N T E L PRIME TIME

4 When it comes to radiant skin, it pays to be primed and ready for action. 5 2 1 3 6

The secret is out: while everyone knows primer is an essential when you want your base to last, it’s also crucial to no-makeup-makeup, effortless summer skin. The best formulas serve the same purpose as your favourite IG filter, helping blur imperfections and add ring-light radiance. And as the step that bridges your skincare and makeup routine, it’s perhaps fitting that these days primers offer complexion-boosting benefits too. For those who want to look lit-from-within (that would be everyone, everywhere), primers now have ingredients that soothe and nourish skin, delivering a genuine glow that you might cover with makeup… or not. Dr Barbara Sturm Glow Drops, $206 (1), has hyaluronic acid to moisturise, as well as vitamin B5 to keep skin calm. You can add base, or simply touch-up with concealer and dab on a rosy blush.

For mature skin, blurring primers, like Dior Forever Skin Veil SPF 20, $82 (2), infused with skin-nourishing oils, deliver a kind of smoothing effect, which diminishes the look of fine lines and gives skin a luxe finish. And finally, if you’re not convinced, we’ve spotted Morphe’s Luminous Complexion Primer, $25 (6), packed with jojoba oil and vitamin E, in more than a few makeup artist kits.