A Makeup Artist Explains Why Using ‘Too Much Primer’ Before Makeup Is The Worst Mistake To Make: ‘Your Foundation Will Slide Away’

It feels as if primer hired a sharp publicist a few years ago that made it their mission to spread the good word about this makeup product and how important it is to apply before foundation,  concealer, and even eye shadow. The hard work has paid off: many of us now wouldn’t dream of using foundation or eye shadows without first covering our bases — applying a primer that helps even out our skin tone, sap away excess oils, and create the perfect setting for makeup to flourish.

When applied well and within reason, a good primer can elevate your makeup look. It can keep foundation from settling into pores and texture like fine lines, enhance the intensity of the color of your eye shadows, and (perhaps the reason many of us use it) make your makeup last longer.

But we seldom hear about the dark side of primer: too much of it can lead to a messy makeup finish. According to makeup artist Robert Walsh, your “patchy foundation” could be the result of too much of a good thing — a heavy-handed application and “too much primer.”