20 Eye Shadow Primers To Keep Your Makeup Fresh And Long-Lasting
Smooth, seamless application.
getty Even the boldest and sexiest of eye makeup can fade or crease during the day. No woman wants to walk around with less than stellar eyeshadow, right? But there's a secret though to making sure your eyeshadow stays on through the whole day, and it all begins with finding the best eyeshadow primer.
Eyeshadow primer is like magic. It helps your makeup stay on longer, but it can also intensify the makeup you are already using. Eyeshadow primers take seconds to use and make a big difference in your total look, which is why we are obsessed with them.
Under $20
1. W7 Cosmetics Eye Got The Power
Make your eye look stand out from the rest. Eye Got The Power from W7 is a long-lasting eyeshadow primer to make your eye makeup stay on top. Natural is a darker, nuder shade which, once blended, dries clear.
(W7 Cosmetics, $7.95)
2. Makeup Revolution Aqua Seal Liquid Eye Primer
Professional Eye Priming & Sealing at its best, with ultra high performance and multi uses for your kit. Use as a priming base for your eyeshadows to last all day, or use as a sealant to protect your eyeshadows and make them waterproof. Lightly brush the liquid over the top of an eyeshadow to set and seal.
(Amazon)
3. NYX Proof It Eyeshadow Primer Transparent
This is an eyeshadow primer that ensures maximum pigmentation, increased longevity, and turns any eyeshadow waterproof. Great for hot and humid summer days, lounging at the beach or a long night out. Apply a thin layer to bare lids, then let the primer set for a minute or two before applying eyeshadow.
(Amazon)
4. Ulta Tinted Eye Primer
The Ulta Tinted Eye Primers are a collection of shades in subtle shades that can be layered under eyeshadow as a primer or worn alone as a cream eyeshadow. This formula's light-catching effect creates a luminous finish.
(Ulta, $12)
5. Essence I Love Stage Eyeshadow Base
The I Love Stage Eyeshadow Base an be applied either as primer for concealers or eyeshadows. The creamy texture does not crease, makes the eyeshadow last longer, and appear much more color intensive.
(Ulta, $3.49)
6. E.L.F. Cosmetics Shadow Lock Eyelid Primer
Apply as a base for eyeshadow to stick with long-lasting wear so eyeshadow looks perfectly in place all day long. The lightweight formula doesn't weigh eyes down, either.
(Target, $2)
7. Milani Eyeshadow Primer
The lightweight, crease-proof primer goes on nude and dries invisibly. And you can bet that this eyeshadow is at a budget price with high-end results.
(Milani Cosmetics, $6.99)
8. Revlon Colorstay Eyeshadow Primer
This formula feels lightweight, creating a smooth surface for eyeshadow application so color looks freshly applied all day and does not migrate.
(Amazon)
9. Covergirl Lid Lock Up Eyeshadow Primer
All-day, crease-proof, shadow security, eyeshadow primer that maximizes the wear and intensity of your shadow. This will prep lids for all-day wear but dries quickly so it won't add more than seconds to your morning routine.
(Amazon)
Over $20
10. Lorac Behind the Scenes Eye Primer
This lightweight, oil-, fragrance-, and paraben-free formula keeps your eye shadow picture-perfect from daytime to Prime Time. The primer easily glides on for crease-resistant, intense color that lasts. The anti-crease, easy-to-spread formula corrects imperfections and discoloration on lid.
(Amazon)
11. Clinique All About Shadow Primer For Eyes
Skin-toned color primer preps lids for improved shadow application and wear. Creates a neutral base that holds All About Shadow eye color in place for up to 12 hours. Can be worn alone for a natural yet perfected look and comes in 4 shades from very fair to deep.
(Amazon)
12. BareMinerals Gen Nude Eyeshadow + Primer
Use as a primer to provide the perfect base for eyeshadow application while intensifying color vibrancy and wear. A mineral-rich formula with mango seed butter nourishes and hydrates while green tea and camille extract provide anti-oxidant benefits, nourishing the delicate skin on the eyelids.
(Ulta, $20)
13. NARS Pro-Prime™ Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base
A lightweight primer that creates a seamless canvas that keeps cream and powder eye color looking brilliant, fresh, and just-applied all day. This smudge-proof eyeshadow base uses a unique polymer and mineral powder blend to get a firm grip on color for long-lasting, gorgeous wear.
(Sephora, $26)
14. Too Faced Shadow Insurance
Long Wearing Unique color binders guarantee your shadows never crease, smudge or fade. With Vitamin E, it conditions, soothes and calms the delicate eye area.
(Amazon)
15. Becca Anti-Fatigue Under Eye Primer
A cooling anti-fatigue under eye primer that preps the skin for smooth makeup application. Use over your makeup throughout the day to revitalize eyes.
(Amazon)
16. Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Pro Filt'r Amplifying Eye Primer
A weightless, color-boosting eyeshadow primer that smooths lids for better blending and longer, crease-proof wear.
(Sephora, $22)
17. Smashbox 24 Hour Photo Finish Shadow Primer
An eyeshadow primer that locks on shadow and maximizes color vibrancy for 24 hours. It glides a smooth base onto lids that makes applying every type of shadow a breeze, and acts like glue to lock on shadow. The sweat- and humidity-resistant formula prevents budging, fading, and creasing.
(Sephora, $21)
18. Benefit Cosmetics Stay Don’t Stray 360 Degree Stay Put Eyeshadow Primer
A primer for concealers and eyeshadows, this dual-action power primer works 360 degrees around the eyes to make concealers and eyeshadows stay put. Concealers don't crease, and the eyeshadows stay vibrant and true.
(Sephora, $26)
19. Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion
This is the best eyeshadow primer for a reason. Primer Potion is easy to use, and promises more vibrant eyeshadow for 24+ hours, with truer, more vibrant color, and absolutely no creasing.
(Sephora, $24)
20. Younique Touch Glorious Face Primer
Velvety soft primer allows for even application of makeup. Gentle enough to use all over face and around eyes. Preps skin for makeup coverage that will stay perfect all day long.
(Younique Products, $39)
21. Ilia On and On Brightening Eye Primer
ILIA’s natural Brightening Eye Primer creates a blank canvas to keep cream and powder eyeshadow looking bold and crease-free all day. Infused with hydrating Aloe, and regenerating Rose Hip Oil, this eye primer is rich in antioxidants which help act as a natural barrier to moisturize sensitive skin.
(Aillea, $24)
Aly Walansky is a NY-based lifestyles writer. Her work appears in dozens of digital and print publications regularly. Visit her on Twitter or email her at alywalansky@gmail.com.
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