This Primer Is a ‘Miracle In a Bottle, Literally’ That Makes Foundation More Buildable and Skin More Hydrated

The difference between good makeup and great makeup, in my opinion, is a primer. When we talk about beauty products that can actually make a difference in keeping your makeup in place and giving you a killer beat, finishing powder and setting spray aren’t the only tools you need. Primers can naturally enhance the quality of your makeup by smoothing your pores and offering more even application. And for me, the Milk Makeup Hydro Primer is a class of its own for providing a smooth, dewy finish.

In the beauty community, there has been a lot of hype around this primer—and for good reason. Its gel formula is packed with a slew of ingredients to help hydrate your skin, including hyaluronic acid niacinamide. However, it’s the addition of the blue agave extract that’s a total the game-changer, since it helps to seal in your makeup.

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Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer — $34.00

Its gel formula features moisturizing agents including hyaluronic acid niacinamide to help moisturize your skin and grip onto makeup for up to 12 hours.

To be honest, I was unsure when I first tested it out. I did a patch test on my hand and found the consistency to be a tad sticky for my liking. But, as it turns out, that’s where the magic of the product really lies. The tackiness of the primer allows your makeup to better stick to your skin and stay in place for longer periods of time— up to 12 hours even!

This proved to be the case when I put on some Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation. For context, this a very light liquid foundation that is made for light to medium coverage. However, when I applied Hydro Primer onto my skin, this naturally light liquid foundation became even more buildable. So much so, that I was able to cover my hyperpigmentation spots more fully without using additional concealer.  Oh, and another thing: As you rub the primer into your skin, you may notice that it feels more like a moisturizer, which is a major plus for folks like myself who deal with dry skin year-round (and especially during winter). The water-based primer also easily absorbs into skin within seconds.

“Miracle in a bottle, literally,” one five-star shopper wrote. “If you live in a cold climate place like me (Chicago), then you need this. I have oily skin as well as acne prone skin. This primer hydrates my skin to the nest level without causing me any breakouts and I tend to break out very very fast when it comes about trying new products. When you want your makeup to last all day and night without retouching too much, use this primer.”

Another shopper added how the primer even kept their makeup from transferring onto their mask. “Best primer out right now!” they wrote. “I am a nurse and am running around all day. After my shift I still have a fresh face of makeup. My masks barely get any transfer. Love it! I have sensitive skin and still haven’t had any issues. [It] barely has a scent.”

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