15 Best Eyeshadow Primers To Prevent Creasing & Fading – 2024
Experience flawless, well-blended eye makeup every time with these primers.
Kerrin is a 4-time Emmy-nominated film and television makeup artist. She has worked on TV shows, such as The Walking Dead, The Mandalorian, and Our Flag Means Death, and films, such as Star Wars - Revenge of the Sith, Star Wars - Attack of the Clones, Guardians of the Galaxy 2, The Hobbit Trilogy, and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales to name a few.
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Experience: 2 yearsShalini Roy has a Master's degree in English literature from Pondicherry University. She is an ambivert whose expressions have found their way in writing. She channels her passion for all things fashion and makeup to write engaging content related to beauty and lifestyle and has two years of experience.
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If you’re fed up with the eyeshadows that crease and look uneven by the end of the day, you can try prepping your eyes with the best eyeshadow primers we have listed out today. These primers prevent the secretion of excess oils near the eye area, enhance the hue of the eyeshadow, and therefore you don’t require frequent touch ups. Scroll below and check our list of the best eyeshadow primers available in the cosmetics market and find the perfect one for yourself.
In This Article
15 Best Eyeshadow Primers
1) Best For Oily Skin: Elizabeth Mott Thank Me Later Eye Shadow Primer
The Thank Me Later Eyeshadow Primer by Elizabeth Mott is a light, whitish, almost transparent primer. It locks in and enhances the eyeshadow color for a flawless look. The pearl powder in the eye primer evens out and brightens the skin tone. The eye makeup primer also has oil combating properties and is perfect for oily skin.
This non-greasy primer sets in a semi-matte finish, eliminates creases, and dries within seconds. It is weightless and helps your eye makeup stay put for a very long time. The eyeshadow primer is also cruelty-free and is a part of PETA’s Beauty Without Bunnies program. It comes with a money-back guarantee in case you are not satisfied with the product. Here’s an honest review of the product along with the reviewer’s experience of using it.
- Long-lasting
- Quick-drying
- Brightening
- Cruelty-free
- No artificial fragrance
- Non-greasy
- Money-back guarantee
- May not work well in humid environments.
"I like how well this primer holds on my oily lids. It's particularly good for hot, humid climates and on hooded eyes. It blends smoothly and enhances eyeshadow vibrancy without any creasing."
Quick tip
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The product has received 31,252 positive Amazon reviews from its users, stating its numerous benefits.
2) Best Waterproof: NYX Professional Makeup Proof It! Waterproof Eyeshadow Primer
This waterproof eyeshadow primer by NYX makes sure your eyeshadow stays on your eyelids, no matter what the weather is. It has a white tint during application but dries clear. The cosmetic is durable, glides smoothly, and ensures your eyeshadow stays in place throughout the day. This waterproof eyeshadow primer is best for humid days, lounging at the beach, or even a long night out. The unique formula ensures maximum pigmentation while making your eyeshadow waterproof. This product is not tested on animals, making it a wonderful option for people looking for cruelty-free formulas. Here’s a video featuring a detailed review of the product along with a tester’s experience of using it.
- Waterproof
- Durable
- Cruelty-free
- Oil-free formula
- Enhances color pigmentation
- Takes a while to dry
Quick tip3) Best Lightweight Formula: Milani Eyeshadow Primer
The Milani Eyeshadow Primer has a lightweight formula that helps intensify your favorite eyeshadow and increase its wear from day to night. It is crease-proof and acts as the perfect base to make your eyeshadow palette pop. The cruelty-free primer goes on nude, dries invisibly, and is suitable for all skin tones. This video will help you understand the product better. through a tester’s experience of using it.
- Lightweight
- Invisible
- Works on all skin tones
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- Dries invisible
- Long-lasting
- Affordable
- May dry the eyelids
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
This product has received 6,119 reviews from customers on Amazon, indicating its popularity and reliability.
4) Best Crease-Proof Formula: Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion
The Eyeshadow Primer Potion by Urban Decay is an award-winning, shimmery, pale nude eye primer that dries to a matte finish. It offers a vibrant and creaseless eyeshadow look that lasts all day long. The eyeshadow primer is extremely smooth on your eyelids and helps in even distribution of color. It leaves behind a subtle shimmer as a base for perfect bold and natural skin tones.
This creamy eyeshadow primer works for all skin types and eye shapes. The long-lasting formula aids in pigmented eyeshadow application and intensifies the look of metallic, shimmer, matte, or glitter eyeshadows. The super creamy texture ensures there are no cracks in your eye makeup. This eye primer is formulated with polymer technology that prevents your eyeshadow from fading. It is vegan and free of animal testing, making it an ideal choice if you are looking for cruelty-free formula. The wand applicator ensures precise and controlled application every time. The primer is also free of harmful chemicals like parabens, making it a good choice for sensitive skin.
- Anti-crease formula
- Suits all skin tones
- Paraben-free
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- Subtle shimmer
- Does not fade
- Long-lasting formula
- Sticky
- Not waterproof
Pro Tip5) Best Nourishing Formula: Burt’s Bees Eye Shadow Primer
The Burt’s Bees Eye Shadow Primer can lock in just about any eye shadow color in place. It helps to create a smooth eyeshadow base and thus extends the longevity of eye shadow. It gives a good color payoff. Its super-lightweight, creamy formula melts onto the lids without weighing them down or leaving any residue. It is formulated with vitamin E and berry fruit wax. It is more than a flawless eyeshadow finish! The gentle eye care formula is suitable for all skin types. Adding this primer to your daily makeup essentials kit can work wonders for your eye health and look. Several reviews on Amazon state that this primer is easy to apply and locks eyeshadow in place for long hours.
- Lightweight
- Works on all skin tones
- Formulated with natural ingredients
- Paraben-free
- SLS-free
- Phthalate-free
- Petrolatum-free
- Might need to layer it on to get more coverage
6) Best Budget-Friendly: CoverGirl Lid Lock Up Eyeshadow Primer
The CoverGirl Lid Lock Up Eyeshadow Primer pairs perfectly with the TruNaked Eyeshadow palettes. It makes your eyeshadow crease-proof and long-lasting. The unique formula intensifies the pigments in your eyeshadow, making it vibrant. This eyeshadow primer dries quickly and has a hassle-free application. The sticky formula acts as glitter glue and makes metallic and shimmer eyeshadows pop.
- Affordable
- Shadow security
- Long-lasting
- Dries quickly
- Best for oily skin
- May cause clumping
7) Best For Dry Skin: Revlon Colorstay Eyeshadow Primer
The Revlon Colorstay Eyeshadow Primer uses ColorStay technology to make your eyeshadow last all day without creasing. The shea butter care complex in the formula provides a smooth surface for eyeshadow application. This eyeshadow primer is lightweight and non-greasy and makes your eyeshadow look fresh throughout the day. Its universal shade works well for all skin tones. The ColorStay Primer does not dry out easily, making it a go-to primer for people with dry skin.
- Suitable for all skin tones
- Non-drying formula
- Non-greasy
- Long-lasting
- May cause redness in sensitive skin
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The extensive 5,460 rave reviews on Amazon prove why we are vouching for this product.
8) Best Smudge-Proof: Ulta Beauty Matte Eye Primer
The Matte Eye Primer by Ulta Beauty ensures prolonged wear by eliminating creasing. It can be used with virtually any eyeshadow formula – powder, gel, mousse, and even loose pigments. The long-wear and smudge-proof formula ensures your eyeshadow lasts all day and offers exceptional results. This eyeshadow primer has a translucent flesh color and is suitable for all skin tones. It is free of oils, fragrance, and sulfates and is vegan, making it the best option for sensitive skin.
- Long-wearing
- Smudge-proof
- Suitable for all skin tones
- Fragrance-free
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- Less quantity for the price
9) Best Blendable: Burt’s Bees Eye Shadow Primer
The Burt’s Bees Eye Shadow Primer is a must-have for anyone who wants to ensure their eye makeup stays put all day long. The formula is made with nourishing ingredients like beeswax, which melts into your skin and blends the eyeshadow shades easily. It comes in one translucent beige color that works with all skin tones and is very lightweight on the skin. It has a good color payoff and extends the wear of eye-shadow without any patchiness or stickiness.
- Lightweight
- Blends seamlessly
- Long-lasting
- Works for all skin tones
- Moisturizing
None
10) Best Cruelty-Free: theBalm Priming Is Everything Neutral Eyeshadow Primer
theBalm Priming Is Everything Neutral Eyeshadow Primer acts as a base to keep your eyeshadow in place. It gives a bright and brilliant pop to your eyeshadow color. This neutral eyeshadow primer is suitable for all skin types and tones. The unique formula ensures no creasing or no fading. This versatile eyeshadow primer will keep your look fresh from day to night. It is also cruelty-free and does not contain harmful parabens.
- Cruelty-free
- Paraben-free
- Long-lasting
- Lightweight
- Suitable for all skin tones and types
None
11) L.A. Girl Pro Primer
This HD eyeshadow primer is a multitasker. The lightweight, smooth, and non-sticky formula glides smoothly on your eyelids to prep your eyes for a flawless and even application. It serves as an eye makeup base that works for all skin types. The long-lasting formula of the primer also enhances the pigments in the eyeshadow. This eyelid primer addresses the appearance of redness and any signs of discoloration. It also balances your skin tone and brightens your eyelids.
- Cruelty-free
- Good coverage
- Lightweight
- Smooth texture
- Works on all skin tones and types
- Long-lasting formula
- Brightens eyelids
- Addresses redness and discoloration
- May irritate the eyes
12) Best Crease-Proof: Too Faced Shadow Insurance Anti-Crease Primer
The featherlight Too Faced Shadow Insurance Anti-Crease Eye Shadow Primer comes with unique binders that help to lock in the eye shadow pigments, so it acts more like a glue for eyeshadow. This waterproof formula ensures that your makeup doesn’t budge or crease a bit be it rain, sweat, or tears! It also helps to give an even tone to your skin by neutralizing discoloration around the eye area. This crease-proof formula also helps to intensify eyeshadow color, and its invisible, smooth finish allows you to create the perfect canvas for your eye makeup.
- Lightweight
- Invisible finish
- Fade-proof
- Waterproof
- Long-lasting
- Has a watery consistency
13) True + Luscious Angel Eyes Eyeshadow Primer/Base
The Angel Eyes Eyeshadow Primer/Base by True + Luscious is a talc-free formula that keeps oil in check and acts like a magnet for powder and cream eyeshadow pigments. This ensures your eyeshadow is applied more evenly and is vibrant.
The eyeshadow primer dries in a matte finish that stays for up to 12 hours. It is non-drying and alcohol-free, making it suitable for sensitive skin types. This expertly crafted eyeshadow primer locks in makeup and creates a blank canvas for eye makeup by correcting any signs of discoloration. It glides smoothly over your skin without tugging your eyelids. This product is vegan and contains mostly plant-driven ingredients. It is available in three different shades.
- Talc-free formula
- Matte finish
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- Plant-derived ingredients
- Available in 3 different shades
- Non-drying
- Alcohol-free
- May cause the eyeshadow to crease
"After trying various eyeshadow primers, I found this one's ability to conceal the bluish-red tint on my eyelids very good. It holds the eyeshadow beautifully without creasing or fading. It's good for everyday use and also caters to sensitive skin."
14) Trish Mcevoy Eye Base Essentials Eyeshadow Primer
Trish McEvoy’s Eye Base Essentials brightens and corrects any signs of discoloration on your eyelids. This eyeshadow primer instantly creates a more bright-eyed and vibrant look while locking the eyeshadow in place. It is crease-proof, stays all day, and improves your eyeshadow’s longevity.
- Dermatologist-tested
- Gluten-free
- Long-lasting
- Too light for Asian skin tones
15) Bellaterra Cosmetics Eye Shadow Primer
The Bellaterra Cosmetics Eye Shadow Primer allows the eyeshadows to adhere to your eyes all day to last your makeup for a long time. This lightweight, silky-smooth primer glides easily and creates a perfect canvas for eye shadow application. It enhances the color payoff of your eyeshadows and prevents creasing and smudging. The primer absorbs excess oil and prevents eyeshadow from settling into wrinkles, making it ideal for those with oily skin and mature eyes.
- Lightweight
- Glides smoothly
- Intense color payoff
- Long-lasting
- Cruelty-free
- Hypoallergenic
- Some may find it drying on eyelids
Kerrin Jackson, a makeup artist, says, “An eye primer has become an invaluable tool to have in your makeup collection. It can literally keep your eye makeup on all day, without it moving at all. But remember that you only need a tiny amount to cover the surface of your eyelid, and it should only be covering your lid in a very fine layer.”
Before choosing an eyeshadow primer, it is important to know what to look for. Scroll down to the next section to find out.
How To Choose The Right Eyeshadow Primer
There are multiple options for eyeshadow primers, and you can pick one that will work best for you, depending on how you do your makeup and the type of skin over your eyes.
- Best Eyeshadow Primers For Oily Eyelids
If your eye region appears too oily, look for a mattifying eyeshadow primer. Liquid formulas work best, as they tend to mattify rapidly and absorb the oils around the eyes. This makes sure your eyeshadows don’t smudge or wrinkle.
- Best Eyeshadow Primers For Sensitive Eyelids
For sensitive skin, look for primers that are creamy and won’t dry down as fast. The quick-drying and mattifying primers can pull on the eyelids and cause irritation. Also, go for creamy eyeshadow bases. Stay away from primers with scents or irritating oils.
- Best Eye Primers For Dry And Mature Eyelids
If your skin is on the drier side or you have pigmentation and wrinkles around the eyes, opt for a hydrating eyeshadow primer. Many eye primers incorporate anti-aging and skin moisturizing ingredients, including aloe vera, vitamin E, glycerin, and peptides.
- Best Eye Primers For Correcting Discoloration And Dark Circles
Some eye primers can double as concealers to help hide pigmentation around the eyes. Pick eye primers in a shade that matches your skin tone for discoloration. Go for an eye primer with peachy or pink tints to correct dark circles. Opt for a green-toned primer for correcting redness.
- Best Eye Primers For Boosting Eyeshadow Color
If your eyeshadow often looks dull, you can use primers to boost the color’s brightness. The key is to discover an eyelid primer that is a lighter shade than your skin tone. Use white eye primers to boost pigmentation in eyeshadows, black primers for dark eyeshadows, and luminous primers for shimmery eyeshadows.
In addition, you can also pick dermatologist-tested products or expert-recommended formulas that are safe for your skin, especially if you have extremely sensitive skin.
In the next section, we have discussed how to apply an eye primer the right way.
How To Use Eye Primer Correctly
- Wash your face before you apply your foundation or concealer.
- Pat a tiny amount of eye primer to cover your eyelid with your fingertip or a brush.
- Wait for a few seconds for the primer to dry.
- Apply your eyeshadow and eyeliner as usual.
It is also important to use the right kind of primer for different eyeshadow looks. Scroll down for more information
Types Of Eye Primers
- Neutral Eye Primer: The formula goes on clear or colored to match your skin tone, leaving a neutral base for you to finish applying your eyeshadow. Neutral eyeshadow primers make sure your eyeshadow and eyeliner last the entire day and are wrinkle- and smear-free.
- Tinted Eye Primer: Tinted eyeshadow primers are available in a wide assortment of shades and can enhance and brighten the eyeshadow color. If you use liquid liners, a tinted eye primer can create a smudge-free layer underneath.
- Glitter Eye Primer: If you are an eye makeup professional, you will realize that there is one area where most eye primers miss the mark – glitter. Glitter eyeshadows mostly contain bigger particles than the average eyeshadow, and glitter primers work to keep the sparkles from getting all over your face.
The Bottom Line
Creasy eyeshadows smudge and spoil the eye makeup and may not last long. If you are going for an outing or on a date and want your eyes to look bright with long-lasting makeup that doesn’t need frequent touchups, you need non-creasy eyeshadow primers. The Elizabeth Mott Thank Me Later Eye Shadow Primer helps even out the skin tone and enhance the eyeshadow look with its quick-drying formula, the Milani Eyeshadow Primer offers a light and long-lasting base for all skin tones, and the Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion ensures a smooth, precise application with its safe and high-end formula. These primers prevent the skin from creating excess sebum. These products are non-greasy, vegan, waterproof, and hence durable. However, some products might not suit every skin type. Read the buying guide to choose the best eyeshadow primers that suit your skin tone.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
The author, Shalini Roy, is a makeup enthusiast who loves trying out different products and reviewing them for users. She has come up with the above list of the best eyeshadow primers following extensive research of a wide range of products and an in-depth evaluation of customer feedback. These primers prevent the secretion of excess oils near the eye area and highlight the eyeshadow.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between an eyeshadow base and a primer?
A primer is always the first step. It creates a smooth surface, helps avoid creasing, and keeps natural oils from smudging your eyeshadow. A base also goes on before your eyeshadow, but it offers a different benefit. While it doesn’t stop creasing or oils, it enhances the eyeshadow’s color and makes it more vibrant. It does not make your shadow last as long as a primer would, but it offers more holding power than a bare lid due to its sticky nature.
Should I apply my eyeshadow primer beneath my lid?
Yes. When applied underneath the eyes, eyeshadow primers can help prevent your eyeshadow from creasing and make it last longer.
Does eyeshadow primer work for eyeliner?
Yes, it does. Applying eye makeup primer below your eyeliner can make it smudge-free and long-lasting.
Do you let my eyeshadow primer dry?
Yes, let your eyeshadow primer dry and settle well into your skin before applying other eye makeup base products.
Is there a difference between a primer and an eye primer?
There are no major differences except that most eye primers have gentler formulas devoid of silicones. Eye primer formulas offer a better finish than face primers and last longer on your skin.
Should you set your eyeshadow primer with powder?
No, it is not necessary to set your eyeshadow primer with powder. Instead, opt for powder eyeshadows and directly apply them to your semi-damp eye primer.
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