Have you ever found yourself spending your morning applying the perfect eyeshadow look, only for it to crease and smudge in a matter of hours? You’re not alone. As someone with very oily skin, I used to avoid eye makeup altogether, as no matter how much money I spent on products, they would never just stay put. However, after sharing my eyeshadow woes with a friend, they introduced me to an eyeshadow primer and it’s safe to say that I’ve never looked back.
These clever products work in the same way as a face primer, helping your makeup to last all day long. Since adding one to my collection, I’ve been able to have so much fun with my makeup looks without worrying about them sliding off. So, I thought that it was only right that I spoke to the experts to find out exactly how eyeshadow primers work, and more importantly, how to choose the best one for you. I’ve even rounded up my top picks for you to shop, so keep on scrolling for all the information you need.
“Eyeshadow primers are a necessary part of my makeup prep on set because they keep eyeshadows in place,” explains Sara Wren, Director of Artistry at Milk Makeup. “Eyeshadows often don’t show up, fade or can crease over the course of the day, but a good primer will prevent that from happening!
“Most primers come in the form of a liquid or a cream, and some can contain pigment to help even out the lid colour before applying product. My favourite eyeshadow primers are colourless as they won’t change the payoff of the product that I apply on top.”
When choosing a primer, Wren says that it’s important to figure out what you want from the product. If you experience dry eyelids, then you’ll want to go for a hydrating option, however if you have oiler skin, you’ll want a really long-lasting formula. “Once you know what you want, that will help you determine the best eyeshadow primer for you.”
This is, hands down, the best eyeshadow primer I have ever used. It is incredible at keeping your eyeshadow in place, and works on even the oiliest of lids. The handy applicator makes it easy to apply, and the product gives a matte finish to the skin. It’s worth noting that because of this, it might not be the best option for really dry eyelids, but keep on scrolling for some hydrating favourites.
Price shown is member’s price. Standard value is £20. Who What Wear UK’s Beauty Editor, Eleanor Vousden, loves this eyeshadow primer from Beauty Pie. Not only does it help your eyeshadow to last, but it also works to cover any redness or discolouration on the eyelids, creating the perfect base for your makeup.
If you’re a fan of Milk Makeup, then you’ll most likely have tried the brand’s famous Hydro Grip Face Primer. The product is a bestseller for a reason, so I was delighted to find out that it also came in a version designed specifically for your eyes. This primer creates a really smooth base for your eye makeup, helping everything to blend into the skin. “When prepping the eye area, I always apply Milk Makeup’s Hydro Grip Eye Primer,” says Wren. “I use it under and on top of the lid (yes, you can also use it under concealer), then I’ll apply a small amount of concealer to the eyelid to neutralise any redness before going in with eyeshadow.”
This two-in-one product from Mac is really clever. The Pro Longwear Paint Pot works as both a cream eyeshadow and a primer. It’s available in a range of shades and can be worn alone or layered with other products. When applying eyeshadow over the top, I found that it looked a lot more pigmented and lasted a lot longer. The only downside is that the application can be a bit messy because of the packaging, so I recommend investing in good makeup brush.
I feel like this eyeshadow primer has been around for years, and for good reason. The brand is known for its ability to help your makeup last longer (the setting spray has been a staple in my collection for as long as I can remember) and this product is no exception. The lightweight formula fights creasing, and also helps to stop my eyeliner from smudging all over my lids.
The Rare Beauty Always An Optimist Illuminating Primer and Always An Optimist Mist are two of my favourite base products of all time, so when I heard that there was also an eye primer as part of the range, I already knew that it would be good. It has more of a hydrating formula which is great for dry eyelids, and it comes in a peach tone that helps to make your eyeshadow stand out more. I would note that if you do have oiler lids, this might not be the best option, but it’s a beautiful product nonetheless.
Hourglass is known for its brilliant base products. This eye primer is designed to both enhance your eyeshadow look and help it to last all day. It also contains vitamin C and vitamin E to keep the skin hydrated, making it another great option for dry eyelids.
