Finding the Perfect Foundation Base

Perfect, flawless, unblemished, smooth, clear skin. That is the holly grail of make up. That is what all of us are hoping to achieve with every new foundation formula that comes onto the market. That is what the glossy ads are promising us.

Yet that is not always the real life result we get. So the companies and makeup artists set to work and they created a new product to help us achieve the dream. Foundation Primer. What are these, how do they work and most importantly do you need them?

Let’s start with what they are. Foundation primers are pretty much what the name suggests; they get the surface of the skin ready for the foundation, just like you would prime a wall before painting it. There are a few different primers on the market and they do different jobs depending on your particular need. They’ll even out skin tone, help your makeup stay on longer and absorb oil.

They literally help to create a surface where your makeup is able to grip onto, so it ‘stays put’ through the day and stays fresh looking without the need to reapply. This is especially useful if you have a long day or evening ahead of you where you need to stay looking fresh, such as weddings, parties, functions.

Primers also help to keep the oil on the skin at bay, therefore minimising the shine factor. This is especially important if you are having photographs taken. I’m sure we all had the blue tinge or white as a ghost photos occasionally. Primers alleviate this problem.

Some primers also help to give you a luminous, healthy and glowing complexion or help to minimise the appearance of fine lines. Over all, primers are a welcome addition to the foundation arena where there is a definite need for them. As for the question of ‘do you need it’ the answer is yes you do. Maybe not for everyday wear, (I definitely don’t wear it to go shopping in) but for special occasions when you want to look just that little bit more perfect. Following are some of the best primers we have found.

Jane Iredale - Absence. Shine is notable by its absence. Perfect for oily skins to control oil and for all other skins as a primer. Oil is the principle cause of colour change in makeup. Absence forms an attraction barrier between the skin and makeup so that makeup can stay on longer, and skin stays shine-free. Absence doesn’t just absorb oil the way most oil-control products do, but actually helps to control over-active sebaceous glands. It has no effect on the actual moisture of the skin. The seaweed content in this product also helps to regulate the pH balance of the skin. You have to try this to believe it! If all that isn’t enough, Absence also has a broad spectrum SPF 15. $82.00

Napoleon Perdis – Auto Pilot Pre-Foundation Primer. Makeup has never had a smoother landing. Get (even more) gorgeous with this gentle, pre-makeup base. Scientifically formulated to allow your makeup to “automatically” glide over the skin, Auto Pilot helps to prime and soothe the complexion for that flawless finish and helps makeup last even longer. Chamomile, Yarrow extract and Vitamin E deliver complexion perfection and instant hydration for all skin types. 50ml $45.00

Pola Cosmetics – Silfique Makeup Base SPF 15. This primer prepares the skin before applying make-up. It leaves make-up looking fresh for the entire day while the sheer pink shade helps correct skin dullness, leaving a radiant complexion. 30g, $49

Shiseido - The Makeup Smoothing Veil SPF 16. A colourless-finish foundation that minimizes the appearance of fine lines and enhances radiance to achieve natural perfection. Contains moisturizing Fine Line Targeting Complex that diminishes the appearance of fine lines around the eyes and mouth. Contains Multi-Nutrient Factor, an advanced moisturizer and energizer for a smooth as silk youthful complexion. Can be used under foundation or alone.