I Just Discovered That This Controversial Product Is the Secret to Makeup That Lasts Beyond 3PM

We've all been there—you spend your morning makeup routine buffing and blending your way to a flawless base, only to find that, come 3PM, your makeup has either A) caked up and settled into your pores, fine lines and dry patches or B) slipped and faded away entirely.

The hard truth is that sometimes even the best foundations, setting sprays, and finishing powders don't stand a chance against the environments we're exposed to. Dehydrating offices, humid climates and sweaty commutes all impact the way makeup looks and lasts on skin, as do our skin types. Both dry, thirsty complexions and oily, breakout-prone ones come with their own frustrations—and as for combination skin types, you're often up against both.

This is where primers come into play. Yes, it does mean adding an extra step into your makeup routine, but if it keeps your makeup looking fresh and locked in place then it's totally worth it, right? Now I've tested a lot of primers in my time, and one thing I've noticed is that not all primers are created equal. If you truly want a primer that delivers results—smooth application, longevity, and a flawless finish, then a silicone-based primer makes all the difference.

This might surprise you—after all, brands often label products as 'silicone-free' as a benefit, which has led to a perception that silicones are bad for skin and should be avoided. In actual fact, there really are very few reasons to avoid silicones, especially in primers. Personally, I've found that (when compared with silicone-free formulas) silicone-based primers help my makeup to apply smoother, last longer, and look fresher as the day goes on.

Whether your skin is dry, oily, or somewhere in between, we can all benefit from using a silicone-based primer. From illuminating primers to pore-primers, scroll down to discover my tried-and-tested favourites.

What to look for in silicone-based primers

When shopping for silicone-based primers, look out for common silicones that provide smoothing and blurring effects—such as dimethicone, cyclopentasiloxane, crimethylsiloxysilicate, and dimethicone crosspolymer.

In addition, depending on your skin concerns and goals, you may want to check for other ingredients that might help to brighten, hydrate, or mattify your skin. If you have dry skin, look for added glycerin or hyaluronic acid, or if you have oily skin, keep an eye out for niacinamide or salicylic acid.

As above, it's important to keep in mind the compatibility of the primer with your foundation. To avoid pilling, silicone-based primers work best with silicone-based foundations—so if you're currently using a water-based foundation, a water-based primer might be a better option.

The best silicone-based makeup primers

1. Best for dry skin: Vieve Super Skin Nova Moisture Rich Primer
2. Best for sensitive skin: Beauty Pie Wonderfilter Brightening Primer
3. Best for dull skin: Sculpted By Aimee Beauty Base Pearl All In One Moisturising Primer
4. Best for long wear: One Size Secure The Glow Tacky Hydrating Primer
5. Best for oily skin: Dcypher Blur Balance Primer
6. Best for breakout-prone skin: Benefit The Porefessional Primer

1. Vieve Super Skin Nova Moisture Rich Primer

2. Beauty Pie Wonderfilter Brightening Primer

3. Sculpted By Aimee Beauty Base Pearl All In One Moisturising Primer

4. One Size Secure The Glow Tacky Hydrating Primer

5. Dcypher Blur Balance Primer

6. Benefit The Porefessional Primer

7. Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Primer

8. E.l.f. Mineral-Infused Primer

9. Tatcha The Liquid Silk Canvas Primer

10. NYX Professional Makeup Studio Perfect Primer

What are advantages of silicone-based primers?

Silicone-based products may get a bad rap, but when it comes to priming skin, you really can't beat a silicone-rich formula. Namely, because they address some of the key reasons why people wear and use primers in the first place—creating a smooth canvas for makeup, blurring pores and fine lines, controlling oil and shine, and extending makeup longevity.

Some of the most commonly used silicones like dimethicone and cyclopentasiloxane help to fill in uneven texture, making pores and fine lines appear smaller, and creating a soft-focus, smooth surface. They also reduce friction between your skin and foundation, so makeup glides on more easily and evenly, and once applied, they form a semi-occlusive layer that grips foundation to skin, helping it stay in place for longer.

In addition, silicone-based products are water-repellent, which helps makeup hold up better in humid climates or sweaty conditions and they also mattify the skin and prevent oil from disturbing makeup, by absorbing excess sebum.

What's more, if you struggle with makeup pilling on your skin as you apply it, using a silicone-based primer can make a big difference. When layered together, silicone-based primers and foundations bond together, preventing pilling and reducing patchiness.

What are the disadvantages of silicone-based primers?

Like anything in beauty, silicone-based primers are not without their drawbacks. If layered improperly (for example freshly-applied skincare or water-based makeup products), silicones can ball up and pill, ruining your makeup application. For this reason, if you're using a silicone-based primer then it's important to let your skincare absorb entirely before applying makeup, and to use a silicone-based (not a water-based) foundation.

Since silicones form a barrier on the skin, some people find that they feel heavy or greasy. While silicones themselves are generally non-comedogenic, this occlusive barrier can trap other pore-cloggers like sweat, oil and dirt, potentially worsening breakouts for acne-prone skin types. For this reason, it's important that they're removed properly, with thorough double cleansing with a good face wash.

How we tested the best silicone-based primers

The great thing about testing primers is that even with just one day's wear, it's really easy to pick up on their benefits and drawbacks. When testing, we made notes on their ease of application, the way they layered with other products, how good our makeup looked throughout the day, and of course, how long it lasted. What's more, the team tested on a variety of different skin types, so we were able to assess which products would work best for different skin concerns and goals.

Why Trust Us

At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.