So, you’ve finally found the perfect eye shadow palette with the pigmented, sultry colors you’ve always wanted in your arsenal. You’ve got a brush and a vision, and all the time and patience in the world to slay your eye shadow look to perfection. You’ve deep-dived into Jackie Aina’s YouTube channel to perfect your technique, but still, you just can’t get it quite right. Something is still missing.
We’ve stood in your shoes many times, dear reader. And as much as we resisted it, the fact remains that flawless eye shadow application hinges on one often-overlooked product: eye shadow primer. Swiping this cream over your lids might feel like an unnecessary step, but if smooth, even shadow that lasts all day is your goal, you simply can’t skip it. Yes, there is a world that exists where you can apply a flawless eye shadow look that will last for hours!
You don’t have to be a professional makeup artist to use an eye shadow primer, but knowing your skin type can go a long way in helping you choose the best formula for you that will have your eye shadow looking rich in color, bright, and attention-grabbing. If you’re looking for a primer that will give you a fiery finish and stand the test of time against a full day of, well, life, keep scrolling for the 10 best eye shadow primers out there.
If you’re looking to maximize your eye shadow’s color payoff and minimize any smudging or smearing over the course of the day, this might be the product for you. This smudge-proof, lightweight primer extends the wear of your eye shadow by using a unique polymer and mineral powder blend formulated to give you a longer-lasting look for any skin type.
Yes, this product is a color boosting, crease-proof, and smoothing primer. A more important fact to consider? It’s Rihanna-approved! Fenty Beauty’s Pro Filt’r Amplifying Eye Primer keeps your eye makeup on with a-game determination. It’s a solid choice for any skin type, but especially useful for this with darker skin tones looking to boost the intensity of eye shadow.
This OG potion has never failed us. Urban Decay’s primer is a must-have for any beauty-crazed eyes shadow swatcher dedicated to getting the most out of each and every pot and palette. The creamy, lightweight primer preps your eyelids by creating a slightly visible, powdery soft barrier that grips eye shadow and makes for seamless blending. It’s designed to prevent your shadow and even your eyeliner from cracking or creasing.
This basic eye primer is an investment worth making. First of all, it comes in an array of colors to match your skin’s hue and undertones and is formulated with color-correcting ingredients to boot. It’s a medium-coverage prime infused with skin-friendly botanicals meant to care for your skin while keeping your eye shadow on point.
Here’s another great primer to start your makeup look on the right foot. It’s formulated with an impressive, color-intensifying formula that prevents color fading. Dip and dabble in your favorite eye shadow colors and be prepared for a moisturized, yet firm hold that lasts and lasts.
At just $9, this is one of the cheapest options you can get, yet it still ranks among the best. What other product can intensify the look of your eye shadow and magnify each shade up to 100 times the original effect? Whether you’re a makeup artist, a makeup novice, or a bona fide hot girl who just loves to look her best at any given moment, this eye shadow primer is a must-have.
If you ask us, this is the best kind of insurance there is. The only thing lasting longer than your eye shadow after using this product is the loyalty of the Too Faced stans who ride for this formula. This featherweight primer neutralizes skin discoloration and immediately works to give you over 24 hours of long-lasting wear with no smudge and no crease.
A multiuse product you’ll never regret owning once you discover its unmatched versatility. The creamy formula blends so smoothly that it can be used as an eye shadow primer, a base layer for mixing and adding sultry dimension, or a full-coverage cream shadow to be worn on its own. For those minimalist makeup lovers out there who are obsessed with curating a super-edited collection of products, this one’s for you.
E.l.f. has been a hit in the makeup realm for a while now, but this particular product has been blowing up all over again thanks to its popularity on TikTok. It acts like a flashlight underneath eye shadow, amplifying the pigments to reveal the most vibrant wear you’ve ever seen. Plus, it keeps eye makeup locked into place while you do your thing.
Here’s another cheap and effective primer you won’t regret purchasing. It glides onto the eyes silky smooth, dries down sheer, and wards off creasing and fading for up to 12-hours. It’s also waterproof, in case you plan on taking on any activities where moisture is at play. Do you.
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