Generic Hydrating Face Primer – Smoothing Makeup Base & Pore Minimizer

Curated from 133 real Reddit conversations

Refreshed on: March 29, 2025

Generic Hydrating Face Primer – Smoothing Makeup Base & Pore Minimizer

Brand: Generic
Price: $9
Snoop Score:
6.7
Sentiment
5.2
Popularity
6.8
Technical
7.2

Snoop's Take

Hydrating Face Primer by Generic is a lightweight, moisturizing makeup base designed to smooth skin, minimize pores, and extend makeup wear. It creates a flawless surface that helps foundation glide on effortlessly and remain fresh throughout the day. Consumer chatter swirls around its benefits, with one user noting, “It not only keeps oiliness at bay for my eyelids, but the shadows look more vibrant and last longer as well,” although some debate whether its compatibility with various foundations is hit-or-miss. Overall, despite a few caveats regarding foundation pairing, the product is recommended within its category for those seeking a hydrating, non-sticky base that supports long-lasting makeup application. The product stands out by marrying hydrating ingredients with a smoothing finish, perfect for daily routines and more demanding special occasions. Community feedback lauds its hydrating properties, with many noting improvements in makeup longevity and skin texture. However, a segment of users remains skeptical about its performance with different foundation types, emphasizing the importance of pairing similar bases. In sum, while it may not be a one-size-fits-all solution, the primer earns our nod as a solid contender in the hydrating primer space. For anyone weighing their options, the consensus suggests that this product does what it says with a few caveats to consider. Balancing hydration, smooth application, and oil control, it is a recommended choice for users with varying skin types who are willing to experiment with foundation combinations for optimal performance.

Not for you? Check out our other rated Foundation Primers

I never use primer because I never believed they would make much of a difference.

Positive Feedback

I’ll share that this really did not work for me at all.

Negative Feedback
Product
6.7
Generic Hydrating Face Primer – Smoothing Makeup Base & Pore Minimizer
Daily Makeup Routine
3 / 10
Special Occasions
3 / 10
Sensitive & Acne-Prone Skin
4 / 10
Anti-Aging Support
2 / 10
See how this compares to all Foundation Primers

What it does well!

Key strengths users can’t stop talking about.
Good skin prep enhances makeup longevity
I never use primer because I never believed they would make much of a difference.
Good skin prep and primer is key to any make up not moving.
This is the seventh post in the weekly Best/Worst of Thread series so we can update the Best/Worst lists for 2018!
It not only keeps oiliness at bay for my eyelids, but the shadows look more vibrant and last longer as well.
Helps foundation apply smoothly
It is going to completely depend on your skin type.
I find that the siliconey ones are very hit or miss, they often make my makeup slip off/move around even faster.
Provides hydration for dry skin
I thought it would help my makeup look more “glowy”.

Where it needs some work!

Areas to watch—feedback on possible improvements.
Doesn't work well with all foundations
I’ll share that this really did not work for me at all.
That elf primer is really finicky in terms of which foundations it works with.
Best primer and foundation COMBO for dry skin.
A good option for your needs might be the e.l.f. Hydrating Face Primer.
Can make skin look too plastic
For me, primer makes my skin look too plastic.
May not work with all foundation types
Using an oil based moisturiser, a silicon based primer, and a water based foundation, can cause the products to slide off the skin instead of setting onto it.

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Core Power Plays

The specs and strengths that make it shine.
Personal experiences with other primers
I was disappointed with the L'Oreal poreless primer.
This is THE ONLY primer that I will ever use.
Elf Powergrip has kept my face on for 10+ hours in southern heat and humidity without fail.
I absolutely love the L’Oréal Pore Minimizer.

Hidden Hero Hacks

Unexpected tricks and side‑door uses you’ll love.
Using less product can improve application
the only thing is that less is more with this stuff.
sometimes less really is more!
Sometimes I even wear the primer without foundation just to get a natural, dewy look.
Discussion on letting moisturizer dry before makeup
Let it dry after your cleansing and moisturising and THEN apply another light coat if you need maybe 5 min before the makeup.
I'm also curious, is it better to let moisturizer dry or put on makeup soon after?

Buyer’s Cheat Sheet

What to check before you click ‘Add to Cart.’
Looking for budget-friendly primer options
I love the NYX Angel Veil for smoothing skin, blurring pores, and oil control.
Best Drugstore Primer.
some of them are okay and some others are really bad in my experience.
I want a primer that can help me create a flawless base.
Concerns about compatibility with different foundations
it’s not just finding a great one but you gotta find a great one that works with everything else.
weirdly this one didn't work very well for me!
Primer has never made my makeup look better.
I was wondering if it would be helpful to do dewy makeup but to spray it with matte finishing spray.
Concerns about primer compatibility
I was always told not to mix them as it can cause separation and not look very good 😊
Discussion on various budget-friendly primer options
I'm looking for a cheap, drugstore primer for my dry skin.
Milani Supercharged Dewy Skin Primer always makes my skin feel hydrated and nice.
NYX plump right back primer
Comparison of various foundations and their performance with primers
I'll just have to keep looking around and try to find one that matches me and won't dry me out!
it works really well, you can also use it for wrinkles and pores.
it does a fantastic job at preventing creases under my eyes.
Budget-friendly primer options discussed
I just felt so oily and messy and my makeup looked so “used” by the end of the day.
Definitely expensive, but worth it in my opinion.
I could get hit by a car and my makeup wouldn't budge.
It’s pricey but you only need a little bit, so it lasts a long time.
Discussion on primer compatibility with skin types
this primer hasn’t made me breakout.

Cautionary Callouts

Know the pitfalls before they catch you off guard.
Personal experiences with different primers
These products definitely make a difference!
my makeup is flawless for 12+ hours.
Discussion on ineffective primers for preventing creasing
I have tried lots of eyeshadow primers and face primers to prevent creasing in my smile lines but no luck :(
That foundation never really dried down for me.
Discussion on primers that do not pill
Pilling is so annoying to me, and the only primer I've found that doesn't pill is a super expensive non-AB one.
typically the trick is to match the base of your primer (and moisturizer and sunscreen) to your foundation.
No silicone primers are imo glorified moisturizers.
Pilling is up there with the most offensive of product crimes imo so I’ll share what I’ve liked and approaches that helped me :)
Personal experiences with specific primers
This Japanese primer has won Cosme prizes, so it's good for those with oily skin.
Cezanne make keep base never pills on me.

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