Primer reviews from Reddit
Summary
We analyzed 185 Reddit reviews across 28 subreddits and 69 posts to rank the best Primer brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/Makeup, r/Sephora, r/BlackTemplars, r/Miniaturespainting, r/paint. Top-rated brands include ELF (4.9/5), Urban Decay (4.8/5), Smashbox (4.9/5).
Stats
Reviews185
Subreddits28
Posts69
Brands57
Products92
185 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
ELF
4.9
(11)
"I use elf hydro grip, I tried many high end primers and nothing performs like the elf."
"I like the elf pink power grip primer. I found it works really well on top of my moisturizer."
"I love elf's power grip primer, I have combination skin and it makes everything look so smooth."
"I personally love the duo of elf poreless putty primer and elf power grip primer."
"ELF putty works really well."
"Seconding elf putty primer in luminous."
"I use ELF liquid poreless putty primer. I really like it."
"I love Elf Power Grip Primer paired with the Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray!"
"Elf hydro grip primer."
"Elf power grip primer is amazing!"
#2
Urban Decay
4.8
(10)
"I love the Urban Decay eyeshadow primer. I do a thin layer and let it dry before applying eyeshadow and it stays on (and even) like a dream."
"Hands down urban Decay eyeshadow primer potion, the original version."
"Urban Decay Primer Potion is so good."
"Urban Decay Primer Potion is so good that I’ve never even had to look elsewhere."
"Urban Decay has been my holy grain for years."
"Urban Decay and NARS have been my go-to's."
"My favorite is the Urban Decay."
"UD primer with Natasha Denona shadow held up for 9 hrs."
"I used UD Primer Potion. I don’t remember if it still exists."
"Hopefully they still make it: Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer."
#3
Smashbox
4.9
(9)
"My favorite primer is smashbox photo finish. It works with every foundation I have used."
"I will sing from the highest peaks that smashbox makes the absolute best primer."
"I live and die by their mattifying primer."
"Smashbox photo finish is very nice."
"If you use water based makeup like the smashbox photo finish primerizer + hydrating primer!"
"Smashbox Photo Finish primer... My makeup is never out of place with this combo."
"I love Smashbox primers & primerizers."
"I personally use Smashbox one and don’t have issues. It is the only primer I use."
"I like the smashbox pore vanishing in my t zone"
#4
Vallejo
3.9
(9)
"The cheapest option i have found out there are the 200ml Vallejo bottles."
"Vallejo makes great primers that you can brush on."
"When/if you decide you want an airbrush, I would recommend Vallejo primer"
"Vallejo or Stynlrez are my go-to primers"
"Vallejo black in a spray gun is my go-to, but a krylon rattle can is totally fine."
"Brush on primers I've tried Vallejo and Army Painter (these are designed for airbrush but can be brushed on no problem) both fine too if you want brush on"
"I like the Vallejo surface primer. Black."
"I've had really good luck with Vallejo primer on resin."
"I do not recommend Vallejo primer."
#5
Hourglass
5.0
(7)
"Hourglass mineral veil."
"Hourglass Mineral Veil or Armani Luminous Silk depending on the finish I want."
"Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer."
"Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer is amazing."
"The best primer is HG Veil Mineral."
"I love the hourglass vanish primer."
"I personally love the hourglass vanish primer! Yes, it’s so unreasonably expensive, but the blurring, smoothness it’s given me over my eczema and sensitive skin have been worth it to me!"
#6
Rustoleum
4.6
(7)
"Rustoleum is my new go to. Just as good (if not better than the miniature brand primers) but for far less"
"Second the Rustoleum flat black, just make sure it’s just flat black not paint+primer"
"Rustoleum is solid. Just don't go too heavy and make sure it's one of their "works on plastic" versions."
"I use rustoluem FLAT black primer. Looks great."
"I actually prefer rust oleum over citadel"
"I use Rustoleum."
"Just go with the Rustoleum then. Should be able to get it at most hardware stores"
#7
Milk
4.8
(6)
"Milk Hydro Grip primer if it’s not too much, otherwise Elf Hydro Power Grip primer if you’re on a budget!"
"I use the Milk Mattifying Primer Stick, it’s so good and makeup lasts all day."
"I use the milk hydrogrip primer with the haus labs and it works well for me!"
"The Milk Primer is an absolute BANGER. one of my fav newer high end primers!"
"The Milk primer helped control my oily face during the hot summer!"
"I use the Milk primer and Hourglass powder."
#8
Kilz
4.0
(7)
"I have come to prefer Kilz3 because I don’t like surprises."
"It’s good stuff. Been using it for many many years."
"Original kilz will work, not kilz 2 or 3 or anything else."
"Killz."
"Kilz."
"Killz original or Zinsser stain blocking primer."
"Kilz. Both are good primers."
#9
Citadel
5.0
(5)
"Citadel primer and acrylics are awesome"
"Chaos Black and Wraith Bone are the best primers."
"Never had problems with citadel primers. I’m always sticking with the thing that works!"
"100%. Chaos Black is fantastic."
"Chaos black is genuinely one of citadels best products."
#10
Bobbi Brown
4.8
(5)
"The Bobbi Brown face base is hands down my favorite."
"I use the vitamin enriched face base by Bobbi brown as a moisturizer/ primer combo."
"Also love love love Bobbi Brown face base."
"Bobbi Brown Face Base. New holy grail."
"Bobbi brown vitamin enriched face base for me when I had drier skin."
#11
Zinsser
4.4
(5)
"BIN shellac primer. That stuff is the best!"
"Bin shellac, don’t risk it, if that doesn’t do it nothing will!"
"It dries quickly and seals knots well."
"Zinsser cover stain."
"Zinsser Cover Stain."
#12
YSL
4.4
(5)
"I find the YSL Touche Éclat Blur Primer excellent"
"YSL TOUCHE ECLAT!!! I’ve repurchased it multiple times."
"YSL Nu is pretty good, not perfect."
"I’m currently using YSL Blur. It’s really nice and luxurious."
"I have YSL Touche Éclat Blur primer and it works really well."
#13
Tatcha
5.0
(4)
"The ones that work wonderful for me are: Victoria Beckham and Tatcha primers"
"I’m a big long time fan of the Tatcha primer (the bottle, not the putty)."
"Tatcha liquid silk has done wonders for me."
"Tatcha liquid silk primer is my holy grail!"
#14
Danessa Myricks
4.8
(4)
"Cannot say enough about Danessa Myricks Yummy blurring balm in universal or tinted. THE GOAT of oil control for ANYTHING!"
"The Danessa Myricka blurring balm or whatever it’s called."
"The danessa myricks blurring balm in combination with elf’s power grip has been game changing for me!"
"The Danessa myricks blurring balm in universal shade + the DM water powder serum both work for my oily skin!"
#15
Nars
4.8
(4)
"NARS hands down"
"Nars and it’s not even close."
"Nars is the only one that doesn’t feel silicone-like."
"It does wonders for eyeshadow."
#16
Elf
4.8
(4)
"Can’t recommend this Elf primer enough!"
"My go to is elf poreless putty primer."
"Elf primer, not a big fan of elf’s products but their primer is amazing"
"Elf liquid poreless primer."
#17
Milani
4.8
(4)
"Fantastic! As good as any high end primer I’ve used."
"Milani eye primer is goated for me!"
"The milani eyeshadow primer is great!"
"For drugstore I would recommend Milani."
#18
Army Painter
3.6
(5)
"I use Army Painter Ash Grey. Coat the nuln oil and dry brush white as my prep."
"I like it better than Vallejo, which was my go to back when I dabbled in minipainting before, and I was using it for the few models I got before my PA."
"Stick to primers specifically meant for plastic model miniatures."
"I use Army Painter's."
"I've tried the army painter black but wasn't a fan kept getting clogged."
#19
e.l.f.
4.0
(4)
"I second the liquid poreless putty primer! It’s great for all of those things!"
"One of the best drugstore primers for minimizing pores with a matte to natural finish is e.l.f. Poreless Putty Primer."
"For something gentle, you might want to try **e.l.f. Poreless Putty Primer**."
"Currently using ELF poreless putty primer. I don’t really think it’s doing much."
#20
MAC
5.0
(3)
"Only ones I’ve used for years is Mac Paint Pot."
"Mac paint pot is my all time favorite! Painterly is good for fair/cooler skin tones, soft ochre for more yellow undertones."
"I just started using Mac Paint Pot and I am really impressed."
#21
Benefit
5.0
(3)
"Benefit porefessional has been my holy grail primer! It works wonders for icepick scars and small boxcars."
"Pore filling and oil control: benefit POREfessional, rare beauty pore diffusing primer."
"My go to is the POREfessional by Benefit paired with the MAC Studio Fix All Over Face Pen."
#22
Wet n Wild
4.3
(3)
"Wet n wild impossible primer!"
"Another one I like is the Wet n Wild purple "primefocus" serum.. good luck finding one that works well for you!"
"Wet n Wild Impossible Primer?"
#23
NYX
4.3
(3)
"NYX plump right back primer"
"If you prefer drugstore Iv been loving the NYX face glue !"
"NYX plump right back primer."
#24
Badger
4.3
(3)
"For airbrush I like to use the Badger primer."
"I like the badger because I can spray it, and it’s nice and thin."
"Badger makes an airbrush primer that I use regularly and like."
#25
Monument Hobbies
4.3
(3)
"Monument Hobbies have just released a brush on primer and it is very good. goes on smoothly and has good self levelling."
"The monument primer cans are awesome across the board."
"I’m a fan of monument hobbies primers"
#26
Krylon
4.0
(3)
"Krylon 2x primer. $6 a can."
"IMO basic rattlecan printers are fine. I use krylon rattle and for $5 each."
"Krylon and Rustoleum work fine"
#27
Laura Geller
5.0
(2)
"**Laura Geller Spackle Primer** is the **BOMB!!!**"
"Laura Geller Spackle Primer"
#28
SuperGoop
5.0
(2)
"I like the unseen sunscreen by supergoop."
"SuperGoop Unseen Sunscreen (or the Trader Joe's dupe) are fantastic to use as primers."
#29
NARS
5.0
(2)
"I switched to Nars smudge proof eyeshadow base in translucent."
"I’m super oily and use Nars Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base, mine doesn’t budge."
#30
Armani
5.0
(2)
"Armani luminous silk primer! I like to use it under the foundation."
"I like the Armani luminous silk primer as well as the Make Up For Ever hydrating primer."
#31
Laura Mercier
5.0
(2)
"A primer that's never talked about but I love for Bridal is the classic Laura mercier primer."
"I would also suggest checking out the Laura Mercier Blurring primer."
#32
Ulta
5.0
(2)
"Ulta brand is fantastic, good price too."
"One of the best eye primers for under $10."
#33
Rust-Oleum
3.3
(3)
"This will give good coverage with one coat."
"May need two coats but preserves more detail."
"Rust-Oleum is fine."
#34
GW
3.0
(3)
"I use this on all my miniatures for board games."
"As another said, Wraithbone. Then you just need a little skeleton horde."
"Honestly, i find the GW Wraithbone primer to be a waste of money."
#35
Too Faced
4.5
(2)
"Too Faced hangover primer or Fenty Beauty hydrating primer are really good ones that feel like skincare."
"I also use Too Faced Hangover RX primer."
#36
E.L.F
4.5
(2)
"E.L.F Power Grip Primer always keeps my makeup intact all day."
"I had good luck with the Elf hydrogrip primer."
#37
Lancome
4.5
(2)
"You guys should give Lancome’s 'La Base Pro' a try."
"Lancome la base pro is really nice too."
#38
Tarte
4.5
(2)
"I like the tarte timeless smoothing primer! Blurs my acne scars and fills in ice pick scars."
"I have used the Tarte Timeless smoothing primer and did like that."
#39
Fenty
4.5
(2)
"I love the fenty beauty one."
"I do like the Fenty one."
#40
Maybelline
4.0
(2)
"You can try maybelline baby skin. It helps with pores."
"Maybelline baby skin is one of the best."
#41
Colourforge
4.0
(2)
"I'd definitely recommend Colourforge then."
"Colourforge are great, though I don't know if you consider that as a big name brand."
#42
Pro Acryl
3.0
(2)
"I use the Pro Acryl primers out of an airbrush and I would super recommend those."
"Pro acryl primer sucks ass."
#43
Glow Recipe
5.0
(1)
"Glow recipe pore blurring primer. Use it on my oily clients. It’s AMAZING."
#44
Walmart
5.0
(1)
"I use $8 cans of 'Matt black primer' from Walmart. Has never failed me."
#45
Revolution
5.0
(1)
"Revolution pore blur. It's my holy grail for a completely smooth, silky canvas."
#46
Undone Beauty
5.0
(1)
"I'm 31 and I've been loving the squalene primer from Undone Beauty! It's very very rich and dewy."
#47
Iconic London
5.0
(1)
"I’m loving this one. It helps that it’s a primer and setting spray in one!!"
#48
MoTip
5.0
(1)
"MoTip white primer spray off amazon is the best value white spray can primer."
#49
Erborian
4.0
(1)
"I really like erborian pink primer with their super BB cream."
#50
Cali Ray
4.0
(1)
"I would reccomend trying the Cali Ray So Blown primer."
#51
Sephora Collection
4.0
(1)
"I use Sephora collection Blue primer, and it works"
#52
Glossier
4.0
(1)
"Glossier Priming Moisturizer (Rich) for my dry skin."
#53
Colour Forge
4.0
(1)
"I use Colour Forge’s Wightbone which is functionally the same as Wraithbone."
#54
Stix
4.0
(1)
"Unless your painting raw wood use stixs primer and SW emerald urethane."
#55
Essence
4.0
(1)
"I've been favoring lately is the essence hello good stuff glow serum primer."
#56
Merit
4.0
(1)
"I would reccomend the Merit Great Skin Instant Glow Serum. I prefer to use a serum primer that is going to be slightly sticky instead of being thick enough to be tacky."
#57
Innisfree
4.0
(1)
"I really like the innisfree no sebum blur primer (and powder). It could be irritating depending on how your skin reacts to things, my sensitive skin does not react to it though"
Discover your audience
GummySearch is an audience research toolkit for 130,000 unique communities on Reddit.
If you are looking for startup problems to solve, want to validate your idea or find your customers online, GummySearch is for you.
Sign up for free, get community insights in minutes.
Tell me more
Get started
