This article on the best primers for women over 50 was updated in April of 2024.
Before you apply your makeup, are you using face primers for women over 50?
*Affiliate Disclosure
A while back, during my Facebook LIVE beauty event, I shared one of the secret weapons in my makeup bag — primer. Along with a promise to talk more about this magical little product. So, without further ado, here’s a “primer” on why makeup primer is a must-have in the makeup bags of women over 50. We will also go over the best primers for women over 50 and why you need one!
Introduction to Face Primers
Face primers are an essential step in any makeup routine, especially for mature skin. They help create a smooth base for makeup, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and ensuring a flawless finish. Primers for aging skin can also address concerns like age spots and enlarged pores, making them particularly beneficial for mature skin. A good primer can make a significant difference in the way makeup looks and lasts on the skin. With so many options available, it’s crucial to choose a primer that suits your skin type and concerns. Whether you have dry, oily, combination, or sensitive skin, there’s a primer out there that can help you achieve a radiant and youthful complexion.
Benefits of Using a Makeup Primer
Using a makeup primer can bring numerous benefits to your skin and makeup routine. Some primers can instantly smooth skin, leaving it feeling hydrated and with a radiant glow. Some of the most significant advantages include creating a smooth base for makeup, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and helping makeup last longer. A primer can also help to even out skin tone, blur pores, and give the skin a natural glow. Additionally, many primers contain skincare benefits, such as hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and shea butter, which can help to hydrate and nourish the skin. By incorporating a primer into your daily routine, you can enjoy a more flawless and long-lasting makeup application.
Choosing the Right Primer for Your Skin
Choosing the right primer for your skin can be overwhelming, especially with so many options available. To find the perfect primer, it’s essential to consider your skin type and concerns. If you have dry skin, look for a hydrating primer that contains ingredients like hyaluronic acid or shea butter. For oily skin, opt for an oil-free primer that won’t clog pores. Combination skin requires a primer that balances both dry and oily areas, while sensitive skin needs a gentle and fragrance-free formula. Consider your skin tone and texture as well, and look for a primer that addresses your specific concerns, such as fine lines, wrinkles, or uneven texture. A lightweight gel primer can be particularly beneficial for creating a smooth base and improving skin texture by blurring imperfections and providing a radiant finish.
Key Ingredients to Look for in a Primer
When shopping for a primer, it’s crucial to look for key ingredients that address your skin concerns. Some primers offer skin care benefits, such as keeping the skin hydrated. Hyaluronic acid is an excellent ingredient for dry skin, as it provides long-lasting hydration. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that can help to brighten and even out skin tone. Shea butter is a natural moisturizer that can help to nourish and protect the skin. For oily skin, look for ingredients like salicylic acid or tea tree oil, which can help to control shine and reduce pores. If you’re concerned about fine lines and wrinkles, look for a primer that contains anti-aging ingredients like retinol or peptides.
Types of Primers
There are several types of primers available, each with its unique benefits and characteristics. Hydrating primers are perfect for dry skin, as they provide long-lasting moisture and hydration. Illuminating primers contain light-reflecting particles that give the skin a radiant and glowing complexion. Pore-filling primers are designed to blur and minimize the appearance of large pores, creating a smooth and even surface for makeup. Tinted primers can help to even out skin tone and provide a subtle wash of color. They are particularly beneficial for addressing uneven skin tone and enhancing hydration, making them ideal for mature skin types that may experience fine lines and dryness. Silicone-based primers are excellent for creating a smooth and flawless finish, while water-based primers are perfect for oily skin or those who prefer a lightweight formula. By understanding the different types of primers available, you can choose the one that best suits your skin type and concerns.
Face Primer Application Tips
When applying a face primer, it’s essential to start with a clean and moisturized face. Allow your moisturizer to absorb fully before applying a thin layer of primer. Use a small amount of primer and apply it evenly to all areas of the face, making sure to cover the T-zone, cheeks, and forehead. For mature skin, look for a hydrating primer that contains ingredients like hyaluronic acid, shea butter, or jojoba oil. These ingredients will help to plump and smooth the skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. When applying primer to oily skin, use a lightweight, oil-free primer that won’t clog pores. For dry skin, use a rich and nourishing primer that will help to lock in moisture. For combination skin, use a primer that is specifically designed to balance the skin’s natural pH. Apply primer in an upward and outward motion, making sure to blend well into the hairline and jawline. This will help to create a smooth and even base for makeup.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using a Primer
One of the most common mistakes people make when using a primer is applying too much product. This can lead to a heavy, greasy feel that can accentuate fine lines and wrinkles. Another mistake is not allowing the primer to dry fully before applying makeup. This can cause the makeup to slide off or look uneven. When choosing a primer, make sure to select one that is suitable for your skin type. For example, if you have sensitive skin, look for a primer that is fragrance-free and hypoallergenic. If you have mature skin, look for a primer that contains anti-aging ingredients like vitamin C or retinol. Avoid using a primer that contains harsh chemicals or mineral oil, as these can dry out and irritate the skin. Finally, don’t forget to blend the primer well into the skin, making sure to cover all areas evenly. This will help to create a smooth and flawless base for makeup.
The Importance of a Face Primer in Your Makeup Routine
A face primer is an essential step in any makeup routine, especially for mature skin. It helps to create a smooth and even base for makeup, allowing it to stay in place longer and look more flawless. A good primer can also help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, giving the skin a more radiant and youthful appearance. For oily skin, a primer can help to control shine and reduce the appearance of pores. For dry skin, a primer can help to lock in moisture and soothe dryness. When choosing a primer, look for one that contains ingredients that are beneficial for your skin type. For example, if you have dry skin, look for a primer that contains hyaluronic acid or glycerin. If you have oily skin, look for a primer that is oil-free and contains ingredients like salicylic acid or tea tree oil. By incorporating a face primer into your makeup routine, you can help to create a smooth, flawless, and long-lasting finish that will leave your skin looking healthy and radiant. Whether you’re looking for a lightweight, natural finish or a more full-coverage look, a face primer is an essential step in achieving the perfect base for your makeup.
Primer is The Secret to Flawless Makeup After 50
You apply a primer after your moisturizer and before your foundation. Applying foundation over a primer ensures a smooth and even application. A primer is just what it sounds like; similar to priming your walls before you paint them, a primer allows the foundation to apply smoothly.
Using a pore-filling primer can help create a smooth base for makeup application.
Today’s primers are designed to make your skin look smooth, silky, reduce the appearance of pores, create a soft focus finish, and hold your makeup in place for hours.
The Best Primers for Women Over 50
Best Rated on Amazon: Elizabeth Mott Thank Me Later Face Primer
This amazing face primer has over 30k reviews on Amazon! Wowza. The liquid version is mattifying, pore minimizing, and long-lasting. A great choice for women over 50! It also imparts a slight glow, enhancing hydration and giving a youthful appearance. The slight tint helps even out skin tones, particularly for those with redness or uneven complexions, without being overpowering or adding a heavy layer of color. This is great, not only for your face but for your eyelids as well. One reviewer raved, “My eyelids are so oily that without this, eyeshadow is sometimes gone by lunch. With the eye primer, it stays in place through evening.”
My Pick for a Primer After 50: SISLEY-PARIS Instant Eclat Glow Primer
I personally use Sisley-Paris’ Instant Eclat, an illuminating primer that erases shadowy areas and signs of tiredness. This product is considered a luxury primer and enhances the overall appearance of the skin. This non-greasy formula contains kiwi, Butcher’s Broom, and Padina Pavonica extracts to help moisturize, energize, tone, and plump the complexion, resulting in smooth skin. It’s an amazing primer for women over 50. It also helps achieve a radiant complexion, making your skin look luminous and glowing. I highly recommend it. Get it for $100 here: Sisley-Paris Instant Eclat at Bloomingdale’s.
Best Face Primer for Women Over 50- Best for the Money: Maybelline Master Prime
Designed to hydrate and smooth, this weightless primer is capable of refining the look and feel of your skin, providing a smooth texture that blurs pores and enhances makeup application. It also helps achieve plump skin, contributing to a youthful and radiant complexion, while keeping your makeup in place from morning until evening. And at less than $10, this primer is a great one to try out if you have never used one before! You can purchase it here: Maybelline Master Prime.
Best Drugstore Primer: Revlon PhotoReady Pore Reducing Primer
Another primer at a lower price point is Revlon’s Photoready primer. A primer with a green tint can balance out redness, making it ideal for uneven skin tones. This product smoothes and softens your skin while providing a silky smooth texture. It also addresses dull skin, enhancing glow and radiance. It tones your skin, allowing the perfect blank canvas for your makeup masterpieces, darlings. At just around $20, this face primer is another wonderful option if you have never used a primer before and would like to try it out. Click here to purchase: Revlon PhotoReady Pore Reducing Primer.
Ideal for all skin types: LancôMe Women’s La Base Pro Makeup & Face Primer
This next face primer for women over 50 is fabulous if you’re looking for a more powerful formula to reduce fine lines, the look of pores, and smooth your skin’s overall texture. This primer is formulated to produce great results on any skin type, providing a dewy finish that enhances your skin’s appearance. Additionally, it contains ingredients that help to blur fine lines, creating a smooth texture ideal for makeup application. Not to mention, your skin will be left feeling silky and comfortable with a velvety matte finish all day long. Get this primer for around $42 here: LancôMe Women’s La Base Pro Makeup & Face Primer.
Wrinkle smoothing primer: Nars Instant Line and Pore Perfector
If you’re looking for seamless skin, another cost-effective option is this primer, which smoothes the appearance of fine lines while reducing large pores to deliver that sought-after smoothing effect with a silky texture. The e.l.f. Liquid Poreless Putty Primer is an affordable option that smooths and blurs imperfections. It also grips makeup, ensuring long-lasting wear throughout the day. The best parts? It won’t dry out your skin and it can be used before or after makeup application! Snag it for $24 here: Nars Instant Line and Pore Perfector.
What Are Your Favorites?
Have you tried a makeup primer? Recommendations from a makeup artist can be valuable for finding the best primers. What do you think the best primers for women over 50 are? Do tell!
What experiences have you had with primer after 50? Please share in the comments. Sharing is caring, darlings!
If you’ve enjoyed this article, please subscribe! Recommendations from makeup artists can be valuable for finding the best primers.
**Honey Good may receive a small commission for items purchased through links on this page. This helps with the cost of maintaining this site.
I actually have recently started using a primer, I know in my 60’s and I’m finally doing it. And I love it how it makes my skin feel and my makeup stay all day. I can definitely tell and see a difference. Thanks Honey.
My email was not accepted to enter a chance to win primer.
Mereditholson828@gmail.com
Hi Meredith, thank you for letting us know. We have added your email to our entry list. Good luck!
Honey,
I love Vionic shoes! They combine comfort with the current styles and are reasonably priced. I have purchased 4 pairs online, including hiking boots for an Alaskan trip and cute wedge sandals. They have a more versatile collection than other lines of comfort shoes that I’m aware of, making shoe shopping fun again! Check them out!
Hi Honey, first of all I love your make-up tips and reflections on life. My personal favorite primer is Too Faced Hangover RX….this product goes on so smooth and really perks up my skin, so I don’t need to use a lot of foundation. However, I think it retails around $30.00. I am going to try the NARS , I do like to mix it up a bit and have a choice or two of different brands for the same product.
I always check your latest blog to start my great day…..
Primer is the best thing you can put on your face to make your make-up glide on and last a long time. I don’t find much difference in the brands themselves, all of them do a good job. I like the primers that also do a 2nd job, that of erasing redness in your skin for example. Just don’t apply too heavily.
Can’t seem to enter for the primer? Thanks Honey!
Hi Rose, you have been added to the list. Good luck!
I have a few different primers. What I would like to know is if there is a primer that not only smoothes your wrinkles and “blurs” or fills in your pores but one that tightens & firms your skin (especially neck and under eye area); and while we’re at it why not throw in an SPF for UVA and UVB?
Does a primer like that exist or is that too much to ask? How about a foundation, is there a foundation out there with all those things?
Yes please o want to know the answer to that question as well. Please tell my girls that I wish they had magic in a bottle that’s what I need for wrinkles and lines and everything else .
Enjoy your lines. Keep smiling. warmly, Honey
Enjoy your lines. Enjoy your life. Warmly, Honey
Is there a primer or concealer that will not melt off my face. I have dark circles an 50 and Hispanic I don’t look 50 because of great genes. Praise God i just can’t keep my concealer from melting off my face. Help please
To be fair to you this is my suggestion because this is what I would do. Go into the makeup department of a department store and talk to a professional make up person.Explain your problem and relie on her advice. If she sells you a product that melts off your face, return it and don’t be afraid to take it back. Buy another one and continue this process until you receive satisfaction. This is exactly what I would do. Warmly, Honey
I found the Primer for you, by accident. It will be on my site on Thursday in the advice column story on https://www.honeygood.com. Let me know how it works. Warmly, Honey
Something I found that makes my makeup last all day is spray-on rose water tonic (Trader Joe’s). Spray it on your face after cleansing but before putting your moisturizer on (let your face dry before adding moisturizer). My makeup lasts all day without using primer.
I bought it yesterday darling. thank you and a happy happy New Year to you and yours. Warmly, Honey
I bought it. Thank you for sharing. Happy New Year. Warmly, Honey Send me any question and I will answer in my Ask Honey Advice Column every Thursday on https://www.honeygood.com. Happy New Year. Warmly, Honey
@Monique Herriman I know it’s WAY past when you asked, but if you’re still interested in the “blur” type primers etc., maybe look into the Milk line. They come in several different tones etc, but don’t be put off by the fact that they’re sticks. If you don’t like swiping them on, I’ve found they work just as well with a brush or beauty blender… I love their glow blur primer, and it works beautifully with their highlight stick. They even have foundation sticks, dual lip & cheek sticks… EVERYTHING! Their whole line is based on sticks, they’re short and fat and last forever, so it really is cost effective too. Can be found at Sephora and the like, because it’s on the higher end spectrum…. But my all time favorite primer is Tacha’s Silk Canvas. It’s expensive. Very high end. A little goes a long way. But there is NO OTHER beauty product (this is cosmetic that doubles as skin care) that I feel makes my skin look just as beautiful WITHOUT makeup as it does with it. It looks as though I’ve applied a veil even BEFORE I get to the makeup part. AND THEN, it makes your colors POP! Extends the life of ALL your makeup because you now need to use less and it all looks brighter and better on your face and it blends better. It makes your skin like a literal silk canvas! Try it for yourself if you don’t believe me. I wish there was a way for me to pay for it if you didn’t like it. THAT’S how sure I am that you will love it too!
I am going to take your advice and purchase Tacha Silk Canvas. Thank you for your advice. Warmly, Honey
My question about primers is what about applying SPF? Is that before or after the primer?
Apply any skin care items and let them dry before applying the primer. This includes SPF!
I have been using Elf primer. Very happy with it. Makes my face feel so smooth. I’m 83 years old.
I use SPF Supergoop for the face as my primer. I was looking for a sunscreen when in Hawaii several years ago as I had left mine home in Australia. The consultant was very knowledgable and suggested I try the supergroup and said she uses it as her primer. I found it to be very successful so every time I come to usa I stock up and have never had sunburn on my face since and my makeup looks smooth and well finished.
I am 85 years old. I have been using the Lancome primer about 8 years. I love it. I tried the Revlon primer once when I was on a money diet. NOT FOR ME. I threw it away, didn’t save any money.
Oh, I’ll have to give the Lancome primer a try! I have not personally tried the Revlon but it had 4k great reviews on Amazon so I thought I’d include it for people on a “money diet.” Thank you for your comment and I’m so glad you found something that works for you!