Are you tired of spending hours perfecting your eyeshadow only for it to then run off a few hours later? You can touch-up your look in the mirror, or purchase a cosmetic product which promises to keep your eyeshadow in place all day. In this article, we’re uncovering eye primers, including the main benefits of using them and out five recommended products. With anti-fading and smudge-proof formulas, eye primers make your make-up application easier, so you don’t need to worry about any difficult processes. Let’s take a look at our findings.
The Importance of an Eye Primer
An eye primer essentially helps to hold your make-up in place so it doesn’t slip off throughout the day. Without applying it, eyeshadow can sink into any fine lines and wrinkles, thus emphasizing the areas you want to hide. By creating a smooth base, it’s also easier to apply your make-up so the pigmentation applies easily. Also, by creating an even canvas, this speeds up the application process and makes eyeshadow much easier to apply. If you don’t currently use one, you might find that eyeshadows are difficult to blend and require a lot of time and patience to evenly distribute.
As you wear make-up throughout the day, your eyelids can become greasy and hold moisture. Consequently, your eyeshadow can move or fade, which means that all of your hard work has gone to waste. However, by limiting the amount of excess oil held by your eyelids, your make-up stays for longer. Eye primer can also hide any dark spots or uneven color patches on your lids.
Eye primers work similarly to face primers, but create a less smooth finish which enables your eyeshadow to stick and stay in place. Alternatively, you can wear this cosmetic go-to alone to perfect any discoloration. Some have a slight hint of color, whilst others are neutral for a translucent finish.
The Best Eye Primers to Hold Your Eyeshadow
Before you get too excited and purchase any eye primer on the shelves, consider if you’re looking for a liquid or cream-based product. Cream eye primers tend to provide less coverage, which is great for a natural look. Although, if you’re looking to hide any discoloration or intend to use a vibrant eyeshadow, we recommend a liquid formula.
Here are some of the best eye primers from make-up brands you can trust.
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Eye Base Primer – Cult Beauty
This eye primer by Cult Beauty is ideal to wear alone for a natural finish. By reducing the appearance of redness and fatigue, this product leaves the eyes looking brighter and provides a more youthful appearance. Alternatively, smooth it onto the eyelids before applying eyeshadow to keep your make-up lasting all day without any touch-ups. Specifically designed for mature skin, Cult Beauty use ingredients which remove any creases around the eye area. With this added benefit, we love how this eye primer helps your make-up last longer while improving your confidence.
Apply this before your favorite eyeshadow, and you’ll notice how it holds your make-up in place all day. Also, applying your make-up is easier and you’ll notice that you need less product than before using this eye primer. We love that this product doesn’t falsify your appearance. Instead, you look natural and people won’t even notice you’re wearing a product. This is why it’s a useful eye primer to wear alone – especially in the cold weather when your eyelids can become tight and taut. Thanks to its lightweight texture, you won’t even feel that you’re wearing a product. Once you use this product, you won’t want to live without it. With a fresh feeling, it’ll also make you feel more awake, thus being a great asset for those early mornings.
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Master Prime Eyeshadow Primer – Maybelline
Are you tired of your eyeshadow sitting in your creases? If so, you need a product you can trust to prepare the eye area. This Maybelline Master Prime product works by creating a smooth surface on your eyelids before applying your makeup. If you’ve noticed that your eyelids are starting to droop and you’re looking more tired than usual, then this is a great go-to eyeshadow primer. As you apply the product, you’ll notice how it feels fresh and liberating on the lids; it’s a great morning primer to get you set for the day. However, it’s still suitable for sensitive skin and people who were contact lenses. In fact, many customers with sensitive eyes found that this primer soothes their delicate skin. Hypoallergenic and ophthalmologist tested, it’s a life-changer.
This eye primer comes in three different shades. If you’re torn between two colors, we recommend choosing the lightest shade as you can always darken your lids with eyeshadow. Also, each shade has a purpose: to illuminate, matte and smooth. Choose accordingly to your goals. If you want to look more awake, then illuminate will brighten the eye area. Matte is great for oily skins – particularly if you notice that your eyeshadow quickly slips off. Alternatively, for even coverage, we recommend the smooth option. Simply swipe the wand onto your lids and blend with your finger. It only takes a few seconds to apply and absorbs quickly – which is great for times you’re running behind.
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Couture Eye Primer – YSL
This YSL product is another of the best eye primers for mature skin. Its sole purpose is to provide a neutral finish which makes you feel confident enough to wear alone. However, you can choose to apply eyeshadow over the top, and this YSL eye primer promises to lock in the product for the entire day. Not only that, but the eye primer amplifies the color and enhances the pigmentation in your eyeshadow. If you’re tired of discoloration on your lids, this Couture Eye Primer reveals your natural color with only a small amount of product. As a result, your eyes won’t feel heavy with make-up, and you may even find that you require less product.
It’s super easy to use this eye primer. Simply dab with a clean finger and gently blend over your eyelid. Thanks to the luxurious formulation, there’s no pulling or tugging, and you’ll notice how evenly and smoothly your eyeshadow sticks to your eyelids when you wear this primer. Many customers who have hooded eyelids found that this product had a lifting effect and opened up the eye area. By leaving a skin-like appearance, it won’t even look like you’re wearing a product on your lids, and you won’t be able to feel it either.
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Eye Base Essentials – Trish McEvoy
Trish McEvoy developed this eye base to correct the discoloration or darkness around the eye area. As a result, you’re left with brighter eyes which look more youthful and awake. Thanks to the special formula, the ingredients also make you feel ready for the day with a cooling-effect. You can wear this eye primer alone for a natural look, or apply eyeshadow over the top to lock it in place all day. Many customers think highly of how this eye primer illuminates the eye area, which is ideal if you’re prone to late nights.
Available in five shades, this eye base caters to all needs and skin tones to leave your eyes looking brighter and more awake. With a satin finish, it feels luxurious on the skin and doesn’t leave behind a sticky residue like some eye primers. If you tend to struggle applying an even line of eye liner, this eye base helps you to achieve a solid line as it smooths out any creases. Depending on which shade you choose, you can also use this eye primer as a highlighter and contour around the face. With light-reflecting pigmentation, it illuminates and brightens skin to leave you with a youthful glow.
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Eye Primer Duo – Tom Ford
Tom Ford developed this eye primer to smooth away the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It’s also the best eye primer to smooth away any bags around the eyes. Place the product underneath the eye to reveal a natural look and smooth the surfaces. With a cream texture, this eye primer is soft to apply and eliminates any creases. With slightly heavier coverage than the other eye primers listed above, this Tom Ford product is ideal for any significant redness or dark patches around the eyes.
This Tom Ford eye primer also comes with powder, which is great to further lock in the product and ensure your eyeshadow lasts for longer. As a result, this eye primer offers 15 hours of staying power. We also love the appearance of this eye primer, as it comes in a handy, well-designed package which is easy to store in your makeup bag.
Have You Tried an Exceptional Eye Primer?
We hope you enjoyed reading our top five eye primers to keep your makeup staying in place all day. There are plenty of eyeshadows which promise to reduce creasing and help to illuminate the eyes. However, not all live up to their promises – especially if they’re highly pigmented. But with the added benefit of an eye primer, you increase how long your eyeshadow lasts. Plus, eye primers won’t break the bank and will actually save you money in the long run by not having to use as much makeup.
Do you own an eye primer which delivers exceptional results? If so, share your recommendations in the comments. Otherwise, choose your favorite product above and give it a try. Don’t forget to let us know your experience!
