Naomi Jamieson
Struggling to get your eye makeup to last? Using one of the best eyeshadow primers can help to hold your favourite shades in place, boosting longevity, as well as warding off smudges and any powder fallout.
Much like how the best primers lay the groundwork for your best foundation, by prepping the skin and adding a slightly tacky layer for them to grip onto, an eyeshadow primer, as the name suggests, primes your eyelids in the same way. "Eyeshadow primers are like secret superheroes – you don’t know you need them until they’re there," explains pro makeup artist and eponymous brand founder, Ruby Hammer: "They create grip to increase the longevity of your eyeshadows, even out any discolouration of the eyelids and prevent creasing and fading."
It's not just powder formulas they enhance either; they can also help to grip pencil shadows, and prevent your best cream eyeshadows from migrating. All in all, they can be quite the game-changer. The one potential drawback of eyeshadow primers, though, is that they’re quite similar, making it difficult to decipher which to invest in. Thus, we've tested an array of best-sellers to bring you the top nine options...
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9 of the best eyeshadow primers, reviewed by our beauty editor
As mentioned, there are many merits to an eyeshadow primer. They're ideal for all eyeshadow looks - from dramatic smoky eyes to subtle, everyday neutrals - and, as Cynthia Di Meo, Global Stylist at Rare Beauty, explains, they can "act as a reliable base for eyeshadows, eye pencils and liquid products, ensuring they stay in place."
So if you wear eyeshadow often, or want to prevent your favourite eyeliner from smudging throughout the day, these are the primers to add to your makeup bag...
RRP: £22 | Choice of shades? No
Reviewed by: Jess Beech
One of the go-tos among makeup artists, MAC is known for its punchy, graphic colours (as well as more wearable shades). So it makes sense that they would have formulated a brilliant primer to help keep such bold eyeshadows in place. This formula is matte without feeling drying and does an amazing job of locking your eye makeup down – my eyeliner was very much still intact, even after I’d been to the gym. As for the claim in the name, I wouldn’t ever expect or advise anyone to wear eyeshadow for as long as 24 hours, but it’s always good to know when your products have the potential to over-achieve.
Pros
- Really long lasting
Cons
- May be too matte for drier eyelids
RRP: £9.50 (£16 for non-members) | Choice of shades? No
Reviewed by: Jess Beech
Eyelids giving the game away that you haven’t been sleeping well? Sometimes eyeshadow alone isn’t enough to disguise extra natural shadowing, which is exactly why Beauty Pie created this clever little tube. It acts a bit like a concealer to brighten the eye area, so you’re starting with fresh, illuminated eyelids rather than sleepy, purple tones before you apply your eyeshadow. Although the formula is tinted, I found that it didn't distort or dilute the colour of my shadow and does a brilliant job of increasing its wear.
Pros
- Great for illuminating
Cons
- Requires membership for best price
RRP: £6 | Choice of shades? No
Reviewed by: Jess Beech
Studio London is one of Superdrug’s own brand makeup ranges, and while the prices are low, the quality is high (I have it on good authority that they benchmark against some of the biggest names in the beauty industry). The Colour Icon Eyeshadow Base feels like a creamy, lightweight concealer with a hint of a beige tint and applies nicely. It grips tightly onto eyeshadow, helping to improve the colour payoff so the shade looks brighter and bolder. The tube packaging is a little bit annoying, but for this price, it’s certainly not the end of the world.
Pros
- Affordable, give-it-a-go price tag
Cons
- The tube is a bit fiddly
RRP: £21 | Choice of shades? Yes
Reviewed by: Jess Beech
There are a couple of different versions of this iconic buy (an "anti-ageing" one with added blurring pigment and a shimmering rose gold one, for example), but the original is the one I keep returning to. It’s quite wet when you first apply it, which gives you enough slip and playtime to spread it all over the lid before it dries down to a more matte base that grips tightly onto any shadows applied on top. It’s relatively pigmented, too, which helps to disguise the visible veins on my eyelids and create a more uniform base.
Pros
- A little goes a long way
Cons
- Price might put some people off
RRP: £30 | Choice of shades? No
Reviewed by: Jess Beech
A firm favourite of our Beauty Director Sarah Cooper-White, this is one of the best eyeshadow primers because it has a balmy texture that glides beautifully onto the lids. It’s very lightweight and, although it doesn’t stay as silky as when it first comes out of the tube, it doesn’t dry down to a completely matte finish either. This is probably partly down to the inclusion of vitamin E (a reliable moisturising ingredient) and vitamin C (a brightening powerhouse that tends to be oil-based), which give it that makeup-skincare hybrid feel that will please anyone with quite dry eyelids. It's a great one to prevent creasing, too.
Pros
- Skincare-worthy ingredients
Cons
- Tube is a bit messy
RRP: £23 | Choice of shades? No
Reviewed by: Jess Beech
Milk’s Hydro Grip Setting Spray is one of the best makeup setting sprays for added glow, and their Hydro Grip Primer is a hero for dehydrated skin – so it’s fair to say that the Hydro Grip Eye Primer comes from a brand that's trusted for products that boost makeup longevity. What sets it apart from most of the other best eye primers here is that it’s transparent, bar a barely detectable green tinge. Texture-wise, it’s got that slippery yet slightly sticky feel of one of the best hyaluronic acid serums. My shadow wore well when wearing this, and my lids felt soft and comfortable.
Pros
- Nice, silky texture
Cons
- Sheer finish won't be for all
RRP: £23 | Choice of shades: No
Reviewed by: Jess Beech
Not only was this the first product I tried during the testing period for this guide to the best eyeshadow primers, but it was also the one I kept coming back to afterwards. From the very first use, I fell hook, line and sinker. I tried it with cream eyeshadow, powder eyeshadow and even a little of my favourite cream bronzer – all of them were still there by the time I went to bed. The formula is bright white but not super pigmented, so don’t be put off by first appearances if you have a deeper skin tone.
Pros
- Impressive staying power
Cons
- White finish won't suit all skin tones
RRP: £25 | Choice of shades: Yes
Reviewed by: Jess Beech
Laura Mercier describes this as a "foundation for lids", which I think is very apt, as it’s creamy and high coverage enough that I’ve often worn the shade "linen" alone as an everyday beige eyeshadow. As a formula, it’s quite thick and dries quickly, hence why it’s so good at keeping shadows in place. The USP for me, though, is that it comes in six different shades (four beige tones and two colour-correctors) rather than just one.
Pros
- Lots of different shades
Cons
- Not everyone will like the thicker texture
RRP: £20 | Choice of shades: No
Reviewed by: Jess Beech
Fenty is well-known for their commitment to inclusivity, and even though you’ll be topping your primer with eyeshadow rather than wearing it on its own, I was still chuffed to see that what initially looks like another beige eyeshadow primer blends to invisible on the lids. Initially, I was put off by its sticky feeling, but soon found that waiting a minute is long enough for this tackiness to subside. Both powder and cream shadows were easy to buff and blend over the top and stayed exactly where I’d placed them for a full eight hours. So much so, that I had to work extra hard to remove them in time for bed.
Pros
- Suits all skin tones
Cons
- Can be tricky to remove
How we tested the best eyeshadow primers
To put each of the best eyeshadow primers on this list through their paces, I tested each one for at least a whole day and evening, using them with both cream and powder shadows. I have a combination of quite small eyes (which are moving closer towards becoming hooded the older I get) and oily lids, meaning that getting eyeshadows to stay where I put them isn’t that easy a job.
All of the eyeshadow primers that made my top nine passed the test, though, meaning that by the time I reached for my best makeup remover at the end of the day, my eye makeup was still intact, rather than living a new life anywhere between my eyebrows and the apples of my cheeks. My reviews for each are a reflection of the following factors.
- How well they held my eyeshadow in place
- Whether they intensified the finish and colour of the shadows
- If they managed to neutralise my eyelids to create a clear, even canvas
- Whether they were easy to use and apply
- How well they performed versus their price
How to choose the best eyeshadow primer
When it comes to selecting the right eyeshadow primer, it's important to take into account your skin type and what you're actually wanting the formula to do. It's a similar premise to how you might choose a more matte foundation for oily skin and a more dewy, skin-infused formula for drier complexions.
Below, we've shared some intel on everything, from what primer will best suit dry lids, to the ones that will boost colour impact and help to lock shimmers in place...
- For oily eyelids: If you find your eyeshadows are always creasing or seperating through the day, a mattifying primer is a great option.
- For dry eyelids: Primers that feature hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and vitamin E will help to ward off flaking and make for a more comfortable base for your shadows and liners.
- Normal/combination eyelids: If you don't experience extreme dryness or oilyness on your lids, a general-purpose primer is more the way to go - one that focuses on longevity and enhancing your chosen shades, rather than addressing one specific concern.
- For sensitive eyes: We would suggest avoiding any products with fragrance and formulas that may be too drying
- For mature skin: If you're on the hunt for an eyeshadow primer for mature skin, a hydrating and smoothing primer (one that features nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid) is a good option, especially for ensuring that your shadows don't settle in fine lines.
As for the eyeshadow finish or effect you're going for, if you're a fan of very pigmented shadows and light-catching shimmers and want to get the most out of them, there are some eyeshadow primers that are specifically designed for gripping glitter in place.
Equally, if masking tiredness, discolouration, veins or dark circles is more your goal, some formulas feature colour correction or boast a concealer-like tint (many of which you can find above).
Our expert panel
Jess Beech is an experienced fashion and beauty editor who has worked in the publishing industry for over eight years. She has written for titles like Goodto, Woman's Weekly and, of course, woman&home, sharing her expertise on all things makeup, skincare and hair. For this guide, Jess tested all nine of the eyeshadow primers first-hand, and shared her honest thoughts on which formulas really impressed her.
Ruby Hammer is a leading figure in the makeup industry and an ambassador for the British Beauty Council. She has her own beauty line, Ruby Hammer Beauty.
Cynthia Di Meo is a renowned makeup artist currently working as Global Stylist for Selena Gomez's beauty brand, Rare Beauty.
Your eyeshadow primer questions, answered
Do you really need eyeshadow primer?
If I’m honest, I’d say that all makeup products are "nice-to-have" rather than must-haves. So, how much difference an eyeshadow primer will make to your routine will depend on a few factors.
Firstly, are you unhappy with the way eyeshadow currently sits on your lids and wears throughout the day or night? If the answer to this is no, then it’s probably not worth adding another product to your (possibly already overflowing) beauty collection.
However, if you find yourself annoyed when you look in the mirror during the day and see your eyeshadow is creased, patchy, faded or has ended up anywhere other than your lids, I’d say you should give an eyeshadow primer a try. Eyeshadow (especially in big, fancy palettes) can be expensive, so it's often much cheaper to invest in a primer that’ll help them last longer than splashing out on alternative versions.
Do you rub in eyeshadow primer?
The skin around our eyes is super delicate, as it’s naturally thinner than the skin on the rest of our faces and doesn’t have as many oil glands to keep it soft and supple. Because of this, you should never rub your eyes in any capacity – not to apply products like eyeshadow primer or the best eye cream, not to remove makeup and not even when you’re tired. Instead, treat the eye area like delicate silk, being careful not to pull or tug at the skin.
We want eyeshadow primer to sit on top of the skin on our eyelids rather than sink into it, so there’s no need to rub it in. Simply smooth it on, either with an applicator if it comes with one, or your ring finger if not, and then softly blend.
What does primer do to eyeshadow?
In short, “eyeshadow primer is the secret to maintaining long-lasting eye makeup looks that won’t fade,” says Di Meo. “It will create a smooth, oil-controlling surface to prep your eye area for colour application.”
In our opinion, it’s a useful add-on to your eyeshadow, but whether or not you appreciate its benefits will depend on things like whether you have naturally oily or hooded lids, as well as the eyeshadows you’re using, for example. Some shadows are formulated to have brighter pigment and better staying power than others, even without the addition of a primer.
“Whether you need an eyeshadow primer depends on your personal preference,” Di Meo confirms. “If you want your eyeshadow to stay as vibrant and as crease-free as possible throughout the day, then an eyeshadow primer will help lock in the pigment.”
Should eyeshadow primer match your skin tone?
Eyeshadow primers normally come in one shade – either a creamy beige colour or a sort of putty pink. That’s not the colour of most people’s actual eyelids, but Hammer says not to worry about it too much. “Though it’s always great for brands to have tones for all ends of the spectrum, it’s more important that the texture suits your skin type," she says. "Primers prepare the eyelids for colour to be applied on top, boosting their intensity, so don’t need to be a complete skin tone match.”
"When I shop for an eyeshadow primer, I prefer colourless or neutral shades,” Di Meo adds. “Tinted primers can enhance the vibrancy of layered eyeshadow colours, but if [you're] unsure, opting for a colourless primer is a safe choice.”
What is the best primer for dry eyelids?
If you have naturally dry skin around the eyes, which can be caused by things like your skin type, allergies or wearing contact lenses, then you probably find that eyeshadow can cling in patches or flake off. In this case, you’ll want to choose an eyeshadow primer formula that focuses on hydrating and smoothing the area.
"There are lots of different eye shadow primers for all different purposes, and you need to pick the right texture for you," Hammer confirms. "Creamy is great for dry lids, whereas if you have oily lids, you may want a thicker, more mattifying texture."