Make Your Eye Makeup Game Strong With the Best Eyeshadow Primers

What could be more frustrating than putting your time and energy into creating an intricate eye makeup look only for it to melt away in a few hours? To avoid a pool of glittery, shimmery shadows beneath your eyes, it’s high time you look for a product that makes your eye makeup last. Just like face primers preps the skin for a flawless base, eye primers prepare and prime your eyelids for shadows to shine. Eye primer not only keeps your eye makeup fresh and clean, but it also enhances the look of your shadows with great color payoffs. 

Therefore, a good eyelid primer that lasts is essential. But with so many eyelid primers available on the market, it can be overwhelming to find the one that is perfect for you. To help you, we created this buying guide with tips and factors you must consider before getting yourself an eye primer. Read on to discover some high-quality eyeshadow primers and create a look that lasts.

Comparing Most Premium Eyeshadow Primer 

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion — Best Overall

This classic Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer holds cult status in the world of eyeshadow primers as it checks all the boxes. It contains powerful ingredients like dermaxyl to smooth uneven textures and kalpariane for firmer, brighter, and plumper skin. Also, this pick utilizes polymer technology and is loaded with hydrating and anti-aging elements to fight wrinkles and dryness. The ultra-lightweight formula with serum-like consistency is non-drying and blends like a dream. 

Powerful and effective, it now comes in four shades that mostly compliment every skin tone. The original shade is still iconic, as it delivers a transparent natural finish and sets the base beautifully for any eyeshadow for as long as you want. In contrast, eden and sin shade have a matte and shimmer finish. At last, the portion with an anti-aging shade is ideal for mature skin and is full of fine lines and wrinkles. It ensures that powder or liquid shadows stay in place for hours without creasing. Keeping the oils at bay makes this product the best overall on our list.  

COVERGIRL Lid Lock Up Eyeshadow Primer — Best Budget

This COVERGIRL Lid Lock Up Eyeshadow Primer is a fan favorite. With this in your makeup arsenal, you needn’t worry about your eyeshadow smearing as it locks it beautifully, thus delivering ultimate eyeshadow security to your eyes. So be it a smoky or a pop of shimmery colors, unleash your inner artist to give yourself a look that lasts. Its water-resistant formula provides full coverage to your eyelids and is suitable for all skin types. 

This product is easy to apply with its applicator wand and feels practically weightless on your eyes. Also, it is cruelty-free, which earns this drugstore primer more bonus points. So if you want a primer that holds your shadows in their place without budging or creasing, this pick is ideal for you. Plus, it doesn’t break your bank, all the more reason to buy.

ILlA Brightening Eyeshadow Primer — Best Splurge

If you want your eyeshadow to stick while popping out, this ILIA Brightening Eyeshadow Primer is for you. This organic, non-fragrance product is curated from natural clean ingredients that do wonders for your skin. Having a rich blend of botanicals, aloe to soothe, arnica to de-puff, rosehip seed oil to brighten, and jojoba to nourish, this pick absorbs excess oil expertly. It leaves behind a prep and prime stage for your shadows to last. 

Plus, this product is vegan-friendly and cruelty-free. This primer not only enhances the look of your eyeshadow. Also, it can be worn on its own for an illuminating glow with its subtle shimmer finish. So if luxe is what you desire, this pick is perfect for you with its remarkable multi-purpose functionality. 

Bare Minerals Eyeshadow Primer — Best Oil Control

Are you having trouble with your eyeshadow slipping into the creases or after some time? If yes, this Bare Minerals Eyeshadow Primer is your ultimate solution. This lightweight creamy formula does an excellent job of combating excess oil to keep your eyeshadow look flawless. So if you are exhausted from your eyeshadow fading away, thanks to your oily eyelids, this product is a gem for you. 

Also, having a silky texture, it glides smoothly and blends effortlessly into your skin. It delivers a sheer, soft finish while enhancing your shadow pigmentation and keeping it intense for long hours. Plus, it is also paraben, gluten, and cruelty-free, making this primer all the more clean and hard to resist.

Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Eyeshadow Primer — Best Vegan

This Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Eyeshadow Primer is ideal for all cream and powder shadows as it delivers a smooth base. Formulated with skin-loving ingredients like hyaluronic acid to hydrate, niacinamide to prevent excess sebum accumulation, and aloe water to calm, this pick outshines itself, among many others. It is a phenomenal eyeshadow primer and works as an excellent under-eye primer, too, for your concealer to stay at its place. 

This pick is lightweight and has a clear formula with a sheer finish that is ideal for all skin types. It also gives a youthful appearance by blurring fine lines and wrinkles. Also, this product instantly dries and ensures a smudge-proof eyeshadow look. Plus, being cruelty and paraben free, this primer is as natural as it can be. 

Buying Guide: Eyeshadow Primers 

Here’s a list of all things you must consider before buying an eyeshadow primer: 

Lasting power 

A good eyeshadow primer should be effective for at least 8 to 16 hours. Lasting power is crucial as it determines how long you can carry your eye makeup without fading or creasing away. 

Lightweight 

Nobody wants to apply a product that is heavy and feels bulky on the skin. A good eyeshadow primer must be lightweight for easy blending. If your primer feels heavy on lids, it might lead to more greasiness rather than preventing it. The improper absorption of the product may result in its residue building up. That residue might settle in creases or fine lines making your eyes appear more hooded than before. Also, it may result in patches on your shadow as well. So for an eye primer, it is essential to be weightless for it to spread evenly and smoothly, making your eyelids appear ready for eyeshadow application. 

Waterproof 

Check for labels on the product you plan to buy. Keep an eye out for words like waterproof or water-resistant. Especially if you are living in humid temperatures, getting yourself a waterproof primer is essential. It ensures the non-slippage of powder or cream shadows into your eyes.  

Vibrant

The purpose of the eye primer is not just to stick your shadows but also to maintain its color as fresh as it was applied. Primers give a vibrant touch to your eyeshadow color as it enhances the pigment and makes it more pop. So look for one that will increase the vibrancy and glow of your eye shadow. 

Tips to Make Most of Your Eyeshadow Primer 

• Before applying eye primer, ensure your face is thoroughly cleansed and moisturized. 
• At least wait a few seconds for your eye cream to sink properly. 
• If you plan on going with the heavy or dark look, doing your eye makeup first is best.  
• When applying eyeshadow primer, don’t go overboard. A little product goes a long way. 
• If your eye primer is liquid based, take a small amount on the applicator and dab it lightly onto your eyelids. Use your ring finger to blend it well in an outwards motion. 
• If it’s a creamy eyeshadow primer, apply a tiny amount of it on a brush and spread gently on your eyelids. Use sponge or your fingers to blend it well.
• Remember to blend the primer gently, as the skin of your eyes is delicate. 
• Don’t wait to coat both eyes first if you’re using a quick-drying eyelid primer. As soon as you are done applying primer on one eyelid, begin your eyeshadow applicator and then move to the other eye. 
• Finish your eye makeup followers with eyeliner and mascara to enhance the look of your eyes more. 
• It can brighten your eyes.

Frequently Asked Questions