16 Best Illuminating Primers for a Radiant Look
Updated on Feb 05, 2024
Whether you’ve spent sleepless nights before the office party or you are planning to make a grand entry at the club, with the help of the best illuminating primers, you can glow like a star. Sharing more about illuminating primers, our contributor Ghanima Abdullah, an expert hair and beauty consultant, says, “Illuminating primers bring a glow to your face that comes through under your makeup, making your face look fresh and glowy.”
But before we learn how to use a primer to shine bright and glow with radiance, let us first understand what a primer is and how it works.
The idea of primer is to simply prepare your skin for makeup. Prepping the skin for makeup is like priming your wall for paint like you put a primer down to fill in the bumps. In addition to prepping your skin, a primer can also provide you with other benefits, like giving a mattifying or dewy appearance to your skin, holding your makeup in place for longer, minimizing the appearance of open pores, concealing blemishes, and refining the skin’s texture.
In today’s list, we will be looking at some of the best illuminating primers, as per our expertise. The list has a list of 15 primers from the leading makeup brands. They can help you achieve the naturally radiant makeup look and add that extra sparkle to your mundane routine!
Our top picks
16 Best Illuminating Primers
The Elizabeth Mott Face Primer is a product with multiple skincare and makeup benefits. Not only does this product give your skin a luminous finish, but its paraben-free and cruelty-free formula also has hydrating qualities. To add to the list of benefits, the primer is also waterproof, keeps the sweat away, and prevents you from looking like a greasy pan. Now, that is a whole lot of benefits to ignore!
Pros
- Balances complexion
- Has hydrating qualities
- Non-greasy formula
- Sweatproof and waterproof
2
Best Hydrating
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Honey Dew Me Up Primer
This primer by NYX PROFESSIONAL is not a product worth missing when skimming through the top illuminating primers in the market today. With its unique gold flecks containing formula, the product gives your skin an enviable illuminated finish. It also contains Hyaluronic acid that helps your skin stay hydrated. The gel-based product nourishes your skin with lavender, honey, jasmine, and collage
Pros
- Hydrates the skin
- Anti-aging collagen
- Helps in neutralizing redness
- Skin-soothing formula
Cons
- The formula feels sticky
3
Best Premium Primer
Laura Geller New York Spackle Skin Perfecting Primer
For a soft-focus glow that makes your skin look prepped and ready for a glamorous/festive occasion, we cannot recommend this illuminating primer by Laura Geller enough. As the formula is plush with rich humectants, spreading it evenly on your skin is a breeze, and it feels amazing too! Even if you’ve had a long day, or your face makes your tiredness or lack of sleep very evident, the primer truly jazzes up its appearance and makes you look ramp-ready! Besides, you can, of course, count on this product to hold your makeup for a long time, so it can last all day!
Pros
- Works for all skin types
- Very hydrating
- Soothes the skin
- Blurs the appearance of pores
- Great for all skin tones
- Silky texture
Cons
- Too many ingredients
4
Best Foundation +Primer
LAURA GELLER NEW YORK Baked Balance-N-Glow
This Illuminating foundation by LAURA GELLER NEW YORK is a powder foundation that’s well-deserving on this long list of primers. The product’s illuminating qualities and satin finish give you the perfect base to build a nearly flawless makeup look. The product also contains vitamin C, an ingredient popularly known to have a skin-brightening effect. Vitamin C also minimizes wrinkles and fine lines, evens skin tone, and keeps free radical damage away from the skin.
Pros
- Fades wrinkles and fine lines
- Buildable coverage
- Satin finish
- Satin finish
- Contains vitamin C
Cons
- Contains talc
5
Best Makeup Spray + Primer
Catrice- Prime & Fine Illuminating Dewy Glow Spray
The Prime & Fine Illuminating Dewy Glow Spray by Catrice is a makeup spray that can work as a primer, and also help you fix or refresh your makeup. This cruelty-free, paraben-free, and vegan product can be the star of any radiant makeup look. The formula is transparent, which means it doesn’t interfere with your foundation’s shade match. The fast-drying makeup spray gives your skin a dewy and radiant finish, making it one of the best illuminating primers.
Pros
- Gives a dewy look
- Primes, fixes, refreshes
- Dries fast
- Transparent formula
Cons
- Not fragrance-free
6
Best for Everyday Use
COVERGIRL Trublend Everyday Defense Primer
The COVERGIRL Trublend Base Primer is another fabulous primer to have on your ‘to-try’ list. The formula contains SPF 20, offering your skin protection from sun damage while also giving you the opportunity to build the perfect base for your makeup. The primer has a smoothening and blurring effect on the skin, which minimizes flaws and hides imperfections. This oil-free and long-lasting product feels light on the skin and is suitable for all skin types. There is barely any reason why you should avoid giving it a try.
Pros
- Offers full coverage
- Blurs and smoothens
- Feels lightweight
- Oil-free formula
Cons
- Not fragrance-free
7
Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer
This gel-based primer is truly irresistible! We are talking about The Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer. As the name suggests, the product helps you achieve a camera-ready makeup finish with the help of its illuminating and smoothening effect on the skin. It minimizes pores, helps with dullness, helps correct complexion, and also blurs imperfections while at it. The formula is lightweight and feels luxuriously smooth on the skin. This vitamin A and E-infused vegan and cruelty-free primer has all the potential it needs to be your next favorite.
Pros
- Minimizes pores
- Suitable for all skin types
- Hydrates and smoothens
- Free from harsh chemicals
Cons
- Comparatively expensive
8
Physicians Formula Spotlight Illuminating Primer
Defy aging and shine like a star with the Physicians Formula Illuminating Primer. This cream-based product is your answer to usual makeup problems. It comes with its paraben-free, gluten-free, hypoallergenic, cruelty-free, and fragrance-free formula. It is infused with luminescent pearls that instantly deliver a natural glow to your skin. The formula also has a blurring effect and contains antioxidants that protect your skin along with 5 filtering pearls that help in improving skin tone. It is a full-coverage primer that reduces redness.
Pros
- Contains antioxidants
- Reduces redness
- Has a blurring effect
- Full coverage
Cons
- Not fragrance-free
9
L'Oreal Paris Magic Lumi Light Infusing Primer
The Light Infusing Primer by L'Oreal Paris is a liquid primer that fits all and is loved by all. A product that is suitable for all skin types, this primer can climb up any list with its easy-to-blend and long-lasting formula. It is known to instantly deliver a radiant-looking finish to your skin after application. While it only offers light coverage, its ability to minimize pores and even skin tone quickly lets you look beyond the coverage. The primer is a great addition to any natural-makeup look.
Pros
- Helps makeup last long
- Easy to blend
- Brightens complexion
- Minimizes pores
Cons
- Fewer skincare benefits as compared to peers
10
jane iredale Smooth Affair Facial Primer & Brightener
The Facial Primer & Brightener by jane iredale is another wonderful product on this list of thebest illuminating primer for oily skin. It contains skin-loving ingredients like apple extract which helps your skin stay elastic, royal jelly which hydrates the skin, and algae extract which is known to help the skin stay firm. Algae extract also prevents moisture loss from the skin. The product gives a matte finish to your skin and also minimizes the appearance of lines and pores.
Pros
- Matte finish
- Minimizes pores
- Reduces the appearance of lines
- Contains skin-loving ingredients
Cons
- Comparatively expensive
11
Benefit The Porefessional Pearl Pore Primer Soft-radiance Face Primer
This balm-textured primer can change the way you look at makeup. The Soft-radiance Face Primer by Benefit is an oil-free formula that feels lightweight on the skin but delivers a buildable and high coverage. With its moisturizing abilities, this product can easily become your next favorite product. The silky formula has a brightening effect on the skin, and it also helps in minimizing the pores. If you have this primer on your side, you safely say goodbye to dullness.
Pros
- Lightweight feel
- Coverage is buildable
- Moisturizes the skin
- Brightens the skin
Cons
- Comparatively expensive
12
Dr Brandt Skincare Pores No More Luminizer Primer
With Dr Brandt’s Pores No More Luminizer Primer, you can say goodbye to pores, while you dazzle. This revolutionizing formula by Dr Brandt brings makeup and skincare together, in one bottle. With ingredients like squalene, lentil seed extract, illuminating powders, and optical diffusers, the primer helps you achieve a smooth base to create a flawless makeup look. It gives a glowy appearance to your complexion and blurs other skin imperfections so that nothing interferes with your makeup routine.
Pros
- Full coverage
- Has a blurring effect on the pores
- The radiance looks natural
- Brightens the complexion
Cons
- May feel oily
13
Mineral Fusion Illuminating Primer with Shimmering Gold Flecks
The Mineral Fusion Illuminating Primer is a stunner that comes with a hypoallergenic formula. It contains no harsh ingredients and works for all skin types. The product contains vitamin C and orange fruit oil, two components that are known to brighten the complexion, give your skin a radiant finish, and even your skin tone. The primer is free from synthetic colors and fragrances, and while it is so kind to your skin, it is also kind to the environment with its cruelty-free and vegan formula. This product gives you no reason to not give it a try.
Pros
- Suitable for all skin types
- Evens skin tone
- Has a brightening effect
- Free from harsh ingredients
Cons
- Inconvenient packaging
14
Physicians Formula Mini Spotlight Illuminating Face Primer Makeup
One of the best illuminating primers for mature skin, the Mini Spotlight Illuminating Face Primer by Physicians Formula blurs and brightens like a spell! This full-coverage primer is rich in antioxidants and helps you deal with wrinkles and other skin imperfections. The formula also helps you reduce redness, minimize pores, hide fine lines, and control oil amongst other things. It is infused with luminescent pearls that help you achieve an instant star-like glow.
Pros
- Helps in reducing redness
- Antioxidant qualities
- Blurring effect
- Minimizes pores and fine lines
Cons
- Not fragrance-free
15
Seraphine Botanicals Camelina + Strobe - Luminizing Primer Glow
The Seraphine Botanicals Luminizing Primer is the perfect product to use after a long exhausting day at work. The natural illuminating effect of the primer is enough to bring your skin back to life. The non-comedogenic and hydrating formula of this primer makes it one of the best hydrating illuminating primers on the market today. It contains two unique ingredients, rose hydrosol and camelina seed oil which give your skin an exceptionally silky radiant finish. Camelina seed oil is also known as the gold of pleasure.
Pros
- Hydrates the skin
- Brightens
- Non-Comedogenic
- Has a smooth finish
Cons
- May feel heavy on the skin
16
Juice Beauty PHYTO-PIGMENTS illuminating Primer
The Juice Beauty PHYTO-PIGMENTS illuminating Primer is the product for you if you are looking for something that is lightweight on the skin, minimizes pores, blurs lines, and has hydrating qualities, and while being all of that, it can also be compatible with all skin types. The product is no less than magic with its organic base that is antioxidant-rich and also has ingredients to help you with signs of aging. The primer helps you achieve a smooth, radiant, and flawless complexion, while also smoothening wrinkles and fine lines for you.
Pros
- Contains Hyaluronic acid
- Minimizes pores
- Reduces lines
- Hides signs of aging
Cons
- Comparatively expensive
How to Select the Best Illuminating Primer?
Primers can be the make or break of your makeup look. When looking for an illuminating primer, you might want to look for three elements-
Check for Effectiveness
The best illuminating primers deliver fast results. You apply them, and before you know it, your skin is ready for makeup and is already shining like a piece of gold. You might want to prioritize this quality above the other ones. If your primer takes too long to set in, it may end up interfering with your foundation, doing the opposite of its job- which is to prepare your skin for a flawless makeup look.
Check the Texture
A makeup product with an uncomfortable texture is like finding your favorite pair of heels but in the wrong size! While a primer has many important roles to play in your makeup routine, it is also required to stay out of the way of your foundation application. If your primer’s texture isn’t compatible with your foundation’s, it might even spoil your whole look.
Speaking of the texture, our contributor Ghanima Abdullah, shares, “You want to make sure that the primer is smooth and isn't going to pile up on your skin. If it's too thick or causes streaks, it isn’t suitable to be worn under makeup. There isn't much you can do if the primer is too thick, if it's thin, though, you can allow it to dry thoroughly on your face before applying your makeup.”
Prioritize Comfort
It is important to ensure that your makeup products are comfortable to wear over a long period of time. Choosing a product that feels heavy while discourages you from making it a part of your everyday makeup routine. Go for lightweight formulas.
There are also some other things that you need to look for when choosing a primer. Go for a product that doesn’t clog pores, because the health of your skin is also a huge contributor to your makeup look. The best illuminating primer for you would work well with your skin type, would not cause breakouts, and won’t interfere with the makeup products you use.
How to Apply an Illuminating Primer?
Here are easy and simple ways to apply an illuminating primer effectively -
Step 1: Follow the CTM routine as per your skin type.
Step 2: Once your skin dries after moisturization, take a pea-sized amount of primer and apply it evenly all over your face.
Step 3: Apply extra product to the high points of your face to highlight them.
Step 4: Wait for the product to dry.
Step 5: Apply your foundation or concealer to achieve an even-toned complexion
Contributor: Ghanima Abdullah, Cosmetologist, The Right Hairstyles
Conclusion
So, that was our take on some of the best illuminating primers out there. While most of them perform pretty well on grounds other than just adding radiance to your skin, you can’t let that distract you from your priorities. Ultimately, the choice would be influenced by how you approach makeup, how often you step out with a full face of glam, and what kind of look you are trying to achieve. Once you have taken everything into consideration, picking the right product would be a cakewalk- especially with this list where we have brought together some stunning illuminating primers.
FAQ's
What does an illuminating primer do?
Illuminating primers are just like any other primers with the added feature of adding radiance to your skin.
Do you put an illuminating primer on before the foundation?
Yes, ideally primer is applied before the foundation.
What is the best dewy primer for oily skin?
We have found Catrice- Prime & Fine Illuminating Dewy Glow Spray to be the best dewy primer for oily skin.
What is the best illuminating primer for mature skin?
We have found the Physicians Formula Mini Spotlight Illuminating Face Primer to be the best illuminating primer for mature skin.
Are there illuminating primers with SPF?
Yes, the COVERGIRL Trublend Everyday Defense Primer is an illuminating one that comes with SPF 20.
Will an illuminating primer make my face look oily?
Not necessarily. An illuminating primer suits all skin types, but people with oily or acne-prone skin should use silicone-based primers for a matte look.
Can illuminating primers help with skin imperfections?
Yes, illuminating primers minimize the appearance of imperfections and provide a radiant glow.
How is an illuminating primer different from a regular primer?
Regular primers help to hold your makeup in place and provide a smooth and even base for foundation application. Illuminating primers, on the other hand, go beyond to provide a radiant glow with the clever use of subtle luminescent particles.
Why Trust Pinkvilla
According to Sayantani, our in-house makeup expert, illuminating primers help create a smooth and flawless canvas for makeup application and add a radiant glow to your skin. She read a lot of reviews online and tested several products to find the one with the best features. After experimenting with different illuminating primers, Elizabeth Mott Thank Me Later Face Primer became her favorite. It has hydrating properties, helps even out skin tone, and gives a dewy appearance. Moreover, it doesn’t leave any greasy residue behind and is sweatproof — so you can wear it any day, anytime, without having to worry about getting your makeup ruined.
Our product experts study the specifications of every product we suggest and try them out to bring what’s proven to be worthy of your money, time, and energy. We also have subject matter experts from various fields like Fashion, Skincare, Haircare, Home Decor, and Health & Fitness onboard to make sure our suggestions are credible and trustworthy. You can trust Select to be your faithful shopping guide for all the right reasons!
Author BIO
Sayantani is a certified hair and makeup professional turned writer with 2+ years of experience in the same genre. Ap More
