The New Urban Decay Complexion Primer Line Will Fix All Your Skin Problems

When it comes to eyeshadow primers, not much compares to the the Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion. Which is why the recently announced launch of Urban Decay Complexion Primer is pretty major beauty news. The creamy, non-drying eye shadow primer keeps even the most intricately layered Naked palette look on lock down, even if you rub your eyes, or go to sleep with your makeup on. (What kind of a Neanderthal would do that? [Hand raised.])

Next year, the company is releasing five facial primers targeting specific skin concerns (more on that later). Unlike some of the more colorfully named products—Druggie and Plague come to mind—the quintet of primers have pretty unassuming titles. We broke down all of the new Complexion Primers and their benefits, so you can find out which one you're going to want to scoop up first. And full disclosure: We actually want them all.

*If you're serious about sun protection... * The Urban Defense Complexion Primer is basically a clear sunscreen, which is a relief for those who hate the mime-like chalkiness of zinc-filled white ones. With SPF 30, the translucent gel shields UV and UVB rays while plugging gaping pores. We're into this formulation for two reasons. First off, a crystal-clear sunscreen is kind of unicorn-rare, and two, it allows diligent complexion carers to narrow sunscreen and priming down to one quick step.

If you've been looking for the Fountain of Youth... The pearlescent Bright & Tight Complexion Primer contains a proprietary blend of brightening vitamin C and B12, which has been linked to skin cell regeneration. Hydrating hyaluronic acid and strengthening niacinamide are other impressive additions to help soften fine lines both à la minute and over time.

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More from Urban Decay:

1. Urban Decay’s Newest Palette Is Far From Basic
2. The New Urban Decay Naked Launch Is Not For Your Lids
3. Now You Can Buy Urban Decay's P-E-R-F-E-C-T Rainbow Palette

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If you have a hard time picking the right color corrector... Little beads of pigment are suspended in an opaque putty-hued cream. Once you rub it into your skin, the baubles are gently ruptured. Keep blending and more pigment is released to blur and even skin tone; if you only need a bit of coverage, a few hasty circles will probably do the trick. A longer massage would cover darker marks.

If your skin is an oil-slick by noon... The De-Slick Complexion Primer combines the natural clay derivative veegum with silica to sop up and absorb even the most persistent oily patches. What's even better is that your makeup can go over it, which could eliminate the need for overly-matte glow-erasing translucent powders.

If you crave a camera-free soft focus effect... Think of the Optical Illusion Complexion Primer as an IRL Snapchat filter. Instead of swiping your phone screen to get to that skin-smoothing filter, this pink-tinted wonder does all the work with cushiony pigments to brighten and blur skin divots, dark circles, and blemishes. A splash of botanical oils also lends your complexion a quenched and invigorated finish.

Our number one question after reviewing this launch is probably the same as yours. Can they be used together, because choosing between the SPF and the color-corrector, or the oil-zapper and the skin-blurrer sounds like a real bummer. Happily, the answer is a resounding yes. The primers can be cocktailed just like you would with multi-masking. For example, you could multi-prime with the De-Slick Complexion Primer along your T-zone and Bright & Tight on your cheeks and crow's feet for a highlighting lift.

Each item in the Urban Decay Complexion Primer collection is $34. The set launches January 1st on urbandecay.com.

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Now, learn more about the magic of primer:

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