Obvious foundation streaks, noticeable pores, redness around the nose — these are all makeup blunders on par with a glaringly large flake of spinach stuck between your teeth. Napoleon Perdis, celebrity makeup artist and beauty brand founder, says these makeup faux pas can be avoided by adding one simple step to your morning routine: applying makeup primer

"Not to prime is a crime," says Perdis. "It's been my career-long mantra. It helps finesse your foundation, helping your skin stay flawless longer." And it's not just Perdis. Celebrity makeup artists everywhere stress the importance of priming. Makuep primers are crucial at keeping oil at bay while filling in fine lines and providing a smooth canvas for your foundation to stick to, says celebrity makeup artist Charlie Green. Now that we've converted you into a primer believer, here are tips to help you choose the best one for you:

Skin tone: Primers come in different hues to address specific skin concerns. Green-colored primers will combat redness from rosacea or acne. Mauve/light purple counteracts sallow undertones, while pink helps brighten complexions.

Skin type: First, figure out whether you have oily, dry or combination skin. Then, choose a primer that is suited for those needs.

Once you've got the right formula, apply the primer after your moisturizer. "It's like waterproofing your skin," says Jim Hammer, a cosmetic chemist at Pharmasol Labs in Easton, Mass. If you apply it before your day cream or sunscreen, those water-based products can't penetrate through to reach your skin. "If you smooth [the primer] on after, your skin can absorb your moisturizer before the primer forms a slick film on top of it," says Hammer.

See what our readers think are the best makeup primers out there.

Image via Imaxtree