The idea of wearing primer under make-up isn’t new, but it wasn’t until the late 20th century that such base layers really started to gain popularity. In the 80s and 90s, brands like Smashbox and Urban Decay introduced formulas designed to smooth the skin and create a perfect canvas for foundation and other products to follow. The real game changer came in the early 2000s with the introduction of silicone-based primers.
Benefit Cosmetics’ Porefessional Face Primer, launched in 2006, was a hit for its ability to fill in pores and give the skin an airbrushed finish. This innovation sparked a primer revolution that’s still going strong today. Primers sit between the skin and make-up, allowing products to apply and wear better by minimising pores and fine lines.
As London-based beauty influencer Zak Heath puts it, “There’s a universal fear we all share that our make-up is going to slip and slide across our face throughout the day if we don’t apply primer as the first step in our routine. However, primer really does divide opinions since some think it’s a marketing myth while others swear that their make-up doesn’t look ‘perfect’ if primer isn’t slathered on before foundation.” Primers used to be focused solely on smoothing the skin’s surface, but as the line between skincare and make-up blurs, they have evolved to offer benefits beyond just preparation, such as targeting specific skin goals like brightening, firming and anti-ageing.
“Silicone-based p.