The 7 Best Eyelash Primers With Verified Reviews

Eyelash primers serves as a base coat for the eyelashes, creating a smooth, even surface for the application of mascara. This can help in achieving a more smooth appearance. Many eyelash primers are formulated with fibers or other volumizing ingredients that adhere to the lashes, making them appear thicker and longer.

This provides a more dramatic base for the mascara to build upon. Eyelash primers often contain conditioning agents such as vitamins, minerals, and oils. These ingredients can help to nourish and strengthen the lashes, promoting their health and preventing breakage.

By providing a base for the mascara, primers can help to prevent smudging, flaking, and wearing off throughout the day. This can extend the wear time of your mascara and keep your lashes looking great and longer.

Photo by: Konstantin Mishchenko

Why Eyelash Primer is necessary before mascara application

While not everyone chooses to use an eyelash primer, incorporating it into your makeup routine can offer several benefits. By smoothing out the lashes and providing a base, the primer allows mascara to adhere better, enhancing its volumizing, lengthening, and curling effects.

Eyelash primer can make a significant difference in how long your mascara lasts, reducing the need for touch-ups and ensuring your lashes stay defined and bold throughout the day. The conditioning ingredients in eyelash primers can protect your lashes from potential damage caused by regular mascara application and removal. This is especially beneficial for those with sensitive or fragile lashes.

While eyelash primer is not an essential step for everyone, for those seeking a more dramatic lash look, a primer can offer that extra boost of volume and length that mascara alone may not achieve.

why Eyelash Primers are a must apply? Read full guide.

Reviews of Top 7 Eyelash Primers

I have included the top 7 eyelash primers in this post, along with reviews from verified buyers. I have also added a jump link to the buyer’s review for verification.

LANCÔME CILS BOOSTER XL ENHANCING LASH & MASCARA PRIMER

Price at time of publish: CILS BOOSTER XL ENHANCING LASH & MASCARA PRIMER; $30 at Lancome, $25.50 at Amazon.

Points to consider before buying

• Potential allergens: Methylparaben and Propylparaben may pose risks for sensitive individuals.
• From the Brand: Lancôme’s Cils Booster XL is a lash primer that is infused with microfibers, Vitamin B5, and E for lash enhancement and conditioning. Boosts lash length, volume and curl. Lancôme claims that it is the best eyelash primer to hold curl.
• Type: Lash and Mascara Primer
• Key Ingredients: Contains Vitamin B5, Vitamin E, and micro-fibers for lash conditioning and volume.
• Intended Effect: Conditioning formula infused with microfibers and vitamins B5 and E makes eyelashes appear longer and fuller.

• Lancôme Définicils Waterproof Mascara; $34 at Amazon.
• Lancôme Lash Idôle Lash-Lifting & Volumizing Mascara; $25.50 at Amazon.
• Lancôme Monsieur Big Volumizing Mascara; $25.50 at Amazon.

Reviews and Complaints: CILS BOOSTER XL ENHANCING LASH & MASCARA PRIMER

Nicole seems to really like using the Lancôme CILS BOOSTER XL lash primer before applying mascara. She believes it helps make her lashes longer. However, she advises not to let it dry completely before applying mascara, as it can become tricky to work with. The perfect base layer under the mascara.

EllenSt4 expresses high praise for the lash primer, claiming it’s the best among many she’s tried. She appreciates its long-lasting effects, mentioning that it keeps her mascara looking fresh all day.

On the other hand, TripleDawg finds the product to be good but not significantly better than cheaper alternatives. Despite its clump-free formula, they feel it doesn’t justify the higher price tag and may opt for a cheaper option next time.

Lastly, Avangalista is disappointed with the product, especially considering its high price. She believes there are cheaper alternatives that work better. Additionally, discovering it at a significantly high price in comparison to other primers adds to their disappointment.

Pros and cons: Based on real user experiences

Essence Volume Booster Lash Primer

Price at time of publish: $4.99 at Amazon, $4.99 at essencemakeup.

Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara & Volume Booster Lash Primer Mascara Bundle: $9.89 at Amazon.

Points to consider before buying

• Potential Allergens: The primer is formulated to be easily dissolved with regular makeup remover, leaving no residue behind, indicating it may not contain common allergens.
• From the Brand: The Essence Volume Booster Lash Primer is described as a volume-boosting mascara primer infused with acai oil, mango butter, and vitamin E for nurtured and conditioned lashes.
• Type: Volume Booster Lash Primer.
• Key Ingredients: This lash primer contains a blend of acai oil, mango butter, and vitamin E to nourish and condition lashes.
• Intended Effect: The primer is intended to boost volume instantly, create a moisturizing shield around each lash, and enhance the performance of mascara for various looks, from casual daily wear to more dramatic evening looks.

Reviews and Complaints: Essence Volume Booster Lash Primer

Veronica Cain seems to be quite satisfied with the primer she purchased on a whim. She appreciates how it extends the length of her short, light-colored eyelashes, especially when paired with mascara.

She noted that the primer’s white color makes it easy to see how it’s working immediately. However, she mentions that if she doesn’t apply enough mascara, the white primer is visible, which she finds a bit strange. Overall, she finds the product to be of excellent quality for its price.

Suki, on the other hand, had high hopes for the primer but found it disappointing. Despite being a fan of the brand, she couldn’t make the primer work for her. She experimented with different application methods but found that it always caused her lashes to lose their curl. However, she does acknowledge that it adds length to the lashes, which she sees as a positive aspect, though it ultimately doesn’t meet her expectations.

DUBOIS acknowledges that the primer may not be for everyone due to its white color and slow drying time. However, they personally enjoy using it, particularly because it’s gentle on their sensitive eyes and beneficial for their lashes. Despite its drawbacks, they find it to be a good product overall.

Pros and Cons based on user experiences

L’oreal Paris Voluminous Lash Primer

Price at time of publish: $8.20 at Amazon, $9.99 at lorealparisusa.

L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Lash Boosting Conditioning Primer Mascara, White Primer + Makeup Voluminous Original Mascara, Black: $17.61 at Amazon.

Points to consider before buying

• Potential Allergens: The L’oreal Paris Voluminous Primer Mascara is formulated to be 91% top allergen-free, free of gluten, coconut, and nickel, making it suitable for individuals with sensitivities.
• From the Brand: L’oreal Paris describes the Voluminous Primer Mascara as a conditioning pink-tinted primer that thickens lashes for voluminous volume and enhances mascara wear, infused with rose oil for lash conditioning.
• Type: This product is a pink-tinted mascara primer designed to condition lashes, thicken them for volume, and enhance the wear of mascara.
• Key Ingredients: The key ingredients in the L’oreal Paris Voluminous Primer Mascara include rose oil for conditioning and enhancing mascara wear.
• Intended Effect: The mascara primer is intended to thicken lashes for voluminous volume, enhance mascara wear, and condition lashes for a fuller lash look.

Reviews and Complaints: L’oreal Paris Voluminous Lash Primer

According to Erica, this product works wonders for making eyelashes look thicker and fuller while also adding some impressive length. What’s even better is that she’s tried various similar products before, but this one stands out as her favorite by far. Erica mentions how smooth and easy it is to apply, which is always a plus when it comes to beauty products. And the fact that she highly recommends it, especially considering its value, speaks volumes about its effectiveness.

Shopista gave it a 4-star rating, but she had some interesting observations. She mentioned that the product is white, which she didn’t expect and felt should be tinted like others. Shopista was hoping for added length to her lashes but wasn’t entirely convinced it delivered on that front. However, she did note that it applies just like regular mascara and found it to provide volume, which might be appealing if that’s what you’re after.

According to Brenda, this product makes her lashes look absolutely radiant, which sounds like a dream come true for anyone looking to enhance their lashes. With such high praise, it’s hard not to be curious about this product and consider giving it a try.

Overall, these customers rave about the L’Oréal primer’s ability to enhance lash appearance, extend mascara wear, and provide good value, making it a highly recommended product for anyone looking to amp up their eyelash game.

Pros and Cons based on user experiences

Benefit Cosmetics They’re Real! Tinted Lash Primer

Price at time of publish: $29 at Amazon, $29 at benefitcosmetics.

• Benefit Cosmetics They’re Real! Tinted Lash Primer (Natural and Feathery Look): $29 at Amazon.
• Benefit They’re Real Tinted Lash Primer, Mink Brown: $29 at Amazon.

Points to consider before buying

• Potential Allergens: The search results do not specify potential allergens for Benefit Cosmetics. They’re Real! Tinted Lash Primer.
• From the Brand: Benefit Cosmetics describes the They’re Real! Tinted Lash Primer is a product that provides a natural, soft brown lash look while subtly boosting length and priming lashes for a fuller effect.
• Type: The Benefit Cosmetics They’re Real! Tinted Lash Primer is a mink-brown tinted lash primer designed to enhance lashes with a natural appearance and added length.
• Key Ingredients: The key ingredients in the Benefit Cosmetics They’re Real! Tinted Lash Primer includes Provitamin B5 to improve lash appearance and a variety of other components for lash conditioning and enhancement.
• Intended Effect: This tinted lash primer is intended to give a natural, soft brown look to lashes while subtly boosting length and priming them for a fuller effect, providing a no-makeup makeup appearance with enhanced lash features.

Reviews and Complaints: Benefit Cosmetics They’re Real! Tinted Lash Primer

Hamdenmom praises the lash tint as the best she’s ever tried for sensitive eyes. She typically experiences discomfort with most eye makeup products, but this tint causes no reaction, making it a standout choice for her. Despite not being suitable for the mascara from the same brand, she finds the tint effective in adding color to her fair lashes and making her eyes appear larger and brighter. Overall, she considers it a significant success.

Phaelon Goodarrow expresses satisfaction with the tint, emphasizing its ability to provide color without adding texture. They dislike clumpy mascara but found the tint to be superfine, allowing them to wear it solo without mascara. They received many compliments and even had people questioning whether it was their natural lashes or mascara, indicating the effectiveness of the tint.

Caterina Kunzeman simply states that she uses the tint as mascara and finds it to be a wonderful product. Although her review is concise, it implies that she’s pleased with the results of using the tint as a mascara substitute.

Pros and Cons based on user experiences: They’re Real! Tinted Primer

Tarte Opening Act Lash Primer

Price at time of publish: $27 at Amazon, $27 at tartecosmetics.

Points to consider before buying

• Potential Allergens: The Tarte Opening Act Lash Primer is formulated with ingredients that are not specified to cause potential allergic reactions, making it suitable for a wide range of users.
• From the Brand: Tarte describes the Opening Act Lash Primer as a product that dramatically volumizes lashes by 952 percent, primes lashes for mascara, conditions, lengthens, separates, and curls lashes. It is ophthalmologist-tested and designed with a 360-degree magniLASH brush. Additionally, it comes with tarte lights camera lashes and 4-in-1 mascara to complete the look with dramatic beauty.
• Type: The Tarte Opening Act Lash Primer is a lash primer that dramatically volumizes lashes, primes them for mascara application, and provides conditioning, lengthening, separation, and curling effects.
• Key Ingredients: The key ingredients in the Tarte Opening Act Lash Primer include water, beeswax, carnauba wax, olive oil esters, nylon-12, palmitic acid, glyceryl stearate SE, stearic acid, triethanolamine, silica, phenoxyethanol, dimethicone, and more. These ingredients work together to provide the desired effects of conditioning, lengthening, separating, and curling lashes.
• Intended Effect: The Tarte Opening Act Lash Primer is designed to dramatically volumize lashes. Users can apply the primer before mascara using the 360-degree magniLASH brush for optimal results. The included lights camera lashes 4-in-1 mascara complements the primer for a finished look with enhanced beauty.

Reviews and Complaints: Tarte Opening Act Lash Primer

Keyla Gardner acknowledges that the product she purchased was a bit expensive, although she didn’t spend much time searching for a cheaper alternative. Despite the price, she expresses enthusiasm for the primer, describing it as “awesome.” She appreciates that it doesn’t clump, effectively elongates her lashes before mascara application, and lasts without drying out. Overall, she’s satisfied with the product and plans to repurchase it.

Nannette DiLouie also mentions that the product is a little pricey, but she finds it worth the investment. She praises the primer-mascara duo for making her eyelashes appear longer, fuller, and more glamorous, suggesting that it delivers desirable results despite the cost.

Cindy Ray emphasizes the superiority of the Tarte primer over other lash primers she’s tried. She describes it as making lashes seem longer and thicker while providing a great base for mascara. Additionally, she appreciates that it helps prevent mascara from bleeding or flaking, as well as keeping bottom lashes from creating “raccoon” eyes. She considers it a must-have product in her beauty routine.

Pros and cons based on user experiences

Milk Makeup Kush Lash Primer – Vegan and Cruelty-free

Price at time of publish: $28 at Amazon, $28 at Sephora.

MILK Makeup KUSH Volumizing Mascara Vegan, Clean, and Cruelty-free: $36.90 at Amazon.

Points to consider before buying

• Potential Allergens: The search results indicate that the Milk Makeup Kush Lash Primer is reviewed to be 91% top allergen-free and free of gluten, coconut, nickel, preservatives, lanolin, and talc, making it suitable for individuals with sensitivities.
• From the Brand: The Milk Makeup Kush Lash Primer is described as a lash primer that helps condition and nourish lashes for a longer-looking, fuller appearance. It is vegan, clean, cruelty-free, paraben-free, silicone-free, fragrance-free, gluten-free, prostaglandin-free, and ophthalmologist-tested.
• Type: This lash primer is formulated to condition and nourish lashes, promoting longer-looking and fuller-looking lashes and brows.
• Key Ingredients: The key ingredients in the Milk Makeup Kush Lash Primer include hemp seed extract to condition lashes and brows, a KUSH peptide blend to improve lash and brow thickness, and aloe, B5, and quinoa to moisturize for longer-looking, fuller-looking lashes and brows.
• Intended Effect: The Milk Makeup Kush Lash Primer is designed to help condition and nourish lashes, leading to longer-looking and fuller-looking lashes and brows. It aims to improve the appearance of lash and brow thickness while providing moisture for enhanced lash and brow health.

Reviews and Complaints: Milk Makeup Kush Lash Primer

Katy O mentions that she typically uses a more expensive primer from another brand but decided to try the Tarte Opening Act Lash Primer due to its affordable price. She finds that it performs just as well as the pricier option, allowing mascara to apply smoothly without clumping. She appreciates that the end result looks natural, indicating that the primer effectively enhances her lashes without appearing too heavy or obvious.

Lisa, however, had a negative experience with the product, stating that it didn’t work for her and didn’t adhere to her lashes. This suggests that the primer may not be effective for everyone and may not provide satisfactory results for all users.

Julie shares a positive experience, mentioning that the primer’s white color makes it easy to see during application. She finds that it effectively holds her mascara in place for longer periods without flaking or drying out, indicating its ability to improve the longevity and performance of mascara.

Pros and Cons based on user experience

Too Faced Better Than Sex Foreplay Mascara Primer

Price at time of publish: $14.79 at Amazon, $29 at toofaced.

Points to consider before buying

• Potential Allergens: The search results do not specify potential allergens for the Too Faced Better Than Sex Foreplay Mascara Primer.
• From the Brand: Too Faced describes the Better Than Sex Foreplay Mascara Primer as a lash primer that is clinically proven to lengthen, thicken, and lift lashes while delivering improved mascara wear for 24 hours. The primer is formulated with a blend of Argan and Grape Seed Oils, infused with nylon fibers for length and volume, and features a double-arch molded crescent brush for precise application from root to tip. It is ophthalmologist-tested, safe for contact lens users and sensitive eyes, and formulated without gluten, mineral oil, and parabens.
• Type: The Too Faced Better Than Sex Foreplay Mascara Primer is a lash primer designed to improve mascara wear, lengthen, thicken, and lift lashes, and provide nourishment with natural oils.
• Key Ingredients: The key ingredients in the Too Faced Better Than Sex Foreplay Mascara Primer include Isododecane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Beeswax, Paraffin, Microcrystalline Wax, Dimethicone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Dextrin Palmitate/Ethylhexanoate, Tocopherol, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Propylene Carbonate, Silica, Nylon-6, and Iron Oxides (CI 77499).
• Intended Effect: The Too Faced Better Than Sex Foreplay Mascara Primer is designed to boost lash curl, add volume, increase fullness, lengthen lashes, and improve mascara wear for over 24 hours. It aims to provide a nourishing formula that wraps lashes in a blend of Argan and Grape Seed Oils, suitable for downward straight lashes, and features deep black pigments for enhanced lash appearance. The primer is infused with nylon fibers for length and volume, and the double-arch molded crescent brush ensures each lash is coated from root to tip for a dramatic effect.

Reviews and Complaints: Too Faced Better Than Sex Foreplay Mascara Primer

SarahC NY shares her positive experience with the black mascara primer, explaining that she struggled with raccoon eyes until she discovered mascara primer. She initially used white primers, but found them inconvenient due to the extra step and potential for missed spots.

Upon discovering a black primer, she was delighted to find that it provided the same benefits as regular mascara without the hassle. Despite being a bit thick when initially applied, she appreciates the final effect and plans to continue using it.

Jenna, however, expresses dissatisfaction with the mascara, noting that while it provides volume, it tends to clump regardless of how thinly she applies it. She finds that the brush doesn’t effectively separate her lashes, resulting in a less-than-desirable appearance. While she appreciates its waterproof nature, she finds it difficult to remove compared to other waterproof mascaras.

Chloe shares a positive experience with the primer, particularly highlighting its ability to hold a curl on her bone-straight lashes. She explains that she’s tried numerous mascaras without success in holding a curl, but found that this primer worked exceptionally well. Even after sweating and physical activity, she was pleased to find that her lashes still held their curl beautifully.

Pros and Cons based on user experiences

Benefits according to the Pros

Increased Volume and Length: Celebrity makeup artist Wayne Goss discusses eyelash primers in this YouTube video. He breaks down the benefits (like adding volume and improving mascara application) and clarifies that they aren’t always necessary, especially for those with naturally thick lashes.

Flawless Mascara Application: Lisa Eldridge, a renowned makeup artist, mentions primers in this mascara review video. She talks about how using a primer can create a smoother base for mascara application and discusses when she finds them most beneficial.

Natural Mascara Wear: Makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes offers a practical guide on eyelash primers. She demonstrates how to apply primer for a natural lash look and emphasizes the importance of letting it dry completely before applying mascara.

Quick Guide for Eyelash Primers

Importance of Removal for Healthy Lashes:

• To prevent damage and discomfort to natural lashes, proper removal of eyelash extensions is very important.
• Removing eyelash extensions safely helps maintain the health and intensity of natural lashes.
• Do not pull or rub during the removal of extensions. This may cause potential injury and damage to natural lashes. So do the procedure carefully and delicately.

Best Practices for Maintaining Healthy Lashes:

• Gentle removal techniques and avoiding sudden movements are the basic and important things to keep in mind for lash health.
• Aftercare removal, proper aftercare is a must for optimal lash health and for lash strand recovery in case of any loss.
• Preventing heat exposure and avoiding extensions too soon helps give proper time for healing and prevent the weakening of natural lashes.
• After taking off the eyelash extensions, being gentle with the lashes and avoiding touching them too much will help them grow back strong!
• Prefer seeking professional removal by makeup experts for the benefits of short or already weak lashes and overall lash health.

Conclusion

By understanding the diverse range of eyelash primers available, from fiber-enhanced to even conditioning options for lash health, individuals can understand which one is the right fit for them to meet their specific needs and desired effects. Choosing the right primer or product for every eyelid has become easy now.

We have also mentioned the top-rated lash primers on the market. The user experience and reviews provide comprehensive insights into their performance, ingredients, and suitability for various lash types.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)