Inexpensive Primer

If you haven't used a makeup primer, you're probably aware that they exist. A primer goes on over moisturized skin before foundation to help your makeup slip over your skin and not settle into pores and lines. Primers are also somewhat mattifying and give your skin a soft, smooth appearance. They come in liquid and gel-like formulas, some clear and some flesh tone. Makeup Forever makes tinted primers to help with color correction on your skin -- for example a green tinted primer to take away redness.

Many of these primers can be expensive. And companies tell us we need to have several - one for face, one for pores, one for eyes...

So here's a way you can have this effect without spending a lot of money. Buy a tube of Monistat's Chafing Gel. No, I'm not lying. Though Monistat targets their product as a gel to prevent chafing, it's purely dimethicone, which is silicone -- the ingredient in most primers. Plus, it gives a nice powdery feel to your skin and is completely fragrance free, so it's as easy on your skin as primer can get. Added aloe and vitamin E are really good for your skin -- pop it over areas where you've waxed (brows and upper lip) to soothe and help combat irritation.

You can add some mineral foundation/concealer powder to a small amount of the gel to use over areas where you have large pores, or mix a little concealer in and use it as a light weight eye primer. It's not heavy and will help your eyeshadow adhere and cut back on creasing or oily lids. Mix it with a little green corrector, or even a bit of light green eye shadow to prime over acne or rosacea.

Best of all, it's available at most drugstores at a fraction of the cost of high-end primers. And yes, I have some in my makeup organizer. I love it.


photo from monistat.com