Beauty Basics: Eye Shadow Primers

Hi  ladies!

So a lot of people always ask me how come my eye shadows stay on all day (and all night) long, without budging?? The short answer? Skills!!! Nah, just kidding!

The secret weapon that makeup artists and makeup mavens use is the eye shadow primer.  Primers come in different forms and you kinda have to experiment to see which one suits you best. They basically act as a barrier between you eyelid and your shadows.  They provide a smooth surface for shadows to stick to and prevents the natural oils from the lid from smudging your handiwork.  They last all day through work, sweaty gym workouts or just walking around in the heat, humidity or the cold. And they also help keep colours true and make them pop!

Factors to consider when looking for a primer include 1) Skin type: oily or dry, 2) ease of application, 3) price range.  Listed below are some of the most popular primers available and I’ve used them all.

Eye Shadow Primers

• Urban Decay Primer Potion (UDPP), 0.34 oz., USD$17, Sephora
• Too Faced Shadow Insurance (TFSI), 0.35 oz., USD$17, Sephora
• M.A.C. Paint Pots, 0.17 oz., USD$16.50, M.A.C.
• M.A.C. Paints, 0.23 oz., USD$16.50, M.A.C.

I like all of these products and I often switch them up depending on the look that I am going for.  The M.A.C. Paints and Paint Pots come in a variety of colours and finishes and I use them when I want to use a coloured base for my look, for example I’ll use M.A.C. Paint Pot in Blackground for a basic smokey eye look.  M.A.C. Paints can be a little tricky to use because they apply as a cream and they dry really fast to a powder finish so you’ve got to work quickly to cover the lid.  UDPP and TFSI first came out as neutral, creamy matte bases but UDPP added a base called Sin, which is a pale, shimmery champagne colour and TFSI added 6 additional colours.

These prices may seem a little steep, but, you only need enough to make a thin coat on the eyelids (top and the lower lashline).   So these products last months and months, even with daily use. Apply with your ring finger or a stiff brush like M.A.C.’s 242.

Stay tuned for the review of TFSI and UDPP!

Laters!