Prep and set beauty products have started to become some of my favorite categories in my makeup routine! I used to be drawn to the latest eyeshadow palette or concealer (and I still am). But primers and setting products – which I’ve affectionately called prep and set products – are slowly but surely making me a believer! I was scrolling through the new arrivals on Ulta’s website which I’m usually found doing at 10:30pm laying in bed. And I was noticing soooo many new affordable prep and set beauty under $15.
Up until about 2 years ago, I had never really heard of primers or setting sprays. And then once I knew they were a thing, I didn’t really see the point. I would use them and rarely see any results so usually just didn’t bother. But as I’ve tested more and more, I’m discovering that they are kind of like skincare in that you really have to try a lot to find what works for you and in combination with the other products you use. So I’ve been on a hunt for primers and setting products that I actually believe in and see a difference when I use them.
I did a roundup of the best ones from the drugstore that you can check out here
Best Drugstore Prep + Set Products For Your Makeup
I love seeing affordable brands expanding their assortments to offer a wider variety of prep and set products. The bigger brands like Maybelline, L’Oreal, Covergirl, etc. have already made some good strides with these products. Maybelline makes one my favorite hydrating primers and they have a pretty great assortment of primers they launched not too long ago. But it’s even more exciting to see some medium/small brands coming out with their versions like Catrice, Makeup Revolution, and Wet n Wild.
I’ve grouped these new affordable prep and set beauty under $15 by category. Some of the setting sprays are also multi-tasking sprays that can be used to prime, set, refresh, etc.
FACE PRIMERS
// Revlon PhotoReady Rose Glow Hydrating + Illuminating Primer – $13.99
My dry skin girls will love this. I love pairing a hydrating primer with a matte foundation. I have normal/dry skin so usually don’t use matte foundation. But used with a hydrating primer underneath, it makes a great combination for a satin finish!
// e.l.f. Poreless Putty Primer – $8.00
I don’t know how new this is buuut I know it’s been out of stock for a while. And I know this because it’s been labeled as a dupe for the Tatcha Silk Canvas Primer and I’ve been wanting to get this my hands on it. Instead of paying $52 for Tatcha, spend $8 on this instead!
// Makeup Revolution Pore Blur Primer – $8.00
Who doesn’t love a good pore filling/blurring primer?! And it already has 5 stars on Ulta so probably worth picking up!
// Catrice Prime and Fine Aqua Fresh Hydro Primer – $7.99
This reminds me a lot of the Maybelline hydrating primer I mentioned earlier. I’m definitely testing this out to see which one is better.
// Wet n Wild PhotoFocus Water Drop Primer – $4.99
Wet n Wild released primer sprays earlier this year in 3 scents (which I included in the setting sprays category below). Now it looks like they are expanding these into primers as well. One of the notable ingredients is hyaluronic acid which is a great hydrant for your skin! It’s also supposed to blur your pores. For $5, it’s definitely worth trying!
// Catrice 1 Minute Face Perfector – $7.99
The product I’m the most intrigued by out of them all is this one! It sounds like this is mousse primer. There are already two 5 star reviews and both claim the pore filling/smoothing properties are great. I’m skeptical about the color adapting to my skin tone but I think it’s worth spending the $8 just to find out!
SETTING SPRAYS / MULTI-TASKERS
// Maybelline Lasting Fix Makeup Setting Spray – $9.99 (online only at Ulta)
Sounds like the Urban Decay De-Slick Setting Spray or a matte version of the Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray to me…my oily friends need to check this out and report back!
// NYX Bare With Me Multitasking Spray – $10.00
Love a good multi-tasking spray that can be used so many different ways.
// L’Oreal True Match Lumi Shake & Glow Dew Mist – $14.99
I’ve seen this mentioned as a dupe for the Tatcha Dewy Skin Mist which is $48.
// Wet n Wild PhotoFocus Water Drop Primer (Spray) – $5.49
The Wet N Wild face primer mentioned above will hydrate and blur pores to create a great surface for foundation. This primer spray will offer hydration as well as act as a setting spray to set your makeup in place or refresh it. If you wanting a primer, the spray might be better for oily skin while the primer in the tube above might be better for normal/dry skin.
EYE PRIMERS
// Makeup Revolution Cut Crease Canvas Eyeshadow Base – $9.00
Perfect your cut crease eyeshadow look with this product! I love that it comes with a brush for easy application. You certainly don’t need this product to get a cut crease. But if you need some extra help, this would be perfect for you.
// Makeup Revolution Prime & Lock Eye Primer – $9.00
Love that Makeup Revolution is coming out with an eyeshadow primer. They have so many amazing eyeshadow palettes that it’s about time!
// Catrice Liquid Camouflage Under Eye Primer – $5.99
Never heard of an under eye primer until now but they’ve got my attention! I struggle with dry under eyes which could partly be due to my laziness in applying eye cream but that’s a separate issue 🙂 It’s supposed to VISIBLY fill fine lines. Wow…! I’m so intrigued that I have to try this!
What are you excited to test out? Do you struggle with finding good prep and set products like I do or do you have holy grails that you love and see a difference with? All these new affordable prep and set beauty under $15 have got me super excited to keep trying out some new things in the hopes of finding something I can’t live without.
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