Written by Sayantani Deb, Makeup & Beauty WriterUpdated on Feb 14, 2024
The products curated for this article are independently chosen by the editorial team. If you make a purchase through the links mentioned below, we may receive a commission. Check out our product research & curation processWe often tend to undermine the effectiveness of primers when it comes to eye makeup! However, not everyone is aware that it requires a special kind of formulation to make the eyeshadow pop, stay longer, and create a flawless base. The difference between a regular primer and an eye primer is the effectiveness of the latter to work on fine lines and prevent eye makeup from getting cakey! These best eye primers for mature skin go the extra mile to protect the skin around your eyes!
“Your eye makeup says so much about you and your style,” – Laura Mercier. These primers let you go creative with your eye makeup without thinking twice. Take a look at these products to bag one to make the path of creation smooth—
Our top picks
12 Best Eye Primers for Mature Skin
The Elizabeth Mott Thank Me Later Eye Primer is specially formulated with high-quality ingredients to make your eye makeup last longer and appear more vibrant. The weightless mousse-like texture gives a non-greasy finish for a seamless blend. The primer ensures your makeup stays put for the longest possible time so that you don’t require touch-ups nor need to struggle for color payoffs! Furthermore, if you have oily eyelids, this is an excellent addition to the stash to combat any unwanted shiny appearance!
Pros
- High-quality ingredients
- Paraben-free
- Cruelty-free
- Enhances pigmentation
- Ensures seamless blend
- Lightweight
Cons
- Clogs pores
2
Long-lasting
Revlon ColorStay Eyeshadow Primer
The Eyeshadow Primer from Revlon comes with the goodness of shea butter to infuse moisture into your eye areas. The non-drying formula of the cream ensures a crease-free finish that allows you to enjoy a smooth base for your eye makeup. The formula of the product is so light that it feels like nothing is applied to the base. The ColorStay technology promises you a long-lasting finish that lasts all day. Not to miss, this universal shade works wonderfully for all skin tones.
Pros
- Crease-proof
- Gel-like consistency
- 24-hour wearable
- Non-drying formula
- Universally flattering
- Lightweight
Cons
- Quite greasy
3
Best Texture
URBAN DECAY Anti-Aging Eyeshadow Primer Potion
While researching for the best eye primer for mature skin, we came across this anti-aging eyeshadow primer from the brand Urban Decay. Its nude, crease-free color and smooth lightweight texture are all that will leave you impressed. This is indeed the primer that will aid in maximizing the vibrancy of your eyeshadow color. Moreover, it blurs pigments and reduces redness to lend you a soft-focus effect. The best part — it is crafted for normal, combination, dry, and oily skin!
Pros
- Vegan
- Travel-friendly
- Lasts for up to 24 hours
- Sheer coverage
Cons
- Less quantity
4
Quick-drying
COVERGIRL Lid Lock Up Primer
The Lid Lock-Up Eyeshadow Primer comes with an instant-dry formula that won’t allow you to wait for long before applying the makeup! Intensify the eyeshadow by prepping the lid with this absolute holy grail that claims to lock the oil and grease to save your artistic take on your eyes. The eye makeup primer for mature skin gives a flawless crease-proof finish to maximize the security of your eyeshadow. After all, who doesn’t love a smudge-free makeup look that lasts long?
Pros
- Cruelty-free
- Crease-proof
- Preps the lids
- Quick-drying formula
- Works on the oily eyelids
- Promotes intensity of makeup
- Maximizes shadow security
Cons
- Quite tacky
5
e.l.f. Eyelid Primer
Prepare your eyelid for your utmost creativity! The e.l.f. eyeshadow primer comes with a quickly-absorbed formula that gives the skin on your eyelid a smooth base. The liquid formula lets you blend in the eyeshadow like butter by creating a trouble-free canvas. It comes with a lightweight formula that feels light as a feather to the skin. With convenient packaging, the concealer-like wand allows you to scoop out the product and apply it directly to the eyes in a hassle-free way!
Pros
- Crease-proof
- Lightweight
- Works on dry skin
- Sheer nude color
- Smoothens the skin
- Realistic packaging
Cons
- Flakes after drying
6
Revlon PhotoReady Eye Primer
The one-of-a-kind photo chromatic pigmented formula minimizes the appearance of flaws and reflects the light so that the imperfections go unnoticed. The lightweight formula of the primer doesn’t settle into the fine lines to allow you to enjoy a smooth base. It comes with a universally flattering nude color that suits every skin tone and brightens the eye area for a youthful look. The product claims to be paraben-free, fragrance-free, and talc-free formula ensuring that your skin stays away from nasty ingredients.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Reflects light
- Minimizes flaws
- Brightens undereye
- Fragrance-free
- Paraben-free
Cons
- Quite drying
7
Best Non-greasy Primer
Milani Eyeshadow Primer
The Eyeshadow Primer is hailed for providing an intensifying color while giving you a professional finish! The cruelty-free product is lightweight and promotes creaseless makeup for a smooth look. It is one of the best eye shadow primers for mature skin that gives you a skin-like finish with one swipe. Adding this beauty to your arsenal will let you enjoy the eye look you only see on influencers! The vegan-friendly brand ensures that its products work on all skin tones and types!
Pros
- Lightweight
- Non-greasy
- Glides smoothly
- Makes the eyeshadow pop
- Vegan-friendly
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- Stings when gets into the eyes
8
Best Crease-free Formula
Smashbox Photo Finish Hydrating Under Eye Primer
The Photo Finish Primer gives you the ultimate look by providing you with the smooth base that you have been looking for! With a creamy and crease-resistant formula, the product ensures your eyes look well-rested and fresh throughout the day! Let all the woes like fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots appear blurred with this breakthrough product that won’t allow you to use a filter in the first place! The product also hydrates the skin thoroughly for a radiant finish.
Pros
- Maximizes color payoff
- Prevents smudging
- Crease-free formula
- Silky texture
- Doesn’t settle into fine lines
- Hides aging spots
Cons
- Not long-lasting benefit
9
Best Waterproof Formula
Anastasia Beverly Hills - Mini Eye Primer
With a revolutionary formula, the product provides the best eye base for mature skin! The creamy formula glides over the lid smoothly to create a perfect base that won’t crease or flake. It comes in attractive packaging and makes the perfect canvas for your eyeshadow so that all your work has a vibrant result. The water-resistant formula further ensures that your makeup survives water splash and sweat in a humid climate. The product helps the fine lines, wrinkles, and other signs of aging to disappear in a jiffy!
Pros
- Promotes natural finish
- Water-resistant formula
- Ensures a smooth base
- Blendable
- Smudge-free
- Works on oily eyelids
Cons
- Watery consistency
10
Best for All Skin Types
LORAC Behind the Scenes Eye Primer
No matter whether you have oily, dry, combination, mature, or sensitive skin, Lorac’s Behind the Scenes Eye Primer is what you need in your makeup kit. It is an impeccable eye shadow primer for mature skin which helps one in creating a solid foundation for eyeshadows and powders to last long. What we loved the most is the fact that this primer even holds the loosest glitter eyeshadows and prevents unnecessary budging.
Pros
- Paraben-free
- Unscented
- Lightweight formula
- Ideal for all skin types
Cons
- Thick consistency
11
Ophthalmologist-tested
True + Luscious Angel Eyes Eyeshadow Primer
The Eyeshadow Primer ensures your makeup doesn’t move for 16 hours without settling into the fine lines. The hydrating primer naturally balances the oil to avoid flakiness and drying up the base. The Angel Eyes truly stays true to its name and corrects all imperfections to provide you with a smooth canvas. The tinted color present in the product hides redness and corrects discoloration while intensifying the color of your eyeshadows. Infused with Damascene Rose extract, the ophthalmologist-tested formula comes with skin-loving ingredients that suit everyone.
Pros
- Hydrating
- Soothing formula
- Suits all skin type
- Crease Proof
- Smudgeproof
- Cruelty-free
- Ophthalmologist-tested
Cons
- Thick consistency
12
Most Versatile
ecofavor DELANCI Eyeshadow Primer
With 8 available colors, this eyeshadow primer comes with an array of shades that include a nude base color for your eye makeup to stick on! The lightweight formula ensures that it feels light as a feather after every application for a comfortable finish. The smooth and matte creamy texture is easy-to-apply and blends to enhance the intensity of your eye makeup. The best part? The versatile product comes with a cruelty-free formula that leaves no harmful impact on your skin or the environment! Create the perfect base that you deserve!
Pros
- Feels lighter
- Quick drying
- Hypoallergenic
- Cruelty-free
- Vivid
- Vegan-friendly
Cons
- Not for dry skin
Why Eye Primer is Required for Mature Skin?
As we age, we tend to lose the elasticity around the eyes! That is followed by multiple other concerns like discoloration, fine lines, and wrinkles. An eye primer ensures that it hides all the imperfections to create a smooth base for your eyelid so that you can have a flawless base to do makeup.
Other than that, an eye primer is an excellent option to add longevity to the eye makeup! It helps in preventing smudging, getting cakey, and settling down in the fine lines which is a genuine concern for people with mature skin.
When to Apply Eye Primer?
The thumb rule is that you should do a proper CTM aka cleansing, toning, and moisturizing, before starting your makeup. After you are done with these, take a little amount of primer and apply it all over your lid up to the eyebrows to create a smooth canvas for your eyeshadows.
While some use concealer for the same concern, an eye primer holds great benefits to make your eye makeup stay a bit longer, look flawless, and create a smooth base for eyeshadow.
How to Choose the Best Eyeshadow Primer?
a) Formula- A lightweight formula is always preferable to the other ones. Any product that feels heavy on your eyes is a red flag! They will not only enhance the fine lines and wrinkles but also feel like you have extra weight over the eyelid.
b) Texture- Anything but a greasy and oily texture is welcome! Any oily texture will cause your makeup to stay a lot lesser than you expected plus it tends to showcase more of your imperfections.
c) Longevity- Products that promise you 24 hours of longevity should be picked in the first place to ensure that your eye makeup doesn’t move from the place!
These best eye primers for mature skin are indeed a one-stop solution for preventing eye makeup from getting cakey. Ensure your creativity is locked in with the right amount of eye primer that only creates a smooth base but also hydrates the skin around the eyes at the same time. With a universally flattering tone, the products make sure you have the coveted canvas you desire for!
FAQ's
What is the best way to apply eye primer?
The best way to apply an eye primer is pretty simple. Take a tad of product and apply it with your ring finger up until your eyebrows to avoid caking and help the makeup to stay for a long time.
Can I use face primer on my eyes?
While some formulations might be okay to use when specifically mentioned as safe for the eyes, it is always best to rely on an eye primer for the delicate area around the eyes.
How long should you wait to apply eye primer after moisturizer?
You should wait at least 5-10 minutes after applying a moisturizer before moving on to another product and applying a primer.
Which is the best primer for dry eyes?
e.l.f. Eyelid Primer is the best primer for dry eyes and skin.
Does eye primer help with wrinkles?
Yes. An eye primer ensures that the eyeshadow stays in place and prevents it from budging or smudging.
Why Trust Pinkvilla
Sayantani, the author of this article, says that eye primers for mature skin are the ideal way to take care of the common signs of aging. They create a smooth canvas for you to apply eyeshadow while also addressing fine lines and uneven texture. After testing all the products with some help from her family, Sayantani found a clear winner – Elizabeth Mott’s Thank Me Later Eye Primer. It has a weightless, mousse-like texture, and delivered a non-greasy finish. Plus, it also enables makeup to last much longer.
Our product experts study the specifications of every product we suggest and try them out to bring what’s proven to be worthy of your money, time, and energy. We also have subject matter experts from various fields like Fashion, Skincare, Haircare, Home Decor, and Health & Fitness onboard to make sure our suggestions are credible and trustworthy. You can trust Pinkvilla to be your faithful shopping guide for all the right reasons!
Author BIO
Sayantani is a certified hair and makeup professional turned writer with 2+ years of experience in the same genre. Ap More
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