Kayla Young
We’ve all been in a situation where we’re halfway through our makeup and we come to the startling realization that we don’t have one of the things we need to complete our look.
In some cases, it’s a good idea to improvise and use whatever tools you have on hand to complete some semblance of a look.
If you don’t like the idea of compromising on your original vision, then you need to know about the more versatile tools you have in your makeup collection. In today’s guide, we’re going to explore how you can use concealer as eyeshadow primer and whether or not it’s a good idea to do so.
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Why You Need Eyeshadow Primer in the First Place
You may be surprised to learn that some people don’t even bother priming their eyelids before applying eyeshadow.
For all we know, you could be one of them! That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but there are a few meaningful reasons why you’d want to ensure that you prime your eyelids every time.
The first advantage to using an eyeshadow primer, whether it’s intended as one or if you’re simply using concealer, is that it prevents your eyeshadow from fading. If you have a long day ahead of you, using primer will ensure that your eyeshadow is a lot more durable as it rests on your eyelids.
Another advantage to using a primer is that it will prevent your eyeshadow from creasing, which can occur every time you open or close your eyes.
Since you can’t exactly stop yourself from blinking over the course of a day, eyeshadow primer may be a crucial part of preventing that creasing in the first place.
Finally, eyeshadow primer will even enhance the vibrance of the colors that you use for your eyeshadow.
While this likely won’t make much of a difference for a flat black or grey eyeshadow, you’ll be happy that you primed your eyelids if you’re going for more of a glam look with some bright colors.
Why You Should Use Concealer as Eyeshadow Primer
So why would you want to use concealer as eyeshadow primer in the first place? There are a few different reasons why beauty gurus and makeup artists may resort to it.
First off, there aren’t that many differences between eyeshadow primer and concealer except for the fact that one is made specifically to prime your eyelids.
In practice, despite the marketing for eyeshadow primers, many of the ingredients are the same in both it and concealer.
If you can find a more affordable concealer that you can use to prime your eyelids, then more power to you, though makeup companies take advantage of the fact that this is little-known.
Other than saving a bit of money here and there on purpose-made eyeshadow primer, you’re a lot more likely to already have concealer in your makeup collection.
Since concealer is a little less niche, you’ll be able to spend your money on a versatile product that can be used on more than just your eyelids.
Even if you prefer using eyeshadow primer over concealer, this may not always be possible. If you find yourself running out of primer, you may want to reach for the concealer so that you can get the job done without having to run down to the pharmacy or your local beauty store with half-done makeup on.
How to Use Concealer as Eyeshadow Primer
So how do you use concealer to prime your eyelids? The process is much the same as using standard eye shadow primer.
Start off by ensuring that your eyelids and the surrounding areas are clear of any beauty products or product buildup, as that may affect how well the concealer adheres to your skin.
We’d recommend using a purpose-made cleanser to ensure that all buildup is removed before you get started. If you don’t have a cleanser at your disposal, you can make do with soap and water, just be sure not to get any in your eyes unless you want them to be red for the next hour or so.
After that, you can start applying the concealer to your eyelids. Dab a little bit of concealer out onto your most dexterous finger and start rubbing it onto your eyelids. Rub it in using a circular motion to ensure that you get the most possible coverage and that it’s applied as evenly as possible.
You’ll also want to make sure that you set your concealer after you apply it if you want to get the best possible results. We’d recommend using face powder which will ensure that your eyeshadow doesn’t end up getting patchy over the course of the day.
You’ll typically want to use an eyeshadow brush to apply it.
Why You Shouldn’t Use Concealer as Eyeshadow Primer
There are also makeup gurus who scoff at the idea of using concealer as eyeshadow primer since they’ve tested it out and they weren’t impressed by the results. While these experts mention that you can still use concealer as a last-ditch effort, they give a few reasons why you don’t want to make a habit of subbing it in for your eyeshadow primer.
The main difference lies in the skin above your eyes and below them. Since concealer is designed to work on the skin below your eyes, it isn’t ideally suited for use on your eyelids. This is because your eyelids are typically exposed to a lot more skin oils than the skin below your eyes.
This will get into the concealer, which is not designed to cope with that much skin oil. It will eventually cause your concealer to crease, which will cause the eyeshadow that is set on top of it to crease as well. Even if you go ahead and set the concealer with face powder, you’ll be surprised by how quickly it starts to lose integrity.
While concealer as eyeshadow primer may work in a pinch, it shouldn’t replace eyeshadow primer entirely in your makeup cabinet.
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