Ever wondered the secret behind flawless red-carpet skin? The trick to creating a flawless look is a smooth, well-prepped canvas and now make-up primers are becoming the new staple item for every girl's make-up bag.We all know the basics. The importance of routine where we cleanse, tone and moisturise away the impurities that clog our pores on a daily basis. But for that clear photo-finish face, a primer goes just that one step further, smoothing over the surface for an immaculate finish.
Leading cosmetic expert, Jane Fardon, explains that "a good quality primer fills the fine lines, smoothes the surface texture of the skin, locks in moisture and fixes the make-up that is applied over it. It shouldn't leave your skin feeling greasy or looking shiny. "A gel applied after moisturiser and before foundation, this little beauty balm can also help keep your make-up in place, perfect during those long days at the office.Back in the 1920's women would have used a white cream on their face and then applied a coloured face powder on top of it. The white cream acted as a way of keeping the powdered foundation (as we call it now) on in place. But now primers have become more advanced, many offering other moisturising, highlighting or anti-ageing properties.
Many are tinted in a variety of skin-matching shades, so you can skip foundation and go right for the finishing powder. Not only do these primers minimise wrinkles, they also provide extra coverage for areas with dark spots or blemishes.But there's no need to feel overwhelmed by the wide variety of choices available. Just like moisturiser and foundation, there's a mixture to suit every skin type and the first step is to identify whether you need an oil-reducing or hydrating base from which to start your make-up application.
• INIKA, Pure Primer • Laura Mercier, Foundation Primer • MAC, Prep + Prime Eye Base • Youngblood, Mineral Primer • Jane Fardon Cosmetics, Silk Foundation Primer
