Eyeshadow is one of the best ways to let your creativity shine through makeup. But, that can be a very real challenge for those of us with oily eyelids. If you have oily eyelids, you know the pain of your eyeshadow constantly creasing and your eyeliner smudging everywhere. If this sounds like you, you’ve come to the right place.
Luckily, there is an easy fix for this problem: eyeshadow primer. Eyeshadow primer is essential for oily lids, as it will soak up excess moisture and keep your eye makeup in place all day long. Without further ado, here are the best eyeshadow primers suited for oily lids. Our favorite is the Milani Eyeshadow Primer.
Milani Eyeshadow Primer
Our Favorite Pick
This eyelid primer works great with oily eyelids, as its quick-drying formula and skin-smoothing ingredients create the perfect canvas for even the boldest of eyeshadows.
Milani’s Eyeshadow Primer is perfect for those with oily lids, as its quick-drying, long-lasting formula will help your eyeshadow and liner stay put for all-day wear. This premium primer features skin-soothing ingredients that not only enhance and brighten lids but help deliver vibrant color to your eyeshadow.
All you have to do to utilize the benefits of this primer is apply a small amount of primer to your eyelids using your finger or a brush and wait one minute before applying eyeshadow. Yes, it’s that easy. Will all this eyelid primer has to offer, it’s no wonder it’s our favorite pick.
Pros:
- Dries in just one minute
- Skin-smoothing formula
- Enhances and brightens lids
- Keeps oily eyelids in check
- Promotes crease-free makeup
Cons:
- Might require two coats for some users
Where to buy it: Beauty Bay
Urban Decay Original Eyeshadow Primer Potion
This is an eye primer base for creating crease-free eye makeup looks with vibrant color and smooth application for up to 24 hours of wear.
Urban Decay is one of the most popular makeup brands in the world. One of their bestsellers is the Eyeshadow Primer Potion, and it still remains one of the best eyeshadow primers in the makeup community.
The Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion is a nude primer with a creamy consistency. On a personal note, this was the first eyeshadow I have ever tried years ago and I can definitely say this is an amazing product for beginners! It is easy to use and blends easily on the eyes for a seamless eyeshadow application. It prevents your eye shadows from creasing or blending too much into one another. It creates a blank canvas that intensifies the pigmentation of your shadows. Also, it is cruelty-free and vegan!
One of the things that deter people from this product is the price. It is out of some people’s budget. But, if you are willing to spend a little bit extra, it is so worth it! Also, the tube packaging is inconvenient, as it can be difficult to get all of the product out.
Pros:
- Creamy consistency
- Prevents creasing
- Great for beginners
- Intensifies pigmentation of eyeshadows
- Cruelty-free and vegan
Cons:
- Out of some people’s budget
- Inconvenient packaging
Where to buy it: Amazon
NYX Proof It Eyeshadow Primer in Transparent
Budget Pick
This waterproof eyelid primer not only increases the longevity of powder eyeshadows for everyday wear, but also protects from fading or smudging if wet.
If you are a frequent drugstore makeup shopper, you most likely have some products from NYX Cosmetics. They are known for having some of the best quality makeup at the drugstore. Their Proof It Eyeshadow Primer does an amazing job of preparing oily eyelids for a full eyeshadow look!
This eyeshadow primer is transparent, so it won’t change the color of your eyeshadows at all. But it still intensifies the pigmentation of your shadows in comparison to them being placed on your eyelid straightaway. This primer eliminates smudging or creasing in any weather, as it is waterproof. It is super long-lasting, so your eyeshadow won’t wear off throughout the day. Also, it is cruelty-free and vegan! Not to mention, it is very affordable.
Something to note about this primer is that it tends to take a while to dry. So you may have to wait a few minutes after applying before you go to apply any eyeshadow. Since it is very tacky, it can difficult to blend. Users have found more success blending it out with their fingers rather than a brush.
Pros:
- Intensifies pigmentation of eyeshadows
- Eliminates creasing and smudging
- Waterproof
- Long-lasting
- Cruelty-free and vegan
- Affordable
Cons:
- Takes a few minutes to dry
- Difficult to blend
Where to buy it: Amazon
Morphe Eyelid Primer
This eyelid primer goes on silky smooth, dries down sheer, and won’t let you down for 12 hours.
Morphe is the perfect makeup brand for those who want high-quality makeup for an affordable price. It fits right in between drugstore and high-end makeup, and lots of people love them for that. Morphe’s Eyelid Primer is a fan favorite.
This eyelid primer does an amazing job of keeping your makeup in place all day. It is super long-lasting and waterproof, so it’ll prevent any creasing or smudging for those with oily lids. It is easy to apply and very blendable, so it is great for beginners. It comes with a lot of product in one tube, so it’ll last you a while. Also, it is cruelty-free and very affordable!
This primer doesn’t intensify the pigmentation of the eyeshadow shades, but it doesn’t take away from them either. Also, it never really dries down all the way.
Pros:
- Long-lasting
- Waterproof
- Easy to apply and blend
- Comes with a lot of primer in one tube
- Cruelty-free
- Affordable
Cons:
- Doesn’t intensify eyeshadow shades
- Doesn’t dry down completely
Where to buy it: Ulta
Makeup Revolution Prime & Lock Eye Primer
This eye primer has a lightweight creamy formula with a hint of light beige tint that creates a super smooth and even-toned canvas.
Makeup Revolution is increasing in popularity within the beauty community. Lots of people love the quality of their products for the low price they are sold at. Although their eye primer isn’t a bestseller, it is amazing at keeping your eyeshadow put and great for oily lids.
The Makeup Revolution Prime & Lock Eye Primer is an excellent eye primer that feels lightweight and creamy on the eyes. As the name says, it locks down your eyeshadow and keeps it in place all day long. It prevents your eye shadow from creasing, and it also stops it from fading throughout the day. It creates a blank canvas that intensifies the eyeshadow shades and makes them appear brighter and bolder. Also, it is cruelty-free and budget-friendly.
Reviewers say that the formula is almost too lightweight and watery, so it isn’t as effective as other primers. Also, it isn’t buildable to get greater coverage.
Pros:
- Feels lightweight and creamy on the lids
- Long-lasting
- Prevents creasing and fading
- Intensifies eyeshadow shades
- Cruelty-free
- Affordable
Cons:
- Formula is too lightweight and watery
- Not buildable
Where to buy it: Ulta
Milani Eyeshadow Primer
This eyeshadow primer is formulated to be the perfect base for your flawless style.
If you are looking for a drugstore makeup brand that is both high-quality and affordable, Milani should be one of your go-to’s. Their eyeshadow primer is a lot of people’s holy grail primer.
The Milani Eyeshadow Primer is a nude shade that blends seamlessly into the skin. It prevents any creasing or smudging with your eyeshadow. It is super long-lasting, so you won’t notice any fading throughout the day. It is easy to apply to the lids and easy to blend out which makes it a great primer for those new to makeup. Milani is cruelty-free and this primer is very affordable.
Since this primer is a nude shade, it doesn’t intensify the shades nor make them appear brighter. But it doesn’t take anything away from the shades either. Also, some users with sensitive eyes and/or skin said this mildly irritated their eyes if worn for a longer period of time.
Pros:
- Easily blendable
- Easy to apply
- No creasing, smudging, or fading
- Great for beginners
- Cruelty-free
- Affordable
Cons:
- Does not intensify eyeshadow shades
- Not suited for sensitive skin and/or eyes
Where to buy it: Amazon
Covergirl Lid Lock Up Eyeshadow Primer
This eyeshadow primer gives you all-day, crease-proof eyeshadow security.
Lastly, we’re finishing up this list with the Covergirl Lid Lock Up Eyeshadow Primer. This primer is a staple drugstore product that many people have enjoyed using.
This eyeshadow primer is very long-lasting giving you all-day coverage with no creasing or smudging. It also makes your eyeshadow stay bright and bold all day long without fading. It dries down quickly, so you can apply your eyeshadow on top right away. It feels lightweight on the eyelids, so it is comfortable to wear throughout the day. Also, it is cruelty-free and budget-friendly.
Something to note about this product is that it is a little difficult to blend. To blend easier, use your fingertips instead of a brush. Also, it can be difficult to remove when you remove all of your makeup.
Pros:
- Long-lasting
- No creasing or smudging
- Dries down quickly
- Feels lightweight and comfortable on the eyelids
- Cruelty-free
- Budget-friendly
Cons:
- Can be difficult to blend
- Difficult to remove
Where to buy it: Amazon
Final Thoughts
If you have oily eyelids and face the issue of your eyeshadow constantly creasing and smudging, we feel your pain. The great thing is that if you use a good eyeshadow primer, you can eliminate this problem. Our favorite eyeshadow primer is Milani Eyeshadow Primer. If you are looking for something more budget-friendly, go for the NYX Proof It Eyeshadow Primer in Transparent. Regardless, each of the primers we’ve listed is excellent for oily eyelids and will keep your eye makeup in place all day long!
Frequently Asked Questions
What does eye shadow primer do?
Eye shadow primer typically comes in a liquid or cream formula. It keeps your eye shadow in place all day long, and it often increases the longevity of your eye makeup. It prevents creasing, smudging, and fading of your eye makeup. Also, in some cases, it can intensify the shades of your eye shadow and make them appear brighter.
How do you apply an eye shadow primer?
There really isn’t an exact way to apply eye shadow primer. You can do it with an eye shadow brush or a small concealer brush. But, if you notice it is difficult to blend out over your eye, using your fingertips is a far easier method.
Is eye shadow primer necessary?
No, eye shadow primer is not necessary. But, if you have oily eyelids, it can be a lifesaver for eliminating creasing and smudging.