8 Glowy Primers For Lit-From-Within Skin
It’s no secret that glowy is skin is in, evidenced by the hoards of sun-drenched selfies dominating the ‘gram and endless threads dedicated to achieving the dew drop look. Getting the look requires a carefully crafted cocktail of glow inducing products — starting with primer, the first step of any flawless skin routine. With that in mind we’ve rounded up our favorite glowy primers, so you too can achieve luminous, radiant skin.
Peep our glowy primer picks, ahead:
Infused with hyaluronic acid and rose essence, Lancôme’s Prep & Hydrate Primer is perfect for attaining that lit-from-within look. It’s both makeup and skin care, packed with 14 skincare actives and pearl pigments so you can achieve the glowy look with ease. At $42 a tube it’s a luxe beauty buy that’s definitely worth the coin.
While primers often conjure images of pastes and gels you apply to help makeup adhere to the skin, sprays can get the job done too. They tend to be multi-use products that can be used to set, prime or add a glossy glow to bare skin which is why we love them, and recommend them to anyone who wants their products to work in virtually any scenario. Cue this hydrating mist from Iconic London which hydrates and has light reflecting properties to lend skin a radiant finish.
Tatcha The Silk Canvas Protective Primer
Brought you by cult-favorite Japanese beauty brand Tatcha, Silk Canvas Protective Primer is a priming balm designed to prep skin for makeup while also keeping it out of your pores. It also contains anti-pollution ingredients to counteract environmental stressors and green tea, rice and algae which restore radiance to the skin. This clean beauty pick is on the pricier side at $52 each, but worth it for anyone who’s looking to transform the look and feel of their foundation.
Milk Luminous Blur Stick Primer
If you’re looking for an oil-free, silicone free primer that will leave you luminous yet matte, then look no further. Milk delivers it all in the aptly named Blur Stick, chubby enough to apply straight to the face but also easy to use with an applicator of your choice. It’s a fan-favorite pick, with hundreds of five star reviews to prove it. It’s also cruelty-free, paraben-free, vegan, soy-free talc and gluten-free while still being effective, so it’s good for you and the animals too.
Yves Saint Laurent Top Secrets Instant Moisture Glow
We love products that moisturize while also blurring imperfections (hello stress pimple scar), which is why we keep this primer close. It gives your complexion an even, soft-focus glow and can be worn alone or (as intended) under makeup. Pair this with your favorite foundation for a luminous look you’ll want to wear everyday.
First Aid Beauty Coconut Skin Smoothie Priming Moisturizer
Powered by superfoods and oil-free, the First Aid Beauty Coconut Skin Smoothie Priming Moisturizer is one of those products beauty junkies naturally flock to. It’s another skincare/makeup hybrid that overperforms, gripping makeup while also moisturizing your skin with vital proteins, electrolytes and minerals. Oh, and it smells like coconut. Need we say more?
Youth to The People Superberry Hydrate + Glow Oil
One of our favorite ways to prime — particularly for glowy, natural looks — is with a facial oil. It’s perfect for sheering out foundations and gives skin a sheen, making it a popular choice for beauty gurus and beginners alike. It’s also packed with rare super berry antioxidants like Maqui (a powerful hybrid of acai and goji) as well as prickly pear and squalane oils. In other words, it’s a must have for your skin and makeup routine.
L’Oréal Paris True Match Glotion
Available in four versatile hues (all of which deliver a perfectly sunkissed glow), L’Oréal True Match Glotion is the drugstore beauty buy that belongs in every stash. It’s infused with hydrating ingredients like glycerin and shea butter to help moisturize skin while also providing the glowy, sunkissed look instagram dreams are made of.
Maybelline Facestudio Master Prime Primer Makeup in Blur + Illuminate
This weightless water based primer is a drugstore fave, and an obvious choice for our best-of list. It soaks into the skin upon application and creates a blurred effect that sets the stage for a flawless base. At under $13 a bottle, it’s an affordable gem, and a must have for any glowy makeup routine.