NYX Primer Line Guide: Which Primer Type Is Right For Your Skin Type?

NYX Professional Makeup is a beauty brand that excites fans with frequent makeup releases. With a significant social media presence and a vast range of products, NYX is a respected brand in the beauty industry.

Their primer line is extensive but offers so many options for different skin types so there’s something everyone will love, which is why I jumped at the chance to create this NYX Primer Line Guide. While I absolutely love the Marshmellow Smoothing Primer for my skin, what you will love will depend on what you are looking for.

The NYX Primer Spray also works great on many skin types. I have to also give a big shout-out to the Total Control Drop Primer — which I give 10/10 for formulation and gives a lovely matte finish to the skin. 

My Quick Run-through of the NYX Primers (And Why I LOVE Them)

Wow, what a collection. Below is a quick run-through of the NYX primers to help make your final choice: 

1. 1st Base Blurring Primer – reduces pores, cute packaging, but the texture isn’t best if you have oily skin. 
2. Primer Spray – affordable but lacks innovative packaging, but works for all skin types!
3. The Marshmallow Smoothing Primer – the viral primer that is famous in the beauty world. Avoid this if you have dry skin but this is my top recommendation for other skin types. 
4. Bright Maker Primer – perfect if you have oily skin and don’t have time to re-apply your makeup (17 hours of wear!). 
5. High Glass Face Primer – easily forgettable primer; avoid if you have oily skin! 
6. Bare with Me Hydrating Jelly Primer – an exciting jelly formula that hydrates your skin and reduces pores but can be hard to apply.
7. Bare with Me Hemp Radiant Perfecting Primer – doesn’t last a long time but does hide pores and imperfections in the short amount of time it lasts. 
8. Bare with Me Hemp Spf 30 Daily Moisturiser Primer – built-in SPF! Super hydrating, but only best if you have dry skin. 
9. Hydra Touch Primer – great for all skin types and affordable, however isn’t super long-lasting and only smooths out the skin. 
10. Hydra Touch Oil Primer – gives a dewy finish and is perfect for those with super dry skin – avoid if you have normal to oily skin!
11. Honey Dew Me Up Primer – beautiful gold design but not recommended as a primer.
12. Pore Filler – hides pores but has a dry texture and is difficult to apply to the skin due to the bottle. 
13. Studio Perfect Primer – a creative idea of using three bright colours as shades but the execution is poor. 
14. Angel Veil – Skin Perfecting Primer – more of a ghost than an angel as it leaves a grey tint on your face – avoid! 
15. Shine Killer – great if you have combination skin but creates more oil if you have oily skin. 
16. Total Control Drop Primer – one of the most expensive NYX primers but worth it if you want a lightweight, matt finish to your makeup look. 
17. Pigment Primer – squeeze out bottle that’s just to help prep your eyeshadow but worth it for its cheap price and discrete packaging. 

NYX?

NYX Professional Makeup is an American cosmetics company that was founded in Los Angeles in 1999. This 90s makeup brand rose to fame through jumbo eye pencils and eyeliners. NYX is known as a cruelty-free brand that is affordable for aspiring makeup artists.  

What Is a Primer?

Makeup primers range from:

• Gels
• Creams
• Liquids 
• Oils 

Primers can work to enhance your makeup look and smooth out your skin. Most primers are applied before adding any makeup to the face. Depending on the primer, they can extend your makeup (up to 24 hours!), hide pores, or blur imperfections. Primers can smooth out your foundation base and give makeup a polished finish. 

NYX has a considerable collection of primers, but don’t be intimidated! In this guide, I will be going through each NYX primer to help make your decision on which primer is best for your skin (and wallet). NYX has 17 different primers in their collection, some gels, some liquid, and some oils… let’s dive in.

1. 1st Base Blurring Primer

A brand new primer from NYX partnered with the hit Netflix show Sex Education. 

Pros

• Cute packaging 
• It lasts up to 12 hours 
• Minimizes pores 

Cons

• The texture is slightly clumpy
• Not recommended if you have oily skin 

What Does It Look Like?

1st Base is covered in bold colours that make it easy to find in your makeup bag. With bright lilac and lime green packaging, its branding is close to the TV show’s vibrance; fans have praised this collab due to the ‘teen’ packaging with cartoons of hands and a heart on the bottle. It comes in a plastic bottle with a screw-top lid at the bottom, making it easy to get the primer out. 

My Ratings

Packaging: 10/10 – Super cute and clear that it is partnered with the TV show Sex Education. 

Longevity: 8/10 – Lasts up to 12 hours – impressive!

Application: 5/10 – Easy to use bottle, but the texture is slightly unusual compared to other primers. 

Formula & Effect: 10/10 – Vegan and reduces pores. 

2. 1st Base Primer Spray

If you’re in a rush to get your makeup done, this is the best primer!

Pros

• Quick and easy to spray on your face
• It lasts up to 12 hours 
• Works for all skin types 

Cons

• Cheap and bland packaging 
• No scent 

What Does It Look Like?

NYX hasn’t pulled out many stops in making this primer stand out in a simple spray bottle. Using black, white, and a couple of bright pink lines, this primer comes across as a generic primer, a shame as it works well as a primer spray. 

My Ratings

Packaging: 2/10 – Looks like any other spray and is not adventurous with its colours. 

Longevity: 8/10 – Lasts up to 12 hours, but some primers can last longer. Still great for maintaining your go-to makeup look. 

Application: 10/10 – I love a primer spray as it makes the application so much easier, especially if you are in a rush.

Formula & Effect: Vegan and works for all skin types 

3. The Marshmallow Smoothing Primer

One of NYX’s most famous primers is a viral primer that beauty gurus have been praising online. Is it worth the hype? This primer boasts of having ten makeup benefits:

1. Smoothes
2. Softens
3. Extends makeup wear for 16h
4. Hydrates
5. Soothes
6. Evens tone
7. Minimizes texture
8. Blurs lines
9. Adds a soft-focus finish
10. Keeps makeup fresh

Pros

• Sweet marshmallow scent 
• Outstanding ’10-in-1′ makeup benefits 
• It lasts up to 16 hours 

Cons

• Not good if you have dry skin due to its moisturizing ingredients 
• On the more expensive end of NYX primers

What Does It Look Like?

The Marshmallow Smoothing Primer is in a ‘pump’ bottle that’s baby pink. The plastic bottle could use some more images as there is only black text on the primer. It is a shame they didn’t use marshmallows on the bottle.  

My Ratings

Packaging: 6/10 – Uses a cute baby pink in its design but could have gone further by using a marshmallow design.

Longevity: 10/10 – Lasts up to 16 hours, perfect for your daytime errands. 

Application: 10/10 – In a ‘pump’ bottle that is easy to get the product out. The formula has a soft whipped texture that glides easily on the face. 

Formula & Effect: 10/10 – A round of applause from me! This formula has a marshmallow “root,” which gives it its soft whipped texture. It gives you ten benefits in one product and has wowed fans. 

Read More: NYX Marshmellow Primer Review: Does This Primer Actually Work?

4. Bright Maker Primer

Bright Maker is infused with a papaya extract, making this a peach-tinted primer that NYX claims to brighten your skin all day long. 

Pros

• It lasts up to 17 hours 
• Brightens skin 
• Prevents oily skin 

Cons

• Expensive for what you get 
• Plain design

What Does It Look Like?

Using inspiration from papaya extract, the entire bottle is peach coloured. Its bottle shape is the same as other NYX primers (i.e. 1st Base and Pore Filler) with a screw top end to get the product out. The peach colour is the only exciting thing about the design of this primer; however, the actual product works well as a primer. 

My Ratings

Packaging: 2/10 – Disappointing design from NYX- the only thing that saves this primer is its cute peach colour. 

Longevity: 10/10 – You can get 17 hours of makeup wear with this primer – perfect if you are out all day. 

Application: 10/10 – Easy screw top bottle that can get the product out and straight onto your face.

Formula & Effect: 8/10 – Bright Maker has a rich formula that leaves skin smooth and bright – perfect if you have oily skin.

5. High Glass Face Primer

This primer is part of the “High Glass” NYX makeup range and has three different shades to choose from (Rose Quartz, Moonbeam, and Sandy Glow). 

Pros

• Three different shades to choose from
• Affordable

Cons

• Avoid if you have oily skin 
• Longevity is weak

What Does It Look Like?

High Glass uses NYX’s classic black and white branding but adds a splash of colour by showing the primer shade in a thick coloured line. 

My Ratings

Packaging: 6/10 – I’m not wowed by this primer design, but it uses NYX’s classic branding, making the bold primer shade stand out. 

Longevity: 4/10 – The longevity on this primer isn’t great; makeup tends to crack after 5 or 6 hours. 

Application: 10/10 – Again using NYX favourite screw top bottle design – no complaints here. 

Formula & Effect: 4/10 – A primer that doesn’t stand out above the rest; the three shades are great for skin inclusivity, but the longevity is weak and adds a shine to the face. 

6. Bare with Me Hydrating Jelly Primer

The first of the “Bare with Me” primers and it’s got a jelly texture! 

Pros

• Jelly texture 
• Easy to carry around 
• Reduces the appearance of pores 
• Hydrates skin

Cons

• Sticky at first 
• Avoid if you have dry skin 
• Hard to apply 

What Does It Look Like?

In a simple light pink container, Bare with Me Hydrating Jelly Primer doesn’t stand out. However, it’s in a small package that can be easy to carry around with you easily.

My Ratings

Packaging: 4/10 – The light pink colour is cute but doesn’t stand out against other primers. However, what saves the day is the small packaging that can be easily packed away. 

Longevity: 8/10 – Lasts for most of the day and hydrates your skin – win-win! 

Application: 2/10 – As much as jelly primers excite me, the primer is difficult to get out of the bottle. 

Formula & Effect: 8/10 – Super hydrating and reduces the appearance of pores – however, avoid if you have dry skin as it sticks to your skin easily. 

7. Bare with Me Hemp Radiant Perfecting Primer

Infused with a ‘hemp-derived cannabis Sativa seed oil’, which is known to be soothing, this primer has a lightweight and hydrating texture. 

Pros

• Hydrating (24 hours of hydration) 
• Smooths skin and blurs imperfections 

Cons

• Weak longevity 
• Plain design

What Does It Look Like?

Again using the light pink bottle that the ‘Bare with Me’ makeup range uses. With a faint white outline of the ‘hemp,’ it’s hard to see the design clearly. 

My Ratings

Packaging: 2/10 – It’s a shame NYX didn’t use hemp in its design more. There is a faint outline, but the bottle is mainly just light pink. 

Longevity: 2/10 – Weak longevity – only lasts up to 5 hours and shows cracks in makeup. 

Application: 10/10 – Back with the screw top bottle. Easy to apply on the skin. 

Formula & Effect: 5/10 – While the product does smooth out skin and blurs imperfections, this doesn’t last a great deal of time. I would only recommend using this for a short social occasion. 

8. Bare with Me Hemp Spf 30 Daily Moisturiser Primer

The last of the ‘Bare with Me’ primers- finally, we have a primer with SPF – perfect for sunny weather. 

Pros

• SPF 30
• Hydrating
• Pump application
• Great for dry skin 

Cons

• Greasy texture 
• Plain design

What Does It Look Like?

This looks very similar to the Bare With Me Hemp Primer, except it has a pump applicator instead of a screw-top lid. It’s in a cute baby pink bottle but again doesn’t leave much to the imagination in its design.

My Ratings

Packaging: 3/10 – A plain design but does come with a pump applicator. 

Longevity: 8/10 – Lasts a long time with built-in SPF. 

Application: 10/10 – Love a pump applicator! Easy to use and doesn’t spill. 

Formula & Effect: 8/10 –  Again, this primer uses ‘hemp-derived cannabis Sativa seed oil’ to help hydrate your skin and has SPF 30. However, the texture can be a bit greasy, but this is great if you have dry skin. 

9. Hydra Touch Primer

The first of the two ‘Hydra’ primers- infused with Centella extract, this lightweight primer creates a smooth canvas to build your makeup look on. 

Pros

• Smoothing primer 
• Great for all skin types 
• Affordable 

Cons

• It doesn’t conceal imperfections 
• Plain design

What Does It Look Like?

The Hydra Touch primer is in a bright baby blue bottle with a very similar design to other NYX primers. Using a screw-top lid, this primer is easy to apply but doesn’t stand out among the rest. 

My Ratings

Packaging: 3/10 – I love the baby blue colour but apart from that there is nothing special in the design of this primer. 

Longevity: 5/10 – This primer doesn’t boast longevity so I would say it’s similar to other affordable primers in the beauty market. 

Application: 10/10 – Easy to apply with a lightweight cream that smooths out your face. 

Formula & Effect: 7/10 – Lightweight cream that is great for all skin types, however it doesn’t conceal imperfections. 

10. Hydra Touch Oil Primer

Our first oil primer from NYX! With ingredients such as jojoba and rice oil, this primer glides on the face easily and gives a dewy finish. 

Pros

• Perfect if you have very dry skin 
• Smooths skin 
• Professional packaging 

Cons

• Bad for oily skin 
• Harder to apply 

What Does It Look Like?

Hydra Touch Oil stands out among other NYX primers. Its see-through bottle shows the oil and applicator clearly. With a large black lid, Hydra Touch looks professional and simple to use. 

My Ratings

Packaging: 8/10 – An exciting change in design from NYX. Its see-through bottle looks professional and expensive. 

Longevity: 5/10 – Hydra Touch Oil primer has average longevity – nothing stands out here.

Application: 4/10 – This oil primer can be difficult to apply as it only has a small applicator in the bottle.

Formula & Effect: 4/10 – While this primer is great for those with super dry skin, it leaves out other skin types. 

11. Honey Dew Me Up Primer

Using the word ‘Honey’ this primer is fluorescent gold and gives you a luminous look all day long. 

Pros

• Glittery & glamourous bottle 
• Reduces redness 

Cons

• Sticky formula 
• Hard to apply 

What Does It Look Like?

Using vibrant gold in its design, Honey Dew Me Up stands out against other NYX primers. In a small see-through bottle, its gold lid has a white spatula applicator inside to apply the product. 

My Ratings

Packaging: 10/10 – Love the gold design and glitter used in the bottle. 

Longevity: 2/10 – Honey Dew Me Up gives you a glowing, dewy finish but doesn’t last for more than a few hours. 

Application: 3/10 – While this visually looks like a great primer, its applicator is hard to use. 

Formula & Effect: 5/10 – This is a sticky formula that is more like a serum than a primer. It’s not moisturizing but does give your makeup look a bright glow.  

Cost? Slightly more expensive but the packaging makes up for it (£15.00 Boots). 

Read More: NYX Honey Dew Me Up Review: Is This Primer Any Good?

12. Pore Filler

As said in its name, this primer reduces pores and has an oil-free formula. Pore filler is a favourite with NYX fans but let’s see how it compares to other NYX primers.

Pros

• Reduces pores
• Oil-free formula 

Cons

• Dry texture 
• Application is difficult 

What Does It Look Like?

Pore Filler has the same design as most of the other NYX primers, however, it just uses NYX black and white branding. 

My Ratings

Packaging: 5/10 – Nothing too exciting about the design of this primer, but it does use NYX classic black and white branding. 

Longevity: 5/10 – Average longevity of a primer but hides pores all day. 

Application: 3/10 – Although Pore Filler uses the same design as other NYX primers, its dry texture can easily shoot out of the bottle, so try not to use too much of this product. 

Formula & Effect: 6/10 – Pore filler has a dry texture that can shoot out of the bottle, so make sure to only apply it to areas where your pores show. It does a great job at hiding pores and smoothing out your face but could be designed better. 

13. Studio Perfect Primer

NYX’s first multi-coloured primer, offering shades of clear, green and purple. This colour coded primer has different functions:

• Clear: to cover fine lines and large pores
• Lavender: to brighten and illuminate yellow undertones
• Green: to conceal redness

Pros

• Three shades to choose from
• Smooths skin

Cons

• Poor redness reduction
• Oily texture 

What Does It Look Like?

Using the colour black and either white, green or lavender (depending on which shade you go for), this primer has a dramatic look. Studio Perfect acts like paint to a canvas and its bottle has a screw-top lid for easy application. 

My Ratings

Packaging: 6/10 – Using black and its three shades in its design, this primer has a better design than other NYX primers.

Longevity: 4/10 – Once again, another NYX primer that does not have long-lasting wear. 

Application: 10/10 – Easy to apply by putting a pea-sized amount in your hand and applying it to your face. 

Formula & Effect: 6/10 –  NYX has been inventive in using bright colours in a primer and acting as if you are painting your face onto a blank canvas. However, the green shade has disappointed fans by not reducing redness and having an oily texture. 

14. Angel Veil – Skin Perfecting Primer

A super silky primer that smooths skin and minimizes shine. 

Pros

• Smooths skin
• Minimizes shine 

Cons

• Can leave a ‘grey’ tint to the skin
• Avoid if you have oily skin 

What Does It Look Like?

In a bright white bottle, Angel Viel stands out as a primer, with a pink fluorescent lid. Its text is wispy and ‘angel-like and uses NYX branding. 

My Ratings

Packaging: 7/10 – Cute angelic text and has a bright pink lid, however sadly no halo in sight! 

Longevity: 7/10 – Lasts over 10 hours – perfect for your next night out. 

Application: 10/10 – Easy to use bottle screw lid, a classic from NYX. 

Formula & Effect: 4/10 – I hate it when primer’s leave colour on your face and this one leaves a grey tint on your face – not good. 

Read My Full NYX Angel Veil Primer Review: Do We Recommend It?

15. Shine Killer

A dramatic primer from NYX that boasts to kill shine, but does it really kill a shiny face?

Pros

• Great if you have combination skin 
• Blends easily into makeup 

Cons

• Creates more oil for oily skin 
• Longevity is weak 

What Does It Look Like?

In its bold NYX black and white branding, Shine Killer is easy to pack away and out of sight. 

My Ratings

Packaging: 5/10 – Plain design but in NYX classic black and white branding. 

Longevity: 2/10 – Makeup cracks through after a few hours. 

Application: 10/10 – Easy screw top bottle that’s super easy to apply. 

Formula & Effect: 4/10 – Avoid if you have oily skin as the formula can create more oil, however, this primer is great if you have combination skin. Overall there are better NYX primers to choose from. 

16. Total Control Drop Primer

A lightweight primer in a unique bottle that gives you a velvet matte finish. 

Pros

• Matte finish 
• Liquid formula 
• Lightweight

Cons

• Most expensive NYX primer

What Does It Look Like?

Coming with a pipette to apply the product, NYX Total Control Drop Primer is in a baby pink bottle that looks classy and easy to use. 

My Ratings

Packaging: 8/10 – Stands out among other NYX primers and has a pipette to apply the product. 

Longevity: 10/10 – Lasts all day long.

Application: 9/10 – Love a pipette! Its liquid formula is super easy to apply. 

Formula & Effect: 10/10 – I recommend this primer if you want to splurge a bit on an NYX primer. Its liquid formula gives you a matte finish and is very lightweight. 

17. Pigment Primer

Last but not least, this is the final NYX primer and is specifically for prepping your eyes for heavy eyeshadow. 

Pros

• Small packaging that’s easy to pack away and move around with you 
• Keeps eyeshadow in place

Cons

• It can only use on your eyes (for eyeshadow) 
• Sticky formula

What Does It Look Like?

One of NYX’s few ‘squeeze out’ bottles that almost looks like an eye cream. This primer is in a small white tube container, which is excellent for keeping in your handbag.

 

My Ratings

Packaging: 7/10 – Easy to pack away but doesn’t stand out much in design. 

Longevity: 9/10 – Keeps eyeshadow in place all day long – a shame it’s just for the eyes. 

Application: 10/10 – A small tube bottle that can easily be squeezed onto the eyelid and spread out. 

Formula & Effect: 6/10 – Great for keeping eyeshadow in place. However, it’s a shame they didn’t brand out this primer so that you can use it for your whole face instead of just your eyes. 

Alternative Primers to Consider

Want to try a different brand from NYX? Below are some alternatives to consider that are similar to NYX primers:

• Oily Skin? Try Benefit the POREfessional Primer that comes with Vitamin E to protect your skin and give you a flawless finish.

• Dry Skin? Try First Aid Beauty Coconut Skin Smoothie Priming Moisturiser 

• Combination Skin? Try Maybelline New York Face Studio Master Prime Makeup for a water-based product that is perfect for combination skin (oil-free!). 

• Cheapest? Try Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser Primer to give you a matte finish and save some cash. 

• Do you want to splurge? Try Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer if you want a design similar to NYX primers but happy to splurge a bit on a new primer. This primer smooths out skin and blurs imperfections.

FAQs

NYX Primer Line Guide: Final Thoughts

NYX has a powerhouse of primers for every skin type; while some primers were a letdown, NYX has many primers that give you flawless skin and keep makeup lasting for hours. My favorite NYX primers have to be:

• The Marshmallow Smoothing Primer – 10-in-one benefits and smells delicious.
• Bare with Me Hemp Spf 30 Daily Moisturiser Primer  – built-in SPF and lasts all day long.
• Total Control Drop Primer – more expensive but worth it for its lightweight formula and smooth finish.

I can’t wait to see what NYX brings out next in their primer collection. 

Recommended Reads:

• Is NYX Cruelty Free? The Answer to the Questions You’ve Been Looking For