My Makeup Never Lasted Until I Added This One Product to My Routine, and Wow: It's Game-Changing

Key Ingredients: Glycerin, niacinamide, vitamin E, hyaluronic acid.

This might be my favourite primer on this list, and it just so happens to be a friend of my bank account, too. The gel texture melts into the skin, creating a slickly tacky (but in no way sticky) base that acts like velcro for anything you put on top. It's also very hydrating and lightweight, making it great for those with dry or oily skin alike. I'll never be without a tube of this in my makeup bag.

Key Ingredients: Glycerin, vitamin E, hyaluronic acid.

Urban Decay is well known for its setting spray, but this primer works at the other end of the spectrum to help your makeup to last longer. Silky and featherlight, it's ideal for all skin types, and really will lock your makeup in place all day long. "I’ve worn this on long days when I’ve needed my makeup to still look presentable by the evening, and it definitely makes a noticeable difference to longevity," says freelance beauty editor, Grace Day. "It’s particularly good if you don’t want your primer to add any extra glow or dewiness."

Key Ingredients: Dimethicone, zinc oxide.

"I was floored the first time I tried this primer—it really does live up to the hype. It has a silky, liquid texture that dries down into a velvety-soft finish that blurs pores. It also makes your foundation look amazing and last much longer," says Day. "I especially notice the difference around my nose and cheeks, where foundation can otherwise start to separate as the day goes on."

Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, olive oil, coconut, glycerin, vitamin E.

This has been recommended to me numerous times for its hydrating formula and dewy finish; it's like a big glass of water for skin that is dry or prone to dehydration. If your makeup tends to cling to dry patches or look a little flat by midday, I find that this is the sort of formula that can make a real difference before you even apply your foundation.

Key Ingredients: Cannabis seed extract, aloe, glycerin.

Everyone loves this primer, and so do I. It has an ultra-hydrating gel formula that acts like superglue for your makeup. You need to wait a few moments for it to set on the skin before following with your base products, but it really does boost your makeup to last for hours on end. Packed with hydrating ingredients, it quenches skin without making it oily—it's just right. "I've found that taking those extra few seconds to let it become tacky is key," adds Day. "Once it has set, foundation really does seem to grip to the skin."

Key Ingredients: Beta glucan, niacinamide, ceramides.

Created by a makeup artist, this unique formula blends the benefits of a nourishing and lightweight moisturiser with those of a primer, streamlining your makeup application. So many makeup artists swear by it for long-lasting makeup for brides, and it even helps to stop foundation from oxidising and changing colour. "I love it for days when I don't want to layer multiple products underneath my makeup, as it gives skin enough moisture without leaving behind that slippery feeling some richer moisturisers can," says Day. Put simply, it's iconic for a reason.

Key Ingredients: Glycerin, squalane, grapeseed oil.

Want to give your skin a healthy glow? Glossier has you covered with this one. The oil-based formula glides onto skin, leaving behind a pearlescent glow that looks beautiful both worn alone or to give a gorgeous radiance underneath foundation. It gives more of that naturally luminous, healthy-skin look than an obvious highlighter effect, which is exactly why I keep reaching for it.

Key Ingredients: Silicones, hyaluronic acid, peptides.

I don't know anyone who doesn't instantly fall in love with this product when they try it. It's one of those hybrid beauty products that acts as both a primer and a highlighter, or can be mixed with other products for a radiance boost. There is zero glitter in this; instead, it lends skin a pearlescent halo of light. I love wearing it on its own, but if you want to give your foundation extra glow and dewiness, you'd do well to try this under makeup. I've also mixed a tiny amount into foundation when it starts looking a little too matte, which is an easy way to bring back some life without having to start your base again.

Key Ingredients: Beta glucan, hyaluronic acid, omega fatty acids, black tea.

One/Size is world-renowned for its makeup primers (you'll often spot them in makeup artists' kits), and this one is brilliant for adding radiance to lacklustre complexions. It smooths over the skin with a silky finish that also lends a big dose of instant radiance. I think this is a particularly good option for anyone who wants their makeup to look fresher without committing to a very dewy or glossy finish.

Key Ingredients: Cocoa extract, peptides, vitamin K, marula oil

You'll have no doubt heard about these if you haven't already been swept up in the TikTok hype around them. If you want to add warmth to your skin or foundation, these are a great way to add a sun-kissed look. A few drops go a long way to lend the skin a healthy, bronzed and radiant result. "My advice is to start with less than you think you need," says Day. "I find just a couple of drops is enough to change the overall tone of my base without making it look noticeably darker."

Key Ingredients: Glycerin, squalane, dimethicone.

Craving a brighter, more lit-from-within complexion? Try this. A skincare-makeup hybrid boosted with prism pearls, this helps to address dull skin without leaning glittery or shiny, all whilst boosting the wear of your makeup throughout the day. I like that the effect is visible without being immediately obvious; people are more likely to think your skin looks particularly good than ask what shimmer you've got on underneath your foundation.

Key Ingredients: Green tea, algae, rice, amino acids, antioxidants.

Want a liquid formula that gives a velvety-soft, blurred finish? Tatcha's is incredible. It smooths over uneven skin texture, fine lines and pores, helping to create a uniform canvas for makeup application, and really does help foundation wear beautifully throughout the day. "The finish is what makes this stand out for me," says Day. "It gives skin that soft-focus look without feeling heavy or leaving behind a thick, silicone-like layer."

Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, vitamin E, glycerin.

Refy's innovative primer allows you to prime and massage the skin simultaneously, making it great for de-puffing and sculpting as you prep for makeup application. I actually find myself reaching for this when I have a few extra minutes to get ready, as the built-in applicator turns an otherwise fairly functional step into a little pre-makeup ritual. It also feels particularly nice first thing in the morning when your face is looking a bit puffy.