Welcome to another reader-requested post, thank you, dear reader!
The universe of primers has exploded in recent years, so I thought I’d divide our discussion into two topics, eye primers and face primers.
I’m posting about eye primers first mostly because there’s much less decision making that goes into it for me. Basically, they’re a must. My lids are very oily, only slightly less so as I’ve gotten older, so I always need a good primer to help my shadow last all day. The only decision I have to make is, which one will I use?
Category 1- Your basic primer
This category consists of all those primers whose sole job is to facilitate lasting power for your eyeshadow. Consistensies and shades from the tube vary, but they all do the same job and once you’ve spread them over your lid they’re more or less transparent. Some of my long-time favorites in this category you can find right at your corner drugstore from Wet n’ Wild and Milani!
Category 2- Primer + Coverage
These primers serve not only to help your shadow last, but also to provide a bit of base color. I like to use these when my lids are looking particularly red or splotchy. I find many of them to be a bit drier than those that don’t add color, so I tend not to use them if I’m feeling dehydrated, lid-wise. My current faves in this category from the drugstore include the Ulta brand primers, I have it in both matte and metallic formulas.
I’m also a big fan of the Eye Base Essentials by Trish McEvoy. One of my fave go-to eye looks is Demure topped with either a bit of liquid liner or just tons of good mascara. In fact, it was my eye look of choice when I went to the 2016 NYC IMATS!
Category 3- Concealer as primer
I only use this method very infrequently, as I don’t find it works well enough on my oily lids. However, if your lids aren’t too oily you might like it since it allows your concealer to do double-duty. One fewer product in your beauty regimen! When I know I won’t be out for too long and just want a quick evening of my eyelid skin tone, I’ll go for this option. My preferred product for this is the Milani Retouch + Erase Light-Lifting Concealer. I may be imagining it, but I do feel a bit of tightening/lift when I first apply this one. This is the only purpose for which I use this concealer, it’s a bit too dry for my undereye or face.
Bonus Category- Undereye primers
There are a lot fewer of these on the market, at least as far as I’m aware. I wear corrector to neutralize my undereye darkness pretty much every time I wear makeup and I like to put something down as a base to add extra hydration. Two of my faves are at opposite ends of the spectrum, price-wise. The ELF Hydrating Under Eye Primer has a slightly pink and reflective undertone, so it adds a bit of light reflection as well.
And the Illamasqua Hydra Veil is second-to-none for hydration.
I hope this overview has been helpful… stay tuned for volume 2 in which we’ll delve into the world of face primers!
*These are only my opinions, formed through my personal experience as a consumer. I am not a medical doctor, an aesthetician, or a health/beauty professional. There is no guarantee what effect, positive or negative, these products may have on anyone else.
**All products were purchased by me from brands that, to the best of my knowledge, are cruelty-free.
Beauty, for good. 