I prefer translucent because most of the eyeshadows I reach for are pigmented enough that I don’t need a colored primer to boost, and I definitely find translucent primers easier to build on top of than colored bases, which are often thicker.
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I use both, depending on the look I’m going for. If I’m doing a heavy eye look, I’ll use MAC Paint Pot in Painterly. If I’m going for something more natural, I’ll use NYX Proof It Waterproof Eyeshadow Primer.
Translucent. I haven’t used an eye primer in months though
Most of the time I prefer colourless or skin toned (to even out and brighten my lids) but there are times when a coloured base can really enhance the colour of a shadow.
I prefer transparent since I usually also use eyeshadow primer to set the bridge of my nose (helps with glasses marks) and my upper lip when I have hot flashes.
Wow, pro tip with the eyeshadow primer for glasses marks! I’ll have to try it. Thanks!
Right? I appreciated this.
Ana Maria- Get outa here! Those are the coolest tips I have heard in a super long time! As a fellow eye glass wearer in perimenopause, I can not wait to try these! I love my glasses actually, but hate those marks. Are there certain primers you gravitate towards?
I only tested this with translucent silicone based primers that tend to be on the mate side and gel consistency (MAC Prep+Prime, ABH eye primer). I don’t see this working with an emollient / creamy primer, it will move too much.
Some people also apply powder on the portions of the glasses that sit on skin.
I use to always use translucent but have gone to mostly using either my foundation or concealer as my eye primer. As I have aged, I have more darkness around my eyes and it is not consistent so I like to have the lid be all one color so that eyeshadows look the same across the whole area. Darker patches make my shadows look patchy. I don’t have necessity of wearing my eye looks for 10 hours or longer these days so having a primer to extend the wear of the look isn’t necessary anymore. I do still use a glitter glue if the shadow or glitter I am using is prone to fallout but I have not been doing anything too glittery. I prefer a more shimmer, metallic or wet look than actual glitter.
Colored I guess, because my favorite hands down is Laura Mercier in Eyebright, Flax, Wheat, any of the cooors. I like Eyebright which comes out as the slightest matte blue tint for under a “LOOK”, Flax as a calmer white tinted satin for under more calm satin to foiled looks primarily, and the others for various shades of “ nude” matte. I have light pink skin with lids that need primer and look good with color correction.
I also like NARS various shades of tinted primers and Urban Decay’s, as well as NYX Proof It and Glitter Glue, and Viseart, but the only primer I have tried that dries truly transparent on dark skin tones is Lorac.
When I did use eyeshadow primer, which as it turns out my eyes don’t like, I went mainly for translucent or if my eczema from tweezing was bad, then UD Eden. Now though? I use beige, white or black jumbo waterproof pencils as my base. Those don’t cause tearing, and if any does occur from my fan at least those can hold their own against it.
Definitely translucent. I used to use a lot of the Nyx thick pencils as a sticky base but I don’t have any anymore.
I prefer a translucent eye shadow base myself for the same reasons as you Christine.
Translucent. I’ve never found an eye base/primer with any shade that worked as well for me. Even Mac Painterly, while nice as a base, I had to use over a primer so it didn’t crease.
Same, depends on look. After too many fails in the translucent primer dept, City Beauty lid lifting treatment (no it does not lift, but it does smooth) is only 1 that has any staying power, but its pricey. I recently got Visearts. I love a good opaque, mattifying, flesh tone eye primer, that won’t overdry my lid. ABH has been ok, little too dry though. I need to try MAC painterly & NARS, I’ve been told. Oh & someone recommended milani, anyone ever try?
Both, depends on the look I want to achieve. Black bases are so good for having your color pop, so I don’t shy from them.