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The best lash primers help you get the most out of your favorite mascara—hello, low effort. Whether your ideal flutter craves lengthening, separation, volume, or all of the above, the right primer makes mascara easier to apply and results longer-lasting and more noticeable. Like regular mascaras, these base coats come in a variety of wand shapes, pigments, bonus ingredients, and talents (yup, some even waterproof your standard formulas), making it tricky to pinpoint your perfect match. That’s why we checked in with editors, makeup artists, cosmetic chemists, and board-certified dermatologists to help you zero in on the best of the best. Ahead, shop our favorites, complete with our editors’ before-and-after pics. The proof is in the primer.
Our Top Picks
- Best for Lengthening: Lancôme Cils Booster XL Super-Enhancing Mascara Base, $30
- Best for Layering: Maybelline New York Lash Sensational Sky High Tinted Primer, $13
- Best 2-in-1: Honest Mascara + Primer, $20
- Best Smudge-Proof: Etude Dr. Mascara Fixer, $8
- Best Thickening: Tarte Opening Act Lash Primer, $27
- Best for Separation: Too Faced Better Than Sex Foreplay Mascara Primer, $30
- Best Waterproof: Grande Cosmetics GrandePrimer Pre-Mascara Lengthener & Thickener, $25
- Best for Darkening: Pacifica Vegan Collagen Lash Serum Primer, $14
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do lash primers work?
- How should I apply a lash primer?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Best for Lengthening: Lancôme Cils Booster XL Super-Enhancing Mascara Base
Why it's worth it: Lancôme's Cils Booster XL Super-Enhancing Mascara Base is usually our answer to "Why do your eyelashes look so good?" and, honestly, we wouldn't have it any other way. This 2021 Best of Beauty alum provides a grippy, nourishing base coat that makes your lashes look longer, fuller, and prepped for pigment. By priming your lashes, you help them separate evenly, which maximizes surface area and sets the stage for your mascara to catch eyes. The lash-loving formula packs vitamins B5 and E to promote growth and keep lashes healthy. Bonus: You can even wear this primer solo overnight as a conditioning treatment. And don't worry, the primer's initial white color won't get in the way of the black (or brown, or burgundy) of your mascara, as long as you apply your top coat while the base is still wet (key to avoiding clumps!).
Tester feedback: “I save lash primer for special occasions, since I have a very impatient toddler to deal with. But when I do whip this out, it's worth the extra effort: It takes the effects of Lancôme's Lash Idole mascara, which are pretty incredible as-is, to the next level," says contributing editor Deanna Pai. "It just makes my lashes look thicker and fuller, adding a little more definition around my eyes—versus having a lengthening effect. And despite having a noticeable texture, it left zero clumps." Pai notes that it takes a minute to dry, which can be annoying when she's in a rush.
Key ingredients: vitamin E | Color: white | Who it's for: people who prefer length over volume
Best for Layering: Maybelline New York Lash Sensational Sky High Tinted Primer
Why it's worth it: Maybelline New York's Lash Sensational Sky High Tinted Primer (a 2023 and 2024 Allure Best of Beauty winner) scores major points for versatility. Unlike many of its priming peers, the formula doubles as a soft-black tint that can be worn solo or in conjunction with your favorite mascara. Infused with ceramides and vitamin B5 to condition, this primer helps your mascara layers appear less clumpy and crunchy, making your lashes feel healthier over time. The trick to this primer is to let it dry fully before applying a follow-up—thankfully, it dries really quickly, so patience needn't be a virtue. It's not waterproof, which we think is a plus because it comes off easily when you're ready to rinse.
Tester feedback: "When I was entering the lash primer game, I was afraid that layering mascara over primer would be a one-way ticket to crunchy, clumpy city. But Maybelline's primer sits light on my lashes and helps my top coat stay put and look more defined," says contributing commerce writer Annie Blackman. "I'll be honest, the first time I brushed it on, I ignored the directions and didn't wait for the primer to dry before going in with mascara." That impatience, she says, was a mistake. "It led to an overload of creamy pigment. So, following the dry-down instructions is important." Blackman also points out the wand's flexibility, making it easier to catch the tiny lashes in the inner corners of your eyes.
Key ingredients: ceramides, carnauba wax, jojoba oil, vitamin B5 | Color: Soft Black | Who it's for: people looking for a multi-use primer that can be worn in different ways
Best 2-in-1: Honest Mascara + Primer
Why it’s worth it: If anything is true about Allure editors, it’s that we’ll always cheer for a two-in-one—and Honest Beauty’s Extreme Length Mascara & Lash Primer has us fist-pumping. The primer end of this dual-sided tube is infused with softening jojoba esters, helping your mascara swipe on more smoothly and evenly with maximum lash lengthening and separation. Just brush on the primer, wait about 30 seconds, and then follow up with the jet-black mascara side of the tube. During our testing, we found that the short tube of the primer can take some getting used to—and requires a little contortion to apply it to the corners of the lashlines—but it’s not a dealbreaker. And the mascara alone delivers pretty good lengthening.
If your lash goals align more with volume rather than length, reach for the brand’s Extreme Volume Mascara + Bold Lash Primer, which features a fluffier, larger applicator. Either way, you’re getting bang for your buck and flair for your flutter.
Tester feedback: “For my everyday mascara—no waterproof needed—I like to use this double-ended mascara,” says Pai, who also takes this when she travels. “The primer isn't too goopy and doesn't look overly white on my dark lashes, and the mascara itself does a bang-up job of lengthening. I noticed a dramatic difference not just in the length, but in how the mascara was able to coat and extend all of my lashes for added fullness.”
Key ingredients: jojoba esters | Color: white (primer), black (mascara) | Who it’s for: people who want a two-in-one, people who want lengthening
Best Smudge-Proof: Etude Dr. Mascara Fixer
Why it’s worth it: Etude’s Dr. Mascara Fixer is brought to you courtesy of K-beauty, which as per, gives stateside formulas a run for their money. This transparent gel primer hugs onto your mascara all day, offering no-smudge, no-budge wear while priming and waterproofing lashes. You can also layer it over your mascara for even more curling and waterproofing power. Pairing this with an eyelash curler is always a smart move for extra lift—especially for the girlies with shorter, straighter lashes. Just know that because it’s waterproof, eye makeup removal entails a bit of extra elbow grease, especially as you add more layers. Bonus points: It also comes in a black hue if you’d like to double down on pigment.
Tester feedback: “Since I have notoriously short, stubby Asian lashes, it makes sense that a K-beauty product helps boost them,” says commerce editor Sarah Han. “The formula I use is clear and barely noticeable but it creates a strong grip when you overlay mascara, adding volume, length and long-lasting curl. The curl is the major benefit. Even though I use an eyelash curler for all occasions (including both photos seen here), there’s such a visible lift in the second. My only small gripe is that I noticed my mascara was a bit more prone to clumping with the primer but the overall effect is worth it, IMO.”
Key ingredients: soybean extract | Color: clear, black | Who it’s for: people with short lashes, people who want waterproofing
Best Thickening: Tarte Opening Act Lash Primer
Why it's worth it: Even the teeniest of lashes are invited to the Tarte Opening Act Lash Primer party—a rager when it comes to spurring and supporting bold lashes. Packed with cellulose to thicken, carnauba wax to lengthen, olive esters to condition, and antioxidants to fend off free radicals, this primer also scores major points for being gentle enough on sensitive eyes. It strengthens and lengthens your lashes, creating the ideal base layer for whatever mascara you apply next. Iit washes off easily, too, just like Tarte’s beloved Tartelette Tubing Mascara.) Above all, this formula volumizes, so if you want a more separated look, this may not be your perfect match. (You’ll also get a free mini deluxe Light, Camera, Lashes 4-in-1 Mascara with your purchase, which we think is really sweet.)
Key ingredients: cellulose, carnauba wax, olive esters, vitamin C | Color: white | Who it's for: people with short, sparse lashes
Best for Separation: Too Faced Better Than Sex Foreplay Mascara Primer
Why it's worth it: For card-carrying fans of the Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara family, the brand's Foreplay Mascara Primer is enough to make you renew your membership—especially if you're after supreme lash definition. Nylon fibers add mega length and fullness to little and long hairs alike, while argan and grapeseed oils work synergistically to strengthen and condition lashes. The arched wand is excellent, too—use the outer edge of the wand, wiggling as you go, for a volumizing boost and the inner curve, with sweeping motions, for peak separation.
Key ingredients: argan oil, grapeseed oil | Color: black | Who It's For: people whose lashes are prone to clumping
Best Waterproof: Grande Cosmetics GrandePrimer Pre-Mascara Lengthener & Thickener
Why it's worth it: The Grande Cosmetics GrandePrimer Pre-Mascara Lengthener & Thickener is the whole kit and (waterproof) caboodle, cloaking every last lash in a peptide-rich raincoat. The minifibers in the formula stave off flaking, and the superfine spikes on the wand help with full coverage in every swipe, while the waxy texture allows for major grip. "Formulations with waxes maintain the flexibility of your lashes while reducing clumping," says Tonya Riner, a makeup artist based in Houston. "When combined with fibers, they strike a perfect balance between lengthening and volumizing." This is another one you should ensure is still wet when you apply your regular mascara to avoid dryness and clumping.
Key ingredients: peptides, beeswax, carnauba wax | Color: white | Who it's for: people with damaged, breakage-prone lashes
Best for Darkening: Pacifica Vegan Collagen Lash Serum Primer
Why it's worth it: If you're still worried that a white lash primer like Pacifica's Vegan Collagen Lash Serum Primer will clash with your black mascara, Riner says that the contrast actually helps showcase your mascara's darker hue—just pay attention to coating any stragglers. This fluffening base contains a hearty dose of vegan collagen and vitamin E, which Martin N. Zaiac, MD, a board-certified dermatologist of Greater Miami Skin and Laser Center, says hydrates and curbs breakage and shedding over time. We also like the glass bottle, which adds a nice aesthetic touch and means a little less plastic in the world.
Key ingredients: vegan collagen, vitamin E | Color: white | Who it's for: those with naturally light lashes
Frequently Asked Questions
How do lash primers work?
According to Riner, eyelash primers work a lot like the makeup primer you use before your foundation or the heat protectant you spritz on before a blow-dry—they help application go more smoothly, and the final product look better. In addition to making your mascara last longer, eyelash primers can add volume, length, definition, and fullness. Dr. Zaiac adds that the grippy base also helps mitigate flaking and improves the longevity of your mascara.
Kelly Dobos, a cosmetic chemist, tells Allure that your lash primer's wand is just as important as the formula itself. "You want good separation and precise coating of lashes to avoid further clumping when you go on to apply mascara," says Dobos. She prefers comb-type, silicone-sculpted wands over the feathery, fluffy ones you'll typically find paired with volume-oriented products. "[Sculpted wands] feature spaced-out, comb-like bristles that are ideal for separating and defining each lash," she says.
Ingredients matter, too. "The inclusion of silica microspheres (a.k.a silica) will add volume, and microfibers like nylon-66 will add length," explains Dobos. "Vitamin B5 (a.k.a panthenol) and oils like jojoba or coconut can help to nourish and strengthen lashes."
How should I apply a lash primer?
When applying an eyelash primer, ensure your lashes are clean, dry, and—for best results—curled. Apply a coat of primer from root to tip using "feather-like strokes to evenly distribute the product, creating a clean, separated look," per Riner. Depending on your particular primer's instructions, let the formula dry completely before applying mascara or layer your mascara while the primer is still wet.
Meet the experts
How we test and review products
Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?
For our review of the best eyelash primers, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and makeup artists to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product's performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
Long lashes, check. Now try these other editor-approved eye makeup products:
- 11 Best Eyeliners for Sensitive Eyes That Stay Put Without Stinging
- 12 Best Volumizing Mascaras for All the Drama You Desire
- 14 Best Waterproof Mascaras That Actually Stay Put
Now, watch Gracie Abrams get glowy in 10 minutes:
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