Ever since Ruby Hammer (one half of the make-up duo Ruby & Millie) gave me a makeover and practically wrestled my face powder from my hands, I've been trying to wean myself off the stuff.

It has not been an easy task, but until a few weeks ago I was pretty much powder-free and enjoying my newly glowing complexion. But then the weather started hotting up and the temptation to reach for a little something to stop my face looking suitable for egg frying became all the harder to resist.

Despite the fact that I know an all-over matt complexion is one of the quickest ways to date and age your look, I still end up thinking that, where black skin is concerned, matt is better than shiny. What I am chasing, of course, is that elusive middle ground - where my skin has a glow without looking greasy, and is matt without looking flat.

And in summer, when you don't want to look as if you're wearing much make-up, this is especially tricky. That's where primers come in. "Primers are enjoying a renaissance," says Terry Barber of Mac, which next month launches its Prep + Prime range. "It's the season of the primer. For black skin, a face primer takes away the need for powder. It leaves the skin glowing, but not oily. You get matt, but with a healthy sheen."

Anne Carullo of Estée Lauder, whose PrimeFX range is far better than I'd expected (Red Cuts Blue is great for toning down ashiness), says, "The formulas are light-catching. They invisibly retexturise the skin, so it looks immediately brighter and more radiant."

A primer goes on after your moisturiser, forming the perfect base for your make-up by blotting away excess oil, reducing redness and generally smoothing out and lifting the appearance of the skin. Whether or not you add further coverage (ie, foundation, powder or concealer) is up to you (if you do, give the primer time to settle), but try without first and you might like it.