This velvety-smooth, invisiblur primer with advanced skin benefits glides over skin, reducing the appearance of pores, fine lines and uneven texture.
If you’ve been in the makeup community for a while and you’re looking for ways to improve your skills, a primer is definitely a great place to start. There are many different types of primers on the market in different price ranges. One of the most popular ones is the Murad Hydration Invisiblur Perfecting Shield! The problem is that it is just way out of a lot of people’s budget.
The Murad Hydration Invisiblur Perfecting Shield Primer is a holy grail product for so many people, but it also in the higher price range. Since most people can’t find room in their budget to afford it, we’ve rounded up some more affordable dupes that work just as well. Our favorite is Smashbox Photo Finish Oil-Free Pore Minimizing Primer. But you truly can’t go wrong with any of the primers on this list!
Murad Hydration Invisiblur Perfecting Shield Dupes
1. Smashbox Photo Finish Oil-Free Pore Minimizing Primer
This oil-free, mattifying face primer instantly blurs flaws, reduces the appearance of pores and controls oil for up to 8 hours.
Smashbox is one of the most popular high-end makeup brands. By far, their biggest bestseller are their primers. That’s why we have chosen the Photo Finish Oil-Free Pore Minimizing Primer is our favorite dupe!
This primer is completely free from oils which is great for oily skin. But it is great for all skin types ranging from super oily to super dry. It even is great for sensitive or acne-prone skin. It is able to blur any pores, fine lines, or wrinkles you have on your skin. It mattifies your foundation’s finish and controls any oil or shine on your skin all day long. It makes your makeup last for long periods of time without needing to touch it up. Also, it is cruelty-free and vegan!
One of the only downfalls of this product is that it can be out of some people’s budget still. However, it is much less than the Murad Hydration Invisiblur Primer.
Pros:
- Oil-free
- Suitable for all skin types
- Mattifies foundation
- Minimizes the appearance of pores, fine lines, and wrinkles
- Controls shine
- Makes your makeup last longer
- Cruelty-free and vegan
Cons:
- Can still be out of some people’s budget
Where to buy it: Amazon
2. Estee Lauder The Smoother Universal Perfecting Primer
This lightweight primer optically perfects your skin, diffusing the look of pores and imperfections.
Estee Lauder is another extremely popular makeup brand and it has been for years. Their Smoother Universal Perfecting Primer is an amazing dupe for the one by Murad.
This primer is great for all skin types (both oily and dry). It also is great for more sensitive or acne-prone skin. It feels very lightweight on the skin – So much so that you won’t even notice you are wearing any primer. It smooths out the texture of the skin by smoothing out any bumps or acne. In addition, in minimizes the appearance of pores on the skin. It is very easy to apply and great for beginners. Also, it is relatively pretty affordable!
Unfortunately, it does not appear that Estee Lauder is 100% cruelty-free or vegan as of right now.
Pros:
- Suitable for all skin types
- Feels lightweight
- Smooths out skin’s texture
- Minimizes the appearance of pores
- Easy to apply
- Affordable
Cons:
- Not cruelty-free nor vegan
Where to buy it: Amazon | ULTA
3. Maybelline FaceStudio Master Prime Blur + Pore Minimize Primer
This primer is formulated with a water-soluble base and active ingredients that refine the look and feel of your skin and keep makeup in place from morning to night.
If we’re talking about drugstore makeup, Maybelline is probably one of the first brands you think of. They have been one of the most popular drugstore brands in the makeup section for years now. Their FaceStudio Master Prime Blur + Pore Minimize Primer is a great, budget-friendly dupe for the Murad Invisiblur Primer!
Hence the name, Maybelline FaceStudio Master Prime Blur + Pore Minimize Primer is great of minimizing the appearance of pores on the skin. It smooths out the skin’s texture and makes the skin feel and look much more soft and supple. It is completely free from oils and it feels super lightweight on the skin. It also reduces any redness on the skin. And like we mentioned before, this is a very budget-friendly option!
For people with super oily skin, this primer might feel greasy or too much for your skin. It is much better suited for combination, normal, and dry skin. Maybelline is another brand that is not cruelty-free or vegan.
Pros:
- Minimizes the appearance of pores
- Smooths out skin’s texture
- Free from oils
- Feels lightweight
- Reduces redness
- Budget-friendly
Cons:
- Not suited for oily skin types
- Not cruelty-free nor vegan
Where to buy it: ULTA
4. Morphe Equalizer Foundation Primer
This primer blurs and softens imperfections for that hi-def makeup you crave.
If you want the quality of high-end makeup for the price of drugstore brands, Morphe is going to be your best friend! Their products are great quality, but they won’t put a dent in your wallet. The Equalizer Foundation Primer is another one of our favorite dupes.
Morphe Equalizer Foundation Primer blurs all imperfections on the skin including pores, fine lines, and wrinkles. It feels very lightweight on the skin, as you really only need a thin layer of it. It makes the skin feel very soft and smooth. It is free from oils and parabens, and it is cruelty-free. Also, it is very budget-friendly.
For people with dry skin, this primer might not be suited for your skin. It is not very moisturizing, and it is more suited for normal, combination, and oily skin. Also, if you use too much, it can begin to feel heavy on the skin. Like we mentioned, you really only need a very thin layer with this product.
Pros:
- Minimizes the appearance of pores, fine lines, and wrinkles
- Feels lightweight
- Only need a small amount for the entire face
- Makes the skin feel soft and smooth
- Free from oils and parabens
- Cruelty-free
- Budget-friendly
Cons:
- Not suited for dry skin types
- If you use too much, it can feel too heavy or greasy
Where to buy it: ULTA
5. NYX Professional Makeup Angel Veil Skin Perfecting Primer
This silky, satin primer features a light and fresh formula that creates a comfortable cushion to enhance your skin.
NYX Profession Makeup is a huge fan favorite in the drugstore makeup section. The quality of their products is hard to ignore – especially for the affordable price. Their Angel Veil Skin Perfecting Primer is another great dupe for the Murad Invisiblur Primer.
NYX Angel Veil Skin Perfecting Primer is suitable for all skin types ranging from super oily to super dry. It even is great for more sensitive or acne-prone skin. It feels very lightweight on the skin so you won’t even notice you’re wearing much makeup. It minimizes and controls shine throughout the day. It is moisturizing without being greasy at all. It is super easy to apply. Also, it is cruelty-free, vegan, and affordable!
One of the main complaints about this product is that it can leave a white cast on the skin. You have to make sure it is very blended out. Also, it is best only to use a small amount.
Pros:
- Suitable for all skin types
- Feels lightweight
- Minimizes and controls shine all day long
- Moisturizing, but not greasy
- Easy to apply
- Cruelty-free and vegan
- Affordable
Cons:
- Can leave a white cast on the skin
Where to buy it: Amazon
6. E.L.F. Cosmetics Poreless Face Primer
This face primer has a restorative base that will give your face a baby-soft finish—filling in pores, imperfections, and wrinkles.
Laslty, we have the E.L.F. Cosmetics Poreless Face Primer. E.L.F. Cosmetics is another drugstore favorite in the makeup community for their great quality products, but affordable prices.
E.L.F. Cosmetics Poreless Face Primer helps to reduce the appearance of pores, fine lines, and wrinkles. It is suitable for all skin types including oily, dry, combination, normal, sensitive, and acne-prone skin. It feels super lightweight on the skin, so you won’t even feel it on the skin once your blend it in. It has Tea Tree Oil and Vitamins A + E in it which is greatly beneficial in nourishing and restoring the skin. This primer makes your makeup stay in place all day long. Also, E.L.F. Cosmetics is cruelty-free, vegan, and budget-friendly!
One complaint reviewers have about this product is the scent. For a lot of people, the smell was just way too overpowering. Also, it can feel greasy on the skin if you apply too much.
Pros:
- Reduces the appearance of pores, fine lines, and wrinkles
- Suitable for all skin types
- Feels lightweight
- Nourishes the skin
- Makes makeup stay in place all day long
- Cruelty-free and vegan
- Budget-friendly
Cons:
- Overpowering scent
- Can feel greasy if you apply too much
Where to buy it: Amazon
Final Thoughts
Even though the Murad Hydration Invisiblur Perfecting Shield is an amazing primer that works wonders for so many people, it just is not very budget-friendly. For those of you on a budget, try one of these low-cost dupes that work just as well! Our favorite has to be Smashbox Photo Finish Oil-Free Pore Minimizing Primer. But any of the primers that we have listed would be great options as well.