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Beauty & Personal Care Face Makeup

Best Tinted Primers

Updated December 2021
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
tarte BB Tinted Treatment 12-Hour Primer
tarte
BB Tinted Treatment 12-Hour Primer
Customer Favorite

Long-lasting coverage and quality sun protection have made this primer a favorite in the beauty community.

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Check Price at Sephora
Customer Favorite
Bottom Line

Long-lasting coverage and quality sun protection have made this primer a favorite in the beauty community.

Pros

Provides medium coverage when worn on its own without foundation. Contains SPF 30. Lightweight primer helps smooth and perfect your makeup while keeping it locked in place all day. The matte finish keeps oil at a minimum.

Cons

Product is only available in a limited range of shades.

Best Bang for the Buck
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Tinted Skin Veil
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP
Tinted Skin Veil
Popular Brand

Create a lightweight and hydrating base with this tinted BB cream that goes on alone or before foundation.

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Check Price at Ulta
Popular Brand
Bottom Line

Create a lightweight and hydrating base with this tinted BB cream that goes on alone or before foundation.

Pros

Smooths out skin tone with a satin finish to prep for foundation application. Aloe and cucumber extracts are included in this non-comedogenic, vegan, and cruelty-free formula. Comes in 12 shades.

Cons

This product may not be best for dry skin types.

Make Up For Ever Color Correcting Primer
Make Up For Ever
Color Correcting Primer
Multi-Purpose

This primer addresses specific concerns related to color correcting while doing much more.

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Check Price at Sephora
Multi-Purpose
Bottom Line

This primer addresses specific concerns related to color correcting while doing much more.

Pros

Also serves as a base for foundation for a smoother and more even application. Vegan and good for different skin types. Multiple shades target certain issues such as redness, dullness, or sallowness. Contains ginseng for added radiance.

Cons

A few customers reported that the scent was a bit too strong.

essence Tinted Primer
essence
Tinted Primer
Rich Consistency

Free of unwanted ingredients, this primer goes on with a velvety finish and can be used before foundation or on its own.

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Check Price at Ulta
Rich Consistency
Bottom Line

Free of unwanted ingredients, this primer goes on with a velvety finish and can be used before foundation or on its own.

Pros

Comes in 4 shade options in a range from dark to light. Has a mousse-like consistency and is used to blur out imperfections on the skin. The vegan formula is free from parabens, oil, acetone, and alcohol. Marked cruelty-free.

Cons

Some of the reviews noted that the thick consistency can make it difficult to blend.

CoTz Face Primer and Protect
CoTz
Face Primer and Protect
Contains SPF

Get double the use out of this product that serves as both a primer for make-up and as a sun defense mineral sunscreen.

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Check Price at Ulta
Contains SPF
Bottom Line

Get double the use out of this product that serves as both a primer for make-up and as a sun defense mineral sunscreen.

Pros

Has a sheer tint that goes on matte and works for all skin types. Has 40 SPF and will be water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. Contains zinc and titanium dioxide. Is non-comedogenic and hypoallergenic.

Cons

A few people felt that it left a white cast after applying.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

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First Reviewed
December 12, 2021
30
Models
considered
8
Hours
researched
Category cover
Melinda Harris
Written by Melinda Harris

Updated December 2021

As we all know, priming your skin is an essential step in achieving flawless makeup looks. A tinted primer, when worn under foundation, creates a smooth and even-toned base for your makeup. Tinted face primers can also be worn on their own without foundation for a light, natural look. If you’re planning to use tinted face primer on its own, always look for a formula that contains SPF to protect yourself from the sun. You can also find tinted primers for your eyelashes, eyelids, and lips. When priming your eyes, look for a tinted primer that’s a similar shade to your eyeshadow to help deepen the color.

Our Top Picks
tarte
Best of the Best
tarte
BB Tinted Treatment 12-Hour Primer
Bottom Line
Long-lasting coverage and quality sun protection have made this primer a favorite in the beauty community.
Shop Now
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP
Best Bang for the Buck
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP
Tinted Skin Veil
Bottom Line
Create a lightweight and hydrating base with this tinted BB cream that goes on alone or before foundation.
Shop Now
Make Up For Ever
Top Pick
Make Up For Ever
Color Correcting Primer
Bottom Line
This primer addresses specific concerns related to color correcting while doing much more.
Shop Now
essence
Top Pick
essence
Tinted Primer
Bottom Line
Free of unwanted ingredients, this primer goes on with a velvety finish and can be used before foundation or on its own.
Shop Now
CoTz
Top Pick
CoTz
Face Primer and Protect
Bottom Line
Get double the use out of this product that serves as both a primer for make-up and as a sun defense mineral sunscreen.
Shop Now
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