I tested three primers to prevent makeup from melting – one of them looked like Marmite

I’ll admit it: I don’t often wear primer, but the warm weather has me desperate for a way to keep my makeup from melting.

Oil-absorbing primers are a great way to prevent sweat from messing with your makeup. This week I tested three…

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Budget

Collection Primed & Ready shine control serum primer, £5.99 for 14.1ml, Boots.

I used the Collection concealer religiously during my uni years, but since then my love affair with the brand has been a bit of a rocky one.

Since this new primer was getting five-star reviews online and considering the price, I took a chance and bought it.

The formula contains witch hazel, which is ideal for oily and blemish-prone skin, but it does give the primer a medicinal scent.

But I found it didn’t sit well under my makeup – definitely a product for those who like an extremely matte finish.

Mid range

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ICONIC Velvet Smooth Pore Refining Primer, £24 for 30ml, Boots.

A great option to smoothen skin texture and create an even base surface.

It’s quite heavy on silicone, which makes it a bit like Marmite – you either love it or hate it. I tend towards the latter.

I can’t deny that the results look amazing. It’s like an Instagram “Paris” filter in real life, and it definitely helped prevent oil and sweat from breaking down my foundation.

It felt too heavy on my face to wear every day though, I will definitely still use it for special occasions.

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Luxury

Benefit The Porefessional matte primer, £32 for 22ml, Boots.

Worldwide, a tube of the original cult classic is sold every 12 seconds, so I had high hopes for this similarly priced update.

It immediately feels more grown-up than the packaging I remember from my teenage years, and the formula inside has also become a lot prettier.

Now there’s also rosehip extract, which helps regulate oil production, and niacinamide, which softens skin and shrinks pores.

It’s much lighter than the OG, which I love, and it definitely makes my makeup last longer. I absolutely love it.

Choice of the week

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IF you are going on vacation this month, I have a great news.

Iconic skincare brand Drunk Elephant launched a new range of travel-ready mini products this week.

Drunk Elephant The Littles 7.0 features five of its best-sellers – including the brightening C-Firma Fresh Day serum, microbiome-friendly Beste No 9 jelly cleanser and TLC glycolic night serum – in a limited edition wash bag. It retails for £70.

Buy now at spacenk.com.