Review: Milani Eyeshadow Primer

Press Sample 

If there is one product that I seem to get asked about the most on this blog, it's eyeshadow primer. I hear from readers in all states of "eyeshadow primer awareness" ranging from those who are looking for a new, better, more affordable primer, to those who have never tried an eyeshadow primer before and don't know where to start.

For me personally, eyeshadow primer is a necessity and I don't care WHAT powder eyeshadows I'm using (cream and pencil eyeshadows can also require primer but, not all the time, so let's just talk powder shadows here today).

Just a few years ago, there were very few options for drugstore makeup shoppers when it came to eyeshadow primers. But thankfully that's no longer the case, so let's take a closer look at the new Milani Eyeshadow Primer, which you can now get at CVS, Target and elsewhere:

Milani Eyeshadow Primer in 01 Nude

(retail: $6.49 0.30 oz)

Remember to follow the directions above: 

Blend well all over eyelid and allow to set for 30 seconds before applying your shadow!

 Made in the USA

This primer has a tint to it, but once you spread it on to the skin and wait the recommended 30 seconds, it looks almost colorless on my NC20 skintone.  Since a picture is worth a thousand words, I thought I'd show you how this primer looks over both a drugstore eyeshadow and a higher-end eyeshadow.

First, over an e.l.f. eyeshadow:

A bronze shadow from the e.l.f. Natural Eye Palette

In the above photo, I used the shimmery bronze shade in the e.l.f. Natural Eye Palette. For both of these swatches, I loaded up my eyeshadow brush and did approximately three swipes (down, up and back down up again) with the powder on my brush. As you can see, the pigmentation is much, much better over the Milani primer. It also makes the shadow look more consistent and smooth (and much, much truer to the color of the shadow in the pan).

 Urban Decay Gunmetal

 I also wanted to show you what this primer can do for a higher-end shadow, so I chose Urban Decay Gunmetal. Again, I loaded up my brush with shadow and then, for each swatch, did about three swipes (down, up and back down again). What a difference, right? And just like with the e.l.f. shadow, the Milani primer allowed me to achieve almost the exact color of Urban Decay Gunmetal when it's in the pan.

Texture and consistency: What sets this primer apart from other inexpensive primers I've used over the years is that it doesn't have a slick, thin, runny or greasy consistency. This primer is thicker and creamier than many others I've tried and it feels creamy when you're applying it to your eyes. But as you're blending it, it breaks down a little bit (while still feeling creamy). And after waiting 30 seconds, this product dries down and almost feels like suede, but it has a slight tacky feeling, which is a GOOD thing because it gives your powder shadows something to adhere too. 

Ease of use: I like to squeeze out just a small dot per eye and apply with my fingertip. It's easy to spread and because it has a slight tint to it, you can see where you've applied it and not miss any spots (although the tint does fade the more you blend it in). I get absolutely no tugging, pulling or patchiness when I'm applying my powder shadows over this primer. My shadows glide beautifully over the smooth surface this primer creates, but I can't stress this enough: you must wait 30 seconds to allow this primer to dry before you apply your shadow. If you don't, you'll end up with a gummy, spotty, ugly mess. Trust me on that one!

Staying power: I have yet to wear a shadow over this primer that didn't last me all day and into the evening. I've tried this primer with no-name dollar store shadows, Urban Decay, MAC, Revlon, e.l.f., Wet n Wild, Bobbi Brown, Make Up For Ever, you name it. It makes every shadow I've tested it with last all day and into the night with very minimal fading as the day progresses. I might start to see some light creasing by the seven or eight hour mark, but that's it. Also, I want to add that, as with most primers, this primer may not intensify the color of matte eyeshadows as much as it can intensify the color of shimmery eyeshadows. That's just the nature of matte shadows--depending on the shade, sometimes you just can't get a matte shadow to be any brighter. I just wanted to warn you about that in case you've never tried wearing a matte shadow over primer. It will help the shadow stay on all day, but it might not make the color any brighter.

Fragrance: I don't detect any fragrance in this product.

FINAL VERDICT: Believe the hype about this one, folks. This primer feels great and keeps your shadows looking great. It's easy to apply, it's got a very nice, creamy consistency, and it creates a smooth surface that makes shadows glide on with ease. Plus, it keeps shadows looking great all day and into the night. To top it off, it's under ten bucks and you can get it at the drugstore. What more could you ask for, really?

You can purchase this product at CVS and other retail locations that sell Milani cosmetics. You can also purchase it online via the Milani website.

Do you own the Milani Eyeshadow Primer? If so, I would absolutely love to hear how it's working for you!

A sample of this product was given to Nouveau Cheap for editorial purposes, either directly from the manufacturer or from the agency that works on behalf of the manufacturer. All reviews on NouveauCheap.Blogspot.com are the honest opinion of its author and editorial samples do not, in any way, affect the outcome of product reviews. For more information, click here.