Primer is an English term used in painting, which means primer or coating and especially base. In make-up, it is used first, as its name indicates. There will be primers for just about everything next spring: eyelids, eyelashes, lips, nails… and obviously the complexion where they become more and more sophisticated. Zoom on new cosmetics with Ariane Le Febvre.
The era of the cosmetic primer is upon us! What's new? It becomes a makeup product in its own right that can be worn alone… The nude of nude !
The most"traditional" for the complexion
Primers were first created for the complexion, to prepare the skin for make-up and to allow a uniform application of foundation. After the Superprimers, peach, pink, purple, caramel complexion bases… which correct all skin defects (redness, dull complexions, hyperpigmentation…) and all skin tones (Super Foundation, 30 ml, 28 €, 6 shades including one universal), Clinique will release in February the first jumbo large pencil primer to illuminate the complexion (Chubby Stick Illuminator Visage, 24 €).
By Terry offers a"rejuvenating" primer for mature skin that can be used alone, without foundation (Terrybly Densiliss Primer, Anti-Wrinkle Serum Base, 30 ml, 88 €).
In January, it will be Make Up For Ever's turn to offer two ranges of Step 1 primers at Sephora. The first contains 5 corrective bases adapted to the type of skin (redness, combination to oily skin, dry or mature skin…) which act on the texture of the skin and correct surface problems (Matifying Base, Smoothing Base, Redness Correcting Base, Moisturizing Base or Nourishing Base, 30 ml, 31 €). The second is available in 5 Radiant Radiant Primer Bases (30 ml, 31 €), in 5 different shades, which act on the skin's colour and aim to readjust its tone. Blue targets very light complexions and neutralizes redness. The rose brings freshness to dull skins and attenuates the dark areas of the face. Yellow has been designed for dark to mixed skin that wants more clarity and radiance. It can also give light skin an amber tonality. Fishing has been designed to give a healthy glow and transparency to European complexions. And caramel warms and illuminates dark skins with its Spectraflex® brown, red and yellow pigments.
Primers adapted to the eyelid complexion
These non-greasy cream bases even and velvety the eyelids, camouflaging small imperfections (redness, visible vessels…), while boosting the impact of make-up.
If BareMinerals (at Sephora) was one of the first to offer one (Prime Time Eyelid Primer, Eye Make-up Base, 3 ml, 19 €), they now have the good taste to come in several shades, adapted to the eyelid complexion (Eye Shadow Primer, Blinc eye shadow base, 23.90 €, 2 shades (at Marionnaud)…); Couture Eye Primer by Yves Saint Laurent, 36,50 €, 2 shades). They can be worn alone or before an eye shadow to enhance its hold and colour strength.
The most original: for lashes, lips or nails
Little Black Primer by Estée Lauder (26 €, at Marionnaud) is an eyelash primer that colours, amplifies and fixes mascara. It applies under or on the latter. It tints lashes in a lash dyeing way (minimum hold: 2 days), shapes them to prepare them with mascara, accentuating their curve and making them longer and thicker. Applied to mascara, its formula fixes it and protects the lashes from humidity, which prevents make-up from running or getting damaged throughout the day. It is both a light mascara with high hold that we can wear for example the weekend and a top coat for lashes.
Clarins, for its part, offers no less than two primers for the lips: Instant Light Lip Beautifying Balm (17 €, 3 shades), enriched with extracts of wild mango and shea butter, which moisturizes, plumps and illuminates the lips by slightly tinting them. Joli Baume Éclat du Jour (13,60 €), is a lip enhancer (a malignant pigment, sensitive to the pH of the lips, enhances their natural colour and magnifies them with a custom-made rosy glow) which ensures 8 hours of hydration (shea butter, cocoa butter and organic redcurrant extract), as well as a smooth and pulpy appearance. All in eco-friendly packaging with large coloured peas.
As for primers for nails, intended to exalt the cambered and lacquered shine of gel effect varnishes, there are protective base formulas that prevent stains and strengthen the adhesion of the varnish (Infinite Shine Primer O.P.I, 15 ml, 16 €, from March at Sephora) and top-coats gloss effect (Top Coat Gel Finish de Mavala, 10 ml, 11.80 €). Manicure becomes an art!
Ariane Le Febvre
