In the search to find the perfect lipstick shade or the longest lasting mascara, it’s easy to overlook one of the best beauty basics out there: makeup primer. A staple in every professional makeup artist’s kit, this multitasking product might just deserve a spot in your beauty routine too. To find out whether makeup primer might be a good fit for you, we’ll help by answering some frequently asked questions, including:

• What is makeup primer?

• What does makeup primer do for makeup?

• What else does makeup primer do?

• What are the best makeup primers?

What is makeup primer?

First things first, what is makeup primer? This cream- or gel-based face product is a favorite of professional makeup artists to help them achieve a flawless look for their clients. Makeup primer goes on before any other makeup step, including foundation. Depending on its formulation, it might be applied after moisturizer or sunscreen, or even take the place of either or both.

What does makeup primer do for makeup?

One of the biggest reasons professional makeup artists reach for makeup primer when working with clients is it gives makeup the staying power to look fresh all day. This is because one purpose of primer is to prep your skin for makeup and act as a base to help your foundation, blush and eye makeup stay put. Similar to priming a wall before you paint it, makeup primer creates the perfect canvas for your foundation to adhere to so it lasts.

Here’s another powerful purpose of primer: It can help keep your eye makeup looking fresh and flawless. In addition to makeup primers formulated for the whole face, there are also primers formulated specifically for the eyelids to help prevent eyeshadow from creasing and hold it in place all day long.

What else is makeup primer used for?

Though one purpose of makeup primer is to improve the wear of your makeup, there are other reasons why you should consider making it a part of your routine. Here are some other reasons you might want to try using makeup primer:

1) It helps your skin look smoother

One of the best benefits of makeup primer is that it has a uniquely silky texture and superior smoothing powers. That said, how does primer work exactly? The majority of primers contain silicone-based polymers that not only give them a silky feel but allow them to fill in any depressions in the skin. This includes large pores, fine lines, wrinkles and mild acne scarring.

2) It can reduce shine

It’s true that the primary purpose of primer is to create a smooth, long-lasting base for your favorite face makeup, but you’ll find it also comes in handy when you just want to control shine. If you have combination or oily skin that tends to get shiny throughout the day, applying a makeup primer is a helpful step to achieve a long-lasting matte finish. How does makeup primer work to control shine? Oil-controlling primers contain mattifying ingredients that work by absorbing excess oil on the surface of the skin.

3) It can provide a radiant glow

While some makeup primers provide a matte finish, others contain reflective particles to help give your skin a touch of radiance. These brightening makeup primers can even be used on their own in place of foundation for a luminous no-makeup makeup look.

4) You can use it to make your own DIY coverage

Makeup primer is also a great beauty basic to have on hand because of its multitasking abilities. Did you know you can use it to make your own custom DIY coverage? You can blend makeup primer with your favorite liquid foundation for sheer coverage that still has staying power. Just warm a little primer on the back of your hand and add foundation by the drop until you reach a consistency and color that works for you.

6 primers to try

jane iredale Smooth Affair Facial Primer & Brightener

This makeup primer helps create a flawless base for mineral makeup, from foundation to concealer to blush, so it stays in place and smudge-free. This formula also contains light-reflecting particles called mica to help brighten and illuminate your complexion for a lit-from-within look. Algae extracts help firm and bind moisture while aloe works to calm redness. Nancy Schlessinger, LovelySkin Vice President, and wife of LovelySkin CEO and board-certified dermatologist Dr. Joel Schlessinger, is a big fan of this product. “It’s silky and lightweight, and with the hyaluronic acid and shea butter it contains, my skin feels much more hydrated and my makeup definitely stays on longer,” she says.

Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics Mineral Primer

Another staff favorite, this colorless, paraben-free base works wonderfully as a conventional primer and also to mix with foundation for sheer coverage. It also contains vitamin E to protect skin against environmental stress and jojoba oil to help soothe inflamed skin, making it a great choice if you struggle with redness.

Dermablend Brilliant Base Illuminating Primer

This makeup primer provides a smooth canvas for a full face of makeup or a sheer glow on days you want to go without makeup altogether. It contains mica, a reflective mineral, to give skin a touch of luminosity as well as titanium dioxide with SPF 30. As a bonus, it also contains an antioxidant blend of vitamins C and E to help your skin look smoother and softer over time with continued use.

bareMinerals Prime Time Eyeshadow Extender

This particular product can be worn under your favorite eye shadow to help the colors stand out and stay smudge-proof. If you have discoloration around your eyelids or under your eyes, this primer provides a smooth base for the application of concealer, eyeliner and eye shadow.

Glo Skin Beauty Tinted Primer SPF 30

This makeup primer gives just enough of a skin-blurring effect while still looking (and feeling) sheer and lightweight thanks to a tinted formula that helps camouflage imperfections and provide all-day coverage. It contains mica for a touch of radiance and also has added sun protection thanks to the inclusion of two mineral sunscreens, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.

Revision Skincare Intellishade Tinted Moisturizer SPF 45

A combination makeup primer, tinted moisturizer and sunscreen, this multitasking product from Revision Skincare is another favorite of LovelySkin Vice President Nancy Schlessinger. In addition to creating a smooth canvas for makeup and camouflaging imperfections, it also has peptides and vitamin C to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. “I have used Revision Intellishade every day for at least ten years,” Nancy says. “I love how easily and smoothly it spreads on my skin and how it provides coverage along with sun protection and anti-aging benefits as well.

Now that you’re up to speed on the purpose of primer, check out some organic makeup we love, from liquid blush to volumizing mascara.