Having dry skin and turning it into healthy and glowing skin is something I’m constantly trying to achieve with specific skin care products but in the meantime I can create an illusion with using particular makeup products and prepping my skin with products like those mentioned below.
Each of these primers illuminates skin and hydrates (some longer than others) with the use of skincare hero product hyaluronic acid, among others. Hyaluronic acid is a humectant and has many uses but topically it plumps and hydrates skin. Oftentimes, I find that I need more than just hyaluronic acid to feel hydrated all day but these primers are still my go to products due to the illumination and sheen that they give my skin and have been my favorites for the past several months.
Smashbox Primerizer, $42
Available at: Ulta, Sephora, Macy’s and other retailers.
I had heard so many great things about this product and admittedly wasn’t a believer myself until I tried it on my face. Whereas I typically can judge how I’d feel about a product based on trying some on the back of my hand, this one I had to put on my face to realize my love for it. It’s a primer and moisturizer in one with niacinamide and hyaluronic acid. Niacinamide is essentially a form of vitamin B with numerous benefits for skin (read more info here). It is very lightweight like Smashbox claims and gives my skin lasting hydration and makes it the go-to for when I have to do my makeup without taking time to properly prep with skincare beforehand.
I got a limited edition bottle of this primer that was made in collaboration with @thehoodwitch which is available at this link but as it is limited edition I’ve tinkered around and found that combining the original formula with Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector liquid highlighter in Opal gives a very similar effect.
Farsali Glass Skin Serum, $54
Available at: Sephora, Farsali.com
This serum/primer hybrid uses hyaluronic acid and a new ingredient I was unfamiliar with called AcquaCell which is a “natural complex that combines watermelon rind extract, lentil fruit extract and apple extract to give you long-lasting hydration and plump skin” according to Farsali.com. The primer and serum hybrid has a great citrus and fruit smell which may trigger some that are sensitive to scent.
The versatility of this product makes it well worth the price tag as this can be used on skin as a hydrating serum for a dewy look on no makeup days, can be used as a primer to hydrate underneath and can be applied on top of makeup to give a luminous glow without disturbing the foundation. Having such dry skin, I’ll sometimes apply a foundation or use a new product that makes my skin look very dry so I’ll take this on the back of my hand and pick it up with a wet beauty blender and dab it over my cheeks and forehead in a quick tapping motion. Make sure not to swipe at all as that will disrupt the foundation and break it apart and may remove it.
My one complaint about this product is that the hydrating effect is not as long-lasting as I would have liked so I still prep skin with moisturizers before using this product.
Cover FX Dewy Skin Primer + Hydrating, $38
Available at: Ulta, Sephora, CoverFX and other retailers.
This is the ultimate glassy skin primer and the sheen that this leaves on the skin is the most glass like that I have tried. After using this primer, my skin looks wet in the best way possible. I use a dime sized amount all over the face for a glassy effect on my skin that lasts for the entire day. I would only recommend this for dry or normal skin types as I believe those with oily skin will find the sheen too much for their skin type.
The primer claims to hydrate and for my dry skin I cannot say that the hydration is enough. I still need to moisturize and prep my skin beforehand.
Have you tried any of these primers? What are your favorites?
Thanks for reading!