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By Sophie Joaman • August 2, 2022 • 6 mins read
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To Prep or not to prep? Well, prep, of course. Do you use an eyeshadow base or a primer though to achieve eyeshadow perfection? Now that is the question!
Eyeshadow can really enhance your eyes and compliment the rest of your makeup but when your eyelids haven’t been prepped, your eyeshadow can end up looking dull, faded and can also slip or crease.
Priming your eyes, therefore, (whether with an eyeshadow base or primer) can do absolute wonders for your makeup. It can make your eyeshadow look all the more vibrant and can also prevent your eye makeup from creasing.
See it this way, your eye base is your canvas. Just like your foundation, it sets the base layer of your eye makeup and allows you to build upon it for excellent results at the end.
So going back to our question, should you use an eyeshadow base or a primer to achieve eyeshadow perfection? What even are the differences between the two? Well, we’ve got you covered with all of the advice that you need to get to first base with your eye makeup.
Although both eyeshadow bases and primers share some similarities, they are in principle different products with different outcomes. Similarly wise, both products act as a foundation base for your makeup.
When using either product, you should always apply it to fresh lids before putting any eyeshadow on. This gives you a smooth base to work with and will help your eyeshadow and other eye products glide on easily.
In terms of their differences, an eyeshadow base is a creamy textured product that lays on the eyelids and intensifies eyeshadow pigments. It doesn’t however, prevent your makeup from creasing.
Nor does it stop natural oils from causing your makeup to slip. The eyeshadow base (which comes in various shades, depending on your preference) is a good product to lay down a foundation and is perfect for anyone who wants their eye makeup to look more vibrant.
On the other hand, primers work to stop natural oils from creasing your eye makeup. Primers are usually clear or neutral in colour and come in both liquid and cream formulas, depending on your wants and needs.
The best thing about primers is how they give you long wear. They set your makeup in place so that you need not worry about reapplication halfway through the day.
Yes. It is necessary to prep your eyelids with either a primer or an eyeshadow base before applying any eyeshadow. Without a base, your eye makeup is unlikely to go the full distance and last all day.
Your eyeshadow will end up looking duller and faded as the day wears on. If you’ve spent time doing your eye makeup, the last thing you want is for it to ruin, crease or fade.
The easiest way to combat these issues is to make sure that you are prepping your eyes, just as you do with the rest of your face.
Knowing the differences between the two products is important in helping you make a decision on which one is best suited to you.
If you are still not sure whether you should use an eyeshadow base of primer, then considering what kind of outcome you want as well as your own skin requirements can help you make up your mind.
For example, do you find that you often have oily eyelids? Does your makeup shift and maybe not last as long as a result of natural oil production? If yes, then you might find that a primer would be more suited to you.
This is because a primer will work to banish the oil throughout the day and keep your eye makeup in place for longer. One great thing about using a primer is that you really don’t need to use much to get the best results.
Just a small pea-sized amount is enough to glide over the eyelid and set your base in place all day. Plus, as it dries clear and transparent, it’s an effortlessly easy product to use.
We definitely recommend choosing a primer over an eyeshadow base if you find that your eye makeup doesn’t last. Opting for primer will also even out your eyelid tone so that you get the best finish from your eye makeup.
One of our favourite eye primers is the Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion thanks to its long-lasting wear. This creamy primer is an essential product to keep in your makeup bag and blends into the eyelids seamlessly like silk to keep your eye makeup looking gorgeous from day to night.
If you don’t however, have problems with oily eyelids or your makeup slipping, then an eyeshadow base might be the better fit for you. They are also the best product for anyone who wants their eyeshadow to look brighter.
If for example, you’re big on bold colours and/or glitter eyeshadows and don’t want to be reapplying eyeshadow, then an eyeshadow base might just be your new best friend.
Just like the primer, you also don’t need to use too much eyeshadow base to notice immediate results. Starting with a pea-sized amount of product, apply to your eyelid and blend.
You will likely find that the texture is much tackier than a primer. This makes it great for binding to the eyeshadow and really brings out that colour.
We love the MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pot for its satin-like texture that glides over the eyelid and leaves an equally flawless base for you to build up your eyeshadow.
It comes in various shades too, so even if you make your eye makeup more minimal, you’re still guaranteed to get that vivacity within your makeup that lasts for much longer.
Prepping your eyes is the number 1 step to making sure that your eye makeup stays looking its best throughout the day. While both primers and eyeshadow bases are priming products, they both have different outcomes.
Whichever one you choose is down to your personal preference. If you want more vibrancy and colour intensity in your eyeshadow, then go for an eyeshadow base.
If keeping your eye makeup in place without creasing or sliding is more important, then using a good primer is your best bet.
If you ask us, we’re suckers for a good eye primer. Using a primer makes the rest of your makeup application so much easier. It also produces the best longevity results so we can go from work to play in an instant, with our makeup looking fresh and flawless the entire time.
