Come summer, beauty is a tricky field to navigate. Mascaras become waterproof but are a nightmare to take off; hair gets wilder, thanks to the humidity; nail polish lasts about 24 hours before peeling away. One of the most frustrating aspects, though, is applying your makeup in the morning only for it to slide off by lunchtime. And that's just in the office – on a summer night in Porto, you know that foundation isn't going to last.
So what's the answer? A powerful primer. The little wunderkind has many strings to its bow: illuminating, pore-refining, tone-evening, mattifying – the primers out there are pretty impressive. Think of it as a photo-ready, makeup-holding addition to your routine.
If you're looking to keep the shine and slide at bay this summer but you don't know where to start, never fear: we've found the best primers beauty has to offer.
Murad's primer is perfect for when it's too hot for base, minimising pores and giving you a ready-for-my-close-up glow.
Murad Invisiblur Perfecting Shield SPF 30, £55, available at Murad
This is the real deal. Hylamide has made waves with its products and this is the star of the show. Your foundation won't budge.
Hylamide HA Blur Hyaluronic Based Prismatic Blurring Surface Finisher, £19, available at Beauty Bay
A super-lightweight serum, for those who don't like gel finishes – it doesn't feel like you're wearing anything at all.
The Ordinary High-Spreadability Fluid Primer, £5.50, available at Beauty Bay
You've tried the cult concealer, and this primer lives up to expectations: it's gold-flecked, so not only does it keep makeup firmly in place, but it illuminates skin with an all-over radiance.
Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Blur Primer, £29.50, available at Selfridges
Mineral primers are great for oily skin – hands up for a primer with built-in SPF, too.
Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer SPF 15, £55 for 30ml, available at Space.NK
Doing exactly what it says on the tin, Becca's primer is made to keep shine at bay.
Becca Ever-Matte Priming Perfector, £28, available at Space.NK
This blurring primer doubles as a moisture hit, so it won't dry out while protecting foundation.
Sisley Instant Perfect Corrector Gel, £46, available at Debenhams
Makeup artists have been using this cream for years as a multipurpose base before shows. A little goes a long way.
Embryolisse Laboratoires Lait-Crème Concentré, £20, available at Cult Beauty
This is perfect for avoiding those annoying mascara flecks on your sockets. The oilier your lids, the more the mascara will transfer – a slick of this nifty wand before applying eye makeup is all you need.
By Terry Hyaluronic Eye Primer, £32, available at Space.NK
We use this by itself for a supremely natural glow but don't underestimate its holding powers, too.
Charlotte Tilbury Wonderglow, £38.50, available at Cult Beauty
10-in-1 sounds like quite a stretch but this primer really does make skin look plumper, hiding large pores around the nose and evening out texture.
Stila Cosmetics Stay All Day 10-in-1 HD Beauty Balm, £26, available at Cult Beauty
This heavy-duty number is your essential in super-hot weather or when navigating a stuffy Tube journey – we've never had to apply foundation twice with this on our skin.
Nars Pore & Shine Control Primer, £27, available at Space.NK
The alternative to an under-foundation primer is an over-makeup fixing spray. This mist holds everything in place, without freezing your brows and lashes.
3INA The Fixing Spray, £9.95, available at 3INA
Illamasqua's primer is really fun to use, thanks to its futuristic gel consistency and spatula. It gives a super-fresh base and leaves foundation looking natural.
Illamasqua Hydra Veil Primer, £34, available at Look Fantastic
This one leaves skin silky and, unlike a lot of products, doesn't pill when you layer makeup on top.
Pixi Flawless & Poreless Primer, £24, available at M&S
This cult hit from Smashbox promises to keep eyeshadow – whether cream, powder or gloss – in place all night long. Bring on sweaty club nights.
Smashbox Photo Finish 24 Hour Shadow Primer, £20, available at Smashbox
#NoFilter needed with this one. Perfect for filling fine lines, wrinkles and pores.
The Hero Project Double Blur HD Ready Skin Perfector, £24, available at The Hero Project
It's an award-winner for a reason: this cult hit gives skin an even tone and doesn't pill your makeup.
Benefit The POREfessional Face Primer, £26.00, available at Benefit.
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