What is a Lip Primer- Purpose, How to Use & Alternatives
There are so many makeup products for your face and body that sometimes you need help to keep track of what you need and why you need them.
Today, we’ll talk about lip primers. Many of us (me included) often confuse using lip primer and lip balm under lipstick. Do they do the same thing? Do I need one or both?
What is a Lip Primer
A lip primer is a cosmetic lip product designed to be worn under your lipstick or lipgloss.
Think of it as being like foundation, but specifically for your lips. It helps to fill in and smooth out lines on your lips so that your lipstick has a flawless base to sit on.
Generally, lip primers are clear, matte and designed to be unnoticeable on your lips. They also usually have some moisturizing ingredients to prevent dryness but not too much to make them oily. It needs to be matte to work the way it was designed to.
Also, you can read my articles on:
Is a Lip Liner Really Needed – Everything you Need to Know
Lipstick Sealers- Benefits, How to Use & Alternatives
Is it the same as lip balm?
Lip primers are different from lip balms. They are formulated differently and they do different things for the lips.
Lip primers are like superficial fillers for your lips. They are not intended to be used as a hydration or moisturization treatment for your lips.
Instead, Lip Primers are makeup for your lips – much like face primer – to blur out lines and imperfections. They do contain some ingredients that prevent lipstick from drying out your lips, but they are not as moisturizing as regular lip balm.
On the other hand, Lip balms are generally for hydration and moisturizing. They are not matte, and they do not fill in lines or smooth out the appearance of your lips upon application. Over time they can treat your lips and improve their general appearance, but they are not intended for immediate cosmetic improvements.
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How to Correctly Apply a Lip Liner – Beginners Guide
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Purpose / Benefits of Using A Lip Primer
Using a lip primer under your lipstick or lipgloss will:
- Smoothen lip base without dry patches and/or lip lines
- Provide some hydration and nourishment (depending on the formulation) while still doing its job
- Prevent bleeding and/or feather of your lipstick
- Hold your lipstick or lipgloss in place for longer so it lasts longer
- Prevent creasing of your lipstick
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6 Tips How to Correctly Wear Lip Liner & Lip Gloss Together
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How To Use A Lip Primer
Lip primer is applied on clean lips like chapstick before applying your lipstick or lip gloss.
Since lip primer is a base for your lips, it is important to apply it to clean lips so that it can be spread evenly.
Be sure to stay within the borders of your lip lines or where you want the edges of your lipstick or lip gloss to be.
Lip primer usually goes on semi-wet and dries down to become smooth and/or a little tacky. When it has dried down, you can then apply your lipstick or lipgloss over it.
Related Article – Lipstick Vs Lip Tint What’s the Difference & Which is Better
Best Lip Primers
1- MAC Prep + Prime Lip
MAC Prep Lip Primer is formulated without color to put on under your lipstick. It lightly moisturizes, nourishes, and refines the lips while enhancing the look of applied lip cosmetics.
After trying it out, I can tell you that it works pretty well and the tube lasts a pretty long time.
A little goes a long way, and it held up for hours on my lips. The formula worked great for me too, which was a surprise since I have dry lips on a normal day. Finally, it also layered well under different kinds of lipsticks (liquid, solid, matte, velvet, etc).
You can Click here to check out the MAC Prep + Prime Lip on Amazon.
Video: MAC Prep + Prime Lip Primer
2- NYX Professional Makeup Lip Primer
NYX Pro lip primer comes in two different nude hues, each offering a neutral base that enhances the richness and vibrancy of any color. It is affordable and lasts a while since a little goes a long way.
From using it, I would say that it worked pretty well when it came to keeping my lipstick where I put it, and it did make the colors pop. However, for me and my dry lips, the formula was a little too drying.
But, if you like everything else about this, then a little conditioning treatment on your lips beforehand will do wonders. Then you can apply this primer and you should be good to go!
You can Click here to get the NYX Professional Makeup Lip Primer on Amazon.
3- Maybelline Prime It Up Multi-Benefit Lip Primer
Now, if you are like me and have been a fan of Maybelline since the launch of their old-school, but awesome Baby Skin Primer, then you have to try this lip primer.
This is one of my favorite drugstore brands that always delivers. The formula is a little waxy, but it does not dry my lips out as much as I expected. It also holds up well under lipstick and it makes the colors pop.
You can Click here to see the Maybelline Prime It Up Multi-Benefit Lip Primer on Amazon.
What Can You Use Instead Of Lip Primers
If you are looking for something other than a lip primer to smoothen your lips, then you can use concealer or foundation instead.
However, I don’t mean that you should apply foundation and concealer on your lips like you do on your face. You only need a small amount.
Most people (me included before I discover lip primers) use the leftover product on their beauty sponge to fill in their lips.
Simply make sure your lips are clean and that you have no peeling or dry skin, then gently tap the sponge around your lips to distribute the product. Keep tapping until your lips are evenly covered and the lines you see have been filled in. Let your lips dry for a little while and then apply your lipstick.
You will not need to set the foundation or concealer with powder. Just use a small amount so that it can dry down thinly, and nicely.
Related Articles:
Solid vs Liquid Lipstick- Which Looks Better & Last Longer
Lipstick with SPF – What You Need to Know
Can you use face primer as a lip primer?
Technically, face primers can also be used on the lips, but there are a few things to consider first.
While they both are designed to smoothen the skin, they are formulated differently.
Lip primers are generally thicker and more hydrating than face primers to prevent the lips from becoming too dry. Using a face primer on your lips for a long time can cause your lips to dry out.
Also, some face primers might have substances that are not suitable for consumption, so read the label before applying a face primer to your lips.
Related Article – Best pH Lipsticks & Balms- How Do they Work & Are they Safe
Bottom Line – Is a lip primer good for your lips?
When it comes to making the most out of your lipsticks and lipgloss, then a lip primer is a great addition to your makeup collection.
Since many of them also include hydrating and nourishing ingredients, those are also bonuses. You don’t necessarily need it (especially if you have smooth, flawless lips), but if you want that flawless lip look, then you’ll find that you keep reaching for this after a few tries.
Sources
Lip Primer Guide: Do You Need One?
What is Lip Primer? (with pictures)
Makeup Tips:-It is necessary to apply lip primer, it gives these benefits – Kalam Times
