You know, before I got into this makeup thing, I didn’t know something called a “primer” existed. Ok, I did. But it was in the context of painting walls. Ideally, you apply a layer of primer before your paint colour to make it last longer and look smoother (but how many of us know or do that? Very few, I’d warrant!) So, when I was introduced to the concept of face primer, I was quite intrigued. When I came to know about eyeshadow primer, I was even more intrigued! Something to help eyeshadow stay in place!
At the time, the Urban Decay Primer Potion, or affectionately known as UDPP was all the rage. I tried a tube and hastily discarded it. It felt like polyfilla or spackle or whatever you call those things you use to patch up holes in walls. It was dry and drying and thick and yuck. Hated it and didn’t get the hype. I also realised it was also because I didn’t need it. I don’t have oily lids so eye colours don’t usually smudge or fade a lot on me. Sure, it fades after a whole day at work, but then I’m faded by then too, aren’t you? 😛
So, when I was introduced to the NARS Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base, I raised a brow. Another thing I didn’t need. But I tried it for the sake of experimentation, and it surprised me. While I still don’t need to use an eyeshadow primer on a regular basis, if I do have to use one, this would be the one I’d pick. And why would that be?
Simply because of the texture.
The NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base comes in a tube, rather like that of a lipgloss, with a doe-foot sponge applicator in a white, light creamy texture. It reminds me of the texture of a light concealer.
While it is white, once you spread it out and blend, it becomes transparent, so it doesn’t alter the colour of your eye colours that you apply over it. You don’t have to use a lot, just a tiny dab, and then quickly blend all over your lid with your finger. I do find that it dries fairly quickly so you do have to work quickly. But remember to only use a little bit because you don’t want to slap this on with a trowel. Using more won’t help your eyeshadow stay on better, but it might even make it feel more uncomfortable 😛
What it does do, is help eyeshadow colours look more vibrant, and also to stay on longer. As I’ve mentioned, I don’t really need an eyelid primer. Most eyeshadow stay on most of the day for me. But when I know I have something on in the evenings that require me to have a full face on, I use this and it does help keep my eye makeup looking fresher even though I feel like a wilted flower.
But you know what? Don’t take my word for it LOL! I am unexperienced in the field of eyeshadow bases and eyelid primers and the one popular item I did try left me wanting. So if you think about it, I was open to being easily impressed by a product that felt comfortable and worked as described.
IN A NUTSHELL
The NARS Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base is a base product for helping eyeshadow stay on longer, not crease, and make the colours look more vibrant. It ticks all the boxes for me and above all, feels comfortable and very lightweight. The transparent colour doesn’t alter the colour of my eye makeup and the only drawback is that it dries fairly quickly so you have to work quickly on one eye at a time. Use only a little because a little goes a long way, and it should last a long time despite its diminutive size. That said, I don’t use this very often but when I do, it impresses.
PROS: Slim packaging is portable, Easy to use, Only very little is needed each time, Transparent and does not alter the colour of eyeshadow applied over it, Helps eyeshadow colours look more vibrant and stay on longer
CONS: Dries quite quickly so you have to work fast
WHO WILL LIKE THIS: Anyone who has oily lids, Anyone who has problems with having eyeshadow colour lasting or not creasing
Do you use an eyeshadow primer?
Like a face primer, this is one product I can get by in life without. Lucky me, I guess 🙂 If an eyeshadow doesn’t last on me, I kick it out the door. Not fussed enough to use multiple products to make it work better when for me, it should work properly out of the box. But that’s me. It’s nice that I know I can count on this one when I do need a base but it’s not a daily thing for me. I know lots of girls do use an eyelid primer, so are you one of them and have you tried this one by NARS?
Paris B
NARS Pro Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base Price: RM100 Availability: NARS stores
I desperately need eye shadow primer since I am really oily, but I’ve yet to find a reliable one. UDPP kind of sucks, honestly. An indie mineral makeup company had one that I liked, but it was discontinued before I had a chance to hoard! So I appreciate the review on the Nars primer because I’ll give it a try.
Hi Wendy, I found UDPP waay too thick! But from the comments, I seem to get the impression that it works better for those with very oily lids. Sorry to hear it didn’t work for you too! Hopefully the Nars one will!
The NARS Pro Prime was a purchase to satisfy my curiosity after so many people have been raving so much about it. I must say, they’re hit the nail on the head with this one. I love it. I’m the kind who absolutely needs eyeshadow primer as I have very oily eyelids. I love the UDPP and TFSI and they do a great job but there’s something about the NARS Pro Prime that gives it a slight edge over the two. Having said that, I’ve been trying LORAC’s eyeshadow primer (came free with the LORAC Pro palette) and it’s actually not bad!
I haven’t tried the TFSI (the other crazy popular lid primer out there!) but then after UDPP I told myself I didn’t need it, why bother LOL! But you’re right about this NARS one being just good all right. I think it’s to do with its texture which is so light and the fact that it’s colourless. Oh and thanks for letting me know about the Lorac primer (I bought the Lorac Pro palettes and haven’t used them! Tsk!!)
I’m on my 2nd tube of this! It’s lovely! For someone with dry/dehydrated skin, I have oily lids and this is the only thing that keeps my eye makeup fresh. Glad you’re liking it 🙂
I must say I was very pleasantly surprised to like it! Don’t need it but can’t deny it comes in useful for long days 🙂
Since I have oily lids, I need eyeshadow primer. So for those that work for me r etude house proof 10 eyeshadow primer n the balm put a lid eyeshadow primer (can’t really remember the name). I find mac paint pot also works for me UDPP n TFSI don’t really work for me. Even with 2 layers my eyeshadow still crease
Oh yes, I’d come across people raving about the Etude House Proof 10 primer too! I’ve heard it’s a very nice budget alternative to the UDPP 😀
I used this before and it didn’t really do much in prolonging the wear of eye makeup for me. It was also gone in a flash (about 9 months per tube) for me, so it made more money sense for me to go back to the UDPP, which worked much better.
It is kinda sad because it’s the first Nars product that was kinda “meh” for me.
Ah they can’t win ’em all, Hanny! 😉 Sorry to hear this didn’t work out for you, but hey UDPP did and I’d pan that in a heartbeat hehe 😉
I don’t usually use a primer be it for eyelids or face as most of the time, there’s not much difference between using one and not using one.
I actually feel the same way haha! A good foundation usually stays on for me anyway once I apply some finishing powder. But I suppose I can understand why those who have very oily skin might find it beneficial to have a primer.
I didn’t know wall paint primer existed! lol
I cannot live without face primer and eyeshadow primer. My current eyeshadow primer favourite is MAC Paint Pot and Zoeva. UDPP doesn’t work on me. It creases by mid day. Dang oily lids.
And now you do, Fiona! 😉 I knew about wall primer but try asking for it and every painter will just roll their eyes at you. Typical eh? LOL
Yay! You’ve finally tried it. 😀
Hands down my favorite eye shadow primer. Using my 3rd tube already.
I’m one of those that totally need a primer to help my eyeshadows stay on for the whole day. Love this thing! <3
Yes I did! Was it you who pushed me in this direction? I know you definitely are responsible for the Nars Tinted Moisturiser hehe… Happy to know you’re still loving this!
Nars Eyeshadow Base is actually my favorite Nars product! i didn’t expect it to like it because i feel so meh about all their other offerings (but i’m looking forward to the dual-intensity eye shadow palette!) but it really does work better for me than UDPP, TFSI and Lorac Behind The Scenes! it was only after the discovery of this product that i no longer need to slap a waterproof clear coat on top of every mascara i try and my eyeliners stayed put consistently in hot, humid weather!
and i’m with you on the face primer. i hate it! for some strange reason, i feel like it emphasizes my pores.
Ooh snap! Joy! I’m also looking forward to the Dual Intensity Eyeshadow palette. I do hope it lives up to its pretty expectations! I haven’t tried their singles yet though. As for this primer, it’s great to know it’s working so well for you. I don’t get face primer too – it doesn’t emphasize my pores, but it feels like my face is suffocating.
I feel exactly the same – I really didn’t get the hype around the UDPP, but absolutely adore the Nars primer!
Always happy when I’m not alone in feeling different! 😉
I can’t live without eyeshadow primers. My eyeshadows just crease so soon without one. My favourite is TFSI. I’ve been using it for years but, when it runs out, I think I’ll give this a go. It sounds amazing!
I’ve heard amazing things about TFSI too, Gio. In fact, I often hear UDPP and TFSI mentioned in the same revered breath. If you do try this NARS one I hope it’ll work for you too!
Hey Paris, I’m glad to hear you found a primer that works for you! I have tried this one, but I personally prefer UDPP because I have oilier lids (also I like the packaging more). I do find blending a little easier on top of this one when it comes to certain eyeshadows tho!
Hey Sunny, from what I understand, UDPP packs more product too so it’s better value for money for those who do need a primer on a daily basis so it looks like you’ve made a good choice 🙂
I use the one from Clinique, and I love it. It’s tinted, so on lazy days (practically every day 🙂 ) , I forgo eyeshadow. Just some eyeliner and mascara. And I’m out the door!
Clinique has one? See, that’s what happens when you aren’t on the primer game, you don’t know these things! haha Thanks for sharing Cecilia and I’m glad you found one that works (and even double tasks!)
This is all the rage in my part of the world. Extremely weird for me, even though I own a pair of oily lids.
I love eyeshadows and all but I am just not ready to dive into the business of primers yet. UDPP was no fun for me; it was too thick and messes up my eyeshadow looks sometimes.
I would rather invest in a good quality concealer instead for those pesky under eye blue green veins 🙂
Oh yes, I think the internet has given new life to primers! No one knew about them before this I swear. I suppose if you don’t find yourself having a lot of problems with eyeshadows there’s no real need to use a primer. After all, I don’t 😉
Omg P!!! You are back!!! Welcome back..even if it’s a bit late!
I’m on my 3rd tube of UDPP..now I wanna run out and get this..lol…
Hellooooo Kel! Nope, not late at all (my replies are what’s late!) And thank you for the welcome! Oh you know what? Go to Nars and try it on then see if it works as well as your UDPP. Some people are saying that it doesn’t!
Nah, this one doesn’t do it for me at all. I still had gunky eyeshadow crease no matter how much or how little I applied. Maybe cos my lids can get a bit oily. Was almost ecstatic when the tube broke during travel cos it meant I didn’t have to feel guilty for not wanting to finish it. 😀 My absolute fav is still the UDPP.
Yikes, guess it really isn’t for everyone! And you know, sometimes I don’t feel terribly upset when a makeup item of mine breaks too. One less item to finish and yay! new goodies! 😉
Lucky you to not have oily eyelids. Mine is quite oily and sometimes it stings my eyes too. I did not have much luck with much eyelid primer. I was using the Revlon primer as eyelid primer because it just somehow worked. I recently tried the ELF one and it was terrible – my eye makeup turned muddy, a lot of fall outs and colours turned dull instead. My interest was piqued by Urban Decay and Too Faced. At 100 bucks and it worked for you, perhaps NARS might be the next one I should try. Glad it worked for you and thank you for sharing the review!
I do count myself lucky Jennifer but I don’t know if it’s age LOL The reason I say so is because I started using eye makeup pretty late and by then, my oily skin had balanced itself out. Plus back then, I didn’t know primer existed! I do like this Nars one a lot, but as some others have mentioned, for very oily lids, UDPP seems to be the way to go. Maybe give that a go first? It’s more affordable for more product I believe 😉
I use Shadow Insurance Primer, that is my favorite, I’ve tried cheap substitutes but they don’t feel as nice and don’t hold as well. I also liked the Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion. And I also use my Clinique Lid Smoothie a lot, they aren’t available in HOlland anymore.
That’s a popular choice Wojis, good to know that it works on you! I believe the Clinique Lid Smoothie has been discontinued to be honest. I don’t see it around anymore.
So funny, I hate this primer but I loooove UDPP. I do have oilier lids, though!
Feel free to disagree, Carina 😉 It does seem to be the case that those with oilier lids tend to prefer UDPP. Perhaps it just works better! 😉
This one is my HG primer. I have tried a few, and surprisingly (much to my shock) the UDPP doesn’t work for me!!?! Even the close alternative (Clinique’s eyeshadow base) doesn’t do anything for my oily lids!! Have to come back to this one. Like many of your readers, I’m also on my 3rd tube already! 😀 Last word, NARS + MAC Prime Pots together hold even the most “slippery” eyeshadow. Win + win! 😀
I hated UDPP! HATED 😛 Made my lids crepey 😛 I still use this – I like how light and invisible it is 😀 Thanks for the tip of using this and Mac Prime Pot. I’m sure someone will find it very useful! 🙂