When you think of eyeshadow primer, perhaps you don’t feel the same level of excitement as you would about an incredible mascara, a holy grail liquid foundation, or the perfect nude lipstick. But the value of a great eyeshadow primer cannot be overstated. It’s often the key to a smooth, vibrant, long-lasting eye makeup look, and if you ask us, it’s a makeup bag staple.
But just like other makeup categories, the best eyeshadow primer for you depends on your wants and needs. So, we put almost 30 to the test in The Lab, and ahead, we’re sharing which ones performed the best. From lightweight formulas and budget-friendly options to color-correcting primers and more, we’ve got you covered.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall:
Best for Oily Lids:
Best for Color-Correcting:
Best for Brightening:
Best Coverage:
Best Lightweight:
Best Budget-Friendly:
Best Clean Formula:
What We Like
Lightweight texture
Smoothing feel
Budge-proof
What to Consider
Handle applicator is a bit long which makes precise application tricky
Shades: 2 | Translucent: Yes | Long-Lasting: Yes | Cruelty-Free: No
The brand is arguably most known for its award-winning complexion products, but we believe this eyeshadow primer from NARS deserves more attention. The thin, lightweight consistency blends onto the eyelids with ease to create a smooth, soft canvas for eyeshadow. While the original shade is completely transparent making it an excellent choice for all skin tones, the shade Light has a slight beige color to it which can help blur the appearance of veins on the eyelids.
Katherine, NARS tester: “The primer was very easy to blend in and felt weightless on my eyelid.”
What We Like
Smooth texture
Contains a lot of product
Very blendable
What to Consider
Doesn’t come with an applicator
Shades: 1 | Translucent: Yes | Long-Lasting: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
If you’re thinking that this is a face primer, you’re right. But we don’t always play by the rules, and you don’t have to either. It was formulated to be a matte primer for the face, but the brand claims that it makes a great eyeshadow primer—and we agree. Our tester shared that the smooth, creamy texture blended over her eyelids easily and dried down quickly to a comfortable matte finish. Because of the matte finish and not overly emollient texture, it’s a great option for people with oily eyelids. We also love that it can be used on the face and eyes, helping to cut down on the amount of products you’ll need in your makeup collection.
Best for Color-Correcting
Rare Beauty Weightless Eye Primer
What We Like
Provides even coverage
Peachy hue brightens the area
Comfortable dry-down
What to Consider
It wasn't the most longwearing
Shades: 1 | Translucent: No | Long-Lasting: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Discoloration on the eyelids is extremely common, but it can be super frustrating when creating an eyeshadow look. That’s why tinted eyeshadow primers, like this one, are great for people who have veins or hyperpigmentation in the area. Aside from the creamy consistency and the velvety, comfortable dry-down, our tester raved about the color of this primer. She explained that the peachy hue worked to brighten up the area while simultaneously providing enough coverage to effectively even out her eyelids. She also noted how much she appreciated the packaging design. Because the tube has one flat edge, it won’t roll around on your vanity and potentially break.
Caitlyn, Rare Beauty tester: “I can't get over how much I loved the color of this eyeshadow primer. It is a tinted peach color that immediately brightened up my eye area. It smoothed easily and provided consistent coverage across my entire eyelid.”
What We Like
Lightweight formula and feel on the skin
Fast-absorbing
Brightening finish
What to Consider
It caused a slight burning sensation upon initial application
Shade Range: 1 | Translucent: Yes | Long-Lasting: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Sure, eyeshadow primers are meant to serve as a base for makeup and help to increase the longevity of your look, but why not throw other benefits in there too? This primer has a subtle pearlescence to it which gives the eyelids a brighter, more light-reflective look. It even looks pretty alone on the lids. But don’t worry, you can still apply matte shadows on top and achieve your desired finish. The lightweight texture and fast absorption were what stood out most to our tester, and she also noted that once dry, she couldn’t feel it sitting on her eyelids.
What We Like
Easy to blend
Camouflages discoloration
Budge-proof
What to Consider
Limited shade range
Shades: 1 | Translucent: No | Long-Lasting: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
The great thing about tinted primers is that they can help to address discoloration while also providing an additional layer of color that can boost the vibrancy of the shadows you apply on top. This option has a creamy beige color that works to cancel out discoloration as well as make eyeshadows appear more vivid. While it can certainly be used on all skin tones to up the intensity of whatever eyeshadow is applied on top, we would love to see the brand release more shades so that people can more closely match their skin tones if they desire. Aside from the even coverage it provides, our tester loved the silky texture and the quick-drying formula.
Best Lightweight
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Amplifying Eye Primer
What We Like
Weightless feel on the skin
Doe foot applicator makes application easy
Great for oily lids
What to Consider
Some reviewers say it dries down too matte
Shades: 1 | Translucent: Semi | Long-Lasting: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
The feeling of heavy product sitting on the skin is a makeup pet peeve for many, but with this ultra-lightweight product, you won’t have to worry about that. The formula is soft and airy to the touch, and it blends across the eyelids with almost no effort required. Our tester shared that the doe foot applicator made for a mess-free application, and once applied, she couldn’t tell that there was product on her eyelids. She also noted that while the primer has a milky, off-white color out of the tube, it dries down to a colorless finish on the lids.
What We Like
Not overly pigmented
Budge-proof
Easy to apply
What to Consider
Only comes in one shade
Shades: 1 | Translucent: No | Long-Lasting: Yes | Cruelty-Free: No
This tinted primer works to cancel out discoloration on the eyelids while enhancing the vibrancy of your eyeshadow, and most importantly, keeps your look locked in for the long haul. If you need your makeup to stay put for a special occasion, this is a solid choice. Our tester explained that she appreciated the level of pigmentation because while it doesn’t completely blank out the eyelids, it does provide enough coverage to create a pretty even canvas. Because it’s not full coverage, the shade is flexible and works for a variety of skin tones. However, we do think that adding one lighter shade and one deeper shade to the lineup would be ideal.
Shannon, Benefit tester: “It felt really creamy to apply, but once it dried it was set. It didn't crease, smudge, or move. It felt super lightweight on the eye too."
Best Waterproof
Laura Mercier Eye Basics Primer
What We Like
Smooth, lightweight texture
Dries down quickly
Great for oily lids
What to Consider
Tint dissipates on the lids
Shades: 6 | Translucent: Semi | Long-Lasting: Yes | Cruelty-Free: No
If you have oily lids or you live in a rainy, humid climate, chances are a water-resistant eyeshadow primer could save you from some makeup mishaps. In addition to being water-resistant and crease-proof, it has a light, creamy texture that glides onto the lids with ease. Our tester appreciated how easy it was to apply and how it dried down quickly to a comfortable finish. She shared that she couldn’t feel it sitting on her lids, and her eyeshadow applied smoothly over it and stayed in place.
Lauren, Laura Mercier tester: “The primer felt smooth and lightweight. The product dried quickly, and I felt like I wasn't wearing anything.”
What We Like
Lightweight, even texture
Visibly enhanced the vibrancy of eyeshadow applied on top
What to Consider
This won't conceal veins, discoloration of the lid
Shades: 1 | Translucent: Yes | Long-Lasting: Yes | Cruelty-Free: No
If you’re looking for an affordable product to keep your eyeshadow locked in while intensifying the color payoff, you can’t go wrong with this colorless primer. The thin, transparent formula blends across the eyelids smoothly before drying down to a soft matte finish. Our tester appreciated the even consistency and the fact that it dried down quickly, but what sold her was that she saw a noticeable difference in the color payoff of her eyeshadow when applied on top of the primer.
Michelle, Ruby Kisses tester: “There were no creases or smudging and it was invisible on the lid under the eyeshadow. It helped the eyeshadow color stand out and appear brighter and more pigmented.”
Best Clean Formula
Milk Makeup Eyeshadow and Concealer Primer
What We Like
Angled applicator makes precision easy
Lightweight, creamy consistency
What to Consider
Some testers still experienced a bit of creasing
Shades: 1 | Translucent: Yes | Long-Lasting: Somewhat | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Products that can be used in multiple ways always earn extra points in our book, and this eyeshadow and concealer primer is no exception. It can be used to prep the eyelids for eyeshadow as well as prevent your concealer from creasing under your eyes, which if you’re like us, is a major makeup annoyance. The vegan formula contains hyaluronic acid to boost moisture, and the thin, transparent texture has a creamy texture that feels incredibly airy on the skin. In addition to the weightless feel on the eyelids, our tester shared that the angled applicator made applying the product in hard-to-reach areas simple.
What To Look For When Buying An Eyeshadow Primer
- Coverage: By now you’re probably aware that some eyeshadow primers are completely transparent while others are slightly tinted or even quite pigmented. The right one for you depends on your goals. If you have discoloration on your eyelids that you’re hoping to cover, opt for a primer with coverage. Pigmented primers are also great if you’re hoping to create a full-glam look because they can help to boost the vibrancy of the eyeshadows you apply on top. But if you don’t have discoloration that you’re trying to cover, and you’re simply looking for a primer to act as a smooth canvas for shadow and keep it locked in place, a colorless option is a great choice.
- Texture: Don’t underestimate the importance of texture when you’re trying to find the right eyeshadow primer for you. If you have dry eyelids, opting for a creamy primer is your best bet. But if you have oily lids, one with a more matte texture will suit your needs more.
FAQ
How do you apply eyeshadow primer?
Like with most makeup products, the application method is up to you. You can blend eyeshadow primer across your eyelids with your fingertips or a brush, just be sure to blend it evenly and cover all of the areas where eyeshadow will be applied.
Why Trust Byrdie
Alyssa Kaplan is an experienced writer in the beauty industry and product tester specializing in cosmetics. She has tested dozens of eyeshadow primers over the years—including several on this list. Alyssa has been a commerce writer at Byrdie since 2022, where she covers all things beauty.