Eyeshadow base: why do you need it and how to choose the best one?
An irreplaceable product
We’ll figure out whether you need an eyeshadow base and what its main advantages are, and we’ll also tell you how you can replace the eyeshadow base if you don’t have the right product on hand during your work.
What is an eye shadow base?
Eye shadow base, base or primer are all names for the same product that helps make eye makeup more colorful, bright and long-lasting. Shadows, pencils and eyeliners applied on top of the base are much easier to distribute and blend, and also stay on the skin much longer.
What functions does the eye shadow base perform?
Evens out the texture. The shadow base perfectly hides all skin irregularities, be it fine wrinkles, small blood vessels, age spots or peeling. This product smoothes the surface of the eyelid, making the skin smooth and even. Naturally, applying eye shadow to a perfect canvas is much easier than applying it to unprepared skin.
Hides signs of fatigue. An eyeshadow base will help disguise redness or dark circles under the eyes and make your eyes look more vibrant and expressive. You can even use it as an independent remedy to hide signs of fatigue on the client’s face.
Makes the color more intense. One of the main advantages of an eyeshadow base is that it adds brightness and contrast to the shades. The shadows applied to prepared skin will look the same as in the package.
Mattifies the skin. If your client has oily or combination skin, apply primer to her eyelids to prevent beauty products from creasing or bleeding throughout the day.
Increases durability. Thanks to the eye shadow base, cosmetics will not crumble or smear, and makeup will not lose its intensity. The base increases the durability of all eye makeup products, so you can’t do without it if a girl is going to a long special event: a wedding, graduation or birthday.
How to choose a high-quality base for eye shadow?
It is better to keep several shadow bases in a makeup artist’s case, each of which will perform its own functions. For example, a mattifying base is ideal for oily skin, while a gel or cream base with moisturizing ingredients is ideal for normal to dry skin.
If you have a looming eyelid, you should choose waterproof foundations for makeup, and for age-related makeup , products labeled anti-age.
You also need to decide on the color of the makeup base. White will help maximize the color of the shadows, so we recommend using it when creating bright makeup. A shining base is useful for eye makeup with glitter or shimmer shadows, and a nude product is ideal for creating a no makeup look. A colorless eye shadow base can be considered universal - it is suitable for any occasion.
How to use it?
The shadow base should be applied either to foundation or directly to cleansed eyelid skin.
First, apply a thin layer of base to the upper eyelid and blend thoroughly so that there is no excess. Use light patting movements to evenly distribute the product. If necessary, apply the product to the lower eyelid.
It is most convenient to apply the shadow base with a special brush or fingertips. Then wait 2-3 minutes until the primer is fixed on the skin, and then you can start applying shadows.
How to replace the eyeshadow base?
Many makeup artists are interested in what can be used to replace an eyeshadow base if the necessary product is not at hand while working with a client or model. Of course, none of the beauty products will give an identical effect, but in order to at least minimally affect the colorfulness of your makeup, you can apply foundation, a thin layer of concealer or a nude cream pencil to your eyelids. If you need to extend the durability of your eye makeup, fix it with loose powder or fixative spray.