Do you think an eyeshadow base is necessary? Is it just extra? Do you always wear one?
.
Yes, I think they’re necessary. I only wear bases alone, but I’d never wear a regular eyeshadow alone, because it’d fade and crease in no time.
.
We're here to help you make better beauty purchases that you'll enjoy and love! We recommend signing up to take advantage of personalized features like tracking products you own, viewing dupes that you already have, and more!
Here are some useful resources for you:
Curious how two shades compare to each other? Type in the shades below to get instant side-by-side swatches!
Comments that do not adhere to our comment policy may be removed. Discussion and debate are highly encouraged but we expect community members to participate respectfully. Please keep discussion on-topic, and if you have general feedback, a product review request, an off-topic question, or need technical support, please contact us!
Please help us streamline the comments' section and be more efficient: double-check the post above for more basic information like pricing, availability, and so on to make sure your question wasn't answered already. Comments alerting us to typos or small errors in the post are appreciated (!) but will typically be removed after errors are fixed (unless a response is needed).
We appreciate enthusiasm for new releases but ask readers to please hold questions regarding if/when a review will be posted as we can't commit to or guarantee product reviews. We don't want to set expectations and then disappoint readers as even products that are swatched don't always end up being reviewed due to time constraints and changes in priorities! Thank you for understanding!
We try to approve comments within 24 hours (and reply to them within 72 hours) but can sometimes get behind and appreciate your patience! 🙂 If you have general feedback, product review requests, off-topic questions, or need technical support, please contact us directly. Thank you for your patience!
absolutely!! It makes such a huge difference..
It depends on your lid type. My eyeshadows hold up well on their own and I very rarely experience creasing.
My eyelid holds up shadows pretty well and I don’t experience creasing so I went on for a long time without wearing an actual base (would wear concealer on the lid); however, I was wearing mostly neutral shades so that didn’t make a big difference in colour payoff. Since lately I am playing with colours more I do wear a base because it does bring out the true colour and makes the shadow last. I also use it for pigments to make it stick. Since I own several different kinds of bases now I use it everyday no matter if it is a neutral or colourful look. No sense in wasting product and wasting it.
Yes, otherwise my eyeshadow clumps together within 15 mins!
For me, yes! I couldn’t hold eyeshadow on my eyes for more than 2 hours if I didn’t layer two bases.
YeS!!! Its extremely important! I wear bases alone as well! Start with the base in the morning then when it’s time to go out at night I slab some shadow and liner! BAM I’m ready to go!
follow me : rasheedaameera.twitter.com
In the beginning I used to use simply eyeshadows without a base. It was ok for me at that time cause I didn’t know the difference. Now, after I’ve tried eyeshadow base, I can say that’s a huge difference in color lasting and also the base can pop up the colors.
I agree wit tavia but had2say if I apply to much base this also causes ceasing I like using Urban decay primer potion the best but also use, the ELF duo e/s cream,ELF all over colour stick,MAC fluidlineS or ruby &millie cream colour bases x
I tots agree! When I was in fourth grade and wearing light touches of cheap shadow, I never, EVER noticed whether my shadow had creased or faded. My sister never learned to notice this, and she thinks the same way I did when I was 10: “I don’t care if it’s in my crease; nobody can tell and it happens with all shadows!” Silly, huh?
Yes !! I can’t live without a base 😉
If i don’s use a base, my eyeshadow creases, i have a oily skin…
Yes, especially in summer or if you’ve got oily lids…it also grabs the color, so the shadow shows up a lot better
With my oily lids, heck yeah 🙁 Besides, it really does make the colors look more vibrant!
For me yes. My eyeshadow would crease and disappear pretty soon if I didn’t use one.
I usually only use a neutral coloured base (Tesco’s Barbaray Daly or Urban Decay or Too Faced), don’t really use coloured bases, but I do find that my eyeshadows look great all day. Having said that, in the days before I discovered eyeshadow bases, I used to wear cheaper eyeshadows (drugstore lines only), so I do wonder how much of the difference is due to the base and how much is just the quality of eyeshadows. Because the other day I forgot to put the base on my eyelids before I put the first layer of eyeshaodw down and honestly there was no difference even hours later, however, this was a very good quality eyeshadow, so perhaps it looks good anyway. But regardless, I still use a base every day. I’ve been meaning to use coloured bases, but that requires advanced planning, and that’s just too much for me in the mornings, lol.
I definately go with a base. I find that it keeps my colors looking brighter, they don’t fade, which definately makes them last my 12 hr shifts at work. I’ve never really noticed a creasing problem without though. Mac Paint or UDPP are my HG 🙂
absolutely! i am oily and the base makes long wearing a reality for me.
I never really had a problem with fading or creasing (oily skin but not oily lids – go figure!), so I don’t always use a base. With my dark skin, though, it makes a world of difference with colors. If I want them to really pop, I use a primer.
I couldn’t imagine wearing an eyeshadow without a primer like too faced shadow insurance for stop the creasing and make the color stand out, so yes you need it
YES! I only started wearing it about a year ago and for my skin I think that it works so well. There is no creasing and they colours stay throughout the day. Yes there is always a little fadding, but it still looks great!
Perfect for those hots sweaty nights dancing with the girls!
YES!! Eyeshadow primers are a must for your eyeshadows to last all day. I don’t like creasing eyeshadows and the colors won’t look vibrant without a primer.
Absolutely. When I discovered this was missing from my life, I never turned back. If I wear shadow I wear a base, always. I love the original UDPP and use MAC Painterly Pot. I’m thinking I may want to invest in UDPP in Sin.
I generally use a primer and a base, but it really only makes a difference for colour vibrance and blendability on me. I have dry and very pale skin and eyeshadows do last quite long on their own as well.
I have a few different Paint Pots by MAC, which I love. I use them every day. They really help my eye makeup to stay put. I am interested in trying out other primers also (I’ve heard alo about FYEye by Benefit)
Yes, it is. I use UDPP and next I’ll get some paint pots. It makes a huge difference !
It’s a must! First time I tried on MAC eyeshadows I did not have any primer/base, and they disappeared during the day.
I would say it’s a must for me, at least. I don’t get creasing, but my eyeshadow does fade very quickly. It also just applies better on top of a primer.
Hell yes! You won’t get any good color payoff without it, and it fades so quickly!
since i have normal skin, it isn’t too bad but bases help bring out the true color of products!
i really like TFSI and stuff like cream shadows. they help so much!
Yes definitely! I noticed a huge difference when I started using them. I got a bunch of MAC paints years ago and didnt know what to do with them. Then I started reading up on beauty sites and realized they made a difference.
Yes, definitely! I find that if I don’t wear an eyeshadow base, the eyeshadow can crease over the course of the day. I always use an eyeshadow base (I like Mac paint pots) and I find that it means that the colour stays put all day, it doesn’t crease and the colours go on really smoothly.
The day I discovered primers was the day my life changed! I use UDPP and the colours stick to it like toilet paper to your shoe. It just lasts and lasts and lasts and…
Yes it is but a lot of times I forget to I’m rushing. Now I’m moving tomorrow so I have all my make up packing in my suitcase so i don’t always bother with a base.
Primer? Yes. Base? No.
If applying cake-eyeshadow, I will use a primer, my current favourite Smashbox Photo Finish lid primer, or a base of a cream eyeshadow if I have the appropriate colour.
If applying loose eyeshadow, I apply the base colour wet, all over, with no primer. Then just apply everything else dry over it, it lasts all day without creasing, either way.
most definitely required! other wise it’s like a waste of time putting shadows on if it wont stay
I always use base if I’m doing my own makeup for a performance, shoot or special occasion. When I’m not working I like to keep things simple as possible and do the bare minimum:)
I will not use eyeshadow without my UDPP. I lost it while in Vegas or misplaced it in my sisters makeup bag, not sure, so I couldn’t do my eyeshadow while up in Big Bear.
For me yes. I have dark eyelids so I like to wear a base that has color. The next best reason to wear a base is to stop the creasing. My eyeshadow still eventually creaes, but not so bad when I have on a base.
Can’t live without it.
my eyeshadow never really creased when i didnt wear a base
but i now always wear one , my makeup lasts for ever
It definitely helps because my lids are a little dark. When I am feeling lazy and don’t want to reach for a separate product, I just pat concealer on the lids.
Imo, it is necessary. It keeps my e/s in place and helps them last longer.
yes…i have oily lids and it is an essential–it also can really make your eyeshadow “pop”
yes, as it neutralizes the pink/purple undertones that my lids sometimes have 🙂
Yes, but haven’t found a good one yet. Tried UD and wasn’t satisfied. My cream eyeshadow still creased within a couple of hours 🙁 So for now what works for me is little foundation and loose powder before applying eyeshadow.
of courseee!
Yes! its like magic (at least the urban decay primer potion is) eyeshadow never lasted more then a couple of hours for me. With primer, it lasts the entire day! Seriously love that stuff.
No, not really. I never use a base and my e/s stays put all day since I don’t have oily lids.
I have to use it! When I first started using makeup, I didn’t because I didn’t know better, without it my eyeshadow just doesn’t last. I have oily lids and live in southern Georgia so it’s definitely a must!
Absolutely. I couldn’t imagine wearing eyeshadow without a base. Even in the day prior to what we specifically call bases, everyone around me always used their concealer on the eyes prior to the marketing of bases. There had to be something on the eye for it to appear and stay in place.
I always use a base, even if I don’t wear any shadow and just feel like eyeliner. I find that it makes shadows stay all day and also keeps my oily eyelids from smudging my eyeliner.