Where do you fall on the face primer issue?
Well, it’s not really an issue… I mean, do you love ’em or hate ’em? Because it seems like most people are in one of the two camps. I don’t come across a lot of middle ground. Most folks either love face primers…or they don’t.
I love ’em, and I usually wear one daily, even if I’m just doing minimal makeup to take my cat for a walk. I’m not a huge fan of the extra step, but I’ve come to terms with the effort. It doesn’t take a ton of time for me to rub some primer on my cheeks and my forehead, and the payoff is smoother-looking skin, better texture and longer-lasting makeup.
What’s an unsung makeup hero? For me, it’s an oftentimes underrated makeup morsel, a permanent collection product that scoots under the radar screen of many makeup lovers but regularly rocks my world. The long-running Unsung Heroes series features some of my favorites.
There’s no shortage of great face primers out there, but this one by Urban Decay is one of the best. It’s $34 Urban Decay Urban Defense Complexion Primer Broad Spectrum SPF 30, and it’s clear, even though it has sunscreen in it, which makes it something of a makeup unicorn…because, as you know, primers that contain SPF often leave a noticeable white cast on the skin — especially tan skin and darker skin tones — and, frankly, it can be hella annoying.
Sometimes it’s really obvious, but I don’t see any white cast when I use this. It’s completely invisible, and that’s one of the reasons I like it so much.
This feels light, absorbs and dries quickly, doesn’t give me breakouts, and when I wear it under foundation, BB cream, powder, concealer — you name the face product — my skin just looks…better. Smoother. Oh! — and my pores look less aggro, LOL! I have combination skin, by the way (dry on my cheeks and oily in the T-zone), and this works well all over my face.
Urban Defense is a fabulous face primer with the added benefit of sun protection, although I wouldn’t rely on it as my sole source of SPF (you still gotta wear sunscreen!). Plus, no visible tint!
If you’re a fan of smoothing primers like Smashbox Photofinish and Make Up For Ever Smoothing Primer, I think you’ll like it. Heck, you might even love it because it feels A LOT lighter than either of those.
It’s available in the permanent line, and you can find at the usual UD spots, including Sephora, Ulta, Macy’s and the UD website.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
