Ask Elle: All About Eyelid Primers

Hey you! I hope your week is going well. I was having a bad day but that all changed once I hit my biggest daily views ever--over 20k! I just wanted to thank you for stopping by. You're awesome! But back to today's Ask Elle--what is eyelid primer and why do we need it?

Whether you call them eyelid primers, eyeshadow primers, or eyeshadow bases, these are handy products to keep in your makeup bag. And there are eyelid primers for every budget. They take seconds to apply but are so very beneficial. Simply blend them all over your lids before applying eyeshadow. Here's what they do:

{with primer and without}

1. Even out skin tone/redness/discoloration--A couple of instances where this is beneficial: visible veins or dark/bruised lids. Primer can instantly brighten lids.
2. Staying power for shadows--Some drugstore (and even some high-end) shadows don't last all day and fade or melt away from lids. Eyelid primers can make shadows last all day (and night) and some make shadows water-proof.
3. Color enhancer--Again, not all shadows are created equally. I've seen shadows in every price range that are chalky and without good pigmentation. Using an eyelid primer causes the colors to pop and be seen. Tip: If you have darker skin, use a white primer.
4. Staying power for eyeliner--I also will blend in eyelid primer where ever I am prone to put eyeliner. This helps to: set the liner, make it last all day, and not blur away.
5. No creasing shadows--Be it shadow quality or oily lids, sometimes the shadow will crease. Unless this is some hot new trend I'm not aware of, I try to avoid creasing shadows by using primer first.
6. Smoothes lines--If you have wrinkles or an uneven lid surface, give primer a try.
7. Shadow Blender--Eyelid primer can help to blend shadows more effectively.
8. Highlighter--Depending on the shade you choose, some eyelid primers can highlight underneath the brows or the inner corner of eyes.

Types of Eyelid Primers:

• These come in a tube and are applied by squeezing the tube or using the doe-foot applicator. They are very thin in consistency and some brands have a few colors (skin tone, white, champagne, gold) to choose from. Swatches at bottom of post.
• Brands suggested (note: I have not tried every primer available):
• Urban Decay Primer Potion $$ (4 colors)
• Wet N Wild Fergie $ 
• ELF $ (some with oily lids didn't like, but best deal for $1, and comes in 4 colors)
• Too Faced Shadow Insurance $$
• L'Oreal Decrease $
• Benefit Stay Don't Stray $$
• Reader Recommended: Lorac $$

• Some primers come in a thicker consistency (more on those below) like a cream base or gel-silicone base. Pictured are NYX Eyeshadow Base $ (also in white and one of my faves) and Mirabella Primer $$. 

• There are other products available that are not technically called eyelid primers but can be used as such.
• NYX Jumbo Eye Pencils $ (pictured, milk)--These creamy pencils come in a variety of colors and can be worn alone on the lids. See other uses for the NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil here.
• Maybelline Color Tattoos 24 Hour Cream Gel Shadows $-- Just like NYX, these come in a variety of colors and can be worn alone. These are outstanding with staying power.
• MAC Paint Pot $$ is another fabulous cream option, similar to the Color Tattoo.
• Concealers--If in a pinch (and what I used to do before drugstore primers were available) use a non-creasing concealer (I've tried all consistencies, so use the brand that works for you) as an eyelid primer. These only come in skin tones, but can work if needed. The one pictured is the L'Oreal True Match. I rub it on a brush before applying to my lids--the end is too sharp for my lids.
• NOTE: Many of the primers are paraben-free. But if you'd like to make your own primer, take organic body butter and mix with organic foundation.

Swatches of some of the eyelid primers mentioned. 

Allow these thinner consistency primers a few seconds to dry before applying shadows.

Check out more Tips to Get Shadows to Pop here.

Do you use eyelid primers?

What brand is your favorite?

Have a beauty question? ASK ELLE!