Makeup
Got a beauty drama? We're here to help!
Lid Primer. A Do or a Don’t Bother?
Tue, 14 August 2012 1:11PM
Should I use a eye lid primer to stop my eye liner and shadow from smearing? Or will a regular face primer do the job?
You’d think so at first, right? But generally, lid primers are more ‘sticky’, because they’re for women who have oily lids and need extra help keeping eye makeup in place. Face primers, however, tend to be formulated more to smooth out skin (pores, lines, so on) – not so much for keeping shine and slick in check. Therefore, if you have oil-prone lids, it’s worth trying a lid-specific prep product – Smashbox Photo Finish Lid Primer, $29.95, Kit, is a good place to start.
If, however, you’re like me, and your lids are more on the dry (*cough, lined*) side of things, I honestly don’t think you need a primer. I simply use my regular concealer under cream shadows, or concealer topped with translucent powder if I’m wearing powder shadows, and everything is still in place by the day’s end. My only exception to this rule would be if you have discolouration on your lids, so much so that concealer doesn’t cut it. In this case, try Laura Mercier Eye Basics, $42, Adore Beauty.
Oh, one thing I forgot to mention in favour of lid primers – they’re also formulated and pigmented so as to make eye shadow appear more intense. You know how if you wear a coat of white polish underneath a coloured one, it makes it appear poppier? Same theory goes with most lid primers. So it all depends on the state of your eyelid skin, and what kind and colour eye makeup you’re wearing.
Does anyone else have any thoughts on lid primers?
Pr any other suggestions for how to keep eye makeup in place?
Posted by: Katrina Lawrence
The latest tips and tricks
How-tos
-
How to: Carry off a Lustrous Metallic Mani
One of the biggest nail trends to come out of the a/w ’13 collection was high-impact metallic nails. Almost instantly, the…
-
How to: Break Bad Bedtime Habits (And Wake Up Prettier!)
We’re creatures of habit, we humans. We like routine, blossom on rituals, and enjoy the regularity of a 24-hour system. But…
-
How to: Make the Switch to Red Hair
There is a fiery change on the celebrity roundabout. No longer is the focus on the ‘ditsy’ blondes and the ‘pretty’…
-
How to: Decode your Seasonal Beauty Colours
Some experts believe in a beauty science known as seasonal colour analysis. You’ve probably heard about it – you know, the…
-
How to: Choose the Right Nude Nail Polish to Suit Your Skin Tone
Just as wearing a flesh-toned heel elongates your legs (as does some well-placed illuminator, coincidentally), a nude-toned nail polish gives your…
11 Comments
Posted by: Ant // Wed, 15 August 2012 12:51pm
I was sceptical at first about lid primers until I tried one and now I’m hooked. It was Mineralogie’s new Eye Shadow Primer. I love how my eye shadow looks and stays put for so much longer. I agree with the fact that it is different to a regular face primer. The Mineralogie one is a different texture and really grabs my eye shadow so I don’t have to worry now about it flaking and falling onto my cheeks during the day
Posted by: lovefashionangel Master Fan // Wed, 15 August 2012 03:18pm
When I dont wear primer, my lids are perfectly fine on the dry side like you Kat
But whenever i use foundation and primer and eyeshadow it all slips around my lids,so i tend to avoid it all together and just use liner.
Posted by: glossed Master Fan // Wed, 15 August 2012 04:08pm
Now that I use eye primer I will never go back! I have pretty oily skin and I love the Too Faced Shadow Insurance! Eyeshadow won’t budge!
Posted by: Julieow Master Fan // Fri, 17 August 2012 10:37pm
MAC paint pots – prime + colour in one lazy fingered sweep!
Posted by: Knyholm Master Fan // Tue, 21 August 2012 04:01am
I have to admit that I just used a general face primer, but sounds like its worth investing in one specifially for the eyes..!
Posted by: misschris Master Fan // Wed, 22 August 2012 10:36am
For everyday I use either concealer or my napoleon Perdis eye primer.. My eyeshadow does not budge!
Posted by: Sussan // Mon, 3 September 2012 04:12pm
I’ve been buying primer after primer after primer but nothing seems to be keeping my eyeliner at bay. The record time is 2 hours. I did try foundation primer though, it lasted about 10 min..if evern
Posted by: mwalker6293 Enthusiast // Sat, 15 September 2012 10:41am
Fantastic question! Like the below user, I was always sceptical about primers in general. Then I went and YouTubed a bunch of info on eyeshadow primers because I always found that my shadow would fade or crease during the day/ out at night partying (sweat is the darndest thing!).
Everything seemed too expensive for me, such as Urban Decay Primer Potion, Too Faced Shadow Insurance etc. And while these are good, they’re not exactly great for a girl or guy on a budget.
I browsed Priceline and found that Australis now makes an eye primer, and I find it absolutely fantastic. It holds my colour, prevents creasing and fading, keeps shimmer in place if there is any and best part is that it is only around $12-$15!!! (UD and Too Faced being around $40).
Totally worth checking out if you come across it, it is sold in most Pricelines and Targets from what I’ve seen. Really a gem of an item!
Posted by: Coconal Master Fan // Sun, 16 September 2012 11:59am
I swear by lid primers, if not just to keep eye makeup in place but also because it really makes your shadow more vibrant!
I always say there’s not much point in spending a while doing your eyes up properly if it just vanishes within a couple of hours, lol.
There are always low budget ones to play with too, like Australis as mwalker mentioned in the above comment, and also Face of Australia. Or, there’s always buying from online -US based sites or eBay (but with caution) if it’s a product not available in Australia.
Another point worth mentioning, the same primers don’t always work the same for everyone, so bear in mind you might need to experiment a little before finding one that you love.
xx
Posted by: daylight dancer Master Fan // Sun, 9 December 2012 01:49pm
Ill be buyig my first lid primer on thursday and im looking forward to it. Ill be buying an australis primer as ive read great reviews.
My trick at the moment is to apply a powder first on my lids to minimise oiliness.
But cant wait to own a lid primer.
Posted by: catn2kittens Master Fan // Sun, 21 April 2013 03:25pm
Concealer will do in a pinch as an eyelid primer, but if you need the colours to last a long time (like my 15 hour work day) you really need a proper primer to avoid fading and creasing. Urban Decay primer potion is awesome!