You apply a makeup primer to your face as a first step to help create a smooth base and keep your foundation in place for long-lasting wear—but did you know you should also be applying a primer to your eyelids? It’s the key to making sure the gorgeous eye look you spent time creating applies smoothly, looks extra-bold and most importantly, won’t budge.
If you’re in the market for an eyeshadow primer, we’re thrilled to introduce you to our new Lock It Down Eyeshadow Primer: a smooth, creamy eyeshadow primer that grips your makeup for long-lasting wear and makes your final look more vibrant. The cruelty-free formula has a non-greasy feel and sheer finish that works well on all skin tones, creating the perfect base for endless eye looks. The eye primer works overtime to intensify your eyeshadow color, increase wear time and help prevent smudging and creasing so your stunning look stays put.
Below, we unpack everything you need to know about our latest launch: why eye primer is a must-add step to your makeup routine, how to apply it, plus some pro tips to help you really nail your next eye makeup look (and make it e.l.f.ing pop!).
What Does Primer Do For Eyeshadow?
Eyeshadow primer is a liquid or cream makeup product that you apply to your eyelids before you put any other eye makeup on so that the eyeshadow application to follow is extra smooth and long-lasting. Eye primer is low-key one of your makeup bag’s ultimate multitaskers and serves many purposes:
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Acts as the perfect eyeshadow base, helping it to apply effortlessly for a super-smooth finish
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Features a slightly tacky texture that grips your eye makeup to help your look last longer
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Creates a smooth canvas for seamless blending of your go-to eyeshadows
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Works to intensify your favorite liquid and powder eyeshadow color for a bolder, more vibrant look
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Color corrects any natural pigmentation on your lid
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Helps prevent your eyeshadow from smudging and creasing for a gorgeous finish
How to Use Eyeshadow Primer
Ready to lock down your eye makeup look? Here’s how to apply our new Lock It Down Eyeshadow Primer like an e.l.f.ing pro in six simple steps:
Start with freshly cleansed skin and eyelids.
Gently pat a pea-sized amount of eye primer onto your eyelids with your fingertip, flat eyeshadow brush or a flat concealer brush. Work from the inner corners of your eyes to the outer corners, and from the lash line up to the brow line.
Blend thoroughly using the same patting motion to create a smooth canvas for eye makeup.
Apply a little eyelid primer under your lower lashes if you are going to be applying eyeshadow there as well.
Allow it to dry and fully set for at least 30 seconds.
To finish, apply your go-to liquid eyeshadow or powder eyeshadow with your favorite e.l.f. eyeshadow brush and enjoy a long-lasting eye makeup look.
Tips for Applying Eyeshadow Primer
Nail your eyeshadow primer application every time—and discover other creative ways to use it!—with these pro-worthy tips:
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Try not to rub the primer into place, but instead pat the eye primer in until it’s fully blended.
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Looking to correct some dark under-eye circles and ensure your concealer stays put all day? Try putting a layer of eyeshadow primer under your eyes, then going over it with a color correcting concealer.
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For fuller brows, pat a little eyeshadow primer onto your brows before using a brow pencil or brow powder. This will also help your brow color stay put throughout the day.
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Try dabbing a little eyeshadow primer on and around any pesky breakouts before putting on your foundation or concealer. Because eyeshadow primers typically have oil controlling properties, this will help control excess oil ensure your foundation and concealer stay put.
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Want to rock a bold red lip without worrying about the color bleeding onto your skin? Put a little eyeshadow primer around your lips prior to applying your foundation to help keep the red color contained to your lips.
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If you ever run out of eyeshadow primer, use a full-coverage mattifying concealer on your eyelids instead to achieve a similar effect.
What’s the Difference Between e.l.f.’s Shadow Lock Eyelid Primer and Lock it Down Eyeshadow Primer?
What’s to love about our new Lock it Down Eyeshadow Primer? We took all the best parts of our OG Shadow Lock Eyelid Primer—its primo staying power, plus its ability to increase your eyeshadow’s vibrancy and help avoid creasing—and added even more benefits, making it the ultimate makeup routine must-have.
Our Lock it Down Eyeshadow Primer features an improved non-chalky, sheer formula that acts as the perfect base on all skin tones. We’ve also upped the ante with sleek, more compact packaging and an even larger fill (.25 oz versus .11 oz) so your new go-to product lasts even longer.
Your top questions answered when it comes to eyeshadow primer and how to incorporate eye primer into your makeup routine
Q: What Skin Type Does e.l.f.’s Lock It Down Eyeshadow Primer Work For?
A: Great news: our versatile eye primer is ideal for use on a wide range of skin types! Whether you have dry, oily or combination skin, Lock It Down Eyeshadow Primer works as the perfect eyeshadow base, helping your eye makeup to apply effortlessly for a super-smooth finish.
Q: Which Complexion Products Does e.l.f.’s Lock It Down Eyeshadow Primer Work Well With?
A: Our new eyeshadow primer is formulated to play well with a wide range of e.l.f. complexion products. Right after you apply your favorite e.l.f. face primer, gently pat and blend a pea-sized amount of Lock It Down Eyeshadow Primer on and around your eyelids using a clean fingertip to create a smooth, grippy base. Not only will this help lock in your eyeshadow look, but it will create a seamless canvas.
Q: Is Eyeshadow Primer Long Lasting?
A: Yes! Similar to the way a face primer works to grip your foundation in place, eye primer is designed to increase the wear time of your eyeshadow for a long-lasting look. The result? A gorgeous eye makeup look that stays put and lasts longer.
Q: What are the Benefits of Using Eyeshadow Primer?
A: Eyeshadow primer is the unsung multitasking hero of your makeup bag and serves many purposes. Our non-greasy Lock It Down Eyeshadow Primer creates a smooth canvas for eyeshadow application, grips your makeup for long-lasting wear, intensifies your eyeshadow color for a more vibrant finish and helps prevent smudging and creasing so your stunning-as-e.l.f. look stays where you want it.
Q: Does Eyeshadow Primer Work for All Types of Eyeshadow?
A: Eyeshadow primer is designed to create a smooth base for all your favorite eyeshadows to ensure a smooth application and effortless blending. Whether you’re creating a low-key daytime look or a bold smokey eye with powder, cream or stick eyeshadows, eyeshadow primer works overtime to increase wear time and color payoff while helping to prevent smudging for a beautiful finish.