Primer can help your makeup stay on longer by smoothing the skin's surface and, in some cases, evening out skin tone and contributing to an even, streak and patch-free finish. It can also create a barrier between your skin and the makeup products you apply afterwards and provide important skincare benefits. Additional benefits of makeup primer can include:

• Smoothing
• Illuminating
• Mattifying
• Color-correcting
• Hydrating
• Pore-minimizing

Face makeup products like foundation and concealer are formulated to look gorgeous on the skin with or without primer. But if you want additional benefits to customize your final look, primer is a great product to have in your makeup routine. For example, if you're using a matte foundation but still want a dewy glow or if you need to reduce the appearance of pores for an even-looking application of foundation, then incorporating a face primer is essential.

If you’re wondering how to use primer, here is a quick explanation on how to apply it:

• Cleanse skin, use a toner or treatment lotion and moisturize using your favorite Estée Lauder products. Allow the moisturizer to fully absorb into the skin before moving to the next step.
• Apply a pea-sized amount of makeup primer to the back of your hand—keep in mind that people with drier skin are likely to need a little more than those with oilier skin.
• Use a finger to gather up the primer and gently massage into your cheeks, chin, forehead and nose.
• Wait for the primer to fully dry before applying foundation. For best results, complete your makeup routine with a makeup setting spray such as Set + Refresh Perfecting Makeup Mist.

We have an Estée Lauder primer for every skin type to use before makeup application, including face primers and eyeshadow primer to help lock in your eye makeup for the day. Our Estée Lauder primer lineup includes:

• Futurist Aqua Brilliance™ Watery Glow Primer: Hydrating primer for a dewy, plump and glowy finish. Triples skin’s moisture instantly for a visibly healthy look.
• The Mattifier Shine Control Perfecting Primer: Mattifying primer that creates a silky-smooth canvas for makeup application. Controls oil and reduces shine.
• The Smoother Universal Perfecting Primer: Lightweight smoothing primer that diffuses the look of pores and imperfections.
• Double Wear Stay-in-Place Eyeshadow Base: Keeps your eye makeup in place with 15-hour staying power.

We recommend using an Estée Lauder primer to prep your skin for Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup. Which primer you choose to wear with Double Wear depends on the final look you’re trying to achieve. For a hydrated, cashmere matte finish, use Futurist Aqua Brilliance™ Watery Glow Primer. For a blurred cashmere matte finish, use The Smoother Universal Perfecting Primer. For a double matte finish, use The Mattifier Shine Control Perfecting Primer.