10 Good reasons to leave Primer behind (hello, skin prep!)

Disclaimer: Please note that some of the links below are affiliate links and I will earn a commission if you purchase through that link. I personally use all of the products listed below and would never recommend them if I myself didn’t love them.

Ever find that your makeup just isn’t settling properly on your face?

Maybe your foundation seems to be rolling off in pieces, or flaking off with your skin. Or maybe it’s just breaking up where your face is oily, instead of settling in.

I get it. It’s really frustrating to spend money on a well reviewed product and then just not have it work for you.

But here’s the thing. It’s probably not the foundation.

Ever heard that you need to use primer underneath your foundation? Yeah, it’s a pretty common idea. And it’s not entirely false. As a makeup artist, I do occasionally use primer. But when I use primer, it’s pretty sparingly and on the t-zone of a more oily complexioned client. Or maybe on particularly textured patch of skin (because of scarring or active acne, not because of dryness. That will only compound the issue!).

So what should you do instead? It’s simpler than you would think.

Skin prep.

No really, just washing your face and using moisturizer before putting on makeup can completely replace primer. I even find that it lasts longer than primer does (though of course I’ll still set it with a setting spray).

Skin prep is my (not so secret) secret to making all of my clients not just look amazing, but feel amazing. It’s the first step to any makeup application, and one that allows for a little bit of pampering time, too!

So what skin prep should you use? Well, the base line is simply moisturizer. But what kind is up to you.

In my kit, I use entirely Sonia Roselli products. Sonia was a Chicago Bridal Makeup Artist and esthetician for 20 years before focusing in on her skincare line, and as a makeup artist all I can do is thank her. Her line has revolutionized not only my skin, but the skin and makeup applications of my clients.

Now let’s get down to the skin prep. On my clients, I always use two products. Water Elixir, and Water Balm.

Water Elixir, among its many wonderful qualities, improves the skin texture and calms redness, dehydration, and malnourishment. It’s like what a toner dreams of being.

Then comes water balm. This is my holy grail, and I never complete any job without it. I can’t even begin to comprehend everything it does for your skin, as it works as a “toner/serum, day cream, night cream, and makeup primer all in one”. As Sonia Roselli puts it, “Plump up fine lines and wrinkles and any skin issues you may have and be smooth as a baby's bum.”

Does she exaggerate? No.

She has many other products in her line that I swear by, too. Water Oil is always kept in my kit, and I use it on particularly dry or dehydrated clients. Her Japanese Cleansing Oil is the best oil cleanser on the market (if you ask me), and SexAPeel puts all other exfoliators to shame. Absolute. Shame.

If you use all of them together, you may just end up with the best skin of your life. Do you trust me? Try them out now.