If you’re looking for ways to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and to create a smoother look, using primer after washing your face and before applying any makeup is essential. To help you achieve this goal, we’ve asked makeup artists to share their best tips and two types of primer to use on aging skin to make fine lines less noticeable. Read on for tips, suggestions and insight from Alexis Chapman, professional makeup artist and expert at A1Artistry and Vivi Mintara, pro MUA and CEO of Eye Makeup Lab.
2 Kinds Of Primers That Help Smooth Textured Skin
1. Hydrating Primers
Any primers that have the word 'hydrating' on them are always a great choice for aging skin, Chapman says. This, she notes, is because skin loses moisture as it ages, often leading to cracking or patchy makeup. With the help of a hydrating primer, concealer and foundation will go on much smoother, and this won't highlight any wrinkling, either. "The best kinds of primers for textured and mature skin will be hydrating," Chapman explains. She advises looking for primers that have "hyaluronic acid and retinol."
READ MORE: MUAs Say This Is The Worst Primer Mistake You Have To Stop Making ASAP
2. Primers With Vitamin Ingredients
Another great choice for your complexion, Champan says, is a primer that is filled with skin-loving vitamins. When it comes to a smoother and brighter look with or without makeup, Chapman breaks down how vitamins in a trusty primer work for mature skin.
"The vitamins in general help in repairing the skin and improving elasticity, particularly, vitamin A (retinol) is a key ingredient in anti-aging products, and it’s great with fine lines & elasticity," she notes. "B vitamins are great for hydration and smoothing, vitamin C is great for hydration and brightening, and vitamin E is great for repairing the skin from age spots and sun damage," she points out. All of these ingredients "work together well in primers to provide that desired blurring effect to the skin," she adds.
READ MORE: 3 Common Primer Mitsakes That Make Your Foundation Look Patchy
Overall, whether you choose a primer that is hydrating, vitamin-rich or both, Mintara stresses that it's an essential part of any great anti-aging makeup routine. "Priming your skin will not only fill in any fine lines and wrinkles, but it also encourages concealing products to stick to your skin in an even and long-lasting manner," she says. With primer, your concealer will "last for at least eight hours without the need for a touch-up," she adds. (Sounds good to us!)
When it comes to applying concealer after your primer, she says to start with a thin layer as a bonus pro tip. "If this doesn’t fully cover your desired areas, then apply another layer, and keep building the color up," she advises. She concludes not to "immediately put a very thick layer of concealer on your face," because you may not need as much as you think. "Also, this will cause the makeup to crack after a few hours," she notes. The more you know!
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