Long story, short
- A lash primer is applied before mascara to grip, condition, and build out your lashes. Lash primers are normally white in colour and contain waxes, conditioning agents, and fibres that wrap around each lash like micro extensions.
- You’ll see the biggest difference from a lash primer if you have short, sparse, or oily lashes — or if you suffer from panda eyes (mascara smudge) during the day. The primer gives mascara something to hold onto so it stays put longer.
- Lash primers work with any mascara formula. Tubing mascaras pair especially well as their sleeve-like fibres cover the white primer and add extra length. Waterproof mascara can be layered on top too — just use an oil-based cleanser to remove it.
- Apply primer by pressing the wand into the base of lashes and sweeping root to tip. Follow immediately with mascara using the same technique, paying extra attention to lash tips to cover the white formula.
It’s the work of a moment — but you can make your mascara work MUCH smarter with the addition of a lash primer to your eye makeup routine.
What is a lash primer?
As the name suggests, a lash primer is a product that goes onto your lashes before mascara to prep them for the main event. Just as you’d layer a complexion primer beneath your base or an eyeshadow primer beneath your eye makeup. Lash primers are formulated to help your mascara stay put for longer without smudging or fading, to condition the lashes, and to make them look longer and thicker. Everyone can benefit from using one — but you’ll see the biggest benefits if you have short, sparse, or oily lashes. Unlike mascara, lash primers are normally white in colour.
Why are everyone’s eyelashes different?
In a sentence: everyone’s eyelashes are different because everyone’s genes are different. Lashes are exactly the same as the hair on your head, which can be curly or straight, fine or thick, blonde or brunette – all thanks to genetics. So your lashes can be long or short, thick or thin, curly or straight and span the entire spectrum between these definitions.
But as well as ‘nature’, ‘nurture’ comes into play with the appearance of your lashes too. If you’re someone who is rough with your lashes or sleeps in their mascara (a metaphorical tap on the wrist) then you may find that your lashes start to thin or break. Some people go down the route of professional lash treatments, which can change the appearance of your lashes: lash lifts can give your lashes a semi-permanent curl, and lash extensions offer the temporary appearance of fuller lashes.
In the case of false lashes, the more that are applied to each individual natural lash, the more pressure you will put on them, and over time this can lead to them looking a little sparse. If you do go for false lashes, it’s best to give your own lashes a break every so often.
What kind of difference can you expect if you use a lash primer under your mascara?
Wearing a lash primer under your mascara will give your lashes more oomph, as the extra fibres will make them look fuller and thicker. If you’re prone to panda eyes where your mascara has migrated and smudged throughout the day (especially common if you have oily lashes or hayfever) then a lash primer will put a stop to this by giving your mascara something to hold onto. A good lash primer will also condition your lashes, which means they’ll feel less brittle and won’t be so prone to breakage.
What sort of ingredients do lash primers generally contain?
Interested in the INCI? You’d expect to find the following ingredients in a lash primer:
Waxes — These are the glue that holds the formula together – and to your lashes. The waxes in a primer will allow it to cling to and wrap around each lash for a soft, textured finish with added volume.
Conditioners — Conditioning and nourishing ingredients offer the TLC your lashes need to stop them from drying out. They’ll also prevent your mascara from becoming flaky too.
Fibres — Just like mascara, lash primers contain fibres. These attach to the lashes like teeny tiny micro extensions to add volume and length.
Can you use lash primers too often?
In our opinion, you can’t use a lash primer too often. Some experts believe that not removing mascara properly can lead to breakage and fall, and there are also concerns about pollution and other daily grime getting stuck to the fibres of your mascara — but you can stop this from causing any problems by cleansing properly at the end of the day.
If you’re worried about brittleness or your lashes drying out due to mascara application, then the conditioning ingredients in your lash primer will counteract these concerns. You can wear a lash primer every time you wear mascara, or just when you feel your lashes need a little extra help.
Can you use a lash primer with any kind of mascara?
All types of mascara can be used with a lash primer. A good lash primer is essentially laying the groundwork for your mascara, so you can top it with one that aims to curl, lengthen, or volumise your lashes depending on the look you want to go for. Tubing mascara works especially well with a lash primer, as it contains sleeve-like fibres that wrap around every single lash — not only helping to disguise the whiteness of the primer formula, but adding extra length too.
Tubing mascaras also tend to be longer lasting than traditional formulas. If you’re layering waterproof mascara over your lash primer, just make sure you’re removing it properly with an oil-based cleanser as these can be harder to shift.
What is the best way to apply lash primer and mascara?
Follow these steps for the best lash primer and mascara application:
Step 1: Make sure your lashes are clean and dry.
Step 2: Hold the wand of your mascara primer horizontally, then press into the base of your lashes before sweeping from root to tip. Repeat if you want more volume, or to tease out any areas where the product has gathered to avoid clumps.
Step 3: Layer your mascara over the top of your lash primer using the same technique. Pay extra attention to the very ends of the lashes to ensure all of the white from the primer is covered. Repeat until your lashes are as long and thick as you’d like.
How do you remove lash primers?
There’s no need to use a special technique when removing a lash primer. But, as always, take extra care when cleansing the eye area. The skin is thinner and more delicate here, so it needs to be treated gently to avoid damage. One option is to saturate two cotton pads in eye makeup remover and place them over your closed lids. Wait a moment to allow the formula to start dissolving your primer and mascara, then gently sweep the pads away. If you prefer to remove your eye makeup with a balm or oil cleanser, massage a little onto your eyelashes, then hold a warm, damp flannel over the eye area for a moment before sweeping your mascara down and away.
