This product carries a heavy price tag but works like a dream!
There are alternatives (I also really like the Nars Oil Free Primer) but this works best!

A few people have asked me about face/foundation primers. Specifically, "what does it do?"

Now last week may answer would have been "no idea". But just because I don't care about something, doesn't mean I won't put in the time to find out. Now I have the answer.

I consulted my go-to at Holt Renfrew, a random at Sephora, and the Clinique woman at The Bay. I also Yahoo'd and Google'd.

Then it gets even better. I went out and got myself the "Top 5". Not my list, I think it was In Style's. I have a stack of magazine clippings full of useful and useless knowledge. In the interest of full disclosure, the Laura Mercier one was gifted. I'm a big Laura Mercier fan and got some perks a month ago.

Foundation primer is basically a pre-step, which to me implies it's not necessary; unlike powder, which is a required step in order to put your best face forward.

The most straightforward definition of a primer is that is a specific-duty moisturizer. That specific duty being to fill in pores and lines to create the smoothest surface for your foundation or powder to rest.

Yes, it's that simple.

Is it good for you? The experts side-stepped the question by saying it's best to use a primer that is free of perservatives and chemicals, oil-free and preferably mineral based.

My advice, if you use foundation already, then you should absolutely use a primer. It will create a healthy barrier between your skin and your makeup and increase its longevity. See below.

If you do not use foundation, then don't. Just don't.

Hence I will file this post under "Skip it".

But I'm no expert - at least not one that works in beauty. I prefer to have beauty work for me.

For those that want a primer, let me break down my top 3:

1. Laura Mercier's Oil-Free Foundation Primer

It's lightweight and water-based. I found it glided on my skin and didn't feel heavy.

I'll review the other two too.

I don't really know how to rate this product. I bought it a while back when everyone was hyping about it. The texture is gel like, very light, easy to spread and has a slight flowery/herbal-ish smell to it. It spreads across the face and absorbs really quickly. I've tried this both with mineral/powder foundation and liquid. I didn't find much difference using this primer. I think it's suppose to be filled with antioxidants, vitamins etc. I do however, find that it moisturizes my skin a little. I sort of gave up on this since i'd prefer a silicone base to really create a smooth canvas and sort of create a barrier between my skin and make up. My mom has skin that's a bit on the dryer side so i gave it to her. She enjoyed it since it gives her skin a bit of moisture before her make up application. I think if you use this for a long time, it may give your skin benefits, but as a primer, i don't see the difference it makes. I love love almost all of Laura Mericer products, but this one is not a must.

I used this product and I noticed no difference. I put it on one half of my face for one week under my foundation, even then I didn't see any difference. Except that my face broke out on that side, definitely not worth it.

Don't quote me on the price tag....can't exactly remember now, however! It's completely worth it!

What I love about LM's Foundation Primer is that it comes in an oil free formula, and it's not all heavy duty on the silicone's. It's extremely light weight, is absorbed quickly and creates a sheer, non-shiny, non-luminous texture, upon which to apply your foundation.

Apply a pea-sized amount using your finger tips and let it absorb for few minutes before applying your foundation, or tinted moisturizer, and it keeps your face flawless all day! No mask like feel that some primers can give you, and no oily T-zone by lunch time either.

Love this product....highly recommend it for those who like a light weight primer not heavily based in silicone's. Another Perfect Product award goes out for this one!

I think this product is very good I work as a waitress so usually my foundation wears off by the end of the night from me running around for 6 hours but i found putting this on helped it stay on and not get oily

iTS A NICE PRODUCT TO USE AS A BASE FOR YOUR MAKEUP BUT i DIDNT NOTICED MUCH DIFFERENCE IN MY MAKEUP WITH OR WITHOUT THIS PRODUCT.

The first time I wore Laura Mercier Foundation Primer, I immediately noticed how different my make-up looked at the end of a long evening of cheek kissing, smiling, eating and laughing. Usually, my face is oily and the make-up just doesn’t look as fresh as it did when I first applied it. Thanks to this primer, my make-up looked untouched and that was enough for me to be hooked to this great new cosmetic find.

No wonder Laura Mercier Foundation Primer is the best-selling primer and it has also been voted by In Style UK as “Best Primer” as part of their “2007 In Style Hall of Fame” and it was also voted “2007 Winner Best of Sephora”.

Laura Mercier Foundation Primer is an oil-free and lightweight creamy gel that you use before applying your foundation. The primer acts like an invisible barrier between your skin and your make-up.

It's one of my favourite primers on the market right now.