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When it comes to makeup, nobody wants the eyeshadow that they just worked hard on, to smear or disappear throughout the day, which is why eyelid primers are a necessity. Eyelid primer is usually a sheer or nude liquid that goes onto the lids as a base in order to make your eyeshadow more vibrant while keeping it in place all day.
We rounded up some of our favorite eyelid primers that are super lightweight and make applying your eyeshadow seamless and easy. Once you start using a primer, you’re not going to want to go back because you will notice a huge difference in the pigmentation of all of your favorite shadows. Plus, if you have a wedding, event, or function, you don’t have to worry about your makeup smearing because the primer keeps everything in place.
No matter what you’re looking for or what skin type you have, we rounded up our top eyelid primer picks that you will be sure to love and you can see them all below!
Compare the Top Eyelid Primers of 2024
Elizabeth Mott Thank Me Later Eye Shadow Base — Best Overall
This long-wear eye primer is a must-have because it’s 100% cruelty-free, lightweight, and non-greasy. Even better, it dries smoothly within seconds, so you’re left with a smooth base that keeps your eyeshadow crease-free. Plus, the primer is infused with pearl powder which evens out your skin tone and combats oil. There’s also a money back guarantee if you are not happy with your purchase.
Pros
- There’s a money back guarantee
Cons
- It’s only .48 ounces
e.l.f. Shadow Lock Eyelid Primer — Runner Up
This sheer eyelid primer is an absolute must to keep in your makeup bag. Not only is it cruelty-free, but it also has a super lightweight formula that allows your eyeshadow to stay in place all day long, plus, it boosts the vibrancy of all your shadow colors and doesn’t crease your makeup. It’s also free from phthalates, parabens, nonylphenol, ethoxylates, triclosan, triclocarban, & hydroquinone.
Pros
- It is completely sheer
Cons
- It may take a while to dry
Ruby Kisses 24 HR Eyeshadow Magic Primer — Honorable Mention
Perfect for everyday makeup use, this ultra-sheer primer is lightweight and easily glides on the lids. It dries instantly on the lids and maintains a vibrant shadow color that stays in place all day for a full 24 hours. Even better, it comes with a sponge-tip applicator that makes putting it on super easy.
Pros
- It comes with a sponge-tip applicator
Cons
- A little goes a long way
Milani Eyeshadow Primer — Contender
You will be obsessed with this vegan primer which is lightweight and non-sticky. It keeps your makeup in place for over eight hours, goes on nude and dries sheer, and minimizes creasing. Simply blend the primer on your eyelids and let it sit for 30 seconds before applying your shadow. Once it is dry, it will immediately add vibrancy and staying power to any eyeshadow.
Pros
- It is non-sticky
Cons
- It takes 30 seconds to dry
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Proof It! Waterproof Eyeshadow Primer — Also Consider
If you want maximum staying power and don’t want your eyeshadow to budge at all throughout the day, then this primer is for you. Since it is waterproof, you don’t have to worry about the weather, and you can literally wear the boldest eye makeup looks through the humidity, rain, snow, and even to the beach, without worrying it’s going to smear. It is 100% cruelty-free and is never tested on animals.
Pros
- It is waterproof
Cons
- It may take a while to remove
Buying Guide: Eyelid Primers
To make sure that your eyeshadow retains its vibrancy throughout the day, you’re going to need a solid eyelid primer. This guide will cover everything you need to know to identify the right product for your needs!
What Are Eyelid Primers?
Eyelid primers are a type of makeup product that you apply around your eyelids. The goal of it is to even out your skin and provide a good base for you to apply eyeshadow on.
Eyelid primers are a great way to make eyeshadow last longer than usual. They can also help minimize creasing in eyeshadow, a common issue that can be difficult to deal with otherwise.
Why Eyelid Primers Work
Eyelid primer, on paper, seems like an unnecessary step in your makeup routine. After all, eyeshadow does stay in place even without primer, right? So, why even bother? Well, eyelid primers are effective not because of how they change the way your skin looks, but because of how they support makeup applied after it, such as eyeshadow.
The skin around your eyelids isn’t perfect. There are bound to be some uneven areas, and since eyelids move around a lot, this can lead to a lot of friction over time. No matter what type of makeup you apply on your eyelids, it won’t be able to last for very long - that is unless it’s made specifically for the eyelids.
Eyeshadow primers applied before eyeshadow, and they set the stage for your eyeshadow to shine. Uneven parts of the skin are smoothed out, and they can even hold your shadow in place in such a way that it won’t result in creases or folds.
Eyelid Primers vs Face Primer
Eyelid primers are actually pretty similar to another kind of makeup product - face primers. As the name suggests, face primer is something that you apply directly on your skin before putting on foundation. It “primes” your skin to a state that makes it easy for makeup to stick, and it allows you to wear makeup all day without the risk of it fading away.
Perhaps the most beneficial aspect of face primer is the fact that you can use it to prevent oil buildup on the face. This is useful whether or not you have makeup on, which is why many people use it regardless of what their makeup routine will be for the day.
Eyelid primers serve the same function as facial primers - they prepare your skin for other makeup products. However, eyelid primers are far more specific in terms of application, as they’re only meant for the eyelid area. On the other hand, facial primer is a general product applied all over the face.
Applying Eyelid Primer
Finding the right applicator
Before you put on that primer, you’ll need something to apply the primer with. There are many types of applicators in makeup - you’ve got sponges, brushes, pencils, and more. For eye shadow primers, however, your options are more limited.
Because primers are usually cream-based, you can only really use sponges or your fingers to apply the primer over your eyelids. Fingers are the de-facto choice, as they’re the easiest to use and also don’t require any external tools. However, if you’ve got sensitive eyes, then it may not be a good idea to push your finger up so closely to your eyelids.
Sponges offer a somewhat safer alternative to fingers. They’re softer and won’t cause any injuries on their own. The only issue is that you won’t be able to be very precise with your application, and it can be quite difficult to get used to the motions.
Doing the motions
When applying the primer to your eyelids, use gentle, circular strokes. The key is to get every inch of your eyelid evenly covered. Of course, you can’t see very well with one eye closed and another eye likely obstructed by your hand, so you’ll either need to ask someone else to do it or get a feel for it with your skin instead.
Remember that when applying the cream using your fingers, be extra careful. Our brain prevents us from intentionally poking our eyes, but you can easily nudge your finger the wrong way if you aren’t careful. Be in a comfortable position as you apply the cream and don’t make any unnecessary movements, and you should be a-okay.
When to Drop the Primer
Generally, you almost always want to use the primer alongside your eyeshadow, as that’s the entire purpose of the primer. Conversely, you also don’t really need to put on the primer if you don’t plan on using any eyeshadow. Think of eyelid primer as an additional step in the eyeshadow process.
