When I began to experiment with makeup 14-some-odd years ago, primers were only expected to do one thing: grip onto your makeup, extending its wear. But makeup is more scientifically advanced now than it has ever been before, and generally speaking, I've found that the product is no longer a prerequisite for getting my face to last longer than a few hours. Yet some primers are keeping up with the rest of the field, offering benefits that make them all but indispensable.
Kjaer Weis' new The Beautiful Primer exemplifies what the new wave of primers do best — add a boost of nourishment, enhance the overall finish of your makeup, and amplify your glow, both natural and applied. The brand sent me a sample to test, and after two weeks of daily use, I have found it to be a superb bridge between my skincare routine and my makeup routine.
Left: Wearing The Beautiful Primer on a bare face. Right: The Beautiful Primer under a medium coverage foundation.
Just look at that glow! I live for a plump, dewy complexion.
The beyond-surface-level benefits come from mica, an iridescent mineral responsible for the light-catching effect; lavender water, which soothes and hydrates; and squalane, which seals in moisture for long-lasting radiance. The Beautiful Primer is also a sort of skincare routine topper thanks to olive oil, which promotes the creation of filaggrin (a protein that keeps skin hydrated throughout the day). You'll also find vitamin E for antioxidant support and barrier protection and acmella (electric daisy) extract, which has a Botox-like firming effect, on the ingredient list.
I sandwiched the organic primer in after cleansing, toning, and moisturizing but before any other makeup. After letting it sit on my otherwise makeup-less visage for about five minutes, I saw a subtle sheen. Applying foundation was smooth as can be, and an hour later, I noticed that I was luminous: The glow that had initially lightly graced the high points spread across my entire complexion.
Six hours later, my friends told me it looked like I had "rich-girl skin," like I spent thousands of dollars on expensive celebrity-touted treatments (I didn't). While I applied it all over my face, for a more subtle approach, you could use it just on the high points of the face, the same way you'd use a highlighter to add dimension, brighten your complexion, and reflect light.
Many dew-enhancing products attract and reflect light, but this is the only one I've tried that actually creates light. My only qualm is that I wish The Beautiful Primer launched earlier in the season to revive my dull winter complexion. At $55, the price is a tiny bit hard to swallow, but since it took less than two full dabs to cover my entire face, I expect this bottle to last me quite a while.
Below, head to Kjaer Weis to get your hands on a bottle of the skincare-meets-makeup Beautiful Primer.
Shop now: $55; kjaerweis.com
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