How about the Chanel primer? That's what I use with Chanel foundation when I want to wear "real" makeup. Otherwise, I use Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer and primer.

I love Benefit Porefessional! It's one of 3 or 4 makeup items I consistently use up and repurchase.

Is primer the same as BB?

Makes my makeup last longer; often work 12+ hour shifts.

I use La Roche Posay primer with SPF50. It solves for sunscreen and primer.

I am really not eager to wear yet another layer on my face.. especially in summer. Today I wore a different foundation-- the chanel vitalumiere aqua. It's lighter (in weight) and the color match isn't as good (it's a beige 40) but it doesn't show every bump crack and crinkle. It's also not as matte.

I'll order a primer.. and give that a try.. and maybe I should try a tinted moisturizer too. My skin could use the extra moisturizer some days... until it gets humid.

Primer makes the makeup last longer. It's not tinted or anything, and I wouldn't wear it if I wasn't going to wear makeup.

In the warmer months, I love the powder foundation from Laura Geller.

Correction. It DOES show every bump crack and crackle. I was looking at it without my glasses before lol. That may be my key to aging.. stop looking in the mirror with glasses!

Thank you all!

I use Dermalogica's Skin Perfect Primer and really love it. It is very light and makes my skin look better than it is. I use it both as a primer and on its own for a minimal look. Pricey but worth it for me. SPF 30.

SkinPerfect

If it isn't tinted, what is the difference between primer and moisturizer?

FWIW,here is what the internet says:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/16/what-is-makeup-primer_n_6463190.html

My understanding would be that moisturizer is absorbed, while primer is meant to sit on top of the skin, fill in any wrinkles & smooth the surface, and forms a barrier for your makeup to 'stick' to. I would consider moisturizer to be skincare, and a primer to be a cosmetic.

Looking around some more, it appears that tinted moisturizer really is, essentially, foundation. But BB and primers are not ... though if they are tinted, they can be used as such.

AS far as SPF, I think everything I put on my face has an SPF

Primer for your face is like primer for the wall. ;) Gives you a good surface for the color. I wear moisturizer under my primer. I also use a finishing/setting spray after all my makeup is on. Between the primer and the spray, my makeup lasts all day.

I also use eyeshadow primer.

I used to use the little aerosol Evian as a setting spray. I thought it made foundation look more natural. Pippie what do you use?

Smashbox Photo Ready Primer is wonderful. I apply it after my moisturizer has absorbed completely. I then let the primer sit for several minutes, while I do my hair for example, then apply foundation. It honestly lasts all day, even in the humidity.

Sigh...I have to stop reading these threads...just ordered Dermatologica primer. Great reviews on the company web site and Amazon.

I use Nuskin Moisture Mist mixed with my moisturizer, and it definitely improves the moisture and makes the foundation look more natural. According to the reviews on Amazon, plenty of people use it afterwards as a setting spray.

Nuskin NaPCA Moisture Mist

Another vote for Laura Mercier Primer topped with her tinted moisturizer. I won't even leave the house without anymore-it makes that big a difference in my 46 year old face. I have a few different kinds. The Radiant Primer is great for nighttime but I am wearing the Protect one now that has sunscreen topped with tinted moisturizer with sunscreen, I need to go get another few shade darker for over the summer because I am getting tan gardening (Italian skin-I change a shade in 15 minutes) and live at the shore so t's hard to not get a tan.

I use Smashbox Photo Ready when my face isn't oily, which it often is. I use Becca Ever-matte when oily. I can definitely see and feel a big difference in my foundation when using primer. Pippiep is right, it's like painting a wall without primer. The primer fills pores and fine lines for a smoother result. I watched a Bobbi Brown video years ago and have always remembered what she said; Smooth texture and even tone are what translates to "pretty". Start with good skin and primer for the best results.

Interesting. I've never used Laura Mercier products but might give them a try. I've recently been using a Urban Decay primer that hasn't wowed me.... It's ok, but hasn't really done anything to convince me it's worth what I paid for it.

MtnRdRedux -- I use Urban Decay All Nighter spray. The small travel size lasts me a long time, and I've seen it at Nordstrom Rack for even less recently.

A lot of people swear by Monistat Anti-Chafing gel as an inexpensive primer, too...

I'm glad you mentioned that! I was going to but chickened out lol.

This thread is making me realize I probably don't do enough to beautify my skin, and goodness knows it needs it. I've tried primers in the past, both as a base for foundation and as an eye makeup base, but have never liked the way they felt on my skin. I dislike the feel of "goop" on my face anyway, but feel it's pretty much a necessity if I want to look my best. Even at almost 55 years of age, my skin is still very oily, and additional stuff on my face has only exacerbated that. I can't recall all of the brands that I tried, although I do remember buying a Smashbox primer and not feeling it lived up to the hype. Maybe some see the myriad choices available as a good thing (something for everyone?), but the fact that are SO MANY products out there to choose from makes me shy away from all of them. I hate feeling like I've thrown money away on things that don't work for me, and even if I do return the duds for a refund, it's such a hassle. ::sigh:: I'm going to go back upthread and read over your recommendations again.

ETA: Now that I think about it, I'm remembering that the facial primers I used made me break out. Not a good thing.

I used to use Smashbox. Then moved on to Armani primer, which I loved. Last year had a make over at a local make up studio. She used the Rouge Bunny Rouge Aqua Primer. I LOVE it!! Practically weightless and very smoothing. https://us.rougebunnyrouge.com/make-up/skincare/primers/aqua-primer.html

Wow.. thank you all! I just got home so I will return to the thread later to digest all the suggestions (and anti-suggestions).

I've been using my tinted BB alone over moisturizer. Then blush and eye on top of that. No foundation. Am I supposed to wear foundation?

No, I view tinted BB as a replacement for foundation. Also tinted moisturizer.

I like Olay Serum as a primer. Been using it for years.

I am not sure a tinted moisturizer would be enough for me.. maybe in the summer. My skin has definitely gotten blotchier as I've aged-- mostly in the winter/spring. I think some of it is allergies/sensitivities. Foundation gives me a nice even coloring. I wear it to work daily.. and on weekends if I go out to more than a quick run to the drugstore/grocery/market.

Those of you who use only a tinted moisturizer.. do you wear it always?

I use Laura M. tinted moisturizer most days because it doesn't settle into fine lines like foundation seems to do. It's not much coverage and I have spotty skin, but I've decided to give up on trying to pretend I have good skin! I do wear Chanel foundation (or a CC cream I recently got, which is also heavier coverage) when I'm going out "on the town" or just feel like I need more coverage.

That said, every time I see a photo of myself I think, ack, I need more makeup!

I meant to add that I had seen your note, Sue.. about wearing the chanel+ primer when you go out. I seem to do better when I have a little sun.. something about that evens out my skin-- but until then, I can't imagine going to work without foundation. Even on the less dressy days. I think I will try the tinted primer for non-work days.. family gatherings, etc.

Laura M seems to be the favorite.

As for a primer, I like the sound of the rouge bunny rouge.. but I also wear all chanel. I think I'll give one of the two a try.

Way late to the party.

Benefit Porefessional. I also like Mac Prep & Prime but Benefit looks better when doing a side by side comparison on my face.

Sue.. which do you use? the la blanc, base lumiere or cc cream?

And which foundation? I may just call chanel to see which they pair with my velvet lumiere

Funky, I've defaulted to the LM tinted moisturizer for every day. It is a bit lighter than the Chanel (I think we use the same kind?) but make no mistake it is foundation by any other name. I think it gives great coverage but is a bit more natural than Chanel, which I now tend to use mostly at night.

I started using the Trish Mcevoy tinted primer a few months ago and love it. Most days I don't even use the foundation. but I do use her Instant Eyelift every day -- it's amazing!

Mtn.. iirc, you wear a different chanel foundation. Well, I wear two-- but primarily the lumiere velvet. It is a little heavier than I like though so in summer I switch to the vitalumiere aqua. Maybe the tinted moisturizer can take its place.

I didn't order anything yet. I got caught up last night and didn't wake up earlier enough this morning. I'll check out the LM this evening.

Thank you all!

Love Trish McEvoy products. I use her eye makeup and lipstick. I use her primer on my lids and it does make a difference. I don't use anything called a primer on my face. I was a freckle faced kid and now have more than my share of spots. I use CereVe moisturizer which is thick and must be rubbed in. I like it because it has a high SPF , to discourage more spots. Clinique foundation also tones down the spots, but I may try Trish when I am ready for a refill.

The tinted moisturizer I've been using (ELF) is very light coverage, SPF 20. I don't use it everyday. I like it for more casual days, or days I'm in a hurry, or days I just don't feel like going all-out. We went to Cuba in March and I used it a lot there - - going to the beach, etc. when you don't want a full-on face of make up but need a little something.

I too have sun damage & spots & freckles. I don't leave my house EVER anymore without at least one layer of SPF. Wish I had started THAT 25 years ago.

Funky, I have the Perfection Lumiere foundation and the Base Lumiere primer. I love the way the foundation goes on, feels like nothing, but in the winter I find that it makes my skin look dry and kind of, I don't know, dull?

Don't you all have break outs from all the layers? I cannot put much on my face without the break outs starting and with just moisturizer and foundation my face is fine.

I have extremely oily skin and basically any layering of stuff just makes the oil problem worse, even primers that are supposed to be matte or absorb oil. The best I've found is No7's Beautifully Matte, but even then I find I'm best off with as little stuff on my face as possible. The upside to oily skin is that I'm still completely wrinkle free at 40! My skin tone is also reasonably even, so I find that a light layer of Maybelline BB Cream with SPF 30 is all I really need. I am pretty religious about wearing an SPF daily (and have been for the last 15 years or so), and I'm sure that also helps with the wrinkles.

I tried a couple of primers, and I do remember liking the smashbox, but I didn't like any of them enough to continue using them. That said, I don't really use a foundation. I use a cream concealer on spots needed, applied with the "egg" looking sponge. I then use a light touch of mineral powder, except in the worst of winter (my skin is pretty dry then). In warmer weather I will use a bit of a bronzing powder instead of powder. I have started using a mineral sunscreen. Someone suggested I look at what chemicals I was putting on my face (sunscreen). For those of you having problems (break-outs, sensitivities, etc.) it could be related to sunscreen.

Tina - yes, my esthetician educated me on the chemicals in sunscreen and how they work also. I 'm very careful about the sunscreen I use now.

Which sunscreen do you use for your face? I just had a cancer skin check and the dermatologist recommended Oil of Olay SPF 15.

For the last few years I've been using the EltaMD products that are sold at my salon-spa.

Prior to that my husband and I both used a daily moisturizing sunscreen from BWC (Beauty Without Cruelty) for YEARS but they've changed it somehow and I don't like it at all anymore.

https://eltamd.com/product/uv-pure-broad-spectrum-spf-47/

I use Chanel's Perfection Lumiere (isn't that the singing candle in Beauty and the Beast?). You use Lumiere Velvet? Hmm I don't even recall choosing between the two. I think I just use what they tell me to, LOL.

BTW, par for the course, I ordered primer because of this thread. Since I didn't like the LM thought I'd try Neutrogena now that i think of primer as more skin care than cosmetics. Neutrogena has done a good job branding themselves in a way that makes them seems serious and quasi-medicinal, it occurs to me. I trust them.

I tried several primers and none really did it for me. Maybe I didn't let it set long enough before applying my foundation. ? Plus, I found my face greasy a few hours later. I've noticed when I use a heavier greasier moisturizer, my foundation doesn't look good, you see all my pores etc. If I use a lighter moisturizer...much much better.

Just this week, I just started using Rose Hip oil. I just picked up an inexpensive bottle at Marshalls. I tried mixing it with my foundation but I think I used too much and it made my foundation settle in my lines after a few hours. But I do like it alone after washing my face. I tend to be fairly sensitive to new lotions, oils etc. but the Rose Hip oil doesn't seem to bother my skin.

I'm sitting here at the car wash and there happens to be an Avon book...I forgot I've used their primer and liked it if any still buys Avon.