Eyes are one of the most fun parts of makeup. You have the most variety of colours and looks to choose from, and you can be really creative. But what’s the point of all that hard work if your makeup is just going to slide off after a few hours of wear?
Enter eye primer!
Eye primer is often overlooked but it is the one product that will change how your eyeshadow looks and wears throughout the day. Eye primer creates a solid base for your eyeshadow to grip onto and gives it an ultra long-lasting finish.
- Eye primer gives shadow a base to stick to, making your colours more vibrant and pigmented
- Eye primer stops shadow from creasing and melting
- Eye primer stops shadow from fading and wearing away
- Eye primer gives shadows a smoother base to blend on and stops colour from being patchy or uneven
With eye primer, not only will your shadow not crease or fade, it will last all night and into the next day if not removed. …I can’t lie, I have literally woken up after a night out with my eyes fully intact.
Eye primer may be an investment initially but it will last you for a very long time if you use it correctly.
How do I use it?
You need very little actual product. Just enough to leave a light film on the eyelid. More is not more when it comes to eye primer; too much will actually have the opposite effect you’re looking for and cause creasing.
Before applying your eyeshadow, gently press the primer into your lids with your ring finger. The warmth from your finger will help melt the product into the skin and not leave any excess product that can lead to the dreaded eyeshadow creases.
Some of my favourite eye primers are:
Urban Decay Primer Potion $28
This is the most long lasting, crease free primer I have tried. When I was younger and my lids were even oilier, this was the only primer that worked for me. Now that I’m older and my skin has become more combination/oily, I can use other primers, but I will always love Primer Potion. I highly recommend this primer for someone who has major issues with creasing or really oily eyelids. Primer Potion has a peachy tint but dries clear. It comes in a mini version as well as the full size, perfect for travel or if you’re just not sure if the product will work for your skin. There are also other versions of Primer Potion but I have personally only tried the original.
MAC 24 hour eye base $26
This primer gives lids a silky smooth finish and allows shadows to stick but still blend well. Shadows don’t crease or fade and will last all day and all night. 24HR Eye Base is made with a special breathable polymer that holds product in place on the eyes but still feels comfortable on the skin. The product goes on clear so it doesn’t affect the colour of the skin underneath. This is my most used eye primer on clients because not only is it sheer, comfortable, and long-wearing, it is also sweat and humidity resistant. It comes in a squeeze tube that makes it easy to get all of the product out.
MAC Prolongwear Paint Pot $26
This product is great for creating a long-lasting base and also for forming a blank canvas on the lids because of the added tone and coverage. Perfect for someone with darkness, redness, or veins on the eyelids. This product is great if you have normal to dry skin, I personally find I am too oily to use this and my shadows will still crease but I know so many other MAC artists who swear by it and use it every day. This product will definitely work for most people who don’t have any major struggles with oil or creasing. MAC Paint Pots are actually super long-wearing cream eyeshadows, and they come in both natural and shimmery tones. They can also be used on their own as well as being used under shadows to give longevity & vibrancy.
Eye primer is truly the forgotten hero of eye makeup. I start every eye look with primer both on myself and clients, and I recommend you do the same! Try it out for yourself if you haven’t already. Your eyes will thank me 😀
If you have an eye primer you love, let me know in the comment section below!
XOXO
