How do you make your eyeshadow last longer?
I’ll use micellar water on a cotton pad to remove any excess skincare/oil on my lid, let it dry, and then put on an eyeshadow primer before applying any eyeshadow!
— Christine
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I start with either NYX Proof It Waterproof Eyeshadow Primer or MAC Paint Pot in Painterly.
Christine, I never thought of using micellar water like that, so now I have to try it!
I blot my eyelids, then use an eyeshadow primer before applying. After applying my eyeshadow and other makeup, I use a setting spray.
Usually a good eyeshadow primer does the trick, but I like your suggestion of using micellar water first. I might actually try using the hypochlorous water spray I have and that is so good for cleaning the eye area.. As for primers, UDPP used to be my “gold standard” but it’s really gone downhill – my most recent purchase of it has led to me turning to other primers (NARS, MAC and the original Too Faced, along with Milani) in its place.
Primer and a prayer is all I got against the heatwave we’re going through!
Ha! Love that combo! LOL!
Pray that my allergies or a cool/cold dry wind doesn’t get my eyes tearing up uncontrollably!
Basically, I have tried the best of the best of eyeshadow primers. You name it: MAC, Smashbox, UD, etc. Heck, a few times, I even got so desperate that I literally used Inglot Duraline after loading up my brush! (It did work, but my lids felt really uncomfortable!) But those dang tears must have some really OFF pH, I’m thinking. And yes, I do use both allergy eye drops as well as a very good artificial tears/eye moisturizing drop formula.
So, I’ll be reading others comments to hopefully get a better answer to my dilemma!
I also use micellar water to make sure excess oils are cleaned off, as well as an eyeshadow primer on my lids and lower lash line. I also make sure I don’t get any setting spray on my finished eyes. I have oily lids, so this helps a lot!
My rules are pretty basic, but essential as I have oily eyelids and hooded eyes:
* never have a creamy foundation or concealer on my eyelids; the more products I have under the eyeshadow, the worse it will perform; between my skin and eye primer it’s only SPF
* a good eye primer is a must; for me right now that’s MAC Prep + Prime; the best is still ABH eye primer, but I’m not buying from the brand these days; UD Primer Potion and TF Shadow Insurance were very good 3-4 years ago, nowadays the formulas are lacking
* only apply a tiny amount of primer
* blend until the eyeshadows becomes part of the skin, any poorly blended spots are the first to start looking bad to me
Ana Maria, what SPF do you use on your lids? Many years ago, Clarins made a great one (gone now) and so did Origins (also gone now). I tried one from either Ole Henriksen or PTR and it stung like the dickens! (these were all dedicated eye sunscreens). I’d love to find a good replacement.
I agree 100% about UDPP and TF Shadow Insurance – they used to be SO good, SO reliable but in recent years, they’re just not good at all.
I’ve been using Paula’s Choice SPF for many years, whatever is on my face goes around my eyes and it doesn’t cause irritation (I think only the body SPF gets me tear eyes if I use it for running and I sweat). I like all the Skin Balancing and Resist sunscreens, except the one that is slightly tinted.
I also clean my lids of excess moisture using micellar water. Then, apply concealor, followed by eyeshadow primer.
I make sure my lids are clean and apply either Nars Pro- Prime or Hourglass Veil eye primer, both of which are self setting. I always start every look by lightly applying a white or ultra pale cool toned beige shadow all over to conceal any discoloration bc the primers are clear.
I use Urban Decay eye shadow priming potion. Since I discovered it in 2005, I haven’t looked back. It is truly a miracle worker. Sometimes I will layer creme shadow on top of the primer, then finish with a powder shadow. The trio really emphasizes the intensity of the shadow.
I use an eyeshadow primer – a specific one for eyes – at the moment I am using Mecca’s own brand of eyeshadow primer. It is easy to use with its doe applicator and seems to make my eyeshadows last longer on my lids.
When I want a whole face primer – I use Nude by Nature’s Airbrush primer and also use that on my eyelids. It works well there too.
The micellar water with cotton pads is a great idea Christine.
Great tip! I really don’t notice my eyeshadows wearing off. But then I don’t live in a climate that has extremely humidity, heat or cold, so perhaps that’s why. Or perhaps my skin oils are the right level on my lid and hold my shadows well.
Wash the eye area well, I use castor oil or another oil based cleanser, followed by a foaming facial cleanser (it varies but currently using the MD Perricone one) to remove oil and any leftover makeup that I missed the night before. Pat dry. Wait and do something else like brush my teeth until absolutely dry. Pat again to be sure it is actually dry. UDPP or similar primer added next. (I also like the NARS one, the Zoeva one, and the Viseart ones). Set primer with setting powder (RMSA currently but this varies with the mood also, I like others such as the Haus one, MAC MSF, etc). Then apply (powder, usually) eyeshadows and eyeliner. When I spray my face with setting powder (alternates between Skindinavia or Morphe, in a hurry I use the latter because its a spray can, sorry ozone layer). I use a large nail file to cover the eye area to avoid spraying setting powder over the e/s. Sometimes I use setting powder (translucent) to “set” the eyeshadow but this isn’t usually necessary if it is a good, matte formula). IF this seems excessive, well I have oily lids that are very hooded so if I do not take precautions, I will look a mess with eyeliner and eyeshadow everywhere in a few hours.
I have hooded eyes and oily lids. I use sunscreen on my lids as well as all over the eye area. I use the same sunscreen I use all over the face, right now one from l’Oreal, spf 50.
I use a primer, I’m trying to find one I’ll like as much as I used to like UDPP. Right now I’m trying Lumene, it’s not the best, but I suppose it does the job as my eyeshadows lasts for at least 10 hours, most of the time for 16 hours and more. I sometimes fall asleep in front of the TV, bad habit and the eyeshadows, and eyeliner usually look good even after 24+ hours.
The one thing that happens due to the oiliness and hoods are that my mascara d8issolves a bit where the lashes come in contact with the hoods. That is very annoying!
Helene, the Lumene eyeshadow primer in the squeezy tube was my holy grail for many, many years. The only downside IMO was that you’d have to set the primer with a powder before applying the actual eyeshadow, but the longevity it gave was in it’s own league. When I found out Lumene had reformulated their eyeshadow primer which now comes with a doe foot applicator, I went through a small make-up crisis :’D Luckily the SA was very honest and told me that the reformulated version wasn’t great and I went for the MAC primer, instead. Looking at the Lumene website, the new version of their eyeshadow primer has mostly 1-star ratings and almost everyone says they had loved the tube version, but can’t get along at all with the doe foot version.
Isn’t that odd. It was what happened to the UD Primer Potion as well. They did something and added a doe foot and it wasn’t as good anymore.
I’ll try the MAC primer. After all I still really like most things from MAC.
Thanks for the tip!