August 14, 2017

I Haven’t Worn Eyeshadow Primer in a While and That’s Ok

A few year’s ago something changed with Urban Decay’s Primer Potion formula. I couldn’t tell you exactly what happened but the formula wasn’t the one I knew and loved. I remember UDPP being thin, easy to blend, quick to absorb, and kept my shadows on all day with nary a crease. But back in 2011 something changed and the formula just wasn’t quite working out as well as I remember.

Needless to say between that time I’ve tried hundreds of eyeshadow primers some of which were pretty great formulas.

But guess what?

I haven’t worn eyeshadow primer in a while and that’s ok!

Granted not everyone can go without eyeshadow primer because some folks have oily lids and eyeshadow just slips off very easily. I have drier eyes and I’ve actually discovered, after many years of using it, I don’t really need eyeshadow primer. Most eyeshadows stay in place for me and it is very, very rare they crease or fade unless there is some defect with the formula. Even cream eyeshadows have excellent wear on my drier eyes.

So, I gave up on eyeshadow primer and I figure I’m saving money and also saving myself step in my daily routine which means time spent doing something else. Because seriously, who’s routine is already taking them 30 to 60 minutes to complete anyway? If I can shave off a minute that’s fine by me…!

Do you use eyeshadow primer or have you given up on it?

Or maybe you never used it at all to begin with!

Do share!

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • Deb

    Happy Monday, Muse! Hope your week is starting off well. This,post made me go, yes! It’s not just me. Like you, I have dry skin. And my eyelids and under eye area are the worst. I started using UD primer years ago,when I thought you needed a primer. But you’re so right, it has changed. And not for the better for us with dry skin. I’ve been trying to use Eden for quite some time to hide redness on my lids. But that shizz sucks! It’s dry and cakes and it drags and bunches. I tried it so many times with different eye creams and nothing worked. I had to throw it out like a bad boyfriend. So I’ve given up primers for my eyelids. And with today’s eyeshadow formulas I don’t think they are necessary. At least for those of us with dry skin. I’m using a light layer of Bobbi Brown banana eyeshadow to cover the red and it’s working great. Doesn’t appear to affect the color of other shadows at all.

    • Isabella Muse

      Hey Deb! I use Eden too! I still like it because it does a good job brightening but I really don’t need it. It’s rare I even bother applying it anymore. and I agree today’s eyeshadow formulas are so well formulated you really don’t need much to have them perform well! 😀 Plus dry eyes totally helps haha!

      • amy

        I’m the opposite, even with my dry-as-the-Sahara-Desert lids… My lids are *so* dry, most powder shadows just don’t stick, so I *need* some sort of cream base, even if it’s just a concealer… My crease is completely aligned with my orbital fossa, so I’ve never had any issues with creasing, so any cream product works.

        • Isabella Muse

          That’s quote interesting! I had a bit of a flaky issue going on during the Winter and powder looked incredibly bad on me but even at that point, crusty flakes and all, it still wore like a champ! But one thing, cream does intensify color and makes it stick like a champ 😀

    • Pamela

      I have oily skin in the T zone so my eyelids are kind of dry. BUT I started using Edward Bess Undo Time on my lids to brighten them and only using my brown shadow in the crease. It worked for both keeping the shadow in the crease and also did brighten my eyes without having to use more light shadow. What a difference. I don’t even know what it is supposed to be used for or why I bought it.

  • KimMWC03

    I have to use primer because my lids are oil and I have hooding. I prefer the NARS eye shadow primer or one by MAC. I never felt like the UD one did all that much for me as far as longevity of shadow.

  • Heather

    I agree – once Urban Decay changed the formula and went to a wand design, I had to break up with them. Now I use Dior although their formula is thick and dry (but does work, once you get it to spread) or I use Too Faced. To me, primer is a must. My eyeshadow creases in an hour if I don’t use it.

  • SDinIL

    If I don’t wear primer my eye shadow is gone within hours. Or its has migrated all over the place in clumps. My eyes are so oily. I use UD. I LOVED UD Enigma but you can’t get it anymore so now I just use Eden.

    • BabyBeans

      I love UD Enigma, too! I splurged on a few extra tubes but once those are gone my HG eye primer is never to be seen again. Why was that shade limited edition? So cruel.

  • Susan

    I use eyelid primer — Lorac Behind the Scenes is my favorite — even though I have normal/dry skin. I’m older and the skin around my eyes has darkened with age, so without primer I look bruised and shadows don’t show their true colors.

  • Kate

    I use NARS smudge proof and it is excellent. I have dry eyes and this actually makes blending a breeze. I’m awaiting my third tube from sephora. I would try it. It’s like a cult classic at this point.

  • Stephanie

    Lucky you Muse! I have oily eyelids so I need eyeshadow primer. I love the Too Faced Shadow Insurance. It helps keep my eyeshadow on all day and works much better for me than the Urban Decay primer potion.

  • Dee

    I have to use primer too. I like the Milani one and wet n wild photo focus is good too. The UD primers never worked for me.

  • kjh

    Have a smidge of ancient udpp and tfsi left. Got a d/c’d wnw Fergie at night job. Bought all the sunset palettes, so three more. Current problem is have to use mometasone on my eyelids for seborrheic dermatitis. That REALLY sucks as a shadow primer, bec it kind of doesn’t dry down. Something has to go over it. IDGAS what primer, but pretty much have to use one now. Could do without primer before. Used an illegal cortisone script and thinned my eyelids, second to too strong. Not sure what would happen with cpsss. Prob the same, as the problem is cream on the lids, not general adherence issues with specific products.

  • Agona

    My lids are both oily and hooded, so I can’t go sans primer. The UD formula is not my favorite (although it’s the currently open one in my makeup bag so I’m using it). It feels a little bit greasy to me, which seems weird. My fav is still bareMinerals’ eyelid primer.

  • Linda Whitener

    I have to use primer, too – while my skin’s a bit drier since menopause, eyeshadow still slides off my lids. And I won’t even get into the impact of hot flashes. I’ve found that the new Flower Beauty eyeshadow primer works well for me – also Nyx’s Proof-It.

  • Christina D.

    I would have to say that eye shadow primer was an amazing discovery for me. Once I found it, I’ve never gone without it. You know I’m a serious eye shadow junkie and eye shadow has never been the same for me without primer. I even have a kind of non-ending quest to find “the” eye shadow primer. UD still tops my list but I continue to seek the Holy Grail of eye shadow primers.

    Besides the issue of longevity, I rely on primer to keep eye shadows from staining. I hate when there is a discoloration on my lid that takes time to fade. Primer stops that for me.

  • amy

    Lanolin was added to the original UDPP, which is what turned many away. Personally, I don’t mind it, as I have dry lids, and due to the shape/placement of my crease, I don’t have issues with creasing. I just need something emollient for powders to stick to, and several less expensive products work well for me.

    • Isabella Muse

      I think lanolin is great if you are dry but I imagine people hate it if they have oily lids!

  • Chris

    I use the UD Original primer. Got a sample of their Anti -Aging version and that one I liked. I feel the same way — could use it or not. I don’t have dry or oily eyelids or hooded lids. I use the primer so the shadow adheres to that.

    I also dislike their wand applicator which I tap to my lids/below brow and blend in. As it gets near the end of the tube, I cut off the wand and just squeeze what I need on my finger, then to my lids.

  • Danadoo

    I personally don’t use it all that much, because my typical look is just an ivory eyeshadow with a black cat eye (or blue, or purple sometimes) and I find that concealer with a little setting powder is all I need to prime for that kind of look. However, if I’m doing an elaborate look that quite frankly takes forever I totally bust out the primers!

  • Paula

    I’ve been using Lancome’s Aquatique Waterproof Eye Color Base “� Nude, and I love it. My skin’s dry, but without it the shadow fades too quick or creases. I have a deep crease. It lasts forever too. I’ve tried samples of the UD primers and just didn’t like it as much.

  • Carrie

    I have oily eyelids, so I have to. I even tried Buxom eyeshadows which are supposed to have primer in the product already, and they stI’ll creased!

  • J

    Most days I go without primer because like you, I don’t really need it with my drier skin. If it’s going to be a really hot day or if I’m going to be out all night, then I’ll use a bit of primer as insurance but I probably don’t need it then either haha

  • Kara

    I used MAC “Painterly” and it’s amazing! Been using it for years.
    Kara

  • Linds

    I have very dry skin but my eyelids are very oily. They have a sheen to them lol. Primer is a must for me or else my shadow will crease within a few hours. It doesn’t matter what brand the eyeshadow is from either . Most inexpensive eye primers haven’t worked well for me. I typically use id even though i liked the squeeze tube better.

  • Melissa

    I haven’t used a specific eye primer in years because I wear a full coverage foundation and I’ve found that using my face primer (j. one Jelly Pack – omg!!!!!), with my foundation and setting powder works just as well, if not better, and saves me an additional product/step.

    I would never, ever consider putting eye shadow on without some sort of base though – whether it be primer/concealer/foundation-powder combo – simply for color payoff purposes alone. neutralizing your natural eyelid color gives so much more impact to whatever you’re putting on – it just seems like a waste not to do it. If I’m going to take the time to put in makeup, I want it to show up and have impact! But maybe I’m weird! 🙂 Incidentally, I also don’t understand “natural” mascara and the “no makeup” makeup look “�♀️

  • genevieve

    I have ‘mature’ aged skin and I don’t use an eyeshadow primer as such. Nude by Nature, an Australian cruelty free brand, has a great skin primer and that is safe to use as an eye shadow primer as well – which is what I do. A MUA at Priceline, a big beauty shop in Aus, informed me that only when the primer contains SPF, you shouldn’t use it on your eyelids as it can be irritating. Otherwise normal primers are just as good.

  • Sammy

    Muse, I bought UD primer and I hated it. It was thick, way too creamy, and my eyeshadow creased within 30 minutes. Ugh, and it’s not like that stuff was cheap. So, needless to say I was just baffled at all the great reviews about it (kinda like Better than Sex mascara – I am puzzled over all the great reviews on that mascara too). The BEST eyeshadow primer I have ever used to date is Lorac Behind the Scenes Eyeshadow Primer. That is my HG primer. It really works. My eyeshadow stays put nearly all day long with no creasing and very little fading. I have oily eyelids too.

    • Isabella Muse

      Maybe that was after the formula change. It was quite thin and easy to blend 10 years ago but after that things changed 🙁 Behind the Scenes is quite nice!