You need a great eyeshadow primer for a killer (and lasting) beauty look. Using a good eyeshadow primer is important for creating a long-lasting and vibrant eye makeup look. Eyeshadow primer helps to create a smooth and even base on the eyelids, which helps to prevent creasing, fading, and smudging of eyeshadow throughout the day. It can also help to intensify the color and pigment of the eyeshadow, making it more vibrant and long-lasting. Overall, using a good eyeshadow primer can help to ensure that your eye makeup looks its best and lasts throughout the day or night.

Best 10 Eyeshadow Primers

• Urban Decay Original Eyeshadow Primer Potion

It’s an oldie, but it’s a goodie. This eyeshadow primer, like Urban Decay’s 24/7 eyeliner (opens in new tab), has achieved cult status for good reason. This primer is something you use every time youwear eyeshadow because it has great staying power and creates a super smooth base for shadows. This is Disco’s “everyday eyeshadow primer,” she says, adding that “it’s very light and doesn’t add any coverage, but it creates the perfect base to blend shadow on.” While I prefer the original, colorless formula, there are shimmery (opens in new tab), matte (opens in new tab), and anti-aging (opens in new tab) variations available.

-Pros: Pro- and editor-approved; brightens shadows; prevents creasing; smoothes skin for even application; simple to use; extends the life of shadows; Vegan formulation.

-Cons: On dry skin, it may appear patchy; it dries quickly.

• Ruby Kisses 24 HR Eyeshadow Magic Primer

If you’re looking for a reliable budget-friendly eyeshadow primer, this is it. This Amazon pick is ultra-sheer and smooth, and its sponge applicator makes application a breeze. Don’t be fooled by its inconspicuous matte finish—when applied under shadow, colors appear brighter and more intense. Furthermore, Amazon customers swear by this primer for a long-lasting look. “You work nights and apply this before my 12hr shift and it works GREAT,” one user says.

-Pros: Less than $15; Makes shadows more vibrant; Prevents creasing; Easy to apply; Increases shadow longevity.

-Cons: The consistency is thinner.

• NARS Smudge Proof Base Eyeshadow Base

NARS’ Smudge Proof Base Eyeshadow Base is always out of stock, so if you see it, you should grab it. This primer has a thin, balm-like consistency that blends out beautifully. It also perfectly smooths down the delicate eye area, ensuring a flawless foundation for shadows. When this primer feels a little tacky, start applying your eyeshadow to ensure a long-lasting look.

-Pros: Increases shadow longevity; brightens shadows; prevents creasing; smooths skin for even application; Dermatologists and opthalmologists approved.

-Cons: Dries quickly; has a long applicator wand that makes application difficult.

• MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pot

Sometimes a little more eye coverage is required. In that case, you should look into these small pots. If you want a more dramatic look, Disco recommends using these as a primer and shadow in one. “Try the Mac Paint Pot in a shade that’s close to your complexion color or close to the color of your eyeshadow,” she suggests. “This will provide maximum saturation and color payoff while remaining on all day.”

-Pros: Pro-approved; brightens shadows; prevents creasing; long-wearing; blendable; provides coverage; dermatologist and opthalmologist tested.

-Cons: Has a limited color palette.

• Rare Beauty Weightless Eyeshadow Primer

If you have some hyperpigmentation around your eyes, Rare Beauty’s primer could be ideal for you. This primer has a peachy tint that helps to conceal discoloration while also brightening the skin. Another major selling point for this primer? It’s a matter of consistency. It has an ultra-smooth texture that moisturizes the skin while drying slightly powdery to give shadows something to stick to.

-Pros: Provides coverage; enhances the vibrancy of shadows; smoothes skin for even application; extends the life of shadows; hydrating and vegan formula.

-Cons: May crease on oily eyelids; comes with less product for the price.

• Milani Eyeshadow Primer

Milani’s eyeshadow primer provides excellent value for money. This primer not only makes your colors pop, but it also ensures that your look will not budge or fade throughout the day. It also smoothes down your eyelid for even application. Because its consistency is a little thicker, all you need is a dab. At only $10, it’s worth picking up on your next trip to the drugstore.

-Pros: Less than $15; Makes shadows more vibrant; Smoothes skin for even application; Increases shadow longevity.

-Cons: It dries quickly and has a thicker consistency.

• Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Amplifying Eye Primer

When it comes to primers, a lightweight formula is the way to go, which is why Fenty’s Pro Filt’r Amplifying Eye Primer is a great choice. This primer applies smoothly and feels weightless on the lids, whether you use one layer or several for more coverage. While it appears light pink in the tube, it dries extra-matte and clear, making it suitable for any skin tone. It doesn’t crease, which makes it ideal for oily lids, according to reviewers.

-Pros: Enhances the vibrancy of shadows; smoothes skin for even application; extends the life of shadows.

-Cons: Some reviewers say it’s a little too drying.

• LORAC Behind the Scenes Eye Primer

When you returned home for a wedding recently, you nearly had a nervous breakdown when you realized you had forgotten to bring my Urban Decay primer. This pick’s smoothing and staying power really impressed me. My smokey eye not only lasted all night of sweaty dancing, but it also didn’t crease, even when you used ultra-creamy eyeshadows.

-Pros: Editor-approved; smooths skin for even application; extends the life of shadows; prevents creasing; easy to apply; contains a generous amount of product.

-Cons: It takes longer to dry.

• Ilia Natural Brightening Eye Primer

This primer will give you an extra brightening boost if you prefer shimmery or matte shadows (like me!). It has a subtle pearlescence finish that gives your eyes a brightened, illuminated appearance. It provides additional benefits in addition to smoothing the skin and increasing the longevity of your appearance, thanks to a few skin-loving ingredients. This primer contains arnica to soothe skin and rosehip to reduce redness and puffiness, as well as jojoba esters to absorb oil.

-Pros: Brightening effect; increases shadow longevity; prevents creasing; clean and vegan formula.

-Cons: Some reviewers reported a slight burning sensation upon application, so patch-testing is recommended first.

• E.l.f Shadow Lock Eyelid Primer

“For low-key days, you usually skip colored eyeshadow entirely and stick to an eyeliner; but I still need a little primer before applying the subtle wing,” explains Tanya Benedicto Klich, Senior Editor at Marie Claire. “To avoid smudging and creasing, you apply a small amount of e.l.f. Shadow Lock Eyelid Primer. It also has a light illuminating effect and acts as a sheer eye brightener, which is sufficient for that zoom meeting.”

-Pros: Costs less than $15; prevents creasing; provides a brightening effect; extends the life of shadows; makes shadows more vibrant.

-Cons: Some reviewers point out that there isn’t much product included.