Top 10 Eyeshadow Primers

THE SPECIFICS
Hit the pool without fear of smudges with this water-resistant, long-lasting eye primer from Anastasia Beverly Hills. Designed to provide a light-colored canvas, this primer is ideal for use before applying a matte or shimmer eye shadow.

ABOUT THE BRAND
Anastasia Beverly Hills is a beloved beauty brand that specializes in vegan and cruelty-free products.

THE SPECIFICS
Hourglass's Veil Eye Primer can increase your eyeshadow's staying power for up to 24 hours. For the best application possible, gently pat to blend an even layer of this primer over your eyelids and up to the brow bone, then let it dry completely before applying your eyeshadow.

MORE TO KNOW
While this primer is approved for all skin types, those with dry skin will particularly love it due to its nourishing formula that contains vitamins E and C.

THE SPECIFICS
Say goodbye to creases and smudges because MAC's Prep + Prime 24-Hour Extend Eye Base is an unbeatable, long-lasting eyeshadow primer. Ideal for use with vibrant eyeshadow palettes, this primer guarantees to keep your makeup in place for hours.

REVIEW HIGHLIGHT
"I am amazed. I have very oily skin and did not expect this to work, but it proved me wrong. This is a thick cream that you have to squeeze out of the tube. If you want to use a base for color over this you can, if not you can apply eyeshadow directly to your lids on top of this (no need to wait for it to dry). This stuff doesn't crease and it doesn't come off until you wash it over. I am a fan for life."

THE SPECIFICS
Who wouldn't want to swipe a light layer of moisturization onto their lids? Rare Beauty's Weightless Eyeshadow Primer provides instant hydration that lasts all day. Plus, its peachy hue helps eyeshadows pop, and the doe applicator makes it easy to use on the go.

ABOUT THE BRAND
Rare Beauty is Selena Gomez's makeup brand. The company's mission is to celebrate the beauty of imperfections and help individuals feel like the best version of themselves.

THE SPECIFICS
The Shadow Insurance 24-Hour Eyeshadow Primer is more than just a primer; it's a layer of defense against blue light damage and environmental stressors. Blend a pea-sized amount into the skin of your eyelids before applying eyeshadow for a locked-down, highly-pigmented look.

REVIEW HIGHLIGHT
"I've been looking for an eyeshadow primer that wasn't too oily or too dry. I remembered using the Too Faced primer years ago and liking it, so I thought I would try it again. It works perfectly, but I have to make sure I use only a thin coating so the color remains smooth."

THE SPECIFICS
Milani's Eyeshadow Primer is a clean, cruelty-free option that works on all skin tones. Just squeeze a small amount onto your fingertips and dab it onto your lids for up to eight hours of crease- and smudge-proof wear.

ABOUT THE BRAND
Milani makes affordable yet luxurious makeup products. The brand's Baked Blush recently made our list of the best drugstore cult beauty products .

THE SPECIFICS
More than just a simple eyeshadow primer, the Eye Base Essentials from Trish McEvoy is a color-correcting, dark circle-brightening miracle product. It's available in five neutral hues from deep to bare to appeal to various skin colors.

REVIEW HIGHLIGHT
"I have been buying this product for years and find it very dependable. I have very fair skin and use "Demure" when I want to look a little more made up (on me it is lighter than my skin color and a bit sparkly) and "Bare" for a natural look. I am terrible at applying eyeshadow so I usually use these by themselves. They do not cake or crinkle and are easy to apply."

THE SPECIFICS
A few standout ingredients are included in the Hydro Grip Eyeshadow and Concealer Primer including hyaluronic acid, blue agave extract, niacinamide, and aloe water. Together, these ingredients give the delicate skin around your eyes a moisturizing boost of antioxidants while prepping for a flawless eyeshadow application.

ABOUT THE BRAND
Milk Makeup was born out of Milk Studios, a creative hub in downtown New York City. The brand only uses the best ingredients to create vegan, cruelty-free beauty products that help its customers look and feel their best.

THE SPECIFICS
NARS' Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base works with both powder and cream eyeshadows. As an ophthalmologist- and dermatologist-tested product, you can trust that this primer will be gentle on your lids while still creating a long-lasting, fade-resisting canvas for your favorite shadows.

REVIEW HIGHLIGHT
"I have very oily eyelids and this is the only eyeshadow primer I have found that effectively keeps my eye makeup locked into place without smudging! I also like how the color disappears once you blend it out onto your lid (i.e., it doesn't leave a white cast)."

THE SPECIFICS
Our algorithm's top pick for the best eyeshadow primer is Urban Decay's Eyeshadow Primer Potion. With a vegan formula powered by polymer technology, this primer intensifies the look of eyeshadow and eyeliner by filling in surface imperfections and prepping the lids for all-day wear. It's particularly great when paired with metallic, shimmer, matte, and glitter eyeshadows. 

ABOUT THE BRAND
Since 1996, Urban Decay has been creating bold, beloved makeup products for both professionals and amateur beauty enthusiasts. The company is known for its fearless use of color and fan-favorite Naked Eyeshadow Palette.