Basics for Beginners: Eyeshadow | Primers

I had a friend ask me for some eyeshadow tips yesterday and, after answering her (in a very lengthy facebook message complete with pictures), I decided that this would be a great blog post series. She just got a new job and really wanted to up her makeup game. Specifically, she was wondering what eyeshadow I use + recommend and what products were the best value for her money.
I've decided to do this as a short series, starting this post with eyeshadow primers. There will later be posts regarding brushes and eyeshadows.
So, let's dive right in, shall we?

I cannot emphasize enough the importance of eyeshadow primer. Eyeshadow primer changed my makeup life and it will change how your eyeshadow applies, whether your eyeshadow is high-end or drugstore. I have a few favorites that I want to share with you that are both drugstore and high-end.

Revlon Photoready Eye Primer + Brightener ($10.49 at Ulta)

This is by far my favorite eye primer at the drugstore. It claims to also be an eye brightener, but I strictly use this product as an eyeshadow primer. The applicator is a twist-up brush. I apply this product by putting it on the tips of my ring fingers and gently rubbing it onto my entire eyelid. A little goes a long way, so you just need a little bit to get the job done. While this is on the more expensive side of drugstore products, it's still cheaper than a high-end primer, and does a much better job than other drugstore primers I've tried. After it has dried, I apply my eyeshadow. It enhances the pigmentation of my eyeshadows and keeps them in place without creasing. Definitely a holy grail drugstore product for me.


Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion ($20 at Ulta)

This primer by Urban Decay was the first high-end eyeshadow primer I ever tried and is what got me completely and utterly hooked. This photo is not the full-size product (because I ran out and haven't repurchased yet), but this sample size comes free with the Naked 1 palette by Urban Decay that I will be discussing later in this series. This primer comes in a few different varieties (Shimmer, Color-Correcting, etc.), but the Original is my favorite. The only downside that I found with this product is that when you get toward the end of the primer, the oil starts to separate itself from the product, so I had to make sure I shook the container before applying it on my lids. At the very end of it's life, I just had to throw it away and buy another one because it was just too oily.

NARS Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base ($25 at Sephora)

This, fellow Regular Girls, is my holy grail eyeshadow primer. I decided to try this after running out of the Urban Decay Primer Potion and it was the best decision I ever made. This product is perfect if you have oily skin and/or you live in a humid place. It enhances the color of your eyeshadows, keeps your shadows in place all day, and doesn't crease. As with most primers, a little goes a long way, so it will last you quite awhile. I have no complaints about this product and I will continue to repurchase.

No matter which of these primers you use, they will enhance your eyeshadows whether they're high-end or drugstore. What primer did you use or did you try, and which one is your favorite? 

Keep your eyes peeled next week for the next post in this series about my favorite eyeshadow brushes!