Best Foundations With Primer

Are you looking for a foundation that can last all day long without the extra effort of applying a primer?

If so, you need to try a foundation with primer built in.

Combining these two products helps provide the skin with good coverage and a long-lasting look.

We tested several foundations with primer added in, and here are our top picks:

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Best Foundations With Primer

Tarte BB Tinted Treatment 12hr Primer

This vegan tinted primer by Tarte is suitable for oily skin as it has a matte finish that doesn’t feel heavy.

It is a combination of primer and bb cream, and it offers buildable light to medium coverage. It also stays put and lasts well without separating.

It comes in 8 shades, but the lightest one can be a little dark for fair skin tones, so I wish they had more shades available.

TIP: This primer has an SPF30, but I highly recommend using a separate sunscreen before the primer and never relying on built-in sunscreen for complete protection.

Pros: 

  • Suitable for oily skin
  • Matte finish
  • Buildable coverage
  • It lasts well without separating

Cons: 

  • The lightest shade might be too dark for fair skin tones

Related: Foundation Vs. BB Cream

Undone Beauty Under / Over Powder

undone beauty powder

This powder is a 2-in-1 product combining foundation and primer in one easy application. It’s one of the best drugstore powder foundations as it doesn’t settle into large pores and gives the skin a smoother look.

A little bit goes a long way with this product, so you only need a small amount to cover your whole face. Avoid applying too much to prevent your makeup from looking dry and cakey.

It lasts throughout the day, helps control oil production, and keeps the skin looking matte.

For light coverage, buff it on the skin with a large brush. You can also apply it with a powder puff for medium coverage.

The only downside is that it’s unavailable in a wide range of shades, so it may only be suitable for some skin tones.

Pros:

  • It reduces the look of large pores
  • It’s long-lasting
  • It keeps skin matte
  • It’s easy to apply

Cons: 

  • Not available in many shades

Iconic London Radiance Complexion Booster

You can use this multifunctional product as a primer and a sheer coverage foundation all in one. It is more suitable for dry skin as it provides a glowy look.

It has many nourishing ingredients, such as glycerin and squalane, that help hydrate the skin and provide a healthy glow.

The coverage is not too heavy, so it’s ideal for those who want a natural look. It also has a blurring effect which helps to give the skin a smoother appearance.

It’s available in 11 shades, so you can find one that matches your skin tone perfectly.

The only downside is that it has a slightly tacky finish, so I prefer to set it with a translucent pressed or loose powder.

Pros: 

  • Hydrating and nourishing
  • Blurring effect
  • Natural-looking coverage
  • Available in 11 shades

Cons: 

  • Tacky finish

Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter

The Hollywood Flawless Filter by Charlotte Tilbury is popular amongst beauty lovers. It has a lightweight formula that helps to blur the skin and create a natural-looking finish. 

It’s packed with skin-loving ingredients such as glycerin, squalane, and porcelain flower extract, which helps to moisturize the skin.

If you have dry skin, you’ll love this product. It has a dewy finish which helps to give the skin a healthy glow and sheer natural coverage.

You can apply it with a brush or fingers, as it blends quickly into the skin.

It’s available in 12 shades, so it suits most skin tones.

Pros: 

  • Lightweight formula
  • Blurs the skin
  • Moisturizing ingredients
  • Dewy finish
  • Available in 12 shades

Cons: 

  • Not suitable for oily skin types

PUR Love Your Selfie Longwear Foundation & Concealer

PUR FOUNDATION

The PUR Love Your Selfie Longwear Foundation & Concealer is a 4-in-1 product that offers medium coverage and long wear.

It is suitable for oily skin and gives a matte finish while controlling excess oil during the day. It’s also silicone-based, which helps provide the skin with a smoother appearance.

This foundation doesn’t need a separate primer as it doesn’t settle into large pores or separate throughout the day.

The coverage is buildable so you can go from light to medium, depending on your preference.

It comes in 100 shades which makes it suitable for all skin tones. It also has a doe foot applicator which makes it easy to apply. 

Pros: 

  • Suitable for oily skin
  • Matte finish
  • It helps to fill in pores
  • Long-wearing
  • 100 shades available

Cons: 

  • Not suitable for dry skin

essence my SKIN PERFECTOR TINTED PRIMER

The essence my SKIN PERFECTOR TINTED PRIMER is a lightweight primer that comes in 6 shades. You can use it alone to create a natural look or under foundation for a flawless finish.

It has a lightweight mousse-like formula that is silicone-based, providing light coverage that looks like your skin but better.

For better results, I blend it with my fingers and then go in with a brush sponge to ensure no harsh lines.

It can be tricky to apply, so it might take some practice until you know which way works best for you. However, for the price, it’s worth it.

Pros: 

  • Lightweight formula
  • Light coverage

Cons: 

  • It can be tricky to apply

TIP: check this guide on how to apply foundation and concealer for a flawless finish.

Glo Skin Beauty Tinted Primer

GLO BEAUTY TINTED PRIMER

The Glo Skin Beauty Tinted Primer is an excellent product if you’re looking for a semi-matte finish and a natural everyday look.

It has a lightweight formula that is easy to blend into the skin and helps blur imperfections, reduce redness, and even out the complexion.

It offers buildable coverage and can be used alone or under a foundation, depending on your preference. It lasts well on the skin and doesn’t separate during the day.

Although it has an SPF30, I recommend using a separate sunscreen for complete protection.

The only downside is that it only comes in 4 shades, making it hard to find a good match for darker skin tones.

Pros: 

  • Lightweight formula
  • Blurs the skin
  • Semi-matte finish

Cons: 

  • Only four shades are available

Tula Filter Primer Blurring & Moisturizing Primer 

TULA PRIMER

The Tula filter primer is a lightweight primer that offers light coverage and a radiant finish. It doesn’t look greasy or oily and helps brighten your complexion.

It is suitable for dry skin and has a silicone-based formula that glides smoothly and does not feel thick.

As you blend this primer, it will adjust to your skin color and set to a natural but glowy finish.

You can apply it with your fingers as it’s easy to blend and not too thick or heavy.

Pros: 

  • Lightweight formula
  • Glides on smoothly
  • Sets to a natural but glowy finish

Cons: 

  • Not suitable for oily skin types.

Jason Wu Beauty It’s So Soft Face Primer

This tinted primer from Jason Wu Beauty has a soft, creamy formula that is easy to blend. It suits oily skin and will give your complexion a semi-matte finish.

It offers light coverage, and you can use it alone for an everyday minimal makeup look.

A little bit goes a long way with this primer, so you don’t need to use a lot.

You can blend it with your fingers or a brush, as it has a lightweight formula that sets quickly into the skin.

Unfortunately, it’s only available in 2 shades, so finding the right shade for your skin tone might be tricky.

Pros: 

  • Suitable for oily skin
  • Semi-matte finish
  • Lightweight formula

Cons: 

  • Only two shades are available.

Maybelline INSTANT AGE REWIND INSTANT PERFECTOR 4-IN-1 MATTE MAKEUP

MAYBELLINE MATTE FOUNDATION

Don’t let the word ‘ matte’ fool you; this foundation from Maybelline offers a natural finish while providing long-lasting coverage.

It has a lightweight formula that is easy to apply and smooths the skin, so you don’t need a primer.

It doesn’t emphasize fine lines and works well on mature skin. I like to use it for a quick everyday look, and it works well as a concealer under the eyes.

The coverage is buildable and will last all day without smudging or fading.

Pros: 

  • Natural finish
  • Long-lasting coverage
  • Smoothes the skin

Cons: 

  • None.

Maybelline INSTANT AGE REWIND INSTANT PERFECTOR 4-IN-1 GLOW MAKEUP

MAYBELLINE GLOWY FOUNDATION

If you’re looking for a natural dewy but not oily finish, then the Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Instant Perfector 4-in-1 Glow Makeup is a great option.

It’s a 4-in-1 formula that illuminates and covers skin imperfections in one step.

It comes with a sponge applicator, which, unfortunately, is not the most hygienic option, but it does make the foundation easy to apply and blend.

The coverage is medium and buildable, so you can layer the foundation depending on your desired look.

Pros: 

  • Natural dewy finish
  • 4-in-1 formula
  • Buildable coverage

Cons: 

  • A sponge applicator is not the most hygienic option.

Your Questions, Answered: 

Can I Replace Foundation With Primer?

Primers and foundations serve different purposes, so replacing one with the other is not recommended. Primers are meant to prepare your skin for makeup and help it last longer, while foundations are intended to provide coverage and even out your skin tone. 

If you’re looking for a product that offers both benefits, look for foundations with a primer added in. You can get the best of both worlds without applying two different products.

Do You Apply Primer All Over Your Face?

There are many types of primers available, and each one is formulated for a specific skin type.

Depending on your skin concerns, you can layer face primers or apply them all over your face.

For example, if you have an oily T-zone, you may apply a mattifying primer only to the areas that tend to get shiny. That way, you can avoid layering too many products where you don’t need them.

You can apply a pore-minimizing primer for large pores to the areas that need it.

If you have dry skin, use a hydrating primer all over your face for extra hydration.

best foundations with built in primer

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Claire is a beauty enthusiast and lover of all things makeup. Her blog is a resource for makeup tips and tricks, product reviews and beauty tutorials.

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