WTF IS PRIMER?

 Recently I gave over £50+ for the primer that I can’t live without. This strange white liquid which promises me fresh, dewy pretty skin.

Just before I entered my pin number. I had a realisation. I don’t even know what primer is. I mean obviously I am aware that primer is the pre to a foundation.

But seriously. WHAT. ACTUALLY. IS. IT?

And since I have had this thought I couldn’t get it out of my head. I found myself waking up at 3am, with a primer existential crisis. If primer is just some fake white sauce, why do I feel so pretty with it around? Who am I without this bottle of unicorn tears? What am I even doing with my life? After a week of primer interrupted sleep. I got tired. I got angry. I became a primer sniffing, ingredients reading pervert! So to put my mind to rest once and for all, I did some research and answered all the questions I wanted I want to know. (so here is a written portrait of the conversation I had with myself a couple of nights ago)

WHAT. ACTUALLY. IS. IT?

A primer is the hybrid between skin-care and make-up.

K, BUT WHY IS IT DIFFERENT TO MOISTURISER THO?

Moisturiser is designed to sink into the skin. Primers job is to sit on top. Creating a smooOOOth base for the foundation. It provides a good grip for your foundation - so it can cling onto your skin for dear life (the whole day, not actually life).

RIGHT BUT HOW DOES IT DO IT?

So it uses a series of polymers (normally silicone based) to create a barrier between your skin and all the oiliness your skin produces. It is also said that, skin is also normally pretty neutral/negative in electrocharge - so primer tends to have a positive charge. But I am unsure how true this is.

SO IT’S GRIPPY STUFF, IS THAT IT?

Nooooo you can buy your primer specific to your wants and needs.

For example; I am obsessed with looking dewier than a blade of grass at 5am in the middle of spring. So the reason I like my particular primer- is it designed to brighten the skin and “illuminate” (note: I am not a lightbulb)

Reducing oiliness, redness, pore-size, or flakiness. There’s primers for each and every one. You’ve just gotta google your issue (or your want), and you’ll probably find a shed load of primers for that! Another interesting point is sometimes, your primer might not suit your foundation, result in flaky dry patches - so there is an argument that you should by both your primer and foundation from the same place. But that’s not a rule, just a suggestion.

ARE YOU GOING TO KEEP BUYING PRIMER ?

I feel fully convinced that primers are worth it. What’s the point in buying an amazing foundation if you are just gonna let it slide of your face. I CAN FINALLY SLEEP AGAIN!

CAN I STOP ASKING QUESTIONS NOW?

Yes, yes you can