We looked at the top 10 Eye Primers and dug through the reviews from 31 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Eye Primers.
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For Frequent Travelers The small, easy-to-use tube makes this eye primer a great option for taking with you as you travel.
For Frequent Travelers The small, easy-to-use tube makes this eye primer a great option for taking with you as you travel.
Endures Humid Weather Ensure your eye makeup lasts all day, even in humid conditions, with this eye primer.
Endures Humid Weather Ensure your eye makeup lasts all day, even in humid conditions, with this eye primer.
Versatile Option Use this primer potion with powdered eyeshadow or pencils for a versatile, everyday solution.
Versatile Option Use this primer potion with powdered eyeshadow or pencils for a versatile, everyday solution.
Designed for Comfort A lightweight formula makes this eye primer effective but also comfortable to wear all day.
Designed for Comfort A lightweight formula makes this eye primer effective but also comfortable to wear all day.
Our experts reviewed the top 10 Eye Primers and also dug through the reviews from 31 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Eye Primers.
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Pearl powder in this eye primer brings out the pigments in your eye shadow while creating a smooth canvas for your looks. The formula is lightweight and non-greasy to ensure it lasts all day. You’ll need only a pea-sized drop each time, so the 0.3-ounce bottle goes a long way.
This set of primers includes white, medium and dark shades to let you change things up each day. A moisturizing formula keeps your eyelids healthy and supple while protecting your makeup. If you prefer vivid colors, choose a set in rose pink, green and violet.
What We Liked: Pearl powder in this eye primer brings out the pigments in your eye shadow while creating a smooth canvas for your looks. The formula is lightweight and non-greasy to ensure it lasts all day. You’ll need only a pea-sized drop each time, so the 0.3-ounce bottle goes a long way.
What We Liked: Get 0.33 ounces of eye primer designed to extend the wear of your makeup. The formula includes shea butter for a smooth base, reducing creases and bringing out the color in your eye shadow. The non-greasy formula dries in no time and works with all skin tones.
What We Liked: Whether you have oily skin or dry, this creamy, nude-colored eye primer will help extend the life of your eye shadow and bring out the pigments in your makeup. The formula dries invisibly and uses polymer technology to help set your eye shadow and eyeliner.
What We Liked: In this jar, you’ll get 0.25 ounces of cream eyeshadow primer. The satiny formula extends the life of your eyeshadow while also pulling out the pigments to make your eyes pop. It comes in a small jar with a screw-off top to make it easy to store and use.
What We Liked: This set of primers includes white, medium and dark shades to let you change things up each day. A moisturizing formula keeps your eyelids healthy and supple while protecting your makeup. If you prefer vivid colors, choose a set in rose pink, green and violet.
When you’re creating a makeup look, doing up your eyes is so important for imparting drama and capturing the attention of onlookers. Without expressive eye makeup, your face seems incomplete. You’ll definitely want to use eye shadow, mascara and eyeliner to help you don a smoky eye, vivid colors or something more neutral and natural.
But getting your look to last can be tough. The skin of the eyelid is thinner than the skin on other parts of the body and has no subcutaneous fat. The underside of the eyelid works to lubricate your eyes, creating a moist environment not ideal for powdered eye shadows. Additionally, your eyelids have creases that expand and contract as you blink and make expressions.
An eye primer is designed to create a smooth base for your eye makeup, ensuring it goes on evenly and lasts while you’re wearing it. But not all eye primers are the same, so it’s important to know the difference between each type. Most feature a cream base that soaks into the eyelid fairly quickly, absorbing any excess oil so your eye shadow doesn’t get smeared when you apply it.
Primers come in a variety of shades, and it’s important to understand which to use. For darker colors and smoky eyes, stick with darker primers like charcoal gray or black. Otherwise, look for one that matches your complexion or go a shade or two lighter. This will keep it from interfering with the color of your eye shadow, but will still enhance the pigments.
There are instances where a tinted primer can help. For neutralizing red tones in your skin, a primer with some green built in can make a big difference. You can also find eye shadows with a little shimmer that will add some glamour to your look. But it’s best to stick with a matte primer to avoid interfering with the work your eye shadow is doing.
Decorating the eyelids with fanciful colors is not a modern innovation. Evidence dates the use of eye makeup all the way back to ancient Egypt. About 4,000 years ago, wealthy women used exfoliants and hydrating face masks to keep their skin healthy. Once they’d completed this routine, they’d have their servants apply eye shadow and lipstick. Egyptians also wore black makeup, known as kohl, to protect the eyes from the sun.
Of course, there weren’t cosmetics manufacturers in Ancient Egypt, so makeup had to be handmade. Kohl, which was made from a mineral known as galena, was used for eye protection, while Malachite powder, a green mineral, brought a pop of color while also making the eyes appear larger. These cosmetics were applied using ivory, wood or metal sticks.
Stephanie Faris is a novelist and professional writer. She enjoys writing about beauty, and her work has been featured on some popular beauty sites.
DWYM simplifies the research process by aggregating the reviews of the top product review sites. The result is the DWYM Score which represents the overall true rating of a product based upon a 1-10 scale.
For the Eye Primer category, we analyzed 31 of the most popular reviews including reviews from and more. The result is a ranking of the best Eye Primers.