beckham’s chic, clean-girl beauty approach meets Augustinus Bader’s sophisticated, science-backed formulas in this skin care-makeup hybrid. The formula primes and moisturises with help from Augustinus Bader's signature TC08 complex, which combines peptides, vitamins, and amino acids to rejuvenate the skin.
The Cell Rejuvenating Priming Moisturizer, $142, VICTORIA BECKHAM.
Where the OG Blurring Balm left a natural, matte, airbrushed finish, the radiant version achieves the same effect with a touch more sheen and a pearlescent veil.
Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder Universal Radiant, US$36 (about S$46.60), DANESSA MYRICKS BEAUTY.
An ELLE editor favourite, the Glowy Super Gel has also built a legion of followers for its lightweight, glow-inducing formula that works well under makeup or swirled into your go-to moisturiser.
Glowy Super Gel, $28, SAIE.
Buy for the radiant priming effects, keep for the built-in massager. Niacinamide and glycerin are the stars of the product, both working to brighten and hydrate the skin as the roller applicator sculpts.
Glow and Sculpt Face Serum Primer, $40, REFY.
This article was first seen on ELLE UK.