What is Primer: More Frequently Asked Questions

When Should I Use Face Primer?
Face primer should be applied after moisturiser and before makeup. The purpose of a makeup primer is to smooth and blur the look of your complexion to prepare it for makeup application. You can apply primer at any time of day, whether that’s in the morning after performing your skincare routine or later in the day before applying your evening makeup look.
Tilbury Tip: You can also wear face primer without applying any other makeup, darlings, just smooth your favourite formula onto your skin to give your complexion a beautifully blurred appearance.
Discover the correct order of skincare steps
Do You Put Primer All Over Your Face?
Yes – primer is best applied to your entire face to create the appearance of a more even-looking canvas. Think of your makeup look like a painting, darlings; your primer is the secret to smoothing out the look of skin before painting on makeup products like foundation, concealer, bronzer and blush. You can also apply primer to the ears and neck to prep these areas for foundation.
Do I Need Primer Before Foundation?
I always recommend applying a makeup primer before foundation to get the smoothest, most flawless application. You can apply foundation without using a primer but creating a smoothing-effect barrier between your skin and makeup with primer will help the rest of your makeup to blend more seamlessly.
Tilbury Tip: If you decide to skip primer in your makeup routine, be sure to prep your skin with a hydrating moisturiser. I never do makeup without applying a magical moisturiser like Charlotte’s Magic Cream or Charlotte’s Magic Water Cream – it’s my beauty secret to smoother, plumper looking skin! After applying your moisturiser with my ‘Tilbury Tap’ facial massage technique, your makeup always looks better!
Discover my Tilbury Tap technique
Discover the difference between gel vs cream moisturiser
Does Face Primer Fill in Wrinkles?
No – the purpose of primer is not to fill in wrinkles, but rather to blur their appearance. Applying a makeup primer helps to smooth the look of the complexion and provides a flattering, blurring effect that bends and bounces light when it hits the skin. Primer can help to reduce the look of wrinkles, but it won’t fill them in, as such.
Tilbury Tip: To reduce the appearance of wrinkles, darlings, I recommend reaching for my award-winning Charlotte’s Magic Cream, an instant-turnaround moisturiser that visibly reduces the look of wrinkles in just 4 weeks!*
Shop Charlotte’s Magic Cream
Discover the difference between wrinkles and dehydration lines
What Happens if you Don’t Use Primer Before Foundation?
When you apply foundation without primer, your makeup could be prone to creasing, caking and separating. Primer helps to hydrate, smooth and blur the look of your complexion to create the most effective canvas for makeup application. Without primer, skin may appear more textured and have a harder time meshing with your foundation. Primer can also increase the longevity of your look by creating a perfect canvas for makeup, whereas wearing foundation without a primer might result in a less successful wear time.
Discover how to stop foundation separating
Can I Skip Primer if I Use Moisturiser?
Moisturising your face with a magical moisturiser like Charlotte’s Magic Cream or Charlotte’s Magic Water Cream wonderfully preps the skin for makeup. You can absolutely apply makeup to moisturised skin and create a gorgeous makeup look, however, I always recommend following your moisturiser with a makeup primer to create a smoother-looking, makeup-ready complexion with a beautiful, blurred effect.
Shop moisturiser
How Long Should You Wait Between Applying Moisturiser and Primer?
Once you have applied your moisturiser, it’s best to wait until it has fully absorbed into your skin before applying your primer. You can tell when moisturiser has absorbed by lightly tapping on your skin – if it continues to feel tacky, then it’s best to wait a few more moments before applying your primer. It shouldn’t take more than 3 or 4 minutes for your moisturiser to fully absorb, and for lightweight gel moisturiser it may take even less time.
Shop primer
How Long To Wait Between Primer and Foundation?
Your primer requires a similar process to your moisturiser; after applying face primer, let it sink into your skin before reaching for your favourite foundation. Give your primer a couple of minutes to absorb, then once it no longer feels tacky to the touch, apply your foundation over the top and effortlessly buff and blend it into primed skin.
Tilbury Tip: If you’re in a pinch darling, I recommend reaching for a handheld fan to help speed up this process.
Shop foundation