Top Ten Beauty: Complexion Primer Under $30

As women age, the skin on our faces tends to look more blotchy, and pores appear bigger.  Yet we still want to look just as polished and flawless as we did in our younger years, without wearing more makeup.  One of the answers to this age old problem is primer.  Complexion primer is a beauty product that helps to smooth out the skin, blur the pores, and help even out tone.  A good primer helps you look smoother, with less makeup.  It's easy to apply, moisturizing, and light.  I tested several different complexion primers,  from very expensive to downright cheap.  Here are my top ten complexion primer picks. 


Tarte Clean Slate, $27 (Sephora.com)

This product comes in a clear liquid solution, and it goes on light as air, and feels like silk.  Like some other complexion primers, Clean Slate is silicone-based and has a soothing blend of avocado, echinacea, rosemary, and hibiscus oils.  While it's very moisturizing as a primer, you must allow it to dry completely before applying your foundation.  Tarte Clean Slate helps the foundation go on smoothly and stay on without caking. 


Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch, $26 (Sephora.com)

Wow.  One of the best buys in complexion primer on the market for the price, Clarins Instant Smooth is nourishing, and feels like velvet to the skin.  It contains special acacia micro pearls to help with enlarged pore issues.  I don't know what micro pearls are, but they sure do work.  Instant Smooth also does the best job of the list in line-filling, which is important if you're just starting to see those fine lines around your eyes like I am.  An all around great complexion primer.  


Sephora Skin Smoothing Makeup Base, $22 (Sephora.com)

This product comes in a clear gel, which I like to keep in the fridge to make it feel even better going on in the morning.  It does wonders for evening up tone, and not giving your face that oily sheen.  It really does make a difference when you use Sephora complexion primer before your foundation.