Whether “to prime or not to prime” – is an ongoing debate in the beauty atmosphere. Some professional makeup artists prefer to use concealer instead of an eyeshadow primer and say it works just as well. The next question is – whether or not to set it with a powder or a bone-coloured eyeshadow.

The truth is – there’s no universal answer to that. Eyeshadow priming techniques and products vary from person to person, nothing will work for everyone.

When I work on my clients, I always ask what their skin type is and whether they find their current eyeshadow priming technique to work for them or not. From their answers, I decide how to proceed.

For people like myself who do use a designated eyeshadow primer, and don’t set it for a better colour payoff, I recommend these from different price points:

• MAC Paintpots (I have Layin’ Low, Soft Ochre, and Painterly in my kit)
• MAC 24-hour Extended Eye Base
• Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion (I have the regular version in my kit to suit the majority of clients)
• Milani Eyeshadow Primer
• NYX Glitter Primer (works very well with pressed or loose glitters)
• NYX Eye Shadow Base pots (I have Nude, White, and Black in my kit)
• Essence I Love Color Intensifying Eyeshadow Base

If you do apply eyeshadow primer on yourself or your clients, make sure you’re not tagging on the eyelid to apply it – simply look down (or make the client do so) and use your brush or fingers to distribute the product.

Do you use eyeshadow primer? Let me know what techniques and products you use in the comments below!