This primer is so good, you can skip the foundation

Primer is a must for anyone who wants to maximize the staying power of their makeup—and in many cases these products can minimize the appearance of fine lines and other imperfections as well. Save for a few exceptions (such as Charlotte Tilbury’s Wonder Glow), you probably wouldn’t want to leave the house without topping your primer off with actual foundation since although they can leave your skin prepped for products that follow, they don’t usually optimize the appearance of your skin on their own. But I found another exception to this rule, and it’s Strivectin’s new Anti-Wrinkle Line BlurFector Instant Wrinkle Blurring Primer.

The first time I tried it, I loved how it seemed to instantly fill in any little nooks and crannies around my eyes and smooth my skin’s texture. It left a soft, satiny feel and managed to create the illusion of more even skin tone—and this was before I reached for the foundation. I took a few seconds to get up close and personal with my skin and decided I didn’t even need additional complexion correction (I was only heading to work out, after all), so I just added a bit of mascara and blush and called it.

I checked on it again after my Pilates class, and my face still looked smooth and even—and it was nice not having to worry about makeup getting on my top when I changed after I got home. Upon doing a bit of further research, I discovered this primer also contains NIA-114, a form of niacinamide/vitamin B3 that works to strengthen the skin’s barrier over time, so I officially added this product to the daily rotation. And, BTW, I’ve used it with foundation as well and it definitely helps keep color stay put, so you’ll be happy if you use it as directed, too.