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No prime is a crime

Primer is a gel-, silicone- or cream-based product, applied after moisturiser and before foundation. Priming the skin reduces texture and creates a smooth base upon which your makeup can glide on evenly and stay flawless from dawn to dusk - especially important for those living in a climate as hot and humid as ours. This barrier between your skin and your makeup protects you from clogged pores, helps minimise fine lines and acne scarring, and can even temporarily eliminate the appearance of dark spots, large pores, and the fine texture on the skin.

What kind do you need?
Primers are essentially created to provide a solid X-factor to your foundation that takes it from fine to flawless. A silicone-based primer will seal away the pores and fine lines on the face, while a primer gel with gold or rose gold flakes will promote anti-ageing and make the skin more supple. Coloured primers will correct the overall appearance of pigmentation, and water-based primers will soothe sensitive skin. Some primers, that contain traces of green tea or tea tree extract, can even help reduce the appearance of acne, much like a base coat before a manicure. A great tip is: when going for flash photography, especially if you are taking your makeup from day to night, use a primer with SPF properties. Most SPF creams tend to be quite thick and can easily weigh down the skin, while SPF in foundation will cause a white-cast - but primers tend to run thinner and are veiled by a non-SPF foundation, thereby avoiding the ghostly look and giving you the sun protection you need!

Must-haves for the season
1. Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer - This stands at No. 1 because the primer game started with this magic potion. It comes in varied options today, but the original still stands proud as one of the best! This transparent primer gel smoothens skin and blurs out imperfections. It was developed to help makeup look better and last longer on set, and is considered an iconic primer.
2. Stila One Step Correct - This innovative, triple-swirled helix serum instantly colour-corrects, brightens and covers skin imperfections for a flawless face. No fuss.
3. Too Faced Hangover Replenishing Face Primer - A replenishing face primer that hydrates, smoothens and brightens skin for a dewy, healthy-looking finish. It's an instant cure to any skin-related problems.
4. COVER FX Calming Primer - A soothing primer, it helps reduce redness and soothes highly sensitive, inflamed, and irritated skin. A must-have for those suffering from itchy, dry skin.
5. Benefit Cosmetics' The POREfessional Face Primer - A much-hyped product for a reason! This primer quickly minimises the appearance of pores and fine lines on the face for smoother-than-smooth skin!
6. Embryolisse Lait - Crème Concentre - A real beauty secret favoured by dermatologists for decades, the Crème Concentre is a nourishing, multitasking moisturiser that primes, hydrates, and removes all traces of makeup.
With these tips and must-have primers in your arsenal now, don't commit the crime - let's prime.
wknd@khaleejtimes.com