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We all wish we had perfect, smooth and flawless skin, but we also wish we were filthy rich and lived in the Bahamas. Some things just aren't meant to be. And that's why people invented makeup primer. Primer helps fill in big pores, fine lines and other surface problems to give you the perfectly smooth palette you need for your favorite makeups.
Arbonne Virtual Illusion Makeup Primer
With Arbonne's primer, you're an illusionist doing a disappearing act on your skin's problems. Skincare products tester Paula Begoun praised it highly in "Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me," saying it was "wonderfully silky" and "works beautifully to smooth skin and prep it for makeup." Besides just basic priming ingredients like silicone, Arbonne's also added skin-protecting antioxidants and herbal extracts.
Peter Thomas Roth Max Anti-Shine Mattifying Gel
If you're troubled with oily skin conditions that cause your favorite makeup products to slip 'n' slide worse than a kid at a pool party, use this anti-shine priming gel. It earned a recommendation from the editors of InStyle, which loved its "gentle, lightweight formula." It fills in problem pores and wrinkles with silicone gel, while oil-absorbing powders help keep shine and grease at bay.
BECCA Mineral SPF Primer
The heat of summer, mixed with your perspiration and oils, can cause your makeup to melt off your face faster than a melting candy bar in a hot car. For an extra-strong grip, try BECCA's mineral primer, which comes recommended by Real Simple magazine. It's water-resistant, giving your cosmetics a dry and firm foundation. And not only does it protect your makeup application, it also protects your skin. Built-in sunscreen shields out the sun while antioxidants like vitamin E help fight skin damage.
CoverGirl & Olay Simply Ageless Serum
Good Housekeeping suggests you use this anti-aging makeup primer, which pairs two skincare industry giants: CoverGirl and Olay. Lightweight silicone transforms your face into a smooth and perfect canvas, while anti-aging ingredients including vitamin E, a vitamin B complex and green tea extract help minimize signs of aging related to skin damage.

