17 Makeup Artist-Approved Blurring Primers to Give You a Photo-Worthy Look (2024)

Our Top Picks

If we had to pick just one blurring primer to use until the end of time, we'd have to go with DHC's Velvet Skin Coat. The tube might be tiny, but it offers seriously impressive results. We're talking about reduced appearance of pores, filled-in fine lines, and a more even-toned complexion.

Containing silica and organic olive oil, the brilliant formula moisturizes and absorbs excess grease simultaneously (wild, right?). The result? An ultra-smooth, semi-matte finish that helps all makeup products glide on with ease while ensuring they stay put for hours.

Who It’s For

This is a brilliant all-rounder for all skin types, providing hydration without greasiness and a soft-focus finish that lasts and lasts.

Key Ingredients: Silica, organic olive oil | Skin Type: All | Dosage: Even layer before makeup | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No

You don’t need to spend a ton on primer to get that airbrushed look you crave. Maybelline Master Prime has a non-greasy, lightweight formula that goes on super-smooth, blurs blemishes, camouflages pores, and preps your skin for a full face of glam.

This water-based formula contains glycerin (a natural moisturizer) for a dose of hydration and dimethicone (silicone) to give your skin a smooth feel and protective finish. It does have a strong scent, though, which might not be for you if you’re sensitive to smells.

Who It’s For

We think this primer is great value but still delivers on blurring effects. If you’re on a budget, look no further.

Key Ingredients: Dimethicone | Skin Type: All | Dosage: Even layer before makeup | Size: 1 ounce | Cruelty-Free: No

L'Oreal Miracle Blur is on the more expensive side for a drugstore primer, but it holds its own against the top-shelf stuff so we had to include it. The smooth, lightweight cream instantly diffuses the look of fine lines and pores, leaving you with a matte finish ready for makeup. Extra points for the SPF 30, although it is made with oxybenzone, a chemical sunscreen ingredient that poses a moderate risk of photoallergic reactions like redness, itching, and rashes.

Who It’s For

If you love to do your beauty shopping at the drugstore (and appreciate makeup with SPF), you’re sure to find this fan favorite on the shelves.

Key Ingredients: Avobenzone, hom*osalate, octisalate, octocrylene, oxybenzone, silica | Skin Type: All | Dosage: Even layer on face and neck | Size: 1.2 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No

If the premium price tag is within your budget, you won't regret treating yourself to a bottle of Vanish primer. This translucent skin-blurring primer creates a smooth canvas, keeps shine in check, and delivers that airbrushed, soft-focus effect we all crave. Not only that, but it also lives up to its promises to extend your makeup wear.

Be aware that the product does contain polyethylene glycol (PEGs) – commonly used in thickeners, solvents, softeners, and moisture carriers. Though they are considered safe by the FDA, the process of producing PEGs can create carcinogenic byproducts, which makes some experts wary.

Who It’s For

If you have a larger skincare budget, we think this velvety, light as air primer is worth the investment.

Key Ingredients: Dimethicone, silica | Skin Type: All | Dosage: 1 pump onto moisturized skin | Size: 1 ounce | Cruelty-Free: Yes

It's only been five years since Benefit launched The POREfessional, but this best-selling blurring primer has quickly become one of the most beloved beauty products on the market. Former Byrdie Associate General Editor Lindsey Metrus is a devotee, thanks to its "inimitable pore-blurring capabilities."

It has a matte finish and fans say it lasts all day. However, the formula does contain synthetic fragrance, which may irritate sensitive skin.

Who It’s For

If your main reason for wanting a primer is to reduce the look of your pores, this product is the one for you.

Key Ingredients: Dimethicone, silica | Skin Type: Oily, combination, acne-prone, mature | Dosage: Thin layer before makeup | Size: 0.25, 0.75, or 1.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No

The density of solid primers makes them extra effective at filling pores and fine lines, creating a smooth canvas for makeup. Our skin expert, Kirin Bhatty, is a fan of this putty-style primer.

"It goes from solid to cream and melts transparently into the skin, creating a blurring and smoothing effect while also feeling light," she tells Byrdie. "Makeup applied on top appears more even and flawless, and this primer extends the wear." The only thing is its texture can make it a bit more difficult to spread when first applied.

Who It’s For

The solid primer provides extra smooth results, making it a good choice for anyone who feels self-conscious about fine lines or pore size.

Key Ingredients: Microcrystalline wax, silica, kaolin | Skin Type: All | Dosage: Thin layer after moisturizer | Size: 0.6 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

You don't necessarily need to apply primer on your entire face. If you're only looking to smooth your T-zone while keeping oiliness at bay, Black Opal's oil-absorbing, shine-controlling gel formula is your best bet. The lightweight formula keeps skin matte all day long without drying it out. We love that it includes witch hazel to help reduce inflammation and breakouts. The tube is on the small side, but if you’re only using it on your T-zone a little goes a long way.

Who It’s For

If you have an oily T-zone that’s prone to shininess and acne, this soothing gel primer will help keep your complexion matte and your makeup in place.

Key Ingredients: Dimethicone, witch hazel | Skin Type: All | Dosage: Sparingly on shiny areas | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

After testing Dr. Brandt's blurring primer, we gave it an impressive 4.8 out of 5 overall score for going on smoothly, controlling shine, and minimizing the look of pores on our oily skin. It’s formulated with a derivative of salicylic acid, which helps to gently exfoliate dead skin cells and oil build-up, giving you a brighter complexion over time. We also liked that the product helped our makeup last longer.

Who It’s For

This doctor-formulated product is perfect for our oily-skinned friends. Its velvety texture absorbs oil and smoothes the skin instantly, while active ingredients improve complexion clarity and texture over time. The exfoliating ingredient can be a bit harsh on dry or sensitive skin though.

Key Ingredients: Dimethicone, silica, tea tree oil | Skin Type: Oily, combination | Dosage: Small amount before makeup | Size: 1 ounce | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Formulated to hydrate and plump while controlling shine and mattifying, Laura Mercier's Pure Canvas is a blessing for combination skin. Glycerin locks in moisture to keep skin supple all day, while microalgae—packed with vitamins, fatty acids and amino acid—provides anti-inflammatory, anti-blemish, and antimicrobial benefits, improving your complexion over time. And get this: The blurring, soft-focus effects last for a whopping 16 hours.

Who It’s For

If you have finicky combination skin that needs a little bit of everything, this primer should be on your wishlist.

Key Ingredients: Silica, squalane, plankton extract | Skin Type: Combination, oily | Dosage: Dime-size amount before makeup | Size: 1.7 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No

For those prone to breakouts, Pixi has the acne-erasing primer for you. In addition to minimizing the look of pores and diffusing the appearance of blemishes and acne, this multi-tasking primer calls on salicylic acid to keep pimples at bay and soybean extract to soothe inflammation.It’s important to mention that this product contains PEGs, so if you’re avoiding those you might want to try a different product.

Who It’s For

This oil-free formula with blemish-fighting ingredients was made for acne-prone complexions.

Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, soybean extract, silica | Skin Type: Acne-prone, oily, combination | Dosage: Coin-size amount before makeup | Size: 1 ounce | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Mature skin needs a slightly more targeted primer—one that fills in fine lines while also smoothing skin texture. StriVectin's blurring primer does just that, and also diffuses the look of wrinkles, softens blemishes, preps skin for foundation, and promises to extend your makeup wear. Licorice works to combat dark spots, brightening the complexion, while marshmallow root soothes and moisturizes. It’s also formulated with SPF 30 to help guard against UV damage and photoaging, and rice germ extract to neutralize blue light.

Who It’s For

Those with mature skin will love the instant wrinkle-blurring effects of this primer, as well as the long-term skincare benefits.

Key Ingredients: Dimethicone, glycerine | Skin Type: Mature | Dosage: Even layer after moisturizing | Size: 1 ounce | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Formulated for all skin types and tones, this advanced primer works to instantly blur blemishes, diminish the look of pores, diffuse fine lines, and absorb shine. It creates a mattified makeup canvas, and, thanks to Disa-Pore 20, a biotech molecule made up of Lecithin, Lysophosphatidic Acid, and Lysolecithin, you can count on increasingly less visible pores with regular use. Reviewers note that the product is prone to separation though so be sure to give it a good shake before you use it.

Who It’s For

There’s something for everyone in this primer. Whatever your skin type, the formula will leave you with a flawless complexion.

Key Ingredients: Dimethicone, silica | Skin Type: All | Dosage: Small amount to areas of concern | Size: 1 ounce | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Unlike many other mattifying primers, Fenty Pro Filt'r contains hyaluronic acid to provide lightweight hydration and a comfortable feel. We also love that it goes on sheer, absorbs quickly, and enhances all skin tones. The soft-focus blurring effect is pretty impressive too.

A little goes a long way with this one, so we suggest starting with one pump to avoid wasting product. The formula does contain PEGs and synthetic fragrances, so it’s not a clean beauty pick if that’s important to you.

Who It’s For

If you need a mattifying primer to keep your complexion oil-free and your makeup in place, this product is our top choice for you.

Key Ingredients: Dimethicone, hyaluronic acid | Skin Type: All | Dosage: One pump before makeup | Size: 1.1 ounce | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Primer doesn’t usually offer illuminating effects—that’s often a highlighter’s job. But Wonderglow is different. It makes skin appear radiant while also taking a skincare-first approach. It plumps, hydrates, and smooths fine lines with hyaluronic acid, rosehip oil, and peptides, then calls on light-diffusing pigments to blur blemishes and create a glowing, soft-focus effect.The only downside is that the formula contains synthetic fragrances, which isn’t ideal for sensitive skin types.

Who It’s For

This formula can’t be beaten for a radiant finish. With or without makeup, you’ll look luminous.

Key Ingredients: Dimethicone, silica, light-diffusing pigments, hyaluronic acid, rosehip oil, peptides | Skin Type: All | Dosage: Even layer before makeup | Size: 1 ounce | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Smashbox was among the first brands to offer a makeup primer and that primer has stood the test of time. Photo Finish was not only the tipping point for this beauty category but remains one of the best formulas for diffusing blemishes and creating a smooth canvas. We especially love it because it’s oil-free so it’s great if you’ve got oily skin or combination skin. This vegan formula contains antioxidants and vitamins A and E to reinforce the skin barrier and reduce inflammation. Some reviews say the product can be watery, so we suggested giving it a good shake before use.

Who It’s For

We love this vegan, oil-free formula for skin types, but especially those that tend towards greasiness.

Key Ingredients: Dimethicone, silica, antioxidants | Skin Type: All | Dosage: Even layer after moisturizer | Size: 1 ounce | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This pocket-sized primer stick from Black-owned beauty brand Mented is ideal for travel and on-the-go use. The solid formula goes on smoothly, blends easily, controls shine, and does a stellar job of blurring blemishes with a soft-focus effect. Vitamins C and E offer brighter skin and antioxidant protection, while jojoba seed oil supplies moisture and reinforces the skin barrier. We do wish we got more product for the price though.

Who It’s For

This compact stick is portable and easy to apply, making it a handy product to carry with you wherever you go.

Key Ingredients: Dimethicone, silica, jojoba oil | Skin Type: All | Dosage: Even layer before makeup | Size: 0.4 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

FAQ

• What is a blurring primer?

  Blurring primers are applied after skincare and before foundation. They contain specific ingredients to create the appearance of a more even texture and an overall beautiful complexion.

• How do you apply a blur primer?

  Using your fingers or a foundation brush, massage the primer onto your skin, being sure to cover your entire face, including your eyelids. You can follow up with a second layer on those particularly problematic areas, such as the T-zone, gently tapping a little extra product to help blur the look of pores.

• Does primer fill in wrinkles?

  Although each formulation of blurring primer will differ, the basic gist of the product is to help “fill in” any kind of unevenness—this includes both pores and fine lines—thus helping to create a smoother look.