When I first encountered TARTE Poreless Mattifying Primer I was like: what is this magic. And then, somewhere around my third tube, it started behaving differently on me, pilling up after I put it on and coming off in flakes (which I only enjoy if it’s SUPPOSED to happen). Then I tried BENEFIT The POREfessional Face Primer. It sort of worked. And sort of pilled.

Then I just stopped using primer full stop.

Then, on an extremely-cheap purchasing frenzy, I decided to try primers from The Ordinary.

The Ordinary High-Adherence Silicone Primer pills a little on me, but nothing close to what other primers did. Just a small amount on my temples down into the sides of my cheeks. Very soft and nice though. And did I mention? It’s $4.90.

The Ordinary High-Spreadability Fluid Primer is more expensive—a *whopping* $7.90! I (and the many people I’ve forced to use it) have had near-perfect results. It’s super soft, non-oily, and dewy-looking, and it magically erases any visible greasiness from the lotions you may have slathered upon yourself in many layers… And no pilling! I lerve it.