The Active Edit

9 Best Eyeshadow Primers for Long-Lasting Eye Makeup

written by: Kristen - Beauty Editorpublished on 7 Mar, 2024

In an effort to bring you the best eyeshadow primers, we've gone through and pulled out the 9 best eye primers we could find to keep your makeup in check.

It can take some care and attention to get your eye makeup looking just right, so why risk it coming undone during your day? That's where eyeshadow primer comes in. A quick application in the morning will guard against your eyeshadow melting, creasing and smudging. If you think you don't have time to add an eyeshadow primer to your routine, think about how much longer it would take you to touch up or worse, redo the entire look. Eyeshadow primer helps ensure that your eye makeup stays where you want it and that you won't be cleaning it off your lower lid (or worse, your cheeks!) halfway through your day.

Eyeshadow primer works by giving the makeup something to cling to, while also smoothing out the canvas, especially if you have oily skin. And don't hesitate to take that face primer farther. Using it under the eye will help prevent creases in your concealer and help it last longer. You can even apply it on the brows to help your brow products stay put too.

The Best Eye Primers

1) Jane Iredale Smooth Affair Mattifying Face Primer

This is an innovation of a best-selling product that works double-duty as a face primer or flies solo for the eye area. Jane Iredale Smooth Affair Mattifying Face Primer replaces the older Jane Iredale Lid Primers with an all new formula. The innovative consistency glides on seamlessly and lasts for ages with a fantastic matte finish for your eyeshadow to cling to. It will keep your eyes fresh all day with a luminous smudge proof and crease-proof finish. This primer works to minimise fine lines around the eyes, and employs mineral powders to deliver a mineral perfect finish.

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2) Youngblood Mineral Primer

This is one of those products that gives you more than you asked for. Youngblood Mineral Primer not only smooths out the perfect canvas for your eye makeup application, and makes sure your makeup stays fresh longer, but it also hydrates and nourishes the sensitive skin of the eye area. Think silky and lightweight; that’s exactly how this primer feels on the eyelids and the entire face! It uses Jojoba seed oil and Vitamin E to mimic the natural oil of your skin to keep the eyelid skin soft, supple, and moisturised without ever feeling heavy. This primer glides on flawlessly creating the perfect colourless base for all eye shadows whilst soothing stressed skin in a flash. Your eye makeup will retain its intensity and true colour all day. This product is effortlessly applied with a concealer brush or just a fingertip.

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3) Napoleon Perdis Auto Pilot Pre-Foundation Skin Primer

Hands down, this is the primer of all primers. Renowned as a cult favourite for years, this premium primer multi-tasks to prepare the eyelids and the entire face for a truly flawless base. As Napoleon Perdis the professional MUA declared, “not  to prime is a crime”! This soothing formula has chamomile, yarrow and Vitamin to hydrate and calm skin to help visibly smooth and protect before you apply eye makeup. Plus, it's lightweight and comfortable to wear and one of those primers you’ll never want to change.

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4) Inika Organic Primer - Pure Perfection

Sometimes what you want from your eye area is a luxuriously gentle and hydrating products to set the tone for your whole look. For that, check out Inika Organic Primer - Pure Perfection. Enriched with Hyaluronic acid, Aloe Vera, Coconut oil and Kangaroo Paw extract means this primer delivers smoother and firmer skin for your makeup application. And for those who are concerned about the content of their makeup also being good for them and the environment, this primer is certified organic, certified vegan and certified cruelty-free

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5) The Ordinary High-Adherence Silicone Primer

Keeping it simple and effective is The Ordinary High-Adherence Silicone Primer, a vegan and cruelty-free choice that is perfect for the face and eyes. This smoothing formula creates a matte finish for your eyeshadow to hold onto, ensuring it lasts longer and stays right where you want it to.  The lightweight and hydrating formula is non-greasy on the skin as it conditions and locks in moisture to nurture your skin nicely.

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6) Elizabeth Arden Advanced Eye-Fix Primer

Our next choice is from a fantastic brand that offers high quality products, and Elizabeth Arden Advanced Eye-Fix Primer is no exception to the rule. This primer goes on invisibly so you don't need to match it with your skin tone. It smooths and preps the eye area for your makeup application. The invisible shield it forms makes sure that shadows, liner, and powders stay put, stay fresh, and keep true colour longer. Just pat it gently around your eyes before applying your favourite eye makeup. You love starting with this product because it will control streaking, creasing, and fading all day long.

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7) Embryolisse Lait Creme Concentre

What should you reach for if you really want to stretch the strength of your eye makeup? Look no further than professional makeup artists' favourite, the Embryolisse Lait Creme Concentre. This is an incredible makeup essential that every glamorous or adventurous makeup wearer needs in their kit. With this primer, you can make eye glitters and loose dusts stick without any flakiness or dryness. It nourishes but won't irritate the delicate eye area skin. And the best bit? This skincare-come-makeup staple also makes a wonderful facial mask when applied to cleansed skin.

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8) Lancome La Base Pro Primer

When you really want to resurface the eyelid and entire face to diminish creases and lines, reach for this Lancome all over primer to help your eye makeup last longer. By enabling a professional makeup finish, this hydrating and luxuriously smoothing base feels just like a second skin as the oil-free texture provides a perfect starting point to blend colour. 

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9) O Cosmedics 1Skin Lotus Skin Primer

Calling all sensitive eyes, delicate skins and those that simply like to keep their makeup free from nasties. Say hello to the naturally soothing and smoothing O Cosmedics 1Skin Lotus Skin Primer that is infused with hydrating Lotus water flower and 97% natural origin ingredients. This formula is free from common skin irritants such as talc, parabens, alcohol, mineral oil and fragrance so you can be confident is won’t cause a skin flare up or sensitivity. Furthermore, this advanced primer hydrates and nourishes the skin to keep your eye makeup exactly where you want it for even longer.

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Your Style, Your Way

No matter what your style – simple, or colourful, or glittery – there's an eye primer that will work with you to make your look last longer and feet great. These primers go on smoothly and help your skin hold onto the eye makeup you apply. Or, if you use one of the tinted primers, you can slip it on and head out, knowing that your eyes are taken care of. There really are no excuses left to not try one of these best eyeshadow primers to help your look last and last.