As a fellow makeup lover, I completely understand how important eyeshadow is to a daily makeup routine.
Eyeshadow can make you look more awake at that 7 am meeting even before your morning cup of coffee, or it can make your large blue eyes pop under the dim lights on that Friday night dance floor.
So when you are scouting the aisles for an eyeshadow primer, there are a few questions you should ask yourself.
How long will my eyeshadow stay in place with this primer? Will this primer make the colors in my eyeshadow pop? Is this product free of animal products or bi-products, because who wants animal fat and animal-derived oils sitting on their eyelids all day?
Every eyeshadow primer listed below screams yes to all of those questions and more. Let’s take a look.
Lime Crime High Performance Waterproof Eyeshadow Primer
For those of you who live an active lifestyle, the Lime Crime Waterproof Eyeshadow Primer is a prime (see what I did there?) candidate to pair with your favorite eyeshadow.
The product’s long-lasting, crease-preventing formula is built to last you through your long and busy days.
Eyeshadow colors ranging from a natural nude to neon green pop against this primer, making it a great option for those who like a bold eyeshadow look that will last into the night.
What We Love
Oily skin types need not worry! The Lime Crime Eyeshadow Primer lasts all day long even when up against oily eyelids.
Users also noted that humidity and steam had no effect on the longevity of their eyeshadow when using this product, making it a great match for those who live in a humid climate or work in an industry where steam is common (such as the food industry).
The Downside
The formula’s thick consistency does not sit well will some people, claiming it made their eyelids feel cakey. A few user also complained of minor skin irritation such as dryness after using the product for a few days.
e.l.f. Shadow Lock Eyelid Primer
If having a lightweight formula that makes your eyelids feel silky smooth is more up your alley, then the e.l.f. Shadow Lock Eyelid Primer is the way you should go!
The primer’s 100% vegan formula is thin but still, manages to grab onto those shimmery colors and hold onto them for hours.
Just a few small dots on your eyelid is all you will need to prep your lids for crease-proof wear that will get you through the day.
What We Love
The silky smooth formula is easy to blend into your eyelid, making layering on your eyeshadow easy as well. An overall appreciation for the different shade options was also mentioned.
The Downside
The primary complaint from users was actually not about the primer itself, but about the container, it comes in. Users felt that the applicator took up the majority of the tube, leaving little room for actual product, which made them feel like they were being ripped off even though the price of the product is definitely on the cheaper end.
Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion Tubeimer
Having an eyeshadow look that lasts throughout the day and long into the night is ideal for anyone looking to go from their 9-5 office job to a girl’s night out all in one shot.
The Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion will make those day to night looks last with little to no touch ups in between.
The effortless application and glossy texture of the primer holds onto shadows for a full 24 hours and comes in three shades (Eden, Sin, and Greed).
What We Love
The quick drying formula allows for easy eyeshadow application with both packed and loose eyeshadows, while the crease-proof formula prevents users from needing to touch up their look throughout the day.
Also, the three shades of primer can actually be used as individual cream eyeshadows, which is quite a unique bonus, so I had to add it in!
The Downside
Several users noticed that the product dried out too quickly in the tube, making the already thick formula harder to get out.
Tarte Clean Slate, 360 Creaseless Eyeshadow Primer
A common concern amongst makeup users today is making sure the products they use will not irritate their sensitive skin.
With this concern becoming more and more common, I had to add in an eyeshadow primer that was free of any harsh ingredients.
The Tarte Clean Slate Eyeshadow Primer is free of sulfates, parabens, GMOs, and synthetic fragrances, making it a great option if you suffer from skin sensitivities.
However, just because you need a specific type of primer, that doesn’t mean that you have to give anything up in exchange.
With a crease-proof, waterproof, all-vegan formula, this primer will insure that your eyeshadow will last up to twelve hours without irritating your skin throughout the day.
What We Love
The long lasting formula is thick and creamy, which allows eyeshadows to glide on easily and stay in place. Users with oily skin also loved that Tart’s eyeshadow primer controlled their oily eyelids and prevented eyeshadow from wearing away.
The Downside
The chief complaint in regards to this primer was that the product “crusted” if you used a little bit too much, so just be aware of the amount you are applying to your lids, and you’ll be fine!
NYX Cosmetics Eye Shadow Base
Available at most convenience stores including Target and Sephora, NYX cosmetics is a great option for makeup lovers on a budget!
The NYX Cosmetics Eyeshadow Base comes in three shades that can be worn as individual cream shadows or as the base for your eyeshadow look.
The crease-proof, high definition formula amplifies even a simple nude shade, making it appear 100x brighter than if it were worn alone.
What We Love
A little goes a long with this primer! The product will last you a minimum of one month if used correctly. A couple little dots on your lid is all you will need. The vibrancy of the eyeshadow colors received a tremendous amount of praise when placed overtop of the primer as well, making any eye look a stand out.
The Downside
Users noticed that the product does not last if you have oily eyelids. This is likely due to the oil breaking down the primer throughout the day, causing you eyeshadow look to smudge and lead to creasing.
![Milani Eyeshadow Primer, [01] Nude 0.3 oz (Pack of 3)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31OJ2Cw2VXL.jpg)
Milani Eyeshadow Primer
Made for use with both cream and powder eyeshadows, the Milani Eyeshadow Primer will make any neutral eyeshadow color beam with vibrancy.
The vegan, crease-proof, long wear formula will last you a solid 8 hours before needing to be touched up.
If your interest in eyeshadow primer lies in something to simply get you through the work day, then this is the product for you.
Having a lightweight density is also a plus for users who don’t like their makeup to feel cakey or who are going for a subtle, more natural makeup look.
What We Love
The soft, smooth texture sweeps over eyelids with very little effort. The sheer color also made the primer nearly invisible, especially underneath bolder eyeshadow colors, unless someone is planning on standing nose to nose with you shortly!
The Downside
The sheer color, unfortunately, did not do much in the way of helping bolder colors stand out anymore than they would without the primer. A few users also felt that the product dried a little too quickly, preventing them from being able to spread the product out evenly and making their eyelids feel stiff compared to other brands.
Blinc Eyeshadow Primer
The Blinc Eyeshadow Primer may be the ultimate, all-in-one eyeshadow primer on the market.
The crease-proof, smudge-proof, fade-proof formula works on all skin types, while the anti-aging components help to fill in fine lines, wrinkles, and most imperfections like discoloration.
The smooth, thin formula applies easily with your finger or an applicator brush and preps your eyelids for all day wear.
What We Love
Many users noted that the primer helped their eyeshadow stay on all day long regardless of what they were doing or what was happening around the. So rain, shine, snow, or sweat, your fiercest eyeshadow look will prevail.
The Downside
Creasing may occur if you use too much of the product, a little bit is all that you need!
Eyeshadow Primer the Cruelty-Free Way
Going vegan doesn’t mean you have to give up the things you love, especially when it comes to the quality of your makeup.
Brands like Tarte, E.L.F, and Blinc all provide high-quality products like the eyeshadow primers mentioned above that rein true to your morals, beliefs, and of course those three little questions I mentioned at the beginning of this article.
So, does your primer keep your eyeshadow in place all day? Does it increase the vibrancy of your eyeshadow colors? Is it free of any animal products or bi-products?
If you’re planning on using one of the products I mentioned, then you’ve got a solid yes.