Primed to Perfection

Does your eye-shadow crease, despite your best blending efforts? Worse still, does it fade, slide or disappear after just a few hours? If so, you need to invest in a good eye-lid primer.

What is an eye primer?
Eye primer is a base that you apply to your eye-lids before eye-shadow. It is specifically designed to help your eye make-up to last longer, without fading, creasing or smudging.

How do I apply it?
Simply dab a small amount of product all over your eye lids and up to your brow bone, using your finger tips or a brush if you prefer. Allow the product to dry and then apply your eye-shadow as normal. Voila long-lasting make-up!


CAROLINE RECOMMENDS

Urban Decay Eye-shadow Primer Potion: €17 for 10ml, available in Debenhams & House of Fraser. Known as the super-glue of primers, this quick-drying, silky-smooth formula grips eye-shadow like a magnet! It has a unique angled wand which makes for easy application.

Bobbi Brown Cream Shadow Stick in “Vanilla”: €24.40 for 2.5g, available in Brown Thomas, House of Fraser. This product is perfect for brides as it is incredibly long-wearing, and, more importantly, water-resistant. It’s similar in texture to a pan-stick foundation and, once applied, leaves a smooth, matte finish. Your shadow won’t budge!
 
Benefit Lemon Aid: €23.50 for 2.7g, available in Brown Thomas, Debenhams House of Fraser. A dab of this colour-correcting primer will have you looking awake and refreshed in seconds! It works particularly well on eyelids that have discolouration, as the yellow tone in the product neutralises any redness.

Barbara Daly Even-Smoother Eye Base: €6.95 for 2.5g, available in Tesco outlets. This skin-stoned primer is a great bargain-buy. Although it is quite light, it is still a very effective base for eye-make-up. Better still, it doubles as a light-weight concealer.

You will notice the surprising absence of Too Faced Shadow Insurance. Alas, I have contacted a number of stores (including Debenhams) who advised me that it is being phased out of their Irish stores at the moment. This is a huge pity as it is a great little product that clings to eyeshadow, without feeling clingy if that makes sense. If you know of any Irish stockists, perhaps you might post the details in the comment box below. You can always buy it on the net anyway.

Yours in style,

Caroline