I've heard great things about Primer so I've decided I'd like to try one out. The question is- which one?! I've heard great things about MAC Prep & Prime, which would make sense as I use a MAC foundation, but then my other friends are raving about Clarins Beauty Flash Balm but from googling, I'm not sure whether this should be used every day to maintain the "effect". There are so many out there I'm feeling slightly overwhelmed!

So... what are your Primer recommendations? Has anyone tried the Bare Minerals one? My friend works there so I could get 50% of that one if it's good. I'm not too bothered about price, but the maximum I'm looking to spend is £35.

I've recently been trying out lots of primers. I didn't actually think much of the MAC one.

Don't bother with Revlon's new one - it's not that great.

I've heard great things about the Bare Minerals one, so if you can get a discount, I'd definitely try it.

Surprisingly the best one I've used is a relatively cheap one. Well, there are two actually. L'Oreal's Studio Secrets Primer and GOSH's Velvet Touch.

http://www.superdrug.com/gosh/gosh-v...r/invt/483176/

http://www.boots.com/en/LOreal-Paris...Primer_947702/

What sort of skin do you have?

I have the Bare Minerals brightening primer, but I personally do not like it - it's so thin

Smashbox has one called Photo Finish that's amazing if you have oily skin! I love how it mattified my skin, however I'm a bit on the dry side - so not for me.

Mac's Prep + Prime Face Protect primer is my favourite. It has spf 50 in it, and there's little sparkles! It's always really hydrating which works for me, personally.


I agree with SourCherry above that GOSH's primer is pretty decent! It did it's job, but my skin broke out from it, sadly.

I have only two primers that i use and one of the primers i have used for a couple of years now. That is the Gosh velvet primer and i have got to agree with the comments above that it is a brillant primer. It makes my foundation lasts a long time.

I also agree with the new Revlon primer, i have it and to be honest, i dont like. Its a thick primer and have to use a lot to cover the whole face and it doesnt last as long as the Gosh primer x-x

http://www.youtube.com/user/laurensm...3?feature=mhee

I do think Clarins Beauty Flash Balm & Clarins Instant Light Complexion Perfecter are among the best primers...

I use a primer by Mally. It is very good it leaves a lovely canvas for your make up but it's bloody expensive.

I've used Bare Minerals; I use BM foundation so I thought it made sense but their primer is just okay imo, nothing special.

Thanks for your suggestions everyone!


I have dry skin.

Beauty Flash Balm. Without a doubt the best primer.

Smashbox Photo Finish is a great primer.

I am using the L'Oreal Studio Secrets primer and it is by far the best I've used out of everything I've tried.

Interesting to see Beauty Flash Balm touted as a good primer, I have about 3 sample size tubes of this so will give that a go when I've finished the L'Oreal one!

I'm certainly no peaches and cream on the complexion front, but it's soooo good, quite often I don't even bother with face powder (I don't wear foundation anyway, just concealer where needed).

L'Oreal for me too .It gives you a lovely base for putting make up on ,it's great for filling in crevices and even covering my ruddy face!

I gave in and tried the Flash balm today, have to say I totally agree with you! It makes such a difference to my complexion, but I don't even know what, if that makes sense?! Can't believe I've been holding on to this product since Christmas and not even thought about it until this thread!

Total sense! Although I can't see any shimmer etc in the lotion, it really does what it says - brightens and tightens. It also leaves your skin lpoking matt, but not dry. Whatever it is, it's worth every penny. And a little really does go a long way IMO

Benefit Porefessional is a beautiful primer.

All this talk of primers has coerced me into buying Becca Radiance primer, I've seen some very positive reviews on the product. I want a little bit of glow for the summer and Becca seem to do that very well.

Benefit have just tweeted that Jessie J is wearing this product on The Voice tonight.

How much of these products are you meant to use? The tubs are tiny! I was thinking of buying the loreal one after being impressed by a sample, but £15 for a teeny tub...

So far I have tried out three primers.

I got a sample size of Clarins Beauty Flash Balm, Benefit Porefessional happened to come free with my Glamour and used my friends discount for Bare Minerals Prime time.

I wasn't at all impressed with the Benefit one, the BM one was ok but very very runny and I absolutely adore the Beauty Flash Balm. My skin looks amazing with this but I'm not sure if I use it every day whether I'll stay get the same boost. Those of you that use it, do you use it every day?

I was watching one of the top beauty and make up gurus, Lisa Eldridge and she says that you shouldn't use BFB everyday. I think Clarins say that your skin will get used to it and it won't have the same effect, so best to use it occasionally saying that though I'm sure there are some women who do use it every day without issue.

I love my Becca radiance, it really gives my skin a nice dewy finish. Think I might try their tinted moisturiser next.

I only use it if I'm putting my face on, which isn't every day. But I would say I've been using it for 5 months about 3-4 times a week and still get a good effect.

I thought as much


I've been looking at reviews and this looks promising! I'll have to wait until I'm back home to buy it as there's no where that sells it near where I'm at uni and everywhere I've looked online is sold out. In the meantime, I'll try the MAC one next.

Laura Mercier has great primers. For all skin types too.

Nars is pretty good and not too expensive.
Don't bother with Armani. Their foundation is awesome but the primer is sticky and then as the tube goes down it becaomes stiff and you can't squeeze it out.

You can use the Clarins 'Instant Light Complexion Perfector' regularly though...

I use that for work instead of foundation which I don't really need & the BFB for going out/weekends etc...