Do You Need An Eyelash Primer? Here’s When It Makes a Difference

There are some beauty steps we wouldn’t dream of skipping. SPF? Absolutely. Taking our mascara off before bed? Always. But eyelash primer? That one can feel a little more optional.

If you’ve ever spotted a lash primer sitting alongside your favourite mascara and wondered what it actually does, whether you need one, or whether it’s simply another step between you and getting out the door, you’re not alone.

The short answer is that you don’t need an eyelash primer to wear mascara. But depending on your natural lashes and the look you want to achieve, it can make a noticeable difference to how your mascara applies and looks.

So, what does an eyelash primer do, and when is that extra coat actually worth it? Let’s get into it.

What Is Eyelash Primer?

An eyelash primer, sometimes called a mascara primer, is a makeup product applied to your lashes before mascara.

Its job is to create a base for the mascara that follows. Depending on the formula, this can help lashes appear longer, fuller or more defined, while helping mascara apply more evenly and stay in place.

It’s essentially the lash equivalent of prepping before the main event. And while you might already use an eye primer or eyeshadow primer as part of your makeup routine, they’re not interchangeable. Eyeshadow primer makeup is designed for the skin on your eyelids. An eye lash primer is specifically designed to coat the lashes before mascara.

What Does An Eyelash Primer Do?

The easiest way to understand lash primer is to look at what happens when you apply mascara.

Mascara coats your individual lashes to create colour, length, definition or volume. A primer adds an extra base layer first, giving your mascara more to work with.

Depending on the formula and applicator, a primer mascara routine can help:

• Make lashes appear fuller or longer
• Create greater separation and definition
• Help mascara apply more evenly
• Improve the appearance and wear of your mascara

It’s an immediate cosmetic effect rather than a long-term change to your natural lashes. Once you remove your makeup, you remove the effect of the primer too.

So, Do You Actually Need Lash Primer?

We’re big believers in routines that work for you, rather than adding steps simply because beauty rules tell you to. So if you already love the way your mascara looks on its own, there’s no reason you have to add a primer underneath it. A good mascara can do plenty of heavy lifting by itself.

There are, however, certain occasions when mascara primer and mascara can make a particularly good pairing…

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When your lashes are difficult to define
If you find that your mascara tends to leave some lashes behind or your finished look lacks separation, a primer can help prep and define individual lashes before your mascara goes on.

The applicator matters here too. Our Eyelash Separator can also be great for separating lashes effectively, creating a cleaner base for the next coat.

When you want lashes to look fuller
For naturally fine or sparse-looking lashes, certain primers can add an extra coating before mascara, creating the appearance of greater fullness once your mascara is layered over the top. Rather than piling on coat after coat of mascara, a primer gives you another way to build your desired look.

When you want extra length
If length is your main lash goal, some primers are designed to enhance the lengthening effect of the mascara applied over them.

The result is temporary, of course, but it can be a useful makeup trick when you want your lashes to have more impact straight away.

Can You Use Eyelash Primer Without Mascara?

This depends on the individual formula. Some tinted lash primers can be designed to work alone, while others are specifically intended as a base for mascara. Always check the directions for the product you’re using.

How Do You Use Mascara Primer And Mascara Together?

Your first instinct might be to swipe on primer, wait, then apply mascara. And sometimes that’s exactly right. But there’s one important rule: follow the instructions for your particular lash primer.

Some formulas are designed for mascara to be applied while the primer is still slightly wet. Others need time to dry first. Getting that timing right can help you avoid applying too much product or ending up with lashes that look clumpy.

As a general routine:

1. Start with clean lashes. Make sure your lashes are free from old mascara or makeup residue.
2. Apply your lash primer. Coat your lashes evenly from root to tip, taking care not to overload them with product.
3. Follow with mascara. Apply according to your primer’s instructions, then build your mascara until you reach your desired finish.

Simple enough for an everyday routine, with a little extra payoff when you want it.

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Is Lash Primer The Same As Lash Serum?

Although both products are used as part of a lash routine, lash primer and lash serum have very different jobs.

A lash primer is primarily about what your lashes look like today. It works alongside your mascara to create an immediate cosmetic effect. A lash serum is about caring for your natural lashes over time.

So it doesn’t have to be a case of choosing one or the other. You might use a lash serum consistently as part of your lash care routine, then reach for mascara, with or without primer, when you want to enhance their appearance with makeup.

For more information, read our guide to the difference between lash primer and lash serum.

So is eyelash primer worth the extra step? We think it depends on what you want from your lashes that day.

If you’re happy with a quick coat of mascara before heading out, keep things simple. Your routine doesn’t need an extra product just for the sake of it.

But if you want to maximise the look of your mascara, add more definition or give finer-looking lashes a little more impact, an eyelash primer can earn its place in your makeup bag.

And if your goal goes beyond how your lashes look with mascara? That’s where lash care comes in.

Because makeup can enhance what you have right now, while a consistent lash care routine is all about giving your natural lashes the attention they deserve.