If you’ve fallen victim to spending hours on your smokey eye only for it to melt off within minutes, our hearts go out to you. Even with the best eyeshadow palette and the finest blending brush on your side, if you have oily skin, your eye makeup look is usually doomed before it even begins.
But just as we apply a mattifying primer before our foundation to extend wear and reduce shine, the same process can be done for our slippery lids.
So to keep your eyeshadow looking fresh all day, these are the best eye primers to ensure longer wear and intensified colour.
Models Prefer Eye Primer
Featuring a long-lasting, neutral base for eyeshadow application, the Models Prefer Eye Primer enhances colour intensity and prolongs wear.
“This is the very best eyelid primer available!!! I have looked for something like this for years and nothing worked until this. Some of them make your eyelids look wrinkled, but this goes on without color and does not dry out your eyelids. It is the best!” – AP1992
$13.99 at Priceline
Nude by Nature Perfecting Eye Primer
Nude by Nature’s Perfecting Eye Primer doubles as an anti-ageing eye cream, helping to tighten skin around the eyes and smooth wrinkles as well as extending the wear of eye makeup.
“This eye primer is just as good, if not BETTER, than Shadow Insurance and I am so happy I found it. My eye makeup does not budge – at all, all day, regardless of moisture levels of my skin, regardless of SPF or sweaty weather or even a few tears.” – Nell Adams
$20.99 at Chemist Warehouse
M.A.C Prep + Prime 24-Hour Extend Eye Base
M.A.C’s Prep + Prime 24-Hour Extend Eye Base offers a light, creamy base that smooths and primes the eyelids while neutralising discolouration for a flawless and long-wearing shadow finish.
“It applies very smoothly and does not take long to try. It makes my eyeshadow and eyeliner last all day and literally not move.” – Kasandra Mantis
$39 at M.A.C
Elizabeth Arden Advanced Eye-Fix Primer
Acting as an invisible barrier between the eyelids and eyeshadow, the Elizabeth Arden Advanced Eye-Fix Primer will help to control creasing and fading without drying your eyeshadow out. Plus, the silky consistency will ensure smooth and seamless blending of your product of choice.
$38 at David Jones
Clinique All About Shadow™ Primer for Eyes
If you have oily lids that smudge easily, Clinique’s All About Shadow Primer For Eyes will hold eyeshadow up to 12 hours. Or, on those no-makeup makeup days, wear it alone for a soft neutral finish.
$39 at Clinique
NYX Professional Makeup Ultimate Shadow & Liner Primer
Infused with vitamin E, NYX’s Professional Ultimate Shadow and Liner Primer is a colour-boosting formula that maintains the vibrancy of eye makeup and conceals visible veins and discolouration.
$15.95 at Priceline
E.L.F Shadow Lock Eyelid Primer
From the brand that brought us TikTok’s favourite concealer dupe, the E.L.F Eyelid Primer does not disappoint. Offering a high-quality product at a budget price, this crease-proof formula has been designed to lock in eyeshadow for an all-day wear.
$4.85 at iHerb
Main image credit: @oliviamunn
Do you use eyeshadow primer? What is your favourite? What one are you keen to try next?
I have to invest in an eyeshadow primer, there is a great selection pictured that I can choose from.
I have never used and not sure if I should have a look at
I’ve used the Australis but Rimmel Magnif’eyes is Much much better but I think it’s been discontinued. ELF is good. Makeup revolution prime and lock is a waste of money. Have just bought the Essence
i have never used eye shadow primer and not sure i am keen to
Me either. I normally just lightly dab over my eyelids with foundation on my beauty blender.
I haven’t either. Should I or shouldn’t I?
I don’t know if it just another expense ?
Never really thought about using Eyelid Primer will have to look into getting some Thanks BH for the Information on available well known brands.
Mostly I use just a Face Primer. 🙂
I love the milani primer. That works for me.
Too many products to be bothered with. I am a minimalist in makeup. So do not need primers in general.
Yes I feel too much can be too much !
I have a couple of eye shadow primers but I can’t remember the last time I wore eye shadow.
Never heard of this…
Love the Mac eye primer
I’ve tried a Bobbi Brown one, otherwise I’ve not used.
I’m still using my NbN one: it’s good, made in Australia, & you only need a bee’s d*ck.
LOL to the last part! Never heard that phrase before hahaha
I haven’t tried any of these before.
I have one from NYX that I use. It still caused a bit of creasing though which sucks
Another step, just need so much time now
You are right, if I follow all the things that are suggested I wouldn’t have time for anything else.
Ha Ha !!
Not familiar with this product and oiliness is no longer an issue…
My eyelids are quite dry so eyeshadow doesn’t clump or slip.
I don’t bother with this step.
I have this issue, definitely going to invest in a primer if I ever wear eyeshadow again
I use eye primer, but have yet to find one I actually like. I’m currently using the ABH eye primer (have been for a long time) & I HATE IT. It does sweet FA for holding onto eyeshadow; my shadow always creases & fades quickly. The only thing I like about it is that the colour is a good match for my skin. Can’t wait to find a better alternative because it’s easily one of the worst products I’ve tried.
Nude by nature is my favourite.
I still have a really old Urban Decay Primer Potion somewhere, but now I just use a cream shadow under powder shadow and it keeps the shadow in place and adds colour
I use the Mac and NBN ones atm but I’d love to try that Models Prefer and Clinique one
great choices , i havent heard of some of these. need to look into them
I prefer a sticky base to make shimmer “pop”
Even the most waterproof primers don’t seem to work for me!
I probably need to start using an eyeshadow primer.
I have a primer I bought from Lush, I just had no idea how to use it. but I really need to give it a go some day. primers seem to be a great fit with concealers?
I’ve never used one even when I wore eyeshadow
An eye primer is essential for me because I have hooded eyes and mature skin. I’m using M.A.C Prep + Prime 24-Hour Extend Eye Base at the moment, but it’s too early for me to form an opinion about it.
Thanks for the info
I either use millani or a color tattoo which works wonderfully as a base for powder shadows.
I haven’t tried any of these products, I usually use concealer as a primer (with a little bit of loose translucent powder over the top).
I don’t usually use this product, but I have been given a sample of the Nars eye primer that I will use.