The 6 Best Eyeshadow Primers for Crease-Free, Long-Lasting Eye Makeup

Consider them the insurance policy for your shadow.

Two runway models face the camera in a close image, the models wear black clothing and their makeup consists of a claret red lip and soft brown eyeshadow with strong brows and full lashes.
(Image credit: Future)
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As the self-proclaimed queen of the smokey eye—for what it's worth, I wear one every single day—I've learned that even my favorite eyeshadow palettes, sticks, and eyeliners don't stand a chance without the best eyeshadow primer underneath. Skip this step, and my carefully blended smoke-out turns into a creased, smudgy mess before noon even rolls around.

Think of primer as the blank canvas of eye makeup: it smooths, grips, and makes every shadow shade pop. It keeps my look vibrant and crease-free through sweat, weather, and whatever else the day (or night) throws at me And before you even reach for that swipe of concealer, don't. It might work in a pinch, but as professional and editorial makeup artist Disco tells me, that trick's best left to the experts. "There are so many primers out there that will get you the look you want much faster and easier,” she says. “The concealer has other steps and needs other products to do the full job of a primer.”

So, save your concealer for those pesky dark spots or breakouts, and let one of these tried-and-true eyeshadow primers do the heavy lifting. Each of these formulas will give your lids a silky-smooth base and keep your shadow from melting off before you're in for the night. Plus, a few of them come with pro-approved tips straight from Disco herself. Trust me—once you see what a good primer can do, you'll never go back to bare lids again.

The Best Eyeshadow Primers

A woman with hair pulled back and pink lips, the purple Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion, and the same woman in a black blazer, eyeshadow and a diamond necklace

Hannah Baxter before, during, and after applying the Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion.

(Image credit: Future)

Girl in a striped pink robe and a pink hair towel and a blue headband applies milk makeup eye primer that's in a green tube

Emery Doney before, during, and after application of the Milk Hydro Eyeshadow Primer.

(Image credit: Future)

A close-up image of a woman's eye applying eye makeup and then two more images, one open, one closed, of an eye featuring a smokey shadow and winged liner

Siena Gagliano before, during, and after application of the Pat McGrath Intensifeyes Longwear Eyeshadow Primer.

(Image credit: Future)

Mature woman with highlighted brown hair and bright blue eyes applies eye makeup to her lids.

Mindy Holender before, during, and after applying the MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pot Cream Eyeshadow.

(Image credit: Future)

A girl with wet hair without makeup, the Rare Beauty eyeshadow primer on a white surface open, and the same girl with curled hair, a blue dress, and a full smokey eye

Siena Gagliano before, during, and after application of the Rare Beauty Weightless Eyeshadow Primer.

(Image credit: Future)

Mature woman with blonde hair eye makeup to her lids she wears a fuzzy robe and big gold earrings.

Heather Gagliano before, during, and after applying the e.l.f. Lock It Down Eyeshadow Primer.

(Image credit: Future)

How to Apply an Eyeshadow Primer

Before you even think about color, you need a well-prepped canvas. "I always start with a lightweight eye cream to prep the lids," makeup artist Erica Taylor recently told Marie Claire. If your eyelids are dry, she suggests tapping a creamy concealer to even out the skin and create a smooth base. For those with oily lids, an eyeshadow primer is your best friend. "A good primer can make all the difference in how long your eye makeup lasts and how smooth it looks."

What to Look For in Eyeshadow Primer

One quick Google search for “eyeshadow primer” and you’ll find a ton of options on the market. To weed through to your best pick, you need to consider what kind of priming you want to do, says Disco. “There are clear options available that extend the wear, and then there are also options that give your lid some coverage and make the shadows more vibrant.” So if you need your eye makeup to last all night, look for keywords like “long-lasting,” “waterproof”, and/or “extended wear.” And if vibrancy is your goal, look for “amplifying” and “fade-proof.”

  • Coverage

Coverage varies from primer to primer, so you may want to consider your skin’s needs. Do you have discoloration around your eyelids? Go with a pigmented primer with coverage, like MAC’s Paint Pot. And if you’re looking for a primer that provides staying and smoothing power, a colorless option like Urban Decay’s Primer Potion is the way to go.

  • Texture

Lastly, texture is another factor you may want to consider when shopping for eyeshadow primer. Overall, a tackier texture in an eye primer, like Milk's Hydrogrip, will provide a better grip for eyeshadow, meaning your look will last longer. Texture is also important to consider when working with certain skin types. For example, you may want to look for a matte primer if you have oily skin or opt for a creamy, moisturizing primer if your skin is on the drier side.

Why Trust Marie Claire?

For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion, and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.

How We Tested

Marie Claire Beauty Editor, Siena Gagliano, along with other beauty editors and writers, went through a vigorous testing period where they reviewed dozens of eyeshadow primers. After determining the top picks alongside makeup experts, they tested each primer with their favorite shadows over multiple days.

Meet the Experts

Headshot of Disco, pro makeup artist
Disco

Disco is a leading expert in the beauty industry, with over 12 years of experience as a makeup artist. She has worked with international clients and celebrities, and has participated in NYFW for 14 seasons. In addition to her work as a freelance makeup artist, Disco is also the co-founder of Kitpak, a professional makeup organization company.

erica taylor makeup artist
Erica Taylor

Erica Taylor has been in the cosmetic industry for over 26 years, working for top brands: MAC, Laura Mercier, Benefit Cosmetics & Trish McEvoy. She is a professional makeup artist and mom of three living in New York.  Erica majored in art education in college, initially aspiring to be an art teacher, but instead, decided to search for a career that would allow her to be more creative.  In 2021, she started sharing her makeup tips and techniques for any age on her social media and has quickly become a trusted expert to her more than 3 million engaged followers. In 2023 and 2024, she was named L'Oreal Paris League of Experts and continues to be a major authoritative figure in the beauty and skincare space.

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Brooke Knappenberger
Brooke Knappenberger
Associate Commerce Editor

Brooke Knappenberger is the Associate Commerce Editor at Marie Claire, where she specializes in crafting shopping stories—from sales content to buying guides that span every vertical on the site. She also oversees holiday coverage with an emphasis on gifting guides as well as Power Pick, our monthly column on the items that power the lives of MC’s editors. She also tackled shopping content as Marie Claire's Editorial Fellow prior to her role as Associate Commerce Editor.

She has over three years of experience writing on fashion, beauty, and entertainment and her work has appeared on Looper, NickiSwift, The Sun US, and Vox Magazine of Columbia, Missouri. Brooke obtained her Bachelor's Degree in Journalism from the University of Missouri’s School of Journalism with an emphasis on Magazine Editing and has a minor in Textile and Apparel Management.

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