This $5 Mascara Primer Completely Upped My Eye-Makeup Game

Eye makeup has never been my strong suit. I've never been someone who can put together a bold eyeshadow look, and I only recently learned how to do winged eyeliner. (TBH, saying I "learned" how to do winged eyeliner is still a bit of a stretch.) I'm much better when it comes to contouring and making my lips pop, but the eyes? Yeah, no.

It probably has something to do with the fact that my eyes are both hooded and downturned, and on top of that, I've got the shortest, stubbiest lashes known to mankind. Not to mention, they stick straight out, so without the help of an eyelash curler and a heavy-duty mascara, they usually go completely unnoticed. I can usually get them to pop for a couple of hours, but by the end of the day, they're just as straight as they were pre-mascara. It wasn't until I tried an eyelash primer that things finally started to look up.

Keep scrolling to read my full review of the new Essence Lash Princess Mascara Primer ($5) and find out why I can no longer do my makeup without it.

Essence Lash Princess Mascara Primer

From

$5

$5 at Amazon

The first time I tested this product, I was unsure whether or not I would be into it. The primer itself is a minty-green color, and I was worried that it would show even after I layered on my dark mascara. However, that wasn't the case at all. It helped fan out my natural lashes and made them look longer than ever before.

What really sold me, though, was how good my eyelashes looked after hours of wear. While they normally fall flat by the end of the day, this product helped them hold a curl and look voluminous for a full eight hours. I've tested this primer with a few different mascaras at this point, and I've found that using it helps cut down on clumps, smudges, and flakes — one of my biggest pet peeves when it comes to eye makeup.

The brand recommends applying one to two coats of the primer to bare lashes, letting it dry, and then following up with your favorite mascara. Once I finish my eyeshadow, I go over my lashes with a curler. From there, I reach for the lash primer, wiggling the brush back and forth, starting at the base of my eyelashes and working my way up. I've found that one coat is enough for me, but you can add a second if you see it fit. After that, I let the primer dry slightly but not for too long — I like it a little tacky so the mascara attaches to it. From there, I follow up with two coats of mascara, and I make sure my lashes are thoroughly coated so you can't see any of the seafoam green underneath.

Using a lash primer involves adding an extra step and an extra product into your daily routine, but in my opinion, the results are well worth it. An extra $5 and two minutes tacked on to my existing lineup is nothing when I finally have the bold lashes I've always dreamed of.

Another thing to note is that this product contains talc. I don't personally have issues with talc in my cosmetic products, and dermatologists have confirmed the ingredient is generally safe in makeup, but it's something to keep in mind if you're wary of it.

Rating:

★★★★★