Retailers or purchases made through certain product links may pay for this article. The best eye shadow primers can make your makeup look fresh all day or make it fade before lunch. A good primer makes eye shadow look brighter, blend better, and stay put without creasing or fading with just one application. You should think of it as getting your eyelids ready for makeup. Today’s formulas do more than just hold things together. They help make the skin feel smoother, even out the skin tone, and add benefits like hydration or oil control. The right primer can make a big difference if you see fine lines around your eyes or want shimmer shades to look brighter and last longer. Here are some options that editors and artists agree on that show how to do great eye makeup before the shadow goes on.
Why Editors Love Eye Shadow Primers That Really Work
For years, editors and makeup artists have trusted the Urban Decay Eye Primer Potion. Natalie Dresher, a makeup artist in Miami who has talked to Allure before, says that it helps eye shadow last longer without settling into fine lines or feeling heavy. The formula is light and has a texture that is almost like a serum. It goes on smoothly without any buildup or patches. It feels a little sticky, which helps the shadow stay in place all day without getting sticky. The Original shade is a sheer, see-through beige, Eden is a matte beige, and Sin is a soft champagne shimmer. There is also an anti-aging version with brown algae and plumping peptides that is made for older skin. In general, this primer works for almost everyone who wants to make their eye makeup last longer.
Best All-Day Hold: Urban Decay Primer That Keeps Colour Locked Why It Stands Out
Milk Hydro Grip Eye Primer goes on clear and acts like double-sided tape for eye shadow without settling into fine lines. Patty Bell, a makeup artist from Pittsburgh, says that its thinner consistency makes it easy to blend over the delicate eyelid area. It keeps eye makeup in place for up to eight hours after you put it on. Hyaluronic acid is in the formula to add moisture and make the finish look soft and blurry. It also has blue agave for grip and niacinamide and aloe for extra moisture. Bell even says to use it under the eyes to help keep concealer from creasing, which makes it a very useful product.
Why It’s a Good Choice
Bell’s favourite cheap option is the NYX Professional Makeup Ultimate Shadow & Liner Primer. It works much better than its price would suggest. The formula is light on the skin and spreads quickly, so anyone can use it. There are four colours that look natural and can be used as a subtle cream eyeshadow on their own. These colours help hide veins and uneven skin tone while making a smooth base. The primer has vitamin E in it, which keeps your eyelids moist all day and stops them from getting dry or flaky. This is a great budget friendly choice.
Best Cheap Choice: NYX Primer That Works Like a Pro
The NARS Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base is a must-have that quietly makes every eye look better. The sheer formula goes away when you touch it, leaving behind a thin layer. Nick Barose, a makeup artist in New York City, told Allure that he likes how it holds shadow without feeling heavy or changing the colour on top. He says it’s been his go-to for decades because it really makes the pigment stand out. Rice extract and sea whip extract are in the formula to help keep the delicate skin around the eyes hydrated and safe. It feels more like skin care than regular makeup, and it keeps your skin from getting dry while also making it last longer and blend better.
The brand’s Shadow Insurance Eye Primer helps the colours in a Too Faced palette look their best. The formula has silica that absorbs oil to control shine and keep lids smooth all day. It has a silky, colourless texture that works on all skin tones and makes a good base for shadow to stick to. This makes the colours brighter, makes blending easier, and makes the makeup last longer. The waterproof formula won’t fade or smudge, even when it’s wet or humid. The brand says it can be worn for 24 hours, but it can easily last through 12-hour days, which is still pretty good. It offers long lasting oil control for daily wear.
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Why You Should Use It
There are two colours of the Laura Mercier Eye Basics Primer, and it works best to even out the colour of your eyelids. The light blue colour helps cancel out purple and pink undertones, like redness and veins that you can see. The peach colour makes skin that looks dull look brighter and more awake. Both powder and cream formulas make eyelids look smooth and balanced, and eye shadow stays in place all day. The formula also helps the skin by using aloe to calm and hydrate it, lanolin acid to keep moisture in, and safflower seed oil to feed the skin. It provides a smooth and balanced finish.
