5 of the Best Eye Primers to Help Your Eyeshadow Stay in Place

Smoky eyeshadow is one of the hardest makeup skills to master when we’re talking about applying eye make up in general.

Not only does a smoky eye require a steady hand, a gorgeous shadow palette, and the right tools. You also have to have your technique down pat.

Oh, and don’t even think about rushing; you’ll only make the task harder!

Clearly, nailing the perfect smoky eye depends on so much.

If you’re committed to getting it right, we’re here to tell you that your eyeshadow look will look infinitely better layered on top of an eye primer.

Keep reading to find our best eye primers and all our tips on applying eyeshadow primer...

How To Put On Eye Primer

Applying eyeshadow primer is simple.

Dab a tiny amount onto your eyelid and lightly rub it in small, circular motions with your ring finger.

But go easy on how much you use! Overloading your eyelids with primer can actually make your eyeshadow crease.

Here Are Our Best Eye Primers

1. The Best Eye Primer for Bright Colours

What it is: M.A.C Cosmetics Pro Longwear Paint Pot is a true multitasker.

Why we love it:

Wear this colourful cream on its own as a silky eyeshadow. Or layer it under a matching powder eyeshadow to enhance its life and vibrancy.

The white colour, Sink to a Whisper, is the best eye primer to use under a brightly coloured eyeshadow (Kryolan, we’re looking at you!).

Plenty of beige tones are also available to anchor your more subtle looks.

2. The Best Tinted Eye Primer

What it is: Heir Atelier Makeup Primer Trio contains one of the best tinted eye primers we've come across.

What is tinted eye primer used for?

A tinted eyeshadow primer such as Heir Atelier Makeup Primer Trio can neutralise the tones on your eyelids to help your eyeshadow stand out as well as stay on.

Not only does this peach tinted eye primer help to keep your liner and shadow in place but it's vegan and cruelty-free too!

3. The Best Primer for Crepey Eyelids

What it is: Benefit Stay Don't Stray Eye & Concealer Primer Light/Medium is great for crepey eyelids that need an eyeshadow primer that’s lighter in texture.

Why we love it:

It’s one of the best eye primers because even the lightest layer feels like a moisturiser on skin but acts as a powerful primer.

Your eyeshadow look will stay in place all day, even when you’ve been sweating or crying!

4. The Best Crease-Proof Eyeshadow Primer

What it is: Anastasia Beverly Hills Mini Eye Primer is hands down one of the best eye primer for oily lids.

Why we love it:

Besides being water-resistant, cruelty-free, and vegan, this formula pumps up the pigment of your powder eyeshadow and makes it stay put for hours and hours.

This Eye Primer formula is also slightly tinted to even out the skin tone on your eyelids.

5. The Best Eyeshadow Primer for Dark Eyeshadow

What it is: The name says it all... theBalm Priming is Everything

Why we love it:

This vegan, cruelty-free eye primer works well on all skin types, even typically oily eyelids.

TheBalm Priming Is Everything comes in two tones.

• Neutral works perfectly under all eyeshadow colours.

• Black can take a dark, smoky eye to the next level of intensity.

Work a small amount of Priming Is Everything over your eyelids, concentrating the product where you plan to apply your powder eyeshadow.

Can I Use Eyeshadow Primer on My Face?

Sure, it’s safe to use eyeshadow primer on your face, but it’s a good way to use up your product fast.

It’s better to reserve your eyeshadow primer for your eyelids and use a face primer on the rest of your face.

Can I Use Concealer As Eye Primer?

If you’re looking at concealer vs eye primer, they can look quite similar while offering different benefits.

Concealer evens out your skin tone and hides distinct flaws, whereas eyeshadow primer creates a base for your powder eyeshadow to grip on to.

However, concealer can work nicely as an under eye primer to camouflage dark circles, correct unusual hues around the eyes, and help hold lower-lid liner in place.

This is why some makeup artists prefer to apply concealer prior to foundation.

There’s a whole subcategory of eyeshadow primers infused with concealer qualities to help even out your skin tone.

So now you know how to prime your eyelids with the best eye primers on Adore Beauty.

By adding a simple, relatively inexpensive product to your eye makeup routine, you can make your eyeshadow go the distance at its most vibrant.

Brand and product inclusions are at the sole discretion of Adore Beauty. We do not seek or accept payment from brands or individuals listed in our guides.

Still interested? Find our favourite eyeshadow products in the guides below...

• How To Get More Pigment Out of Your Eyeshadow

• What Eyeshadow Should I Wear? These Are the Best Eyeshadows for Every Eye Colour

• Here Are 10 Eyeshadow Brushes We’re Obsessing Over

• The Easiest Products To Use If You Suck At Eyeshadow