How to use eye primer

Eye primer is used by many women. This cosmetic product helps not only to hide dark circles, blood vessels and wrinkles around the eyes, but also to extend the life of makeup, protecting shadows from rolling and falling off. Modern primers for the skin around the eyes have evolved and “learned” to care for delicate skin, healing and rejuvenating it. Today we will tell you all about the best eye shadow bases, the rules for selection and application.

What is an eye primer?

This cosmetic product is called foundation or base and is applied directly to the skin around the eyes. With it, you can achieve the ideal complexion, masking all visible imperfections, and also maintain perfect makeup for up to eight hours. An eye primer can enhance the brightness of eye shadow color and take care of skin health at the cellular level.

The texture of the base can be thick creamy or liquid gel. Colors range from sheer to dark beige, and many foundations have shimmer particles in them.

Selection of base

If the skin has no blemishes, is healthy and young, then it is better to use a liquid, transparent foundation. It perfectly mattifies and moisturizes, but is not able to mask circles, pigmentation and other imperfections. For this purpose, there are dense, creamy bases.

For problematic oily skin, the ideal foundation is one that has a gel consistency. It mattifies, hides imperfections, but allows the skin to breathe, as it does not clog pores.

Application

Eye primer can be applied with a brush or with your fingertips. Then it needs to be shaded around the eyes with light patting movements without stretching the skin. This is necessary so that wrinkles do not appear and the product is well absorbed and distributed.

After applying the primer, you should wait five minutes and not immediately use the rest of the cosmetics. Wait until the product dries well and “settles” on the skin, and only then apply foundation and eye shadow.

How to replace eye primer?

If you don’t have this product on hand, you can use other cosmetic products instead. But it’s worth remembering that the best eye primer is one that not only hides imperfections or enhances the shade of eye shadow, but also cares for the skin. But for single use, our advice will do. So, you've run out of foundation, or you're at a party and there's no primer there. What to do?

1. The most affordable and predictable option is to apply shadows wet. This way they will not roll or crumble, and your makeup will remain perfect for up to several hours.
2. Use tinting cream to hide skin imperfections. But before using it, apply a moisturizer so as not to dry out thin skin, and do not abuse this method if you do not want to age your eyelids ahead of time.
3. To make the shadows more saturated in color, you can use a black eyeliner; it will attract attention to the eyes and highlight the brightness of the color.
4. There is also an extravagant way to replace the primer - using lip balm and makeup remover milk. This method is not suitable for everyone, as there is a high risk of allergies.

Now we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the most popular, and therefore the best, bases for use around the eyes. The rating of primers was compiled based on reviews of girls about them, which are available on various forums on the Internet. From the list presented, you can choose the eye primer that is ideal for you. All the products described below are capable of caring for the skin and rejuvenating it, thanks to its unique compositions.

ArtDeco Eyeshadow Base

This is a pretty popular eye primer. The foundation, according to women, is ideal for those who need to disguise imperfections, and copes with this task one hundred percent. They write that it applies well, but if you overdo it, it doesn’t blend well and makes your eyelids heavier. Not everyone liked the smell of the product; they write that it resembles the aroma of men's perfume, which is not of the best quality. There are also records that the product cannot be washed off simply with soap and water; it must be removed with a special product.

Reviews say that shadows based on this base last well, up to eight hours. They do not crumble or roll down. They note that this primer should not be used for several days; many have experienced irritation and redness on the eyelids after prolonged use.

BeYu Eye Base

They write that it is not suitable for oily skin, since the product for this type does not cope with its purpose, the shadows roll off and get clogged in the folds of the eyelids. Girls with normal to dry skin praised this primer, saying that it was easy to apply and kept makeup for a long time. Many appreciated the economical consumption and hygienic packaging - the product is extracted by squeezing it out of a tube.

We also evaluated the composition of the primer; it contains no fragrances or parabens, which does not harm the skin around the eyes. They write that it can be used for a long time, women did not notice any allergies or irritations.

Lumene Beauty Base Eyeshadow Primer

This primer was again rated by women with normal to dry skin. They write that it does not tighten, does not cause a sticky effect, dries quickly and does not shine. The shadows fit perfectly onto the base, but they do not become brighter and retain their original appearance. Makeup, according to girls' reviews, can last up to twelve hours, but is easily removed with ordinary washing products - soap, foam.

Women with oily skin types wrote that this primer was good and worked better than many. On its basis, the shadows last up to six hours, but then roll off.

They noted the aroma of the product, they write that it is light and pleasant. After applying the primer, the skin looks radiant and well-groomed; you don’t have to use shadows if you prefer a natural look.

Make Up For Ever Eye Prime

All women appreciated this primer. They write that it fits perfectly due to the presence of wax microgranules in the composition. The mineral powder included in the composition mattifies the skin and prevents it from shining again throughout the day and evening. The shadows apply smoothly and last perfectly for up to twelve hours, but again do not become a brighter color. Many considered this characteristic to be an advantage. They write that if you need brighter shades, you need to buy them, and the already chosen color should remain as it is.

Yves Saint Laurent Top Secrets Flash Touch Wake-Up Eyecare

This eye primer is not a primer at all, but a care product. It restores the skin around the eyes at the cellular level and contains many natural ingredients. Grape seed extract and birch extract can completely eliminate dark circles under the eyes. This product is used as a base for makeup and has all the characteristics of a primer: it fills all the unevenness, making the skin more even, the shadows apply better, last a long time and become more saturated in color. Women who use this product write that it is more suitable for thin and dry skin. If you need to disguise imperfections, this primer is not suitable. All women who use this product noted that it really rejuvenates and heals the skin.

Clinique All About Shadow Primer

This product combines two products - a concealer and a primer. It can be used both as a base for eye shadow and as a stand-alone product to create the perfect tone.

Women write that the lightest shade from this line can also be used to highlight the eyebrow line. They write that the shadows apply perfectly to the product, last a long time, and the color becomes more intense.

In conclusion, I would like to note that the reviews are mixed; the product worked for some, but not for others. Therefore, when choosing an eye primer, purchase a sample so as not to waste money, and buy a full tube only after you are sure that the product is suitable.

High-quality, long-lasting makeup cannot be created without special products. One such product is eyelid primer. With its help, you can disguise skin imperfections, make its color uniform, increase the durability of makeup, and protect the skin of the eyelids from harmful components that may be contained in eye shadows.

Eyelid primer - what is it?

The primer is applied to the face before the main layer of decorative cosmetics, which is why it is called that (from English “prime” is translated as “primary”, “first”). When it comes to eye primer, this cosmetic product can also be called a foundation or eye shadow base. The consistency of the base is similar to a concealer and is intended to even out color defects in the skin. Some believe that this is a tool that you can completely do without. You can get by, but the makeup won’t be as bright, long-lasting or effective. The foundation is especially indispensable if the eyelid skin is oily, because on oily skin the shadows will roll off after just a couple of hours.

3 reasons to use an eyeshadow base

An eyeshadow base is an optional component of makeup, but it has several important properties:

1. With the primer, eye makeup remains in its original form for several hours - shadows do not crease, eyeliner does not smear, glitter does not fall off. It is necessary if you have an important or special event coming up, or if you are planning a long public appearance without the opportunity to update your makeup. Moreover, the durability of not only expensive cosmetics, but also the most budget products increases.
2. With a base, the shadows look brighter, no matter what color they are - both light and dark shades. When applying light shades, transparency disappears, dark tones look more saturated. It's very noticeable. Shadows are better shaded, so it’s easier to create smooth color transitions. Makeup artists especially recommend using a base when creating smokey eye or eyeliner makeup.
3. The foundation makes the skin of the eyelids more matte, silky, evens out the skin tone, hiding the capillary network and dark spots. Thanks to this, the area around the eyes looks fresher and the face rested.

Types of primers

The range of eyeshadow primers is wide, but the entire variety of products is divided into several groups according to color and consistency.

Release form:

1. jars;
2. tubes;
3. bottles with a brush.

The last option is the most convenient to use, because you don’t have to get your hands dirty, the product is applied evenly, and the skin does not stretch.

What to look for when choosing?

Each woman has her own skin type, which affects the durability of cosmetics and the ease of its distribution, so this aspect cannot be ignored:

1. For oily skin, you need to choose a product with a mattifying effect that dries the skin a little. Gel products are optimal because they do not clog pores and allow the skin to breathe.
2. For dry skin, on the contrary, a light coating with a liquid consistency is more suitable. This primer will additionally moisturize the skin.
3. If there are many imperfections on the eyelids, you will need a dense product with high covering power.

Foundations vary in durability. Some only make it easier to distribute products, while others make makeup more durable. What properties the base has are indicated on the packaging.

There are primers for special purposes. This applies to color bases. For example, a white base will significantly enhance the brightness of the shadows, and a black base under the shadows is ideal for creating a rich smokey eye makeup.

The skin should not experience discomfort either while wearing makeup or after removing it.

An eyeshadow primer is bad if it:

1. lies unevenly;
2. dries the skin;
3. rolls into folds or spreads;
4. does not affect the brightness of the shadows or the durability of the makeup.

How to use eyeshadow primer?

Here's how to use eyelid primer correctly:

1. The skin of the eyelids must be clean, so wash it first.
2. In order for the primer to apply properly, the skin of the eyelids must be moisturized before applying it. To do this, pre-apply a moisturizing eye cream. It must be absorbed, so the base is not applied immediately, but after a few minutes. If necessary, apply a napkin to the eyelids to remove excess product.
3. The eyelid foundation is applied using fingertips, tapping movements, a brush, spatula or applicator. You can always fix your makeup with your fingers.
4. Then continue makeup as usual. The base dries quickly, so there is no need to wait.
5. To remove makeup, use cosmetic milk or other cleanser.

Do not stretch the skin when applying primer.

Eye primer review

It is difficult to choose truly high-quality products from the variety of products. When choosing a good primer, you need to focus on reviews. The following eyeshadow bases have received positive feedback:

24 Hour Photo Finish Shadow Primer, Smashbox. This base rightfully deserves the rave reviews that are written about it. With this primer you really don't have to worry about the makeup staying on for 24 hours. The foundation prolongs the durability of the makeup, prepares the skin for complex makeup, for example, stencil application of shadows or drawing “bold” arrows. It is easy to apply and shade, protects makeup from rain, snow, and tears. Its only drawback is its high price: 1,700 rubles.

Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base, Nars. This base can be applied even to drooping eyelids with oily skin types, and the makeup will still look amazing and stay that way for several hours. It is used as a base for matte shadows and under arrows drawn with a pencil or eyeliner. Contains natural beeswax. White color. In addition, the foundation is multifunctional and can be used as a concealer when mixed with foundation. The price is about 2000 rubles, so the product cannot be called budget.

Eye Basics, Laura Mercier. The product is a liquid primer with a matte finish, contains antioxidants, instantly smoothes, evens out the skin, and takes care of it. Available in six different shades. It can be used both under makeup and solo. Cost – 2500 rubles.

Beauty Base Eye shadow Primer, Lumene. This base is sold in convenient packaging, in a tube with a thin spout. The product is used economically - a small pea is enough for both eyelids. The texture of the product is medium, non-liquid, and is not felt at all on the skin. The durability of makeup with a base is 8 hours or more. Price – 800 rubles.

La Base Paupieres Pro, Lancôme. The product is packaged in a round jar, has a dense melting texture with shimmer and a sweetish aroma. You can choose from three shades. Makeup with a base looks brighter and lasts longer. The base is distributed in a thin layer under the shadows, but it is also used to create nude makeup. Price – 2700 rubles.

You can also watch a video review of popular eyelid primers:

Makeup artist answers to frequently asked questions

Experienced makeup artists provide answers to the most frequently asked questions by women. They relate to how to properly use eyelid primer:

1. How many coats of primer should I apply?
   The product should be applied in one layer, because several layers of base make the makeup too heavy, especially if its texture is dense.
2. How to choose the shade of a color base?
   If this is a flesh-colored foundation, then it should be selected in the same way as foundation, focusing on your own skin tone. The white base is universal. And black is used under smokey ice.
3. Where exactly should I apply eyelid primer?
   You can distribute the product both over the upper and lower eyelids, but the latter option is not so popular. In the first case, the product is applied to the entire moving eyelid and above, to the eyebrows.
4. Why use moisturizer around your eyes before applying primer?
   Almost all foundations dry out the skin. The cream promotes easier distribution of the base and prevents the appearance of wrinkles.

Eyelid primer – a must have or an extra burden in your makeup bag?

A primer for the skin around the eyes will be appreciated by girls who like to apply shadows, draw arrows and wear makeup for a long time. It is necessary for those women who want to look perfect in any environment, and for those who hold responsible positions and are constantly under the guns of cameras. If a girl prefers light eye makeup or only paints her eyelashes, and does not have any special skin defects, then she can easily do without a primer, replacing it with other products if necessary.

Is it possible to replace eyelid primer with something?

Girls and women who have not yet purchased an eye shadow base are interested in how to replace eye primer and whether it is possible to apply cosmetics intended for other areas of the face instead.

1. Instead of a foundation, foundation can be used. But you need to choose the right texture so that the product does not dry out, but also does not overly moisturize the skin of the eyelids. The cream is applied with tapping movements.
2. If you use powder for this purpose, it will work better because it will dry out the skin of the eyelids. But you can’t use it often - it provokes the premature appearance of wrinkles.
3. To make the color of the eyeshadow more saturated, they are applied with a damp applicator - a popular method, but it does not prevent the makeup from creasing. White eyeliner performs the same function - it increases the brightness of cosmetics, but the durability of eye makeup remains the same. They shade the eyelid with it, and then distribute shadows on top.
4. Theoretically, the base can be replaced with concealer, but in practice it is not very suitable for this purpose, because it has a greasy texture, and the makeup “flows”. The concealer also evens out and masks imperfections, but the makeup will not last as long as with a primer.

It is strictly not recommended to replace eyelid foundation with lip balm, although such advice can be found. The balm has a completely unsuitable texture - it is sticky and greasy.

Who needs an eyeshadow primer?

Eyelid foundation is a universal product that makeup artists recommend for use by all girls and women. Thanks to the variety of consistencies and tones, you can choose a product to suit any skin type, color, or makeup option. However, the base is simply necessary for girls with drooping eyelids - they will get rid of the need to constantly correct their eye makeup. The eyeliner will not smear, and the shadows will not bunch up and imprint on the fixed eyelid. Eye makeup with a base will look much better if the skin of the eyelids is initially thin and blood vessels are visible through it, or there are a lot of folds and age spots in this area.

Conclusion

Eyelid primer is a useful product if you choose a quality product and apply it correctly. It prolongs the durability of makeup, makes shadows brighter and hides skin imperfections.

Greetings, dear readers!

We, as representatives of the fair sex, actively use decorative cosmetics. Such products are not always available high quality, this is especially true in the low price segment.

Sometimes it happens that after putting on a morning marathon, in the first 2 hours we look like world-class stars, and after the specified time, not a trace remains of the former beauty.

It is in order to combat such consequences that various cosmetic brands began to produce makeup bases. Since in previous articles I have already talked about bases for foundation and pore grout, so now we will talk about the base for the eyelids. Eyeshadow primer is a real must-have for the modern generation of girls and women.

Next, I will tell you in more detail about what the product looks like, how it should be selected and applied, and you will also learn about its properties and functions, and even about alternative options. If you are still new to using eyeshadow, then applying makeup with a base is much easier.

What is an eye shadow base?

To make it easier to understand, throughout the article I will use 3 titles one and the same product, because you can find different names on sale:

1. base;
2. primer;
3. the basis.

This cosmetic product fulfills two important functions, which usually become a priority when purchasing this product:

1. prolongs the durability of eye makeup;
2. enhances the brightness of eye shadow pigment.

I think everyone who wears eyeshadow wants it to last as long as possible, and the base really does that with a bang. As a big fan of eye makeup and the owner of oily eyelid skin, I always had to adjust the shadows, as they constantly got caught in the crease of the eyelid.

That's why, in fact, I started looking for a solution to this problem. And the eyelid primer turned out to be real for me at one time discovery and salvation. Now I very rarely leave the house without it, because even without applying shadow, my eyelids look very well-groomed, as if I had just washed my face.

To choose an eyeshadow primer for yourself, you need to pay attention to its consistency:

1. liquid - usually translucent, suitable for young skin, may contain caring components, does not dry out the delicate skin of the eyelids, and at the same time does not make it oily;
2. gel - ideal for oily eyelid skin, but it can be slightly drying; it is best used in the summer;
3. creamy - usually contains body pigment, so it masks minor imperfections such as age spots, freckles, and redness.

Very often you can find eyeshadow bases produced in round jars, small tubes or similar to lip gloss. Having tried many primers, I came to the conclusion that it is the last option with a brush that is best applied; with this use, the skin of the eyelids is not stretched at all.

Review of the positive properties of eye primer

In my humble opinion, any girl, no matter what age, will need an eyeshadow base. Why do I think this? Because eyelid primer has mass benefits:

1. If you use only eyeliner or mascara, then the base will perfectly even out the skin of the eyelids, and most importantly, they will not shine, especially in hot weather;
2. The base will make even the cheapest and low-quality shadows much brighter and more intense, they will stop crumbling, and will be much easier to shade;
3. A good foundation will help make your look look fresher and more rested, as if you were using concealer;
4. A high-quality base can extend the durability of the shadows until the evening; the makeup itself will look as if you had just applied it;
5. The foundation can even help smooth out wrinkles on the eyelids, smoothing out the skin well, making it more uniform, and therefore the shadows will fall much better;
6. The primer will be an indispensable thing for everyone who has oily eyelid skin; in principle, any texture will help cope with this problem;
7. Protecting the skin from low-quality eyeshadows, because they may contain harmful components, but you should also worry about purchasing a good eyelid base.

If you have never tried it, then be sure to purchase this product, because difference with and without it it is very noticeable. Just try to choose softer consistencies that are easily distributed over the skin, for example, the texture of the primer from Vivenne Sabo is very thick, rolls down on the eyelids, and stretches the skin when applied.

How to apply eye shadow foundation correctly?

Now I will try to list the fundamental principles when using eyelid primer, which will allow you not to be disappointed in purchasing this product:

1. Washing - the skin of the eyelids should be clean;
2. Applying moisturizing eye cream, just give it time to absorb, the interval depends on the consistency of the product;
3. You can lightly apply a napkin to your eyelids so that there is no excess cream;
4. Depending on the texture of the product, it is easiest and most convenient to apply it with your fingers; if you have a special spatula, then it is better to use it, and then distribute the product over the skin with patting movements;
5. If the base is in a tube that resembles lip gloss, then it is enough to apply just a few drops to the eyelid and easily work the product into the skin with your fingers;
6. You can apply the base to both the upper and lower eyelids, but the second option is less commonly practiced;
7. Usually the eyeshadow base dries very quickly, so you can immediately apply absolutely any shadow, eyeliner, or pencil;
8. In the evening, the shadows along with the primer are easily washed off with any cleanser, such as milk.

That's basically it. Take your time and enjoy beautiful eye makeup all day long.

What to do if you don't have an eyelid base?

Of course, buy it. But seriously, some girls do this:

1. Powdered skin of the eyelids. This method has its place, since the eyelids actually dry out, but if you do this constantly, you can quickly become the owner of wrinkles in this area.
2. Apply shadows wet applicator. This method helps to enhance the brightness of the shadows, but it is unlikely to prevent them from rolling off. Suitable for dry eyelid skin.
3. Use shadows over foundation. Not a bad option, but it can again dry out the thin sensitive skin of the eyelids or, on the contrary, overly moisturize them, which will lead to the hated strip of shadows in the crease of the eyelid. But this method is practiced, so it’s worth a try.
4. Use white pencil. The color of the shadows becomes much more intense, but the durability does not increase.
5. Apply on eyelids lip balm. Crazy way, really. I don’t know what texture this product should have, mostly they are all sticky, at least for me. Therefore, they can make the skin of the eyelids even more oily.

You can try replacing the product with one of the suggested options, but the easiest way is to buy this product once and use it for a very long time, since it is quite economical. It will be more than enough for six months of daily use.

That's all for me. Feel free to try a new product. Look for good quality cosmetics. Trust verified brands, study reviews. I have recently been using a Mary Kay foundation, and I will say that its staying power leaves much to be desired, at least for oily skin this foundation is rather weak.

As soon as it ended, I bought Korean primer from Tony moly, so far I’m happy with everything, the main thing is that it mattifies well, doesn’t dry out, and slightly brightens the eyelids. Koreans know a lot about good cosmetics. Avon also has a good database; while I was their distributor, I mainly used it.