You chose the eyeshadow palette, you grabbed your makeup brushes—just don’t forget to prime your lids before you go to town. While often skipped for the sake of time, a base of the best eyeshadow primer is crucial to ensure your work stays put throughout the day. “Eye primers prevent eyeshadow from settling into eyelid creases, all while extending the longevity of your eye makeup,” pro makeup artist Min Sandhu tells Vogue. “Eye primers contain film-forming agents such as silicones or polymers to create a smooth base for eyeshadow, all while intensifying the pigment,” adds Sandhu, meaning it won’t just lock in product, but it’ll enhance the vibrancy of pigments and ensure your look remains fresh after hours of wear.
Vogue’s Favorite Eyeshadow Primers
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Whether you’re looking for a translucent formula to maintain a natural finish, a color-correcting primer to even out skin tone, or a multi-purpose product that delivers additional skin-care benefits, there’s an eyeshadow primer to meet your needs. And for those with sensitive eyes, plenty of gentle, hypoallergenic options are available that deliver the same high-performance results without irritation. A look at the best eyeshadow primers, below.
Best for Sensitive Eyes: Anastasia Beverly Hills Eye Primer
- Why We Love It: Those with sensitive eyes need not fear irritation when crafting their eyeshadow look—Anastasia Beverly Hills’s eye primer is dermatologist- and ophthalmologist-approved. The light-colored creamy base creates a smooth canvas that enhances the vibrancy of any pigments—whether their neutrals, shimmer, or fun colors. The vegan formula is water-resistant, ensuring durability and long-wearing eyeshadow looks. A little of this product goes a long way—squeeze out a pea-sized amount to blend across each eyelid.
- More to Know: Cruelty-free, vegan, clinically tested, ophthalmologist tested, dermatologist tested, noncomedogenic, paraben free, oil free, alcohol free
- Key Ingredients: Dimethicone, panthenol, vitamin E, allatoin
- Shades: 1
- Size: 0.5 oz
Best Waterproof: Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion
- Why We Love It: My first introduction to eyeshadow primer as a teen was Urban Decay’s primer potion—with the original formula standing up to the humidity of many summer musical festivals (and my crease-cut eyeshadow remaining crease-free). Thanks to a formula fueled by polymers, skin texture and fine lines are filled in, creating a flawless base for any eyeshadow looks. The waterproof formula can hold up to humidity, sweat, and even tears (wedding season, anyone?).
- More to Know: Cruelty-free, vegan, paraben-free
- Key Ingredients: Isododecane, talc, eicosene copolymer, dimethicone, synthetic beeswax
- Shades: 3
- Size: 0.33 oz
Best Lightweight: Hourglass Cosmetics Veil Eye Primer
- Why We Love It: This eye primer is so lightweight that you may forget you’re even wearing it. Despite its airy feel, you’ll still get the benefits of a smooth canvas and reduced creasing—all with the added bonus of skin-loving ingredients. Vitamin C and E moisturize, while their antioxidant properties work to reduce hyperpigmentation and sun damage. Meanwhile, viamerine plumps skin with added hydration, minimizing the appearance of fine lines.
- More to Know: Paraben-free, sulfate-free, phthalate-free; mineral oil–free; synthetic dye–free; synthetic fragrance–free
- Key Ingredients: Viamerine, vitamin C, vitamin E
- Size: 0.32 oz
Best Multi-purpose: MAC Cosmetics Pro Longwear Paint Pot Cream Eyeshadow
- Why We Love It: For those who love a multi-purpose product, MAC’s paint pot acts as a cream eyeshadow and primer. This highly pigmented, water-resistant formula acts as an eye primer and cream eyeshadow. Buildable and never cakey, no matter which of the 14 shades you pick, you can wear this product on its own or layer on pressed powder shadows.
- More to Know: Paraben-free, phthalate-free, sulfate-free, mineral oil-free, formaldehyde-free, dermatologist tested, ophthalmologist tested
- Key Ingredients: Isododecane, dimethicone, silica, tocopheryl acetate, carnauba wax
- Shades: 14
- Size: 0.17 oz
Best Translucent: Pat McGrath Labs IntensifEyes Longwear Primer
- Why We Love It: Pat McGrath never fails to provide high-performing products—especially when it comes to captivating gaze. This long-wearing primer boasts up to 24 hours of wear, keeping you water, sweat, and humidity-resistant. A blend of ceramides, caffeine, and synthetic beeswax smooths over creases and blurs imperfections. Unlike some other eyeshadow primers, this one goes on translucent, making it suitable for all skin tones, from fair to deep.
- More to Know: Ophthalmologist-tested, water-resistant
- Key Ingredients: Isododecane, mica, talc, rice extract, dimethicone, polyethylene, caffeine, ceramides, camellia sinensis leaf powder, vitamin E, lactic acid, tocopherol, synthetic beeswax
- Shades: 1
- Size: 0.16 oz
Best Long-Wear: NARS Pro Prime Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base
- Why We Love It: ICYMI—TikTok has been going wild for this NARS eyeshadow base which is praised as the ultimate long-wear formula (not something said lightly!). Some even swear their eye look lasted through a trip to the beach—swimming included. Speaking of the ocean, this formula blends deep sea plant extracts with rice bran for antioxidant properties, with polymers and mineral powders for grip and makeup’s overall staying power.
- More to Know: Fragrance-free, ophthalmologist-tested, dermatologist-tested
- Key Ingredients: Isododecane, tocopheryl acetate, beeswax, rice bran extract, sea whip extract
- Shades: 1
- Size: 0.28 oz
Everything You Need To Know:
How To Choose an Eyeshadow Primer
According to Sandhu, eye primer should always prolong your eyeshadow wear and intensify the pigments of pressed powders. “Always look for a bendable texture that doesn’t feel thick, greasy, or sticky to the touch,” says Sandhu. “Most eyeshadow primers have a slight tint, similar to that of a concealer, to even out the color of eyelids.” In the case of those with oily eyelids, Sandhu advises opting for oil-free or waterproof formulas for long-wear assurance.
How To Apply an Eyeshadow Primer
According to Sandhu, less is always more when it comes to applying—a pea size amount will do. “Use a small amount for both eyelids, [with] either a brush or your fingertips. Let the primer set for half a minute or so to ensure that the shadow grips onto the primer one you apply it,” she says.
Does concealer work as well as eyeshadow primer for setting eyelids?
Those skeptical of eye primers (or who firmly believe concealer is enough to get the job done)—Sandhu says think again! “Concealer can be great to neutralize discoloration and create a smooth base, however, its creamy texture can cause creasing and actually make eyeshadows fade faster—this is especially true if you have oily eyelids,” she explains. “On the other hand, if you tend to have dry skin, a more matte concealer could work to prime, as long as it is applied sparingly and not overloaded onto the lid.”
- Min Sandhu is a multifaceted beauty professional, specializing in makeup, hair, and nails. With 11 years of experience, Sandhu has worked on campaigns for Victoria Beckham Beauty, Hugo Boss, Rimmel London, Avon, and more. Her editorial work is published in in Elle, Vanity Fair, Wonderland, British Vogue, and GQ.
