I like it but...

I am not a huge fan of the separation. At first I thought I would just shake it, but I have to shake it a lot and still it isn't always the way it should be. For this factor, I doubt I will ever buy it again.

I first got the foundation primer as part of a starter kit from Laura Mercier. The primer makes my face very smooth and gives my face a light glow. Very easy to apply foundation or tinted moisturizer after applying the primer. The best primer that I have tried so far. The consistency of the product is perfect and makes it easy to apply to the face. Would not hesitate to purchase this product again.

I love this primer. I only need a tiny amount, it goes on evenly, and works well to mattify my skin before I apply the Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer.

A few people have asked me about face/foundation primers. Specifically, "what does it do?"

Now last week may answer would have been "no idea". But just because I don't care about something, doesn't mean I won't put in the time to find out. Now I have the answer.

I consulted my go-to at Holt Renfrew, a random at Sephora, and the Clinique woman at The Bay. I also Yahoo'd and Google'd.

Then it gets even better. I went out and got myself the "Top 5". Not my list, I think it was In Style's. I have a stack of magazine clippings full of useful and useless knowledge. In the interest of full disclosure, the Laura Mercier one was gifted. I'm a big Laura Mercier fan and got some perks a month ago.

Foundation primer is basically a pre-step, which to me implies it's not necessary; unlike powder, which is a required step in order to put your best face forward.

The most straightforward definition of a primer is that is a specific-duty moisturizer. That specific duty being to fill in pores and lines to create the smoothest surface for your foundation or powder to rest.

Yes, it's that simple.

Is it good for you? The experts side-stepped the question by saying it's best to use a primer that is free of perservatives and chemicals, oil-free and preferably mineral based.

My advice, if you use foundation already, then you should absolutely use a primer. It will create a healthy barrier between your skin and your makeup and increase its longevity. See below.

If you do not use foundation, then don't. Just don't.

Hence I will file this post under "Skip it".

But I'm no expert - at least not one that works in beauty. I prefer to have beauty work for me.

For those that want a primer, let me break down my top 3:

1. Laura Mercier's Oil-Free Foundation Primer

It's lightweight and water-based. I found it glided on my skin and didn't feel heavy.

I'll review the other two too.

The first time I wore Laura Mercier Foundation Primer, I immediately noticed how different my make-up looked at the end of a long evening of cheek kissing, smiling, eating and laughing. Usually, my face is oily and the make-up just doesn’t look as fresh as it did when I first applied it. Thanks to this primer, my make-up looked untouched and that was enough for me to be hooked to this great new cosmetic find.

No wonder Laura Mercier Foundation Primer is the best-selling primer and it has also been voted by In Style UK as “Best Primer” as part of their “2007 In Style Hall of Fame” and it was also voted “2007 Winner Best of Sephora”.

Laura Mercier Foundation Primer is an oil-free and lightweight creamy gel that you use before applying your foundation. The primer acts like an invisible barrier between your skin and your make-up.

It's one of my favourite primers on the market right now.