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— Christine
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I really think the best primer I have used is Alexandra de Markoff Disguise for eyes. I have been experimenting with others such as UD primer potion, stay, don’t stray by Benefit and want to try the Laura Mercier primers. Alexandra de Markoff is a bit more expensive but it lasts forever and so far I have found nothing better.
Christine, why did you change your go-to base? Whats the difference between the two and why do you like Nars’ better?
Oh yeah and mine is Urban Decay’s Eden Primer Potion. Just yesterday I bought a Soft Ochre paint pot to try out. 🙂
I LOVE LOVE LOVE eden!!! I love the fact that it covers like a concealer would over the eyelid and makes a perfect surface…I too recently bought soft ochre…Im too pale for painterly… and I have been comparing the two…the MAC one seems like a better value because the container is giant, the UD is a bit more creamy, I just want to see if one lasts longer or has better color payoff/more vibrant…hmmm I should do each eye with a diff primer for the day and see!!! Good luck with the paint pot!
MAC Paint in “Bare Canvas”
It’s the only eyeshadow base I’ve used and I don’t think I’ll ever finish anytime soon (it seems endless like a pigment!). It seems to work well, I don’t know if I should try another eyeshadow base when I do run out.
it is Artdeco eyeshadow base but i wanna try some others soon
Right now it’s Too Faced Shadow Insurance, but I bought Soft Ochre for the purpose of a base but I haven’t tried it yet.
If I had to pick just one it’d be UDPP; I usually layer a MAC Paint Pot over it though… I’ve been told that’s a bit much but honestly if I’m going to spend my time applying makeup I want it to last all day. I’m actually only on my first full-size UDPP, my prior ones were samples from various sets/palettes.
UDPP Eden
too faced shadow insurance
MAC rubenesque paintpot. Makes my eyeshadows adhere nicely and adds a but more warmth to my shadows as well. I love it!
Just the standard UD Primer Potion
MAC painterly pot or UDPP
MAC Painterly 🙂
I agree Paintery Paint Pot is my fav.
Yah Painterly or Bare Study 🙂
painterly is the one but i don’t think it will ever finish
Too Faced Shadow Insurance.
It is a tie between UDPP and MAC painterly pp.
painterly paint pot over a thin layer of too faced shadow insurance
Urban Decay PP, it’s a classic, no? 😉
two face shadow insurance.
MAC Paint in Bare Canvas! I’m 3/4’s of the way through my second tube. This stuff is positively essential.
I use MAC Painterly or UDPP. I’m on my second UDPP and I finished my paint pot. 🙂
Glad for this post because I am in the market for a new shadow base! I’m thinking about Lorac’s behind the scenes, it looks like it’s the best bang for the buck! I do love my UDPP but I want a new love lol
I worship NARS Smudgeproof! It’s by far one of their most genius inventions and I don’t know what I’d do without it!
Urban Decay Primer Potion, otherwise MAC Bare Study Paint Pot. Sometimes I use both if I know its going to be a long day or a special occasion.
For pigments/glitters – Fyrinnae Pixie Epoxy
Shadows – depends on the colour I’m wearing but I suppose I reach for Nyx Milk the most these days
I still use MAC Soft Ochre paint pot, but never alone. I also use the Bare Canvas paint on occasion. But since nearly all of my eyeshadow is mineral and loose, I cannot live without Fyrinnae Pixie Epoxy. It’s THE BEST thing for mineral/loose shadows *ever*. If you haven’t tried it, you should. My shadows do not budge for 14-20hrs (I work a lot of 12 hr days and have things to do before and after work — and my shadow is consistently flawless.)
My go to eye shadow base right now, is Smashbox Photo Finish lid primer. Many don’t work for me, but this one seems to keep my shadow on ALL day.
i’ve always used UDPP, i’ve never felt a need to try anything else because it works really well for me. i’ve gone through about 2 tubes and have a few travel sized ones as back-ups
Laura Mercier Eye Basic in Linen
Urban Decay Primer Potion
UDPP but its creasing on me 🙁 maybe it has a self life. Ima switch to Soft Ochre, always wanted to try a paint pot 🙂
udpp，till i die
always been an urban decay primer potion, but am branching out. my thing is… which one lasts the longest w/ daily use? i have yet to find out.
Urban Decay Primer Potion in SIN or Too Faced Shadow Insurance.
MAC rubenesque PP
I bought MAC Painterly to use as a base, but I’ve never had such bad creasing! So I use Too face Shadow Insurance, and Nars will be my next one.
I have noticed how often you’ve been using the NARS one. Do you think that it’s better than the Paint Pot? (I remember reading the review, but I don’t recall what you said about compairing those two… I’m sure you did tho! LOL!)
I don’t have a go-to base… I like my base to match the shadow I’m doing and I RARELY do neutral looks. So I use Paintsticks a lot. If not Paint Sticks then Paint Pots 🙂
If I reeeeeeally need super-staying power I use my UDPP, which I L.O.V.E. 😀 if it’s just an everyday makeup I just use my ArtDeco base. Simply because UDPP is so hard to get in Poland that I have to save it for big occasions. And on the bases I always use my Bisque e/s.Flawless! 🙂
Too Faced Shadow Insurance! I just bought it last week, but it’s pretty much my hg eye primer 😀
i love e.l.f eye primer.it used to be soft ochre paint pot.the e.l.f primer is so cheap and really works.i recommend it to every one.
Yay! Someone else who loves ELF primer! I love their Mineral one the best!
My base is Painterly Paint pot…and now I’m curious about NARS Smudgeproof 😉
MAC’s PP in painterly!! love it!
i use mac paint untitled.. i love it! it has perfect colour for nude make up and it stays all day and imagine i have oily skin
I love MAC paints. Bare Canvas and Stilife are my favourite shades.
For me its MACs paint pot in painterly
M.A.C. paint pot (painterly) is pretty good.
MAC Paint Pot in Painterly and Benefit creaseless cream eyeshadow/liner in RVSP, I finished a Bare Canvas paint
Artdeco Eye shadow base. I have finished two of them now.
i never beleived in eye-makeup base, until i tried the one by Inglott. i was really impressed with it. the pot is quite small, but a little goes a long way, and it is better applied by a foundation brush. i do not use an eyeshadow base anymore.
Painterly paint pot 🙂
UDPP all the way baby!
Without a doubt, Urban Decay Primer Potion. I’m currently using the Eden one. Sadly, I’ve never finished a tube. Even if you think it’s about to run out, just take out the small plastic thing that takes the excess off when you’re pulling the wand out and you’ll realise that there’s still half a tube left. I usually throw it out after 6 months because I get nervous about bacteria.
Urban Decay eye shadow primer and then Make Up For Ever Aqua Cream shadow…together they work like a charm
MAC paint pot in Bare Study.
And no, I haven’t finished one yet. I only got into makeup last fall and it is still about 1/3 full.
I use Studio Tools Eyeshadow primer and then whatever light eyeshadow I want to use that day over my entire lid.
MAC Painterly… but it creases on me :'(. So I ordered the NARS Smudgeproof EB, I hope it will work better.
Christine, do you think that NARS is that much better? Why did you switch from the paint pots?
I always use some sort of Mac’s Paint Pot…typically it’s Bare Study. I also always use UDPP on the bottom of my lids since I like to line the bottom with eyeshadow too. =)
It’s Urban Decay Primer Potion – sometimes i use MAC Bare Study…
painterly paint pot !
UDPP. it’s the only one that i’ve tried besides mac paintpots, but i love my urban decay 🙂
mac paint in bare canvas
tfsi, after i massage the bottle a little so the formula won’t separate on me
TFSI
Mac’s painterly and rubenesque paintpots.
Mac’s painterly and rubenesque paint pot.
fy…eye by Benefit or for a brighter eye look too faced shadow ins.
UDPP! I have a MAC Painterly Paint Pot thats eventually gonna just gonna chucked or used for the give and get. I keep trying to reach for it since I paid for it, but UDPP has had my heart since the first 8 hour no-creasing eyeshadow love affair I had with it. 🙂
My first love is MAC’s Bare Study. Finished it once (it kinda dried out towards the end though, so I just threw it out), recently bought a new one. Still love it! Also love UDPP and MAC’s Painterly.
bare study paint pot.
For five years it’s been UD Primer Potion (original). Out of curiosity, I’m starting to think of experimenting with other brands…
Too Faced Shadow Insurance. The only other one I’ve tried is L’Oreal De-crease, which dried out my lids HORRIBLY. I’ve noticed that the TFSI creases on me a LITTLE, but it’s barely noticeable, and it’s better than the L’Oreal primer.
If I’m going a look with my Urban Decay book of shadow, I’ll just use the enclosed UDPP. If not I’ll use TFSI.
It used to be UDPP, but now it’s MAC’s Painterly Paint Pot!
I still have a jar of Benefit FYI that I’m trying to finish up. My special occasion primer is the Elizabeth Arden Eye Primer. It’s the best one I’ve ever tried. I can even pop it under my eyes as a concealer.
TFSI has been no-fail to me but i’m slowly graduating to MAC Soft Ochre PP since i love the matte canvas it gives on my eyes to work with.
Lorac Behind the Scenes Eye Primer. It keeps my shadows in place for my 12 hour work shifts with no creasing or fading. I got a sample of the Nars, and I like it, but I prefer the hygienic applicator of the Lorac.
Paint Pots crease to high heaven on me, which is sad because I love some of the colors.
Hands down, UDPP the original. It’s my go to product.
Either UDPP (original or in Sin) or MAC Paint Pot in Bare Study. 🙂
I usually use MAC paint pot in Painterly. I used it every day under my shadow and it lasted a year. I’ve tried a sample of urban decay primer potion and really liked it — I’ve just heard that the packaging wastes a lot of product.
Am I going to be the only one to say Benefit Stay Don’t Stray?? I’ve used almost every one listed here and Benefit works the best for my super oily eyelids. I’m just surprised that nobody else listed it! LOL
I’ve just bought this & have yet to use it. You say it works well for oily lids? That’s good to hear because mine get pretty oily sometimes.
I found it to be the one that keeps oil at bay the most. My makeup isn’t perfect at the end of an 8 hour day. But it’s still there and you can tell what color it is! LOL
I do prefer this one to the others and I have very oily lids.
Well thank you for the input: ] I’ve never used a base before so I’m glad I bought one that will probably be worth my while.
I’ve been wanting to try the Benefit Stay Don’t Stray, but when I tested it out at Sephora, I got so angry at it’s packaging!
Yeah, the packaging is annoying as all get out, but for me, it works so well, I’m willing to put up with it
You’re welcome and good luck!
As a hooded monolid, nothing creases 🙂 so I don’t need a primer. But I usually use MAC’s Soft Ochre to even out the skintone/skinpigmentation, then I’ll use my NYX Jumbo Pencils to set a base.
benefit F Y EYE but it was discontinued. a bought a backup though so im still ok for now
UDPP currently, but I received a sample of NARS smudgeproof and love it!
Well my go to eyeshadow base would have to be MACs paint pot in painterly absolutly great as a base.
UPDD with Bare Study over it (my eyes are really hooded and crease a lot). I don’t like Bare Study’s shininess but Soft Ochre is too yellow for me and Panterly is too dark. I wish MAC would come out with a matte,light neutral PP.
I use painterly by mac mostly but I also like coral crepe
I never finished any of my paint pots or bases
I don’t have one. I alternate between about 4, UDPP, TFSI, Guerlain eyeshadow base and Barbara Daly for Tesco eyeshadow base. I honestly don’t know which one is better or worse, they all work just fine for me.
MAC Painterly Paintpot .. love it!
Bare Escentuals was my go to. It was pretty nice but I wanted to try something else for experimentation sake. I just bought Nars based on your testimony and I’m trying it out today. We’ll see how it holds up to my pigments.
When I want my pigments to pop a bit, I use Eve Pearl salmon concealer. It doesn’t help the color last though!
MAC Prep&Prime
Soft ochre as well 🙂
I alternate between my UDPP and Too Faced Shadow Insurance. However I did just purchase two paintpots (Artifact and Delft) because they are discontinued…I didn’t want to feel like I missed out lol
Art deco eyeshadow base!! it works good for me and i have oily lids!
i also use Palladio eyeshadow base it comes in a lipstick packaging … it smells funky though
Too Faced Shadow Insurance or UDPP, whichever one is closest to my fingertips in the morning.
don’t know the exact name but it is from Chanel
it was urban decay , but now its too faced
Right now it’s TFSI. The NARS one is next on my list after I finish it.
UDPP
It’s MACs Painterly Paint Pot! I just love it and it doesn’t crease like Bare Study or Too Faced Shadow Insurance.
I’m currently between bases, I did have a relationship with UDPP for about two years until it had an accident with my straighteners on Christmas eve and all the product dried up and was useless, luckily this tragedy too place at around 9am so I had time to beg my dad to drive me to Debhanmes (Department store in the UK)in the snow to buy another as soon as possible! but I got there and they had none left so I was left with Too Faced Shadow Insurance which I’m not loving due to the funky smell and oily consistency at times so I’m currently using no base!
I’m planning on try NARS Smudge-Proof and Painterly Paintpot as I do have Bare Study and like it but it need a plain one.
Sorry for my long story here haha!
Daily I wear Too Faced, but for going out or a special occasion I LOVE Paula Dorf! It’s a little pricey but so worth it!
It was UDPP for years and I went through many tubes. Now, thanks to your review, I have switched to the new NARS smudgeproof and I am in love! Thank you!
Painterly paint pot over artdeco eyeshadow base works best for me.
I would be happy to find ONE product that works alone, but I have really oily lids 🙁
Urban Decay potion primer and yes I’ve finished 1 bottle. It took about a year to finish.
I switch back and forth from MAC PP in Painterly and Soft Ochre. My 3rd option is Benefit’s stay don’t stray. I have not finished an eyeshadow base yet!
MAC Painterly Paint Pot
Too Faced Shadow Insurance & Painterly Paintpot (or other paintpot, it depends of the eyeshadow colour I’m using!) togheter! It’s the only thing that works for my oily lids!
Too faced shadow insurance. Occasionally I use udpp or mac’s painterly ro rubenesque
Painterly paint pot! The real test was slapping some on with bright pink eye shadows (breast cancer event) on a hot day. Typically I will sweat any makeup off on a hot day but at the end of the day my eye shadow was still there, exactly as bright as it was when I first put it on and it didn’t migrate anywhere.
Kanebo Sensai Eyelid Base. It’s perfect for those of us with dry lids. A very little bit patted on the lid and brow bone does the trick. It is moisturizing and has optical brighteners. Most primers address oily lids which is definitely not my problem.
I use Shiseido Hydropowder eyeshadow in Glistening sand, it’s a lovely beige base with some shimmering on it, in the past i used Mac paint in untiled.
MAC paintpot in painterly or soft ochre. I use soft ochre more for bright colors and painterly for neutral ones.
For me its Estee Lauders Double-Wear shadow cream in Ivory Lace. I recently picked this product up (Similiar to MAC Paint Pots) and I love it!
It used to be Lumene’s eye base, but lately I’ve been using Painterly Paint Pot most of the time. These work better than TFSI and UDPP on me.
UDPP Eden — love it, love it, LOVE IT.
I’ve been wanting to try Smashbox Photo Finish Lid Primer as well as the Art Deco Eyeshadow Base, but I haven’t gotten around to it, yet. I’m also dying to dry Benefit Stay Not Stray after seeing your review… despite the packaging woes, I feel like I *have to* have it anyway!
I usually use MAC Painterly Paint Pot for everyday looks, but if I want the look to be more vibrant, I’ll use UDPP. Sometimes I’ll use them both together, but that’s not very often.
Lorac Behind the Scenes Eye Shadow Primer. I used UDPP before this, but it started to crease on me. Lorac hasn’t failed me yet. The girl at Sephora said it’s because the Lorac one turns into more of a powder. Sometimes, I use MAC Soft Ochre PP over it just to neutralize my lids.
MAC PAINT UNTITLED.THE PERFECT COLOUR!
ELF Mineral primer and NYX Jumbo Pencils for my bases. I never ended up being a fan on MAC paint pots… but I still keep them around in case I want to give it another go :).
MAC Painterly Paint Pot. I JUST ran out of mine the other day (and promptly replaced it). It’s a great deal considering it lasted me a good year and a half and I used it almost every day!
MAC Blackground paintpot <3
LOVE this post
I use Two Face Showdow Insurance with MAC rubenesque PP.
I also use NYX jumbo shadow pencils (various: Milk, Iced Mocca,Lavender, Pots and Pans, and cottage cheese)
Anybody else get a skin irritant/allergic reaction to UDPP or TFSI? I tried the same base they also sell at Scandolous cosmetics and Bitchslap cosmetics (made from same supplier) and that one in particular made my left eyelid swell so much! I went on a search to discover what ingeredient was causing this and it appeared to be Isopropyl Lanolate. All three primers has it listed as an ingredient, with it being closer to the top of the list in the Scanadolous base. It does not appear in MAC paint pots which is my fave base and also thankfully not in the Benefit Stay Don’t Stray. Wish I could still use UDPP…but um, not until they get rid of this ingredient which is basically lanolin which contains residue of bug carcasses that go into the sheeps skin (lanolin is a waxy substance secreted by the sheep’s skin) which causes the actual irritation most people get from it. Ewww, right?
Neutrogena eye tints…love it better than UDPP
Mally Cream to Powder Eyeshadow Base.
Soft Ochre paint pot isn’t too yellow on you? Anyways my go to is TFSI.
MAC Paint Pot in Painterly (or Bare Study). I never get creases with these. I hate UDPP!
UDPP, NO I HAVENT
MAC Painterly Paint Pot ^^
MAC Paint Pot in Rubenesque. I don’t wear shadows that often, because I’m not a fan of eye shadow’s consistency in general; I mostly wear Rubenesque on its own, but when I do wear shadow, I always reach for my paint pot!
MAC Paint Pot in Rubenesque
I have tried a lot of bases. I tend to be a person that likes more heavy bases that neutralize your eye and can be seen when applied. I actually just got the Kat Von D eye primer and like it quite a lot. Good staying power, neutralizes the eye and makes for a all around good base. I used to love the old Benefit eye primer in a jar but don’t like the new stay but don’t stray one. I wish they went back to the old formula. Sometimes there is no need to change the product and they end up making a great thing into a bad one. I also usually use paint pots or grease paint sticks on top of my primer under the eyeshadows too,
mac bare study
I use UDPP as a primer and then a MAC Paint Pot over that as a base for my powder shadows. I have about ten of them and I try to use a colour that goes with my eyeshadow that day. If I don’t have onw, or I just want to use a neutral colour, I usually go with Bare Study.
Painterly paintpot or too faced shadow insurance. I take turns:)
UDPP and Artdeco’s eyeshadow base.
I PRACTICALLY HAVE ALL THE SHADES FROM BOBBI AND MAC – SO NEVER FINISHED ANY OF THEM – BUT CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT THEM!!!
THEY MAKE COLOUR STAY PUT AND WILL NOT CREASE MY AGEING LIDS!! MERVEILLEUX!!! 38 AND STILL CRAZY ABOUT MAKE UP…. FAVOURITES? ALL MAC, ALL CHANEL, BOBBI BROWN SOME YSL & LAURA MERCIER… GREAT WAY TO ADD COLOUR AND HUMOUR INTO MY BLACK CLAD STYLE…
E.L.F. Mineral eyeshadow primer, it’s one of the best I’ve tried ^^ and the cheapest
currently i use mac painterly–but i’m thinking of trying paint in untitled.
Paula Dorf’s hands down is the best eye primer ever to me..it’s 25.00 BUT it lasts about a yr if you use it frequently. I like UDPP after it, PD’s shows the eye shadow at it’s most vibrant without having to do NYX jumbo pencil over another eye primer. I sell it all the time and customers thank me for it. It’s found at Ulta.