13 Best Drugstore Eyelash Primers
Flaunt your eyelashes because priming them before mascara is easy and affordable now.
Baishali Bhattacharya Certified Image Consultant, Certified In Makeup Artistry
Expertise: Makeup & Fashion
Baishali is a beauty and lifestyle writer and holds a master's degree in English from Assam University. She specializes in makeup and fashion and is also a certified Style and Image Consultant. Prior ... more
Trust us when we say this: once you have found yourself the best drugstore eyelash primer, there’s no looking back! Eyelash primers are the trick to getting a flake-free mascara application. Plus, the feathery and fluttery eyelashes that celebs flaunt are all credits to a coat of a great eyelash primer right before the mascara goes on. So, since now you know, you have to explore our list of the top 13 drugstore eyelash primers that give tough competition to the biggest brands.
In This Article
13 Best Drugstore Eyelash Primers
1. Best Long-Lasting Formula: Blink Lash Primer For Eyelash Extension
The Blink Lash Primer offers quick adherence and a long hold time by removing and dissolving makeup residue and excess oil from your natural eyelashes. It also balances the pH level of the natural lashes, which helps secure a strong bond between the extensions and lashes for longer retention. This drugstore eyelash primer also helps fix your lash extensions easily without slipping or twisting. It is enriched with allantoin that rejuvenates the cells, deeply conditions the lashes, and promotes lash growth. Watch this video for a thorough understanding of the product.
Pros
- Easy to apply
- Long-lasting effects
- Skin-friendly ingredients
- Gentle
- No residue
Cons
- May cause slight irritation.
2. Best Silicone-Free: Honest Beauty 2-in-1 Mascara + Lash Primer
The Honest Beauty 2-in-1 Mascara + Lash Primer brings you the best of both worlds. This drugstore eyelash primer works with the mascara formula to give you long, defined, and voluminous eyelashes. It gives your lashes a natural lift and creates an even base coat for the mascara to offer lash-lengthening performance and intense color. The rich formula smoothens the eyelashes, and the specially molded bristles pick every eyelash, separate it, and give it a sky-high lift without clumping. Click here to check out a detailed personal review of this product.
Pros
- Easy to apply
- Multipurpose
- Dermatologist-tested
- Ophthalmologist-tested
- Toxicologist-verified
- Silicone-free
- Paraben-free
- Paraffin-free
- Mineral oil-free
- Synthetic fragrance-free
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- Takes time to dry completely.
3. Best For Sensitive Eyes: L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Primer
The Voluminous Lash Paradise Primer from L’Oreal gives you thick and voluminous lashes with a flawless finish. It improves the retention and longevity of your mascara without smudging or running. This pink-tinted drugstore eyelash primer is enriched with rose oil that conditions and nourishes your lashes and helps the mascara stay on longer. It comes with a highly efficient brush that has over 200 soft and wavy bristles to hold and curl your lashes, create volume, and prep them for mascara.
Pros
- Easy to apply
- Long-lasting formula
- Easy to remove
- Ophthalmologist-tested
- Suitable for sensitive eyes
- Ideal for contact lens wearers
Cons
- Tends to clump
4. Best Lightweight: JOAH Eyelash Primer
The JOAH Eyelash Primer lengthens, volumizes, lifts, and strengthens your eyelashes. This lightweight, flake-free product lengthens the wear of your mascara. It conditions your lashes over time and enhances their hold. With this primer, you can have the eyelashes of your dreams- longer, thicker, and stronger. This enhancing mascara primer includes an hourglass brush that gives lashes a doe-eyed, falsie effect. Olive oil, biotin, and vitamin E infused in this vegan lash primer help condition and enhance the appearance of lashes.
Pros
- Vegan
- Infused with olive oil, biotin, and vitamin E
- Lightweight
- Volumizing
- Flake-free
Cons
- May not be smudge-free
5. Best Smudge-Proof: Grande Primer
The Grande Primer is infused with no-flake mini fibers and peptides that help enhance the effects of mascara on your lashes. While the peptides strengthen your lashes and make them healthier, the natural wax blend in the formula makes your lashes appear longer and thicker. This drugstore eyelash primer comes with a uniquely molded brush that thoroughly separates your lashes for a well-defined look. The formula is smudge-proof and water-resistant. The white color of this primer helps it act as a perfect canvas for any colored mascara.
Pros
- Smudge-proof
- Water-resistant
- Long-lasting
- Suitable for contact lens wearers
- Ophthalmologist-tested
- Easy to remove
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- May weigh the lashes down.
6. Best Hypoallergenic: Blinc Black Lash Primer
The Blinc Black Lash Primer has an efficient formula that adds volume and lifts your lashes. It is enriched with pentapeptide-17, which nourishes your lashes and helps them grow longer and thicker. It also contains D-panthenol and tocopherol acetate, which nourish, hydrate, and condition your lashes. This conditioning effect helps in protecting your lashes from environmental damage and stress. This drugstore eyelash primer has a unique silicone wand that separates the lashes for a more defined look.
Pros
- Easy to apply
- Hypoallergenic
- Easy to remove
- Synthetic fragrance-free
Cons
- Clumps the lashes.
7. Best For Balancing pH: Existing Beauty Lashes Eyelash Extension Primer
The Existing Beauty Lash Primer is meant for stronger and long-lasting eyelash extensions. It is used to sanitize your natural lashes and get rid of any excess oils, proteins, or mascara. This pre-treatment for sticky lashes helps you save money as it makes the glue of the eyelash extensions last longer. This lash primer guarantees the ideal pH balance for the strongest bonding of lash extensions. This product extends the life of your eyelash extensions up to several weeks, making eyelash retention issue a thing of the past.
Pros
- Cleans the lashes
- pH level balancing
- Removes excess buildup and oil
- Helps lash glue last longer
Cons
- May irritate your eyes
8. Best Easy-To-Use: Covergirl Lash Blast Amplify Primer
Revitalize your eyelashes with the Covergirl Lash Blast Amplify Primer. This drugstore eyelash primer conditions and preps your eyelashes for the mascara. It is enriched with the nourishing properties of argan oil, jojoba oil, and coconut oil, which help in strengthening and conditioning your lashes. This eyelash primer instantly boosts your lashes and makes them look thicker and longer. The creamy and lightweight formula seamlessly glides on your eyelashes to coat them evenly and maximize the effects of your mascara. It comes in a white shade, which makes it a perfect base for any colored mascara.
Pros
- Easy to apply
- Lightweight
- Goes on smooth
- Cruelty-free
- Value for money
- Easy to remove
Cons
- Can clump easily.
9. Best Quick-Drying: Lonris Supreme Lash Primer
Use the Lonris Supreme Lash Primer on your natural eyelashes for an instant lift and before putting on lash extensions. This drugstore eyelash primer is designed to instantly clean the grime and oil from the lashes and aid better and longer retention of lash extensions. The gentle formula helps the extensions adhere to the natural lashes without moving or twisting. It dries within seconds and works well with classic and volume eyelash extensions.
Pros
- Quick-drying
- Long-lasting
- Easy to apply
- Value for money
- Easy to remove
Cons
- Expensive
- Might cause a slight burning sensation.
10. Best For Contact Lens Wearers: Maybelline New York The Colossal Big Shot Tinted Primer
The Maybelline New York The Colossal Big Shot Tinted Primer is a perfect pick for bolder and fuller lashes. It is infused with collagen that gives your lashes intense thickness, volume, and length. The brush wand has unique wavy bristles that glides onto the lashes smoothly for precise application. The bristles guide the lashes upwards for a prominent and defined curl and lift.
Pros
- Easy to apply
- Lightweight
- Easy to remove
- Quick-drying
- Ophthalmologist-tested
- Suitable for contact lens wearers
Cons
- Can get clumpy.
11. Forabeli Lash Primer
The Forabeli Lash Primer is one of the most preferred eyelash primers for eyelash extensions, thanks to its superior glue retention ability. It preps your natural eyelashes and offers better hold of the eyelash extensions and keeps them in place. The formula removes excess oil, dirt, and grime from the lashes to allow longer retention of false lashes. It also promotes thicker, voluminous, and healthy lash growth. The drugstore eyelash primer has a pleasant rose fragrance.
Pros
- Easy to apply
- Lightweight
- Easy to remove
- Pleasant fragrance
- Value for money
Cons
- Watery consistency
12. My Beauty Eyes Lash Primer For Eyelash Extension
The Lash Primer from My Beauty Eyes creates a perfect base for your extension and mascara. This drugstore eyelash primer removes dirt and excess oil from the lashes to increase the glue adhesion for extensions. It also prolongs the retention of the lash extensions. The quick-drying formula is enriched with copper peptide-1, which promotes strong and healthy eyelash growth.
Pros
- Easy to apply
- Easy to remove
- Quick-drying
Cons
- May cause slight irritation and burning sensation.
13. Clinique Lash Building Primer
The Clinique Lash Building Primer conditions the eyelashes while boosting the effects of your mascara. This lightweight formula keeps your eyelashes well-protected and nourished. It has great adherence properties that hold onto mascara better and make your eyelashes look thicker, fuller, and longer. The moisturizing properties of this eyelash primer nourish and condition the eyelashes and prevents them from turning dry and brittle.
Pros
- Hypoallergenic
- Ophthalmologist-tested
- Suitable for contact lens wearers
- Sulfate-free
- Paraben-free
- Phthalate-free
- Mineral oil-free
- Gluten-free
- Vegan
- Fragrance-free
Cons
- Clumps slightly
You need the best eyelash primers if you want a flake-free mascara application. These primers turn your lashes into a smooth and fanned-out canvas so that you can easily apply the mascara. They also prevent flaking, smudging, and smearing. The reviewed options in the curated list are easy to apply, have long-lasting effects, and have a gentle formula enriched with skin-friendly ingredients. In addition, they are free from all synthetic ingredients and are safe for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers. With these drugstore eyelash primers, you can achieve thick, voluminous lashes easily.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
The author of this article, Baishali Bhattacharya, is certified in makeup techniques and loves reviewing makeup products for her readers. She has carefully researched plenty of product reviews and feedback to compile this list of the best drugstore eyelash primers that help you flaunt lush and fluttery eyelashes. The above-listed products are her top favorites and ensure perfect mascara application without any flaking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does eyelash primer really make a difference?
Yes, eyelash primer makes your lashes fuller and thicker. It allows the mascara to go on the lashes seamlessly without clumping. In addition, primers increase the adhesive potency of the mascara.
Do you let the lash primer dry before applying mascara?
Yes. Wait 15 to 30 seconds after applying the primer and let it dry to prevent diluting the mascara in the primer formula.
What is the difference between lash primer and mascara?
A lash primer acts as a base coat for the lashes and prepares them for the mascara. It increases the surface area of the lashes and gives them the illusion of longer length and thicker width. On the other hand, mascara is a colored formula that darkens and lifts your lashes for a more enhanced eye look.
How long does eyelash primer last?
An eyelash primer is good for three to six months after you open the seal.
Can you leave lash primer on overnight?
Yes. Leaving a lash primer overnight on your lashes can be beneficial. It strengthens and nourishes the lashes. In addition, the primer prevents your lashes from falling out.
How long do you leave eyelash primer on?
Wear your eyelash primer as long as you wear your mascara. Then, remove it along with your mascara.
Is mascara primer good for your eyelashes?
Yes. Mascara primers feature lash-benefitting ingredients that nourish and improve your lash health. In addition, the primer creates a barrier between your lashes and the mascara and retains its natural shine and texture.
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