Grip Primer vs Illuminating Primer: Differences, Benefits and How to Choose

If you have ever stood in front of your mirror with foundation in one hand and primer in the other, thinking, "Is primer even required?"  Primer is one of the most confusing products in a makeup routine. For some people, primer is a game changer, while others feel it does nothing at all. 

Grip primer and illuminating primer are not meant to compete with each other. They are designed for completely different skin needs and makeup goals. Comparing both of the primers is like comparing a mattifying moisturizer with a Vitamin C serum. Both are useful and good for your skin but in different situations.

Once you understand what is the role of each primer, choosing the right one for you becomes simple. This blog will walk you through that difference in a clear, easy, everyday just like your makeup routine.

What is a Makeup Primer and the use of primer in makeup?

A face primer creates a smooth, even makeup base for a flawless makeup application. The primer fills open pores and hides fine lines and any other imperfections, so your makeup blends well and also stays for long hours without fading. In makeup, this is the first step, which is applied right after your skincare routine. This helps the makeup stay in place and gives your skin a perfect glow. Face primers are available for different skin types to cater to different skin needs. 

What is a Face Primer and How to Apply?

What Is a Grip Primer and Why Is It So Popular?

A grip primer is popular recently these days because it helps grip your makeup to your face. The texture of the grip primer is slightly tacky and feels sticky on touch but this helps foundation and other makeup products stick to your face instead of sliding off. 

Grip primers are best if you always complain about your makeup melting or sliding off your face within a few hours. Grip primers are available for oily, dry and combination skin types, read more about the Grip Primer in detail. 

Grip primers work best for oily and combination skin types, but they are also loved by people who live in hot or humid climates. Heat and sweat can break down makeup quickly, and a grip primer creates a stronger base that can handle those conditions better.

What Is Grip Primer and How to Apply?

What Is an Illuminating Primer and Why Do People Love It?

An illuminating primer focuses on a completely different goal and caters to different makeup needs. This holds your makeup in place and focuses on making the skin look healthy, fresh and naturally glowing. These primers often contain light-reflecting particles or hydrating ingredients that bring life back to dull skin.

Illuminating primers are ideal for dry, normal, dull or mature skin. If you want your skin to look glowy after a tiring day, use Illuminating Primer and see an instant difference. The finish is dewy and radiant. It gives that “your skin but better” look, which is why illuminating primers are often used for natural, everyday makeup or no-makeup makeup looks.

An Illuminating primer can be applied in so many different ways. To know more about the application and usage of Illuminating primer, read the full guide. 

What is Illuminating Primer & How to Apply?

Major Difference Between Grip Primer and Illuminating Primer

Tips to Get the Best Out of Your Primer

A face primer or any other makeup product, when used properly, will make your makeup look more polished and flawless. To get the most out of your face makeup primer, follow these simple tips:

1. Using different Primer for different areas

If you are someone with a combination skin type, one primer cannot solve your problem. Try mixing and matching, use a primer meant for oily skin on your T-zone to control the excess oil and a primer for dry skin on your cheeks and other dry areas of your face for hydration. This will help you achieve your desired result with primer without messing up your makeup look. 

2. Layer Wisely

Just like skincare needs time to get absorbed in your skin. Makeup also needs time to dry and settle. After applying primer, wait for at least 2 minutes and then proceed with starting your base with foundation. 

3. Don’t be Afraid to Experiment

Try different primers to find the one that works best for your skin. Do not settle for one, just because it is showing some effect. Primer is the main foundation in your makeup routine, so find one that actually works best for you. 

To know more about the benefits of using a face makeup primer, read our detailed blog. 

Grip Primer Vs Illuminating Primer for Everyday Makeup

To create your everyday makeup look, you want something light but something to give you natural glow and also help you achieve that polished makeup look. The correct primer choice depends on how minimal or polished you want your look to be. When it comes to finding the real winner between grip primer vs illuminating primer, the answer is real simple: neither is better, as both are designed for different skin needs and makeup goals.

A grip primer focuses on making your makeup stay on for long hours looking fresh, while an illuminating primer focuses on glow and hydration. Makeup should work with your skin, not against it. Once you know what your skin needs, the right primer becomes an easy choice and your makeup will look better because of it. Choose wisely, keep it simple, and let your skin do the talking.

FAQs About Grip Primer and Illuminating Primer

Q.1 What is the use of an Illuminating primer?

Illuminating primer helps you achieve a natural, glowy look. You can use an illuminating primer as a normal primer, as a highlighter, mixed with your moisturizer for body glow and to highlight certain parts of your face. 

Q.2 What is the best Illuminating primer?

Colors Queen Illuminating Primer is made with the best formulation and skin-loving ingredients. This primer hydrates the skin and gives a glowy, radiant finish. 

Q.3 What is the difference between primer and illuminating primer?

A regular primer prepares your skin by smoothing the skin surface for even blending and makeup application. An illuminating primer does the same but also adds glow and hydration for brighter skin and a radiant finish. 

Q.4 Do gripping primers actually work?

Yes, gripping primers do work. They create a slightly tacky base that helps foundation and other makeup adhere better to the skin, which improves wear time and helps your look stay intact for longer, especially in heat or on oily skin.

Q.5 Which primer is best for glowing skin?

An Illuminating primer is best for naturally radiant skin. This primer has light-reflecting particles that gives a light radiant finish to your makeup.