20 Best Eyelash Primers And Mascara Primers Of 2020

Primer is something many of us don’t consider, let alone invest in, but it’s worth doing. For those of us who work long hours and want to look our best, keeping our makeup on is essential for feeling good while staying busy.

Much like painting your house, a quick coat of primer will make everything stick better. And the same goes for eyelash primer. Using primer for your eyelashes before mascara leads to thicker, longer, and stronger lashes.

Before you apply your mascara, use additional coats of lash primer for even greater coverage and volume. It's one of the most important beauty products to keep in your collection.

RELATED: 20 Best Eyelash Glues For False Lashes

1. IT Cosmetics Tightline 3-in-1 Black Primer

A bestselling, award-winning instant black lash primer, eyeliner, and mascara — all in one. Developed with plastic surgeons, this lash innovation is a peptide-infused black lash primer, eyeliner, and mascara in one step. 

(Sephora, $24)

2. Blinc Lash Primer

A volume-enhancing eyelash primer. This conditioning, moisturizing primer coats lashes and eyebrows, enhancing even the shortest lashes and brows with unbeatable volume and length. 

(Sephora, $26)

3. Dior Diorshow Maximizer 3D Triple Volume Plumping Lash Primer

A lash primer with an air-pumped texture that coats each lash with a dense, lightweight layer to intensify the effects of the mascara. Enriched with Pure White complex, this primer reveals the optimal color and intensity of lashes. Its revitalizing oil serum concentrate improves thickness, curl, and the look of lashes.

(Sephora, $29.50)

4. Tarte Opening Act Lash Primer

A travel-size mascara and a lash primer for dramatic volume and soft, silky lashes in one simple prep and a portable mascara.

(Sephora, $22)

5. Lashfood Conditioning Collagen Lash Primer

A three-in-one lash primer that stretches and sculpts the look of lashes, boosts volume, and nourishes.

(Sephora, $20)

6. Benefit Cosmetics 'They’re Real!' Tinted Lash Primer

A mink-brown lash primer that tints, defines, and primes lashes for a natural, feathery look. Plus, it can be paired with your favorite mascara for boosted length and separation.

(Ulta, $25)

7. Urban Decay Subversion Lash Primer

A whipped, creamy lash primer that conditions and preps for the perfect mascara application. The brush coats each lash from root to tip, making them thicker and longer.

(Sephora, $22)

8. L'Oréal Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara Primer

“It's lash building without clumping, and the wand separates lashes. I use this one myself when I don't have time for a lash extension appointment,” says makeup artist, Sue Perez, founder of Beautyphonics.

(Target, $9.99)

9. Milk Makeup Kush Lash Primer

A lash primer with thickening, heart-shaped fibers and conditioning, hemp-derived cannabis seed oil for a volumizing base.

(Sephora, $12)

RELATED: 9 Best Lash Tints For Fierce Lashes And Eyes

10. Pretty Vulgar Down Below Lash Primer

A conditioning lash primer with intense black pigment that separates lashes while adding a base of volume and length, prior to applying your mascara.

(Sephora, $24)

11. SMASHBOX Photo Finish Lash Primer

A translucent lash primer amplifies lift, increases volume, and makes mascara last longer. The ultra-thin comb delivers clean, clump-free separation. The formula also helps prevent mascara from flaking and smudging.

(Sephora, $23)

12. Make Up For Ever Lash Fibers

A fiber-enriched lash primer that instantly lengthens and thickens for stand-out lashes. This unique formula contains lightweight, nylon fibers that cling to existing lashes to naturally build length and volume with long-lasting hold.

(Sephora, $21)

13. Clinique Lash Building Primer

A lash-conditioning undercoat that enhances the benefits of other Clinique mascaras, moisturizes, and helps to condition dry lashes.

(Sephora, $18)

14. Covergirl Lash Blast Amplify Eyelash Primer

This primer provides instant lash boost, is cruelty-free, and creates healthy lashes. Just apply it from root to tip, and wait 30 seconds to dry.

(Target, $5.69)

15. Jane Iredale PureLash Lash Extender and Conditioner

A single coat of this conditioner before applying mascara will help strengthen, lengthen and thicken your lashes, making the mascara twice as effective.

(Ulta, $23)

16. Chanel La Base Mascara Base

An essential step to strengthening lashes and enhancing volume. Provitamin B5 nourishes while meadowfoam oil protects your lashes. The white formula turns translucent after application.

(Nordstrom, $32)

17. Hourglass Curator Ascent Extended Wear Lash Primer

A unique combination of flexible wax and solid film-former grips onto the lashes for unprecedented lift and hold, creating a sleek, silky base that perfects and extends the wear of mascara.

(Nordstrom, $36)

18. YSL Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils Flash Lash Primer

A nourishing lash primer, its pink formula dries down clear on lashes, creating added length and volume for mascara.

(Nordstrom, $24.65)

19. Origins Underwear For Lashes Lash Primer

It floats on like fluid lingerie beneath mascara to lift, lengthen, and even adds an invisible layer of lushness to lashes. 

(Belk, $23)

20. Honest Beauty Extreme Length Mascara + Lash Primer

This 2-in-1 primer and mascara works together for lush length, volume and definition. It coats lashes to create an even base and intensify color. Rich mascara lays down smoothly for dramatic length and sky-high lift.

(Target, $14.99)

RELATED: 20 Best Lash Serums For Thicker, Fuller Lashes

Aly Walansky is a NY-based lifestyles writer who focuses on health, wellness, and relationships. Her work appears in dozens of digital and print publications regularly. Visit her on Twitter or email her.