The right primer depends on your surface: choose a latex (water-based) primer for general use and drywall, an oil-based or shellac primer for blocking severe stains and odors, and a bonding primer for slick, glossy surfaces like laminate or tile.
Oil-based stain killers work the best on water stains and for spot-priming. Latex stain-blocking primers work better on large areas and hold up better on exterior surfaces. Pigmented shellac primer works well to block smoke and soot damage as well as to block animal urine smells.
The best primers for acne-prone skin are non-comedogenic and free of heavy silicones that can clog pores. Top recommendations include e.l.f. Blemish Control Face Primer (infused with salicylic acid to fight breakouts) and Milk Makeup Pore Eclipse Mattifying + Blurring Primer (which blurs pores without congesting them).
Choosing the right primer depends entirely on your project. For makeup, select primers that address your skin type. For home improvement, base your choice on the surface material and the specific problem you need to solve, such as blocking stains or preventing peeling.
Using Primer & Undercoat
We recommend using Farrow & Ball Primer & Undercoat wherever you're using a Farrow & Ball topcoat. Not only is it specially formulated to bring out the very best in our paint, but keeping to the same brand for your priming and painting products will help to avoid any incompatibility issues.
Technically you are not supposed to colour match Farrow and Ball paints. Their specific paint formula has no vinyl or modern manufacturing processes. So the finish is flatter and chalkier.
Neither brand is universally "better"; rather, Zinsser generally excels in stain-blocking, adhesion, and problem-solving, while Kilz is a favorite for budget-friendly, general-purpose coverage and odor control. The right choice depends on your specific surface and the problem you are trying to solve.
Using Too Little Or Too Much Product
Using too little primer may not deliver the long lasting power you desire, while using too much primer may cause foundation to slide instead of staying put on your skin.
Yes, you can absolutely prime over old paint. In fact, priming is highly recommended if you are making a drastic color change, covering stains, changing the paint sheen (e.g., going from high-gloss to matte), or painting over oil-based paint with latex paint.
It's ideal to pick an oil-free primer since oil (especially when heavy makeup is applied) can clog pores further. Heavy layers can trap bacteria on the skin, so picking a lightweight primer that ensures skin is matte, reduces redness, hydrates, and provides sun protection is a fantastic idea.
Depending on your beauty goals, the "#1" primer varies. The e.l.f. Power Grip Primer is the ultimate best-seller for gripping makeup. For premium smoothing, the Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Hydrating Primer or Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer are top-rated.
Tip 2: Use a makeup primer for mature skin
Primers help to even out the texture of skin and prevent makeup from sitting in fine lines and wrinkles, making for effortless makeup application and a smooth-looking finish. Primers infused with hydrating ingredients are best for older skin.
The best primer for a beginner is e.l.f. Power Grip Primer. It is affordable (around $11), widely available, and its gel-like formula acts like double-sided tape for your makeup, ensuring everything stays in place all day.
The best makeup primer depends on your specific skin type and desired finish. Top universally acclaimed options include e.l.f. Cosmetics for the best budget-friendly grip, Benefit Cosmetics for blurring pores, and Armani Beauty for a luxurious, smoothing base.
Types of Primers. There are three basic types of primers: oil-based, latex and pigmented shellac primer. Each has its strengths and weaknesses and works best on certain surfaces and in particular circumstances.
You might think you just need to slap some paint on it and then you'll be done. However, if you want an even finish and professional-looking result that will sustain some wear and tear, you're going to want to use a primer before you paint.
Red is universally considered the hardest paint color to cover. Vibrant red pigments are highly transparent and inherently prone to bleeding through subsequent layers. Other notoriously difficult colors to cover include black, dark blue, dark green, and bright yellow.
Whether you need to sand after priming depends on the level of smoothness you want and the project you are working on. Sanding is not mandatory for adhesion, but it is highly recommended to achieve a flawless, professional-looking finish.
You can often use old paint if you mix it very well, but several factors determine its usability. The general paint shelf life for unopened latex paint is around 10 years, and oil-based paint can last up to 15 years. Once opened, this lifespan typically reduces to a couple of years, depending on storage conditions.
Primer is generally not needed if you are painting over previously painted surfaces that are already clean, sound, and have a flat or eggshell finish. For makeup, you can skip primer if your skin is already well-prepped, you have a balanced skin type, or you are using high-quality foundation.
Most professional painters will tell you—two coats of primer is often the safe choice. Here's why: surfaces like new drywall, bare wood, or even older plaster have different levels of porosity. That means the primer gets soaked up unevenly, leaving the surface patchy.
This is probably the easiest and most obvious choice: you can use your regular day moisturiser as a primer replacement. It's great is the product contains humectant and emollient ingredients, such as glycerine, hyaluronic acid, or aloe vera leaf juice.
Our most technologically advanced paint and primer in one, KILZ® Tribute® is 100% acrylic, low VOC, and offers both excellent stain-blocking performance and exceptional durability.
Exceptional Stain-Blocking Power
Zinsser B-I-N Primer doesn't just stick to tricky surfaces; it also excels at covering and sealing stains. Whether you're dealing with water stains, smoke damage, or even knots and sap streaks in wood, this primer locks them in and prevents them from bleeding through your paint.
Though the name itself is misleading, KILZ paint and primers do not actually 'kill' mold. But it will prevent mold. The brand does well to kill a stain's ability to show through the final coat of paint by sealing over the stained surface with an impermeable interior barrier.