What Does Eyeshadow Primer Do?

A wide variety of makeup and beauty products are peppering the market today. Question is, are they making a difference, or are they optional? Here’s some information on whether eyeshadow primers are necessary and why you should use them. What does eyeshadow primer do?

Table of Contents

• What is eyeshadow primer?
• Eyeshadow Primer vs. Face Primer
• Benefits of Eyeshadow Primer
• Is an Eyeshadow Primer the Same as an Eyeshadow Base?
• How to Apply Eyeshadow Primers
• Try it yourself!
• Final Thoughts 

What is eyeshadow primer?

This is a wondrous product that can fulfill many tasks at once.

However, its most important function is that it makes the eyeshadow stay on longer and better.

Not everyone needs it, but if you have oily skin, or you notice that your eyeshadow creases or disappears quickly, you should give it a chance.

Eyeshadow Primer vs. Face Primer

You might look into your toiletry organizer travel bag and find these two products.

What is the difference between these two?

Some of us use foundation or concealer as primer, and that also works. Even face primers are a popular alternative.

But as we said earlier, others might still have issues with eyeshadow.

The main difference is that facial primer formulation makes your skin smoother and allows the flawless application of foundation and other base products.

Thus, the primary purpose of a facial primer is to smoothen the texture of your skin, while primer for your eyelids will keep your eye makeup in place for a more extended period.

Eyeshadow primers work by ensuring a better application of the eyeshadow to your lid (makes it “stick”), keeps it in place, and prevents it from creasing.

Benefits of Eyeshadow Primer

The first advantage you get is it helps you prepare your eyelids for using shadow. It helps the eyeshadow stay on for a longer time. It also makes it a much easier job to blend in eyeshadow colors.

A second perk you get from using eyeshadow primers, similar to the use of foundations, is that it evens out skin color. Some people have genetic skin discolorations around their eyes; thus, a primer is a great help in achieving the same color tone around your eyes.

Additionally, for those who find that their eye area have visible veins, it also covers them.

Check out our post on best under eye primer for mature skin.

Have you ever been disappointed after applying your powder eyeshadow? Once they cover our eyelids, they are nowhere near as vibrant as they look in the palette. If you want a more vibrant color, similar to the one you have in your palette, apply eyeshadow primer before applying your chosen colors.

As we briefly mentioned above, eyeshadow primer can help you if you have oily skin. One of its main properties is to act as a barrier between your skin and the makeup. In other words, it keeps away all the skin oils that make your eyeshadow smudge or crease during the day.

If you do experience smudging or fading, a great eyeshadow primer is a must.

Eyeshadow primer can be a girl’s best friend in humid or hot environments too, purely because it prevents body oils from blending in and disturbing your makeup.

Is an Eyeshadow Primer the Same as an Eyeshadow Base?

Well, no.

However, they are quite similar.

Eyeshadow base does not prevent your eyeshadow from creasing, fading or smudging, but it helps you to make the pigment (especially powder) stick to your skin, makes it last longer and intensifies color. Some eyeshadow bases also help in blending out one color to the other.

For extra-lasting makeup, most artists use an eyeshadow primer, then eyeshadow base and, in the end, the eyeshadow itself.

How to Apply Eyeshadow Primers

The first step is to have a good quality product that matches you need. You can refer to our article for more information about what primer you should use.

Take a small amount of the product on your fingertip and apply it evenly to your entire lid, from the bottom side (next to your eye), working up slowly towards the eyebrow.

Afterwards, take a base brush and blend evenly on your entire lid.

Make sure you leave it one or two minutes before you apply your eyeshadow.

If you decide to apply eyeshadow under your eye too, you can also repeat step two on the area under your eye.

Try it yourself!

Final Thoughts

Overall, an eye makeup primer is not essential. If your makeup is fine the way it is, you can skip this step.

However, if you notice your eyelids become oily, or your eyeshadow fades or creases, a good-quality eye base primer is precisely what you are missing.

For extra wearable eyeshadow makeup, you can also follow it up with an eyeshadow base for added longevity.

Either way, ensure you blend all correctly and let it sit for a couple of minutes before applying the eyeshadow.

More on eye makeup from our blog!

• Best Eyeliner for Tightlining Oily Lids
• Apply Eye Makeup Like a Pro
• What is Face Primer Used For
• Best Drugstore Glitter Glue

What are your eyeshadow tips and tricks?