One of the golden rules of makeup is to prime the lids for eyeshadow! I personally hold this rule so seriously that I forego eyeshadow if lacking a primer. Primers provide a matrix to which shadows can bind — and thereby prevent creasing.

I’d like to name my top 5 selections for eye primer. Of note, I own and have tested each primer listed!

Here we go (in no particular order):

1) Urban Decay “Primer Potion”

This product is golden. This is by far the primer I’ve used the longest, and it has never failed me. In other words, it has never allowed my eyeshadow to crease! To add diversity, the primer comes in 4 shades — the “Original” (which goes on colorless), “Sin” (champagne), “Eden” (matte yellow cream), and “Greed” (golden sheen) — depending upon the look you have in mind! This product can be purchased at ULTA, Sephora, or urbandecay.com.

2) NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in “Milk”

This is a recent discovery, featured in an earlier blog post here. This milky white eyeshadow pencil multiplies the vibrancy and pigmentation of any eyeshadow applied over it — threefold. The best part is that this jewel is only 4 bucks! Unfortunately, this is the only drugstore/budget primer to earn a place on this list. You can grab this little gem at CVS, ULTA, or nyxcosmetics.com.

3) Mac Pro Longwear Paint Pot in “Painterly”

The entire Mac Pro Longwear line is high quality, but perhaps my favorite items are these paint pots! The shade in “Painterly” is an excellent all-over lid primer. The formula has just the right balance of thickness and smoothness. A matte pinky-beige shade, this primer is flesh-toned and will likely suit all skin tones — but especially cooler-toned ladies. You can purchase this item (and the next) at your local Mac counter or at maccosmetics.com.

4) Mac Pro Longwear Paint Pot in “Soft Ochre”

This is another wonderful shade from the Pro Longwear line! “Soft Ochre” is a yellow-based beige — and will be ideal for warmer skin tones as well as eyelids with visible capillaries. Again, the formula is a dream. Unlike “Painterly”, this shade is not flesh-toned and also serves to brighten the eye area in general.

5) Lorac “Behind the Scenes” Eye Primer

I recently received a sample of this primer with my new Lorac “Pro 2” Palette — and have been very impressed! It is most similar to the original Urban Decay primer potion in that it goes on the lid completely colorless but keeps shadows vibrant and intact all day long. This primer can be purchased at ULTA or loraccosmetics.com.

One final tip regarding eyeshadow primers! It is always best to apply this product with one’s fingers — not a brush. This application technique “warms up” the primer and helps it melt into the skin.

See you next time! 😘