13 Best Drugstore Eyelash Primers, According To A Makeup Artist (2024)
Flaunt your eyelashes because priming them before mascara is easy and affordable now.
Mary Ajaka is a celebrity makeup artist with 15 years of experience in TV/media, editorial, and bridal makeup. She has a keen eye for detail and understands that each face is unique, which is why she uses different makeup techniques tailored to the individual.
Read full bio of Mary Ajaka
Baishali is a beauty and lifestyle writer and holds a master's degree in English from Assam University. She specializes in makeup and fashion and is also a certified Style and Image Consultant. Prior to this, she was a part of a digital marketing company in Kolkata where she wrote stories on travel, beauty, and home décor.
Read full bio of Baishali Bhattacharya
Experience: 3 yearsSrijani is an associate commerce editor with a master's degree in journalism and mass communication from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal. She is certified in makeup techniques and is also a certified style and image consultant.
Read full bio of Srijani Roy Chowdhury
Experience: 2 yearsSrijita De is a makeup and fashion enthusiast with a passion for empowering readers through practical tips and tricks to present their best selves with confidence. Armed with a postgraduate degree in English and Literature from the University of Calcutta, she has honed her writing skills and developed an in-depth understanding of the beauty and fashion world.
Read full bio of Srijita De
Image: StyleCraze Design Team
Trust us when we say this: once you have found yourself the best drugstore eyelash primer, there’s no looking back! Eyelash primers are the trick to getting a flake-free mascara application. Plus, the feathery and fluttery eyelashes that celebs flaunt are all credits to a coat of a great eyelash primer right before the mascara goes on. So, since now you know, you have to explore our list of the top 13 drugstore eyelash primers that give tough competition to the biggest brands.
In This Article
13 Best Drugstore Eyelash Primers
1. Best Long-Lasting Formula: Blink Lash Primer For Eyelash Extension
The Blink Lash Primer offers quick adherence and a long hold time by removing and dissolving makeup residue and excess oil from your natural eyelashes. It also balances the pH level of the natural lashes, which helps secure a strong bond between the extensions and lashes for longer retention. This drugstore eyelash primer also helps fix your lash extensions easily without slipping or twisting. The lash primer ingredients are skin-friendly as It is enriched with allantoin that rejuvenates the cells, deeply conditions the lashes, and promotes lash growth. Watch this video detailing a tester’s experience with this product for a better understanding of it.
Pros
- Easy to apply
- Long-lasting effects
- Skin-friendly ingredients
- Gentle
- No residue
Cons
- May cause slight irritation.
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The product has received 1,266 positive Amazon reviews from its users, stating its numerous benefits.
2. Best Silicone-Free: Honest Beauty 2-in-1 Mascara + Lash Primer
The Honest Beauty 2-in-1 Mascara + Lash Primer brings you the best of both worlds. This drugstore eyelash primer works with the mascara formula to give you long, defined, and voluminous eyelashes. It gives your lashes a natural-looking lift and creates an even base coat for the mascara to offer lash-lengthening performance and intense color. The rich formula smoothens the eyelashes, and the specially molded bristles help with lash separation, and give it a sky-high lift without clumping. The product is tested by ophthalmologists, so it will not irritate your eyes. Click here to check out a reviewer’s experience with the product.
Pros
- Easy to apply
- Multipurpose
- Dermatologist-tested
- Ophthalmologist-tested
- Toxicologist-verified
- Silicone-free
- Paraben-free
- Paraffin-free
- Mineral oil-free
- Synthetic fragrance-free
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- Takes time to dry completely.
Quick tipWhy We Think It's Worth Buying
This product has made it to our top favorite list with more than 2,771 rave reviews on Amazon.
3. Best For Sensitive Eyes: L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Primer
The Voluminous Lash Paradise Primer from L’Oreal gives you thick and voluminous lashes with a flawless finish. It improves the retention and longevity of your mascara without smudging or running. The pink-tinted drugstore lash primer from the celebrity-endorsed brand is enriched with rose oil that conditions and nourishes your lashes and helps your mascara stay on longer. It comes with a highly efficient brush that has over 200 soft and wavy bristles to hold and curl your lashes, create dramatic volume, and prep them for mascara.
Pros
- Easy to apply
- Long-lasting formula
- Easy to remove
- Ophthalmologist-tested
- Suitable for sensitive eyes
- Ideal for contact lens wearers
Cons
- Tends to clump
Blink Lash Primer For Eyelash Extension Best Long-Lasting Formula | Honest Beauty 2-in-1 Mascara + Lash Primer Best Silicone-Free | L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Primer Best For Sensitive Eyes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Color | Clear | Black | Millennial Pink |
| Compatible Material | Foam | - | - |
| Dimensions | 5 x 1.25 x 1.25 inches | 0.8 x 0.8 x 5.6 inches | 0.77 x 2.75 x 7 inches |
| Weight | 2.89 Ounces | 0.25 Ounces | 0.28 Ounces |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | 1,266 | 2,771 | 3,354 |
| Price | $14.99 | $19.99 | $9.34 |
4. Best Lightweight: JOAH Eyelash Primer
The JOAH Eyelash Primer lengthens, volumizes, lifts, and strengthens your eyelashes. This lightweight, flake-free product lengthens the wear of your mascara. It conditions your lashes over time and enhances their hold, delivering exceptional results. With this primer, you can have the eyelashes of your dreams- longer, thicker, and stronger. This enhancing mascara primer includes an hourglass brush that results in a doe-eyed, falsie effect. Olive oil, biotin, and vitamin E infused in this affordable eyelash primer help condition and enhance the appearance of lashes.
Pros
- Vegan
- Infused with olive oil, biotin, and vitamin E
- Lightweight
- Volumizing
- Flake-free
Cons
- May not be smudge-free
5. Best Smudge-Proof: Grande Primer
The Grande Primer is expertly crafted with no-flake mini fibers and peptides that help enhance the effects of mascara on your lashes. While the peptides strengthen your lashes and make them healthier, the natural wax blend in the formula makes your lashes appear longer and thicker. This drugstore eyelash primer comes with a uniquely molded brush that thoroughly separates for lash definition. The formula is smudge-proof and water-resistant. The white color of this primer helps it act as a perfect canvas for any colored mascara.
Pros
- Smudge-proof
- Water-resistant
- Long-lasting
- Suitable for contact lens wearers
- Ophthalmologist-tested
- Easy to remove
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- May weigh the lashes down.
6. Best Hypoallergenic: Blinc Black Lash Primer
The Blinc Black Lash Primer has an efficient formula that adds dramatic volume and lift to your lashes. It is enriched with pentapeptide-17, which promotes lash nourishment and helps them grow longer and thicker. It also contains D-panthenol and tocopherol acetate, which nourish, hydrate, and condition lashes. This conditioning effect helps in protecting your lashes from environmental damage and stress. It is clinically tested to be non-irritating and is completely safe for contact lens wearers. This drugstore eyelash primer has a unique silicone wand that separates the lashes for a more defined look.
Pros
- Easy to apply
- Hypoallergenic
- Easy to remove
- Synthetic fragrance-free
Cons
- Clumps the lashes.
7. Best For Balancing pH: Existing Beauty Lashes Eyelash Extension Primer
The Existing Beauty Lash Primer is meant for stronger and long-lasting eyelash extensions. It is used to sanitize your natural lashes and get rid of any excess oils, proteins, or mascara. This pre-treatment for sticky lashes helps you save money as it makes the glue of the eyelash extensions last longer. This lash primer guarantees the ideal pH balance for the strongest bonding of lash extensions. This specialized formula extends the life of your eyelash extensions up to several weeks, making eyelash retention issues a thing of the past.
Pros
- Cleans the lashes
- pH level balancing
- Removes excess buildup and oil
- Helps lash glue last longer
Cons
- May irritate your eyes
Quick tip8. Best Easy-To-Use: Covergirl Lash Blast Amplify Primer
Revitalize your eyelashes with the Covergirl Lash Blast Amplify Primer. This drugstore eyelash primer conditions and preps your eyelashes for the mascara. It is enriched with the nourishing properties of argan oil, jojoba oil, and coconut oil, which help in strengthening and conditioning your lashes. This eyelash primer provides a volume boost and makes your lashes look thicker and longer. The creamy and lightweight formula seamlessly glides on your eyelashes to coat them evenly and maximize the effects of your mascara. It comes in a white shade, which makes it a perfect base for any colored mascara. What’s more? It is an affordable option that is free of animal testing, ensuring a guilt-free experience.
Pros
- Easy to apply
- Lightweight
- Goes on smooth
- Cruelty-free
- Value for money
- Easy to remove
Cons
- Can clump easily.
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
It has received over 6,978 rave reviews on Amazon, proving it is a mass favorite.
9. Best Quick-Drying: Lonris Supreme Lash Primer
Use the Lonris Supreme Lash Primer on your natural eyelashes for an instant lift and before putting on lash extensions. This drugstore eyelash primer is designed to instantly clean the grime and oil from the lashes and aid better and longer retention of lash extensions. The gentle formula helps the extensions adhere to the natural lashes without moving or twisting. This eyelash makeup primer’s drying time is just a few seconds and it works well with classic and volume eyelash extensions.
Pros
- Quick-drying
- Long-lasting
- Easy to apply
- Value for money
- Easy to remove
Cons
- Expensive
- Might cause a slight burning sensation.
Remember10. Best For Contact Lens Wearers: Maybelline New York The Colossal Big Shot Tinted Primer
The Maybelline New York The Colossal Big Shot Tinted Primer is a perfect curling eyelash primer for bolder and fuller lashes. This tinted formula is infused with collagen that gives your lashes intense thickness, volume, and length. The brush wand has unique wavy bristles that glide on the lashes seamlessly allowing for precise and smooth application. The bristles guide the lashes upwards for a prominent and defined curl and lift.
Pros
- Easy to apply
- Lightweight
- Easy to remove
- Quick-drying
- Ophthalmologist-tested
- Suitable for contact lens wearers
Cons
- Can get clumpy.
11. Best For Healthy Lash Growth:Forabeli Lash Primer
The Forabeli Lash Primer is one of the most preferred eyelash primers for eyelash extensions, thanks to its superior glue retention ability. It preps your natural eyelashes and offers better hold of the eyelash extensions and keeps them in place. The formula removes excess oil, dirt, and grime from the lashes to allow longer retention of false lashes. It also promotes voluminous, healthy, and thicker lash growth. The drugstore eyelash primer has a pleasant rose fragrance.
Pros
- Easy to apply
- Lightweight
- Easy to remove
- Pleasant fragrance
- Value for money
Cons
- Watery consistency
12. Best For Glue Adhesion:My Beauty Eyes Lash Primer For Eyelash Extension
The Lash Primer from My Beauty Eyes creates a perfect base for your extension and mascara. This drugstore eyelash primer removes dirt and excess oil from the lashes to increase the glue adhesion for extensions. It also prolongs the retention of the lash extensions. The quick-drying and buildable formula is enriched with copper peptide-1, which promotes strong and healthy eyelash growth.
Pros
- Easy to apply
- Easy to remove
- Quick-drying
Cons
- May cause slight irritation and burning sensation.
13. Best For Lash Protection:Clinique Lash Building Primer
The Clinique Lash Building Primer conditions the eyelashes while boosting the effects of your mascara. This lightweight eyelash primer supports lash protection and keeps them nourished. Many reviewers agree that this primer has great adherence properties that hold onto your mascara better and make your eyelashes look thicker, fuller, and longer. The moisturizing properties of this eyelash primer nourish and condition the eyelashes and prevent them from turning dry and brittle.
Pros
- Hypoallergenic
- Ophthalmologist-tested
- Suitable for contact lens wearers
- Sulfate-free
- Paraben-free
- Phthalate-free
- Mineral oil-free
- Gluten-free
- Vegan
- Fragrance-free
Cons
- Clumps slightly
Infographic: Benefits Of Investing In A Lash Primer
If you can’t go a day without your mascara, a lash primer could be a game changer for you. It can improve the appearance of your lashes by acting as a foundation for mascara and adding length, volume, and curl. Check out the infographic below to learn more about the benefits of a lash primer to achieve dazzling lashes.
Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
The Bottom Line
You need the best eyelash primers if you want a flake-free mascara application. For instance, the Blink Lash Primer For Eyelash Extension promotes lash growth and balances the pH level of the lashes, while the L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Primer offers effective curling of the lashes, and the Grande Primer provides maximum lash definition for a smudge-proof look. These primers turn your lashes into a smooth and fanned-out canvas so that you can easily apply the mascara. They also prevent flaking, smudging, and smearing. The reviewed options in the curated list are easy to apply, have long-lasting effects, and have a gentle formula enriched with skin-friendly ingredients. In addition, they are free from all synthetic ingredients and are safe for sensitive skin and eyes and contact lens wearers. With these drugstore eyelash primers, you can achieve thick, voluminous lashes easily. However, read the reviews left by customers before making a purchase. It is also recommended to test the primer by swatching it on the top of your hand to check for allergic reactions before coating your lashes with it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does eyelash primer really make a difference?
Yes, eyelash primer makes your lashes fuller and thicker. It allows the mascara to go on the lashes seamlessly without clumping. In addition, primers increase the adhesive potency of the mascara.
Do you let the lash primer dry before applying mascara?
Yes. Wait 15 to 30 seconds after applying the primer and let it dry to prevent diluting the mascara in the primer formula.
What is the difference between lash primer and mascara?
A lash primer acts as a base coat for the lashes and prepares them for the mascara. It increases the surface area of the lashes and gives them the illusion of longer length and thicker width. On the other hand, mascara is a colored formula that darkens and lifts your lashes for a more enhanced eye look.
How long does eyelash primer last?
An eyelash primer is good for three to six months after you open the seal.
Can you leave lash primer on overnight?
Yes. Leaving a lash primer overnight on your lashes can be beneficial. It strengthens and nourishes the lashes. In addition, the primer prevents your lashes from falling out.
How long do you leave eyelash primer on?
Wear your eyelash primer as long as you wear your mascara. Then, remove it along with your mascara.
Is mascara primer good for your eyelashes?
Yes. Mascara primers feature lash-benefitting ingredients that nourish and improve your lash health. In addition, the primer creates a barrier between your lashes and the mascara and retains its natural shine and texture.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
The author of this article, Baishali Bhattacharya, is certified in makeup techniques and loves reviewing makeup products for her readers. She has carefully researched plenty of product reviews and feedback to compile this list of the best drugstore eyelash primers that help you flaunt lush and fluttery eyelashes. The above-listed products are her top favorites and ensure perfect mascara application without any flaking.
Read full bio of Mary Ajaka
Read full bio of Baishali Bhattacharya
Read full bio of Srijani Roy Chowdhury
Read full bio of Srijita De
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