The 6 Best Drugstore Makeup Primers under $15

Yumna Muneer
5 min readSep 27, 2023

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What does your makeup foundation need to achieve a perfectly flawless look for hours? Even a luxurious foundation can not work its magic if it has been devoid of primer application. You tried just about everything but skipped the primer step because it seemed like a hassle, and now your makeup looks tacky and sad. Here is the thing; A good makeup primer can make or break your makeup look.

Nowadays, makeup geeks have become aware of the importance of adding a primer to their makeup routine. The estimated global makeup market’s worth is expected to reach about 80 billion dollars. With so many beauty brands unveiling their affordable primers to their audience, choosing which primer to select is hard. No worries! We have hand-picked the best drugstore primers for you- all under $15!

So, put your game face on. Get your makeup brushes loaded because, with these stunning yet affordable drugstore primers, we will get dressed to kill!

Our Top Picks:

  • Best affordable primer for all skin types: e.l.f Power Grip Primer
  • Best primer for oily skin: Rimmel Stay Matte Makeup Primer
  • Best primer for People with dry skin: e.l.f Hydrating Face Primer
  • Best primer for People with mature skin: L’oreal Paris Age Perfect Primer
  • Best acne-prone skin primer: Maybelline Facestudio Master Prime Primer
  • Best color-correcting primer: NYX Professional Makeup Studio Perfect Primer

e.l.f Power Grip Primer

As the name suggests, it grips makeup perfectly while hydrating your skin, resulting in a flawless, radiant look! Packed with the active ingredient 4% Niacinamide, it keeps the skin’s moisture barrier intact, boosting skin smoothness. This versatile primer targets uneven skin tone and brightens dull skin like no other. Its luscious, lightweight, gel-based formula is ideal for extended makeup wear. Make this primer the best friend of your foundation, and forget about checking out the mirror every few minutes!

Pros:

  • Vegan and cruelty-free.
  • Suitable for all skin types.

Cons:

  • Sticky consistency

Rimmel Stay Matte Makeup Primer

If you are always irritated by your oily skin and undemanded shine, Rimmel Stay Matte primer is your salvation! Forget about cakey and blotchy makeup. Its uniquely designed, non-greasy, lightweight formula helps you attain an awe-inspiring, velvety matte finish for up to 8 hours! Moreover, it camouflages your clogged and large pores by giving an ultra-rich smoothness to your skin tone. It loves to persuade your skin gently from rebelling against you!

Pros:

  • Lightweight
  • Oil-free
  • Mattifies as advertised.
  • Prevents breakout and pore-clogging.

Cons:

  • Overuse can cause dryness.
  • Slightly unpleasant smell.

e.l.f Hydrating Face Primer

If you are tired of throwing away your money to find the best primer for dry skin, e.l.f Hydrating Primer is your best bet. It lives up to its hype! Its rich and creamy formula, enriched with grape extracts and vitamins A, C, and E, is sure to provide you with the needed boost of refreshing hydration. It works wonders by minimizing pores and leaving your skin soft and moisturized throughout the day. With this hydrating primer, a natural, dewy look is no longer just a dream!

Pros:

  • Skin-nourishing ingredients.
  • Hides pores effectively.
  • Gives a radiant glow to the skin.

Cons:

  • Poor-quality pump dispenser.

L’oreal Paris Age Perfect Face Blurring Primer

Wisdom comes with a price, and that is wrinkles! L’oreal Paris Age Perfect primer is specially formulated for the audience with mature skin and fine lines. Silky-soft and light, it instantly provides smooth coverage over all your fine lines and wrinkles, giving a youthful glow to your skin. Loaded with salicylic acid, it gently exfoliates your skin without irritation. After all, with this primer in your beauty regimen, age is just a number!

Pros:

  • Suitable for most skin types
  • Gives a healthy glow.
  • Blends easily.

Cons:

  • Not suitable for hypersensitive skin.

Maybelline Facestudio Master Prime Primer

This primer is your Snapchat filter in a bottle! Maybelline stole the show through this uniquely formulated water-based primer. It is non-greasy, lightweight, pore-blurring, and keeps all skin imperfections at bay. It prominently blurs away skin inflammation! It is the best acne-prone skin primer for a no-makeup makeup look.

Pros:

  • Non-greasy and lightweight.
  • Water-based formula.
  • Blurs imperfections.

Cons:

  • Not suitable for more extended wear.
  • Requires more for full coverage.

NYX Professional Makeup Studio Perfect Primer

This primer is pure bliss enclosed in a bottle, the savior for all your color correction needs. It is a good quality dupe of Smashbox photo finish primer, just more economical. Available in three variants, it works like a charm. Its silky smooth texture absorbs flawlessly into the skin and makes a perfect canvas for foundation application. So, prime all your red and yellow undertones away!

Pros:

  • Vegan and cruelty-free.
  • Soft and silky texture.
  • Available in 3 variants.

Cons:

  • Greasy
  • Not suitable for hypersensitive skin.

Buying Guide:

Choosing the right primer for your skin type can be tricky. Always keep your skin type and issues under consideration before buying a primer that suits you. Keep reading on to equip yourself with the necessary information before investing in a primer.

Skin Type:

Keep your skin type in mind; most primers are either water-based or silicone-based, so weigh in your options wisely.

  • If you have dry skin, search for a hydrating primer
  • If you have oily skin, try mattifying primer.
  • If you have combination skin, you need a balanced primer that is non-greasy and hydrating.
  • If you have sensitive skin, go for a soothing primer made with gentle ingredients.

Skin Issues:

After carefully categorizing your skin type, look out for any skin issues that you may have.

  • For acne-prone skin, choose a lightweight, smoothing primer that doesn’t contribute to skin irritation.
  • For mature skin, anti-aging primers that blur fine lines and wrinkles are recommended.
  • For blemishes, redness, and other color undertones, masking primers that target color correction are used.
  • If you have enlarged pores, pick a primer that minimizes the appearance of pores.
  • If your routine involves staying outdoors, investing in a primer with SPF is a good option.

Allergy Information:

Make sure to read the ingredients of a primer if your skin is hypersensitive, prone to breakouts, or is allergic to any ingredient that might trigger any adverse reaction.

Pocket-friendly Investment:

When choosing drugstore makeup, go for a pocket-friendly option, but never compromise on the quality of a primer.

Final Verdict:

Applying primer is the most vital makeup step that sets your makeup apart. It enhances the final look of your makeup and preps your foundation to stay flawless for extended wear. It helps give a smoother appearance to the skin. Nowadays, there are various drugstore primers available in the market. By keeping our skin’s needs under consideration, finding the best primer in your budget is no longer a problem.

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Yumna Muneer

I am a thirsty soul looking for knowledge and wisdom to be devoured.