\n
The best eye shadow primers could be the make-or-break step that decides whether your look stays flawless or fades before lunchtime. One quick swipe can get richer pigment out of your eye shadow and smoother blending, without any creasing or fading. Think of it as setting the stage for your makeup: Today\u2019s formulas don\u2019t just lock color in place, they also blur texture, even out tone, and often deliver skin-care perks like hydration or oil control, too. Whether you\u2019re dealing with fine lines around your eyes or just want your shimmer to pop more and last longer, using the right primer can help. Keep reading for Allure<\/em> editor and makeup artist picks that prove that great eye makeup doesn\u2019t start with shadow\u2014it starts underneath.<\/p>\nOur Top Eye Shadow Primers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
Frequently Asked Questions<\/strong><\/p>\nAccordionItemContainerButton<\/span><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nBest Overall:<\/strong> Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion<\/h2>\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
Urban Decay<\/p>\n
Eyeshadow Primer Potion<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Why it\u2019s worth it:<\/strong> The Urban Decay Eye Primer Potion has been an editor and makeup artist go-to for what feels like forever. Why? \u201cIt lengthens the life of eye shadow without settling into fine lines or being too thick in texture,\u201d Natalie Dresher, a Miami-based makeup artist, previously told Allure<\/em>. It\u2019s lightweight, with an almost serum-like consistency that spreads and applies beautifully (no buildup or patchiness here). It’s not over-the-top sticky, but the tacky texture keeps whatever shadow you put on top in place and won’t let go anytime soon. The Original shade (this one) is a pale, sheer translucent beige, while Eden is a matte beige and Sin is a pale, champagne shimmer. It\u2019s also available in an \u201canti-aging\u201d version that\u2019s formulated with mature skin\u2014think plumping peptides and brown algae\u2014in mind. Bottom line: This is the primer for anyone and everyone.<\/p>\n\n
\n
\n
AccordionItemContainerButton<\/span><\/button><\/div>\n\n
\n
\nKey ingredients:<\/strong> synthetic beeswax<\/li>\nFinish:<\/strong> natural<\/li>\nShades:<\/strong> 3<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nBest for Mature Skin:<\/strong> Milk Hydro Grip Eye Primer<\/h2>\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
Milk Makeup<\/p>\n
Hydro Grip Eye Primer<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Why it\u2019s worth it:<\/strong> Totally invisible, Milk\u2019s Hydro Grip Eye Primer is like double-sided tape for eye shadow and won\u2019t settle into fine lines. \u201cIt has a thinner formula, so it\u2019s easy to blend on the delicate eyelid area,\u201d says Pittsburgh-based makeup artist Patty Bell. \u201cIt will lock your eye makeup into place for eight hours, and it has hyaluronic acid to add moisture and offer a blurred effect to the lid.\u201d It\u2019s also made with blue agave, for some great grip, and niacinamide and aloe for an extra hit of hydration. Bell even says it can be used under the eyes as well to help prevent your concealer from creasing. If that\u2019s not a true multitasker, we don\u2019t know what is.<\/p>\n\n
\n
\n
AccordionItemContainerButton<\/span><\/button><\/div>\n\n
\n
\nKey ingredients:<\/strong> hyaluronic acid, blue agave, niacinamide, aloe<\/li>\nFinish:<\/strong> invisible<\/li>\nShades:<\/strong> 1<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nBest Drugstore:<\/strong> Nyx Professional Makeup Ultimate Shadow & Liner Primer<\/h2>\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
Nyx Professional Makeup<\/p>\n
Nyx Professional Makeup Ultimate Shadow & Liner Primer<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Why it\u2019s worth it:<\/strong> Another favorite of Bell\u2019s, Nyx Professional Makeup\u2019s Ultimate Shadow & Liner Primer punches well above its price point. The lightweight formula glides on effortlessly and blends out in seconds, making it nearly foolproof to apply. It comes in four skin-like shades\u2014so good, we\u2019ve worn them solo as cream shadows\u2014that help neutralize veins and discoloration while softly blurring the lids for a smooth, even base. Thanks to a boost of vitamin E, it also delivers hydration, keeping that dry, chalky look at bay all day long.<\/p>\n\n
\n
\n
AccordionItemContainerButton<\/span><\/button><\/div>\n\n
\n
\nKey ingredients:<\/strong> vitamin E<\/li>\nFinish:<\/strong> matte<\/li>\nShades:<\/strong> 4<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nBest for Dry Lids:<\/strong> Nars Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base<\/h2>\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
Nars<\/p>\n
Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Why it\u2019s worth it:<\/strong> Nars\u2019 Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base is the kind of behind-the-scenes product that makes every eye look better. The sheer formula disappears on contact, creating a light, barely-there layer. \u201cI love that it grips without feeling heavy or interfering with any shadow I layer on top,\u201d New York City-based makeup artist Nick Barose previously told Allure<\/em>, adding that it\u2019s been his go-to for decades because it \u201cjust lets the color shine.\u201d Antioxidant-rich rice extract and sea whip extract help hydrate and protect the delicate eye area, so it wears more like skin care than traditional makeup (no dryness in sight!). If you want longer wear, cleaner blending, and shadow that truly pops, this primer quietly does all the heavy lifting.<\/p>\n\n
\n
\n
AccordionItemContainerButton<\/span><\/button><\/div>\n\n
\n
\nKey ingredients:<\/strong> rice brain oil extract, sea whip extract, beeswax, mica<\/li>\nFinish:<\/strong> natural<\/li>\nShades<\/strong>: 1<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nBest for Oily Lids:<\/strong> Too Faced Shadow Insurance 24-Hour Eyeshadow Primer<\/h2>\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
Too Faced<\/p>\n
Shadow Insurance 24-Hour Eyeshadow Primer<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Why it\u2019s worth it:<\/strong> If there\u2019s a Too Faced palette in your makeup stash (and let\u2019s be real\u2014there probably is), the brand\u2019s Shadow Insurance Eye Primer is the secret to making those shadows (and all others) work harder. Made with oil-absorbing silica, it blurs and tamps shine down, so your lids aren\u2019t creased by lunch. The silky, colorless formula melts seamlessly into any skin tone, instantly smoothing the lids and creating the perfect canvas for shadow to grip onto. The result? More vibrant color, easier blending, and significantly longer wear. It\u2019s also waterproof, to prevent fading and smudging\u2014even in high humidity or rain. We can\u2019t speak to its 24-hour wear time claim, but it has lasted us through 12-hour days, so we think it\u2019s up for the challenge.<\/p>\n\n
\n
\n
AccordionItemContainerButton<\/span><\/button><\/div>\n\n
\n
\nKey ingredients:<\/strong> silica<\/li>\nFinish:<\/strong> invisible<\/li>\nShades:<\/strong> 1<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nBest for Discoloration:<\/strong> Laura Mercier Eye Basics Primer<\/h2>\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
Laura Mercier<\/p>\n
Eye Basics Primer<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Why it\u2019s worth it:<\/strong> Available in two shades, the Laura Mercier Eye Basics Primer is a must-have for neutralizing discoloration. The light blue shade counteracts purple and pink tones to cover redness and veins, while the peach shade brightens and corrects sallow-looking skin. Once applied, your lids are perfectly even and ready for shadow, keeping powders and creams exactly where you want them. Plus, this concealer doubles as a treat for your skin, with aloe to soothe and hydrate, lanolin acid to lock in moisture, and safflower seed oil to nourish without feeling heavy.<\/p>\n\n
\n
\n
AccordionItemContainerButton<\/span><\/button><\/div>\n\n
\n
\nKey ingredients:<\/strong> aloe, lanolin, safflower seed oil<\/li>\nFinish:<\/strong> matte<\/li>\nShades:<\/strong> 2<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\nFrequently Asked Questions<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Do eye shadow primers really make a difference?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/p>\nYes, eye shadow primers give you the best color payout from your eye shadows and make your looks last longer without creasing or melting off, says Bell. \u201cThey give you a clean canvas to work with, so they\u2019re a great way to start out your makeup routine.\u201d She also says that tinted primers (like the Laura Mercier one on this list) are great if you have discoloration on your eyes. \u201cThey even out the skin tone and can even correct dark lids or cover up veins.\u201d<\/p>\n
How do you apply eye shadow primers?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/p>\nBell says the best way to apply eye shadow primers is with your fingertip. \u201cApply a small amount to a clean lid and let it dry before your eye shadow application,\u201d she says. If you want to use a small brush, that\u2019s totally okay, too\u2014but the heat of your fingertips may help the product adhere to the lid more. \u201cOnce it\u2019s on, it\u2019ll grab on to your shadow and lock it into place,\u201d Bell adds.<\/p>\n
Meet the experts<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
How we test and review products<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/p>\nBefore reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?<\/p>\n
For our review of the best eye shadow primers, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, makeup artists, and cosmetic chemists to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product\u2019s performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear, longevity, and resistance. For more on what’s involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.<\/p>\n
Our staff and testers<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/p>\nA beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure<\/em> wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors \u2014 in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon \u2014 is essential to reaching that goal.<\/p>\nAfter all, can we really<\/em> say a skin-care product is the \u201cbest\u201d for people over 50 if the only testers we\u2019ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it\u2019s never been tested on curls? We\u2019re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.<\/p>\n<\/inline-embed><\/p>\n
Complete your eye makeup look with these Allure<\/em> editor-approved picks:<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The best eye shadow primers could be the make-or-break step that decides whether your look stays flawless or fades before lunchtime. One quick swipe can get richer pigment out of your eye shadow and smoother blending, without any creasing or fading. Think of it as setting the stage for your makeup: Today\u2019s formulas don\u2019t just […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":552,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[55],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-551","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-beauty"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sasgai.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/551","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sasgai.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sasgai.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sasgai.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sasgai.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=551"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sasgai.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/551\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sasgai.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/552"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sasgai.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=551"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sasgai.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=551"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sasgai.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=551"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}