The 6 Best Eyeshadow Primers of 2024, Tested & Reviewed

Best Overall

NARS Eyeshadow Base

$26 at Nordstrom $26 at Ulta $26 at Sephora

Like many of Nar's top-rated products, this eyeshadow primer is one of the most popular options around, and for good reason. It comes in four different shades, ranging from light to dark — so there’s an option for almost every skin tone. The best part is that it’s super blendable and easy to manipulate, so even if you don’t have a perfect match, a little elbow grease will help get you there. When we tried it on, it felt like a smooth balm, so it was easy to blend in.

One thing we wish we could change is the applicator’s handle, which we think would have been better if it were a little shorter. It feels really long and too intense for how simple the product is.

Size: 0.26 fl oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Number of Shades: 4

Best for Oily Eyelids

ILIA Eye Primer

$24 at Amazon $24 at Nordstrom $24 at Sephora

Those of us with oily eyelids know how frustrating it is for our eyeshadow to slip right off, minutes after application. This clean eyeshadow primer from ILIA, which uses natural ingredients, is weightless and won’t contribute to slippage. In fact, thanks to botanicals like rosehip oil, arnica, and jojoba, this primer actually soaks up excess oil and offers long-lasting hold. And, as you may have been able to guess, it serves as an illuminating base for makeup that can be worn on its own for a glowy boost or under shadow, but whichever you choose, you can trust that it’ll stay put. 

One thing to note: It blends into the skin right away like an eye serum. While this is a great thing for some, we found it a little confusing. It soaked right into our skin after application, so we weren't really sure if it was still there. We were surprised to find that it certainly was and it made our eyeshadow look more vibrant and smudge-proof.

Size: 0.14 fl oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Number of Shades: 1

Best Smoothing

Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Amplifying Eye Primer

$22 at Sephora $22 at Kohls.com View on Fentybeauty.com

Rihanna’s beauty line Fenty Beauty is all about inclusivity, and this eyeshadow primer is no different. The product has a light pink tone that dries down clear all skin tones. It has a creamy, off-white color when you first put it on, but then, over time, it blends into your natural skin tone. We couldn’t even see it after a few minutes.

The weightless formula offers light coverage, which meant we needed to layer on some more to get our lids completely covered. It took a little more product than we thought we needed, but it went on smoothly, no matter how much we added. Regardless of applying a hefty amount of eyeshadow, we didn’t notice any creasing and barely felt like we had anything on our eyelids.

Size: 0.27 fl oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Number of Shades: 1

Best Brightening

Rare Beauty Weightless Eye Primer

$21 at Sephora $21 at Kohls.com $21 at Rarebeauty.com

Using this eyeshadow primer is as effortless as it gets. A little goes a long way — just a dab is all you need to brighten and prep your eyelids. It goes on thick and creamy, but once you buff it out (your finger is the perfect tool), it turns velvety smooth and powdery, making it the perfect base for pigment to stick to. “It smoothed easily and provided consistent coverage across my entire eyelid,” our tester explains. “The tinted peachy color immediately brightened up my eye area, disguising the bluish veins I have on my lids.”

That’s not all, thanks to its unique tube shape, you won’t have to worry about it rolling around your bathroom sink countertop. “Tubes usually roll around my vanity if not propped up against something,” our tester says. “This tube’s flat edge ensures that it won’t roll onto the floor or potentially break.”

Size: 0.10 fl oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Number of Shades: 1

Best Hydrating

Milk Makeup Eyeshadow and Concealer Primer

$25 at Sephora $25 at Kohls.com $23 at Walmart

If you’re looking for a completely clear and totally clean eyeshadow primer, consider the Hydro Grip Eyeshadow and Concealer Primer from Milk Makeup your match. Despite being loaded with skin-loving ingredients like aloe water, niacinamide, hemp-derived cannabis seed extract, and hyaluronic acid, the formula is crystal clear — and dries down that way too. It adds no color to the eyelid, that way you know the only color showing up will be the color of the eyeshadow and nothing else. Plus, the product is very light; it’s the perfect medium of creaminess and liquidity. We of course also love that it's entirely cruelty-free.

Size: 0.29 fl oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Number of Shades: 1

Best Waterproof

Laura Mercier Eye Basics Primer

$29 at Nordstrom $29 at Sephora View on Lauramercier.com

Most other eyeshadow primers on this list are subtle, skin-colored shades. This one from Laura Mercier, on the other hand, has a few unexpected ones. It comes in a range of beiges, plus a color-correcting blue and orange. The pigmented options were designed to help reduce the appearance of dark circles (without the use of a concealer), spots, and redness to create a more even base so it will work with a variety of eyeshadow palettes. If the idea of a tint turns you off, don’t worry, we learned it’s undetectable underneath eyeshadow.

If there’s anything to keep in mind, it’s that a little goes a long way. If you apply too much, like we once did, it can feel thick. But, after a little buffing and blending, it worked just fine. 

Size: 0.18 fl oz. | Cruelty-Free: No | Number of Shades: 6