Whether you are shopping on a drugstore budget or want to splurge for something high-end, you have plenty of options at your fingertips when it comes to eye primers.
If you find a good one, the a good eye primer will keep all of your shadow detail work exactly where you put it, free of creases and smudging. However, we do understand that picking out the good from the bad isn’t as easy as it seems.
Not sure which brands are worth the purchase? Don’t worry, because you can find the best eye primer for your lids by comparing the top brands in this detailed guide below.
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How to Successfully Choose an Eye Shadow Primer
Now that you have had a look at the top primers in our list, it’s time to decide which one is the best eye primer for your skin type and budget.
One of the best ways to choose a primer is by looking for one that matches your skin type, and in our table, we have listed this info to make your search quick and easy.
- Mature Skin. So many products out there are designed with the younger user in mind, but what about those of us with mature skin?
An anti-aging primer like Too Faced Cosmetics Shadow Insurance is great because it includes Tocopherol, which is an anti-aging and antioxidant moisturizer that will give your eyelids the hydration they crave.
But if you want to spend a little less, then try The Balm Put A Lid On It Eyelid Primer, which is also another good option for mature skin.
- Oily Skin. That waterfall of oil in your T-zone always seems to find its way down to your eyelids, so if you are in need of a great primer to help prevent it from ruining your shadow work, then make sure you look for formulas that are oil-free or the ones that are designed specifically for greasy eyes.
Elizabeth Mott Thank Me Later Eye Shadow Primer, Bare Minerals Prime Time Eyelid Primer and LORAC Behind the Scenes Eye Shadow Primer are three best eye primers that we recommend for those of you with oily lids.
Looking for Cruelty-Free Products?
We are always looking at labels and researching to understand better what exactly is going into the products we put on our faces, and along the researching journey, we have found a few great products that just happen to be cruelty-free.
The first and last products in our table are both registered with PETA, so if buying cruelty-free is important to you, then you might want to try one of these two products.
Best Eye Primer Reviews
1. Elizabeth Mott Thank Me Later Eye Shadow Primer
Elizabeth Mott’s Thank Me Later primer is hands down the best eye primer on our list, and that is why we put on top of our list. It contains a lightweight, waterproof formula that dries transparent once you apply it to your lids. Also, their ‘lasts all day’ claim is absolutely true! Even with super oily lids, this primer works well to keep your shadow locked in place for up to 8 hours!
2. Bare Minerals Prime Time Eyelid Primer
One of the nice things about this product is that you only need very little of it that goes a long way. It dries on smooth, leaving no cakey chunks. Even if your eyelids are mini pools of oil, we can assure you that this stuff does an awesome job at keeping everything in place all day long.
3. The Balm Put A Lid On It Eyelid Primer
If you’re tired of paying for and want a more affordable alternative, then The Balm’s Put A Lid On It works surprisingly well. This product will allow you to get a good 8 hours of crease-free shadow, and the texture is smooth when it goes on. Just take a drop on your finger tip, and then spread it evenly to perfectly cover your lids.
4. LORAC Behind the Scenes Eye Shadow Primer
Have sensitive eyes? Then you might want to check out and try this oil-free, paraben-free, and fragrance-free primer from LORAC. This silky primer goes on clear and creates a smooth barrier over your lids for the shadow to cling to. Moreover, it also comes with hydrating and brightening ingredients, which will help condition and fills in the fine lines on your skin.
5. Milani Eyeshadow Primer
If your makeup fund has been mostly spent and you are still in need of a decent primer, Milani’s is probably your best bet. Its creamy texture is blend-able and holds up pretty well throughout the day. We would say that you could get a good 8 hours out of it if you don’t have extremely oily lids.
6. Mary Kay Eye Primer
Worry no more about creasing eye makeup, thanks to this wonderful Mary Kay Eye Primer. Whether you have oily lids or dry ones, this eye primer will definitely make your eyeshadows stay on point, keeping you away from smudging or creasing. Even cooler, it is safe for sensitive eyes and it’s fragrance-free, too!
7. Ruby Kisses 24 HR Eyeshadow Magic Primer
Do you want to showcase your vibrant eyeshadows even more? Give this best eye primer a try! It helps you to intensify the color of your eyeshadows that will pop up on your lids, playing all the drama for 24 hours! Its sponge-tip wand also offers you an effortless application free of the crease.
8. NYX Eyeshadow Base
NYX has always been the ultimate go-to product when it comes to eye makeup, including this best eyeshadow base. It blurs your lids lines that will ensure smooth application of your eye makeup with less crease or smudge. Despite the sheer coverage, it still locks and intensifies the color longer on your eyes.
9. Too Faced Shadow Insurance Anti-Crease Eye Shadow Primer
As it claims on its name, this best eye primer won’t let your eye makeup crease, melt, run, or even smudge, thanks to its full-coverage finish. The product is also loaded with hydrating ingredients like vitamin E that will soothe your skin. Not to mention the silicone also provides an easy blend application and intensifies the color.
10. SHANY Eye & Lip Primer
Calling those with sensitive skin because we’ve found the best eye primer that will match your need! This SHANY Eye & Lip Primer is a paraben-free, talc-free, and hypoallergenic product that also offers long-lasting wear for your lids with no cracks or fades. Plus, it can be applied to your lips, too!
11. COVERGIRL Lid Lock Up Eyeshadow Primer
CoverGirl is an all-time favorite brand when it comes to affordable makeup products. It blesses us with Lid Lock Up Eyeshadow Primer that only costs $8 but with incredible quality. The gel and crease-free formula dry quickly, allowing you to save time while doing your makeup. Moreover, this primer also maximizes your eyeshadow look by intensifying the color.
12. Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion
Formulated with polymer technology, this best eyeshadow primer will lock your vibrant eyeshadow without crease for up to 24 hours! Besides its amazing formula, this primer also comes in tube packaging that allows you to take out the product to the very last drop. You can also bring it everywhere since its size is travel-friendly.
13. ILIA Natural Brightening Eye Primer
ILIA is always one of the top brands that present natural products. Now, it brings us a natural brightening eye primer with arnica, rosehip, and jojoba esters as key ingredients. Not only do they hold your eye makeup smoothly, but the combination of those hero formulas will also help to soothe, hydrate, and absorb excess oil on your skin.
14. Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Amplifying Eye Primer
While some don’t like eye primers because of their heavy texture, Fenty Beauty formulated lightweight texture on its Pro Filt’r Amplifying Eye Primer. It ensures smooth to wear, boosting-color effect, fade-proof, and also long-lasting formula in one simple application. Also, its shade suits any skin tone so it won’t rob your pocket for sure!
15. NARS Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow
Available in 5 different colors, NARS offers you a wide range of options for any skin color. It has a lightweight formula that helps you boost the color of your eyeshadows, eyeliners, and eyebrows, too. get that vibrant yet flawless look throughout the day with no smudge or crease.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
What kind of primer do you use for eyelids?
For this particular purpose, choose the best eye primer that matches well on your skin tones, since it will be easy for you to blend it away smoothly with no awkward color contrast.
Is eye primer better than concealer?
In general, both of them actually complement each other. Concealer works best to cover skin imperfections, such as discolorations, hyperpigmentation, dark circles under your eyes, etc.
Meanwhile, eye primer does its job to hold your eye makeup to stay on point, especially eyeshadows. In case you want to have long-lasting eyeshadows on your eyelids, then we recommend applying eye primer instead.
Does eye primer help eyeliner?
Yes, thankfully it does! Not only eye primer helps to lock your eyeshadows on your lids, but it also intensifies the color of your eyeliner.
Apply your eye primer to your lids, then gently set it with your loose powder. After that, glides on your eyeliner and see how the gorgeous will last all day!
