Ask any makeup expert, and the first thing they will probably tell you is how they cannot live without a good primer. Simply put, primers take your makeup to the next level. They smooth out your face to prep it for makeup and also act as skincare giving you the right active ingredients for a glowing complexion.

But, how do you choose which primer is meant for your skin? Is one lightweight or less tacky over another? These critical questions are the reason we made this little list for you. We compiled the best primers and makeup bases, so you no longer have to worry about choosing the wrong one.

Youngblood Mineral Face Primer

If you are all for cruelty-free and vegan beauty, then this primer is your best bet. With key ingredients such as vitamin E and jojoba seed oil, it hydrates and pampers your skin as it blurs your pores, wrinkles, and fine lines for a smooth foundation. This primer from Youngblood works for all skin types, and the formula is heavenly; it melts into the skin from a silky to a powdery finish that does not feel greasy or heavy.

Bare Minerals Prime Time Foundation Primer

Another one for the vegan and cruelty-free list is the Prime Time Primer. We love its silky formula that fills in all your pores, impurities, and fine lines. It also helps with rough patches on your skin and evens out your skin tone. This primer works like a skincare product with potent antioxidants and skin-loving ingredients such as vitamin C, vitamin E, silica, aloe leaf, and chamomile. This combo conditions and soothes the skin for better makeup application.

Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch

Think magic potions that transform your skin in less than a minute. The Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch from Clarins is an ultra-light product that glides effortlessly into the skin with its soothing cream formula. It polishes, smoothens, and fills in fine lines, wrinkles, and pores to prep your skin for an even, flawless foundation finish. Also, there’s no need to worry about skin irritation because this primer is safe for all skin types.

Jane Iredale Smooth Affair Brightening Face Primer

This skin-quenching primer from our cult-favourite Jane Iredale preps the skin for easier makeup application that lasts all day long. It also helps keep your skin looking young by reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines and bringing out your natural shine. Even better, this brightening primer boosts the skin’s ability to withhold moisture as it provides deep hydration to the skin.

Guerlain L’Or Radiance Concentrate Makeup Base

This makeup base is a luxury in a bottle. With pure gold flakes, this Guerlain makeup base has a cooling formula that hydrates and soothes the skin before applying makeup. It sinks into the skin to boost moisture retention for a relaxing skin prep before applying makeup. And if you think the gold flakes are just for aesthetic, well, they’re not. Thanks to it, you also get an instant radiant glow while your makeup stays fresh throughout the day.