Best Illuminating Primers: Makeup Must-Try

Y'all know me by now--this girl loves a dang glow. And that would include a variety of glowiness, from the extreme to the subtle. I've covered highlighters before here, but today we are talking about illuminating primers and these are a must-try.

What is an illuminating primer? How do you apply it?

• Add a glow or radiance to the skin and come in different colors like highlighters do
• Can be worn alone or under foundation, but they are usually worn before foundation--
• You can wear these all over the face, like a regular primer, or target certain areas of the face
• Key words: radiance, glow, luminous, illumination + primer

I got the idea for this post from Shireen, who wanted to know more about illuminating primers. Are they worth the hype? Are these an essential to a makeup routine?

• Sometimes highlighters can be super intense, like a light beam heading into outer space, but think of illuminating primers as a much more wearable version, almost like a natural glow. My friends who have oily skin and shy away from highlighters, love some illuminating primers
• Think glow, not sparkle. Shimmer.
• Not an essential, but a nice addition

What illuminating primers would you recommend?

• Straight up, I came up with over 40 right off the bat, so this is HARD to narrow down.

Expensive ($40+) but amazing:

Givenchy Mister Smooth, Shiseido Glow Enhancing Primer, YSL Glow Moisture (very, very subtle), Dior Glow Maximizer, Hourglass Ambient Light Correcting Primer (gorgeous, comes in 3 shades), Lancome makes a great one as well

Mid-range ($25+)

Clarins, Cover Fx Illuminating Primer, Estee Lauder Illuminating Perfecting Primer, Benefit That Gal, Chanel Illuminating Base, Illamasqua (you have to dip into this one with provided spatula)

Drugstore (up to $20)

No. 7 Airbrush Away Radiance Boosting Primer (this one is brand new and good), Sephora, L'Oreal Lumi Magic Base, NYX Born to Glow, Soap and Glory Hocus Focus, Not pictured: Juice Beauty has a really good one with good ingredients

My Favorites ($25+)

Armani Light Master Primer, Becca Backlight Filter, Kevyn Aucoin Celestial Lighting, MAC Strobe Cream (look for the travel size version that's $10), Laura Mercier Foundation Primer Radiance

Any you'd skip?

• Yes, anything with glitter flecks in it in a gel base. Those act more like a moisturizer than an illuminating primer.

NOTE: I have no pictures up today of these on my skin. Since the glow is subtle on these, they don't photograph well, and I don't want to pile them to get them to show since that's not realistic. See my DUPE OR NOT? post here for a MAC Strobe Cream Vs NYX.

Do you use illuminating primers?

Extra Elle--No big plans for me this weekend, but lots to be done around the blog and the house. Again, thinking of those in the path of the hurricane.