When I finished my first tube of lightweight, colorless NARS Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base ($24), the thought of not being able to reach for what I’d come to consider the best eye makeup primer currently on the market almost triggered a minor panic attack.
We’d been inseparable since we met last November, thanks to the Troublemaker Gift Set, and I was impressed from the start. Pro-Prime intensifies the color of products applied on top of it and extends wear time, too. It grips cream and powder shadows, eyeliners and brow pencils tighter than teeth on a night guard.
When I start with Pro-Prime in the morning, my eye makeup still looks fresh and crease-free at dinner, even on hot, muggy days.
I wouldn’t complain if NARS slashed a few dollars off the price, perhaps down from $24 to $18, but for what it’s worth, a little does go a long way. It took me seven months to finish my first tube, or about 11 cents per day.
Not a bad way to look at it, right? 🙂
After years of experimenting with different primer products, I’ve just never found anything better, and that includes Urban Decay’s also excellent Primer Potion line. Pro-Prime is now the only eye primer with a reserved parking place in my makeup bag.
The NARS Unsung Heroes series features some of my favorite products from the NARS permanent collection
Is there such a thing as too much platform?
I love ’em, but I’ve been seeing some lately that look, well, designed for someone more coordinated than moi.
I think I’m pretty good in heels, but I’d be an accident waiting to happen in these shoes, yikes!
Do you do super high platforms?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Steph says
June 20th, 2011 at 4:14 pmHmm…I’ve been pretty devoted to my Urban Decay Primer Potion, but the packaging has me completely turned off. I’m just about out and might have to switch to the NARS. Thanks for the heads up! I recently found you and have already spend way too much time combing through your archives. 🙂
Bing says
June 20th, 2011 at 4:21 pmHands down the best single product I’ve bought recently. My eye makeup used to melt and hurts my eyes by the afternoon. After I started using this product, the problem went away, in a finger snap. Thank you, Nars!
Larie says
June 20th, 2011 at 4:46 pmThose purple/fuchsia Steve Maddens are hot, Karen! I think they’d be okay – the heel doesn’t look ridiculous compared to the platform height…but it’s always best to look at shoes in person, I feel, haha.
Larie recently posted … EOTD- Purple People Eater
Tiffany says
June 20th, 2011 at 5:04 pmI really wanted to love this stuff, I really did… I’ve used it twice and on both occasions it made my eyelids itch terribly and my eyes water. I’m gonna give it one more try.
mari says
June 20th, 2011 at 5:15 pm@tiffany it sounds like you were allergic D: not worth trying again if you got that kind of reaction imo 🙁
Tiffany says
June 21st, 2011 at 7:32 amYou’re probably right… And I threw away my receipt for it, so I can’t return it 🙁
Karen says
June 21st, 2011 at 10:42 amHi Tiffany,
Do you have the box? I know some places will do an exchange if you still have the box available.
Sorry to hear this didn’t work for you.
Gloria says
June 21st, 2011 at 9:27 pmYou can return it to Sephora for store credit or an exchange. You might want to try a natural alternative like Tarte’s eyeshadow primer. It works really well too.
Gloria recently posted … Photography Galore With Lucy & Connie
Gloria says
June 21st, 2011 at 9:28 pmSorry for the double post, but yes, at Sephora, you CAN return it without the box. 🙂
Gloria recently posted … Photography Galore With Lucy & Connie
Kristen says
June 20th, 2011 at 5:15 pmthe platforms i bought through freepeople.com are to die for!!! super comfy too:) seriously, check them out !
http://www.freepeople.com/shoes-platforms-wedges-and-heels/bed-of-roses-platform/
http://www.freepeople.com/shoes-platforms-wedges-and-heels/osaka-wood-wedge/
Vijaya says
June 20th, 2011 at 5:32 pmFor me my HG primer is TFSI, and I see no reason to rock the boat for something more pricey. Though sometimes I am tempted. Like now. xD
I love platforms, BTW!
Jessi says
June 20th, 2011 at 5:34 pmI’ve really been wanting to try this, but I just love my TFSI in the tube. It just feels way more hygienic and less wasteful. Plus, it works great for me. I never have any creasing or fading so I’m not sure how anything could do any more but equal it.
Jessi recently posted … Week 11- Shopping my Stash for Untried Polish- Essie Demure Vixen
Dovey says
June 20th, 2011 at 5:43 pmI totally agree! I tried a sample of the nars, and found that I actually preferred it to UDPP. There was absolutely no budging of shadow. If only it came in a tube….
Sonya says
June 20th, 2011 at 5:51 pmI totally agree with you! I hear about UD and TFSI all the time, even though for me the often-overlooked Nars is superior to both! 🙂
Sonya recently posted … Inglot Neutrals
Brian aka Roulette says
June 20th, 2011 at 6:04 pmI heart Nars Pro-prime!!! It really is the best, it doesn’t have the silicone-y feeling UDPP has, and it NEVER creases. I have been using it for months now and I adore it. 🙂
Yatee says
June 20th, 2011 at 7:24 pmI love Nars Pro Prime! I have never used UDPP, but this Nars product is enough for me. My only gripe with it is that the tube gets dirty easily, and it’s kind of hard to clean it back to its original white splendor.
As for the platforms … the purple-ish ones look hot! But I highly doubt I could remain standing upright in those . .
Yatee recently posted … orange cranberry loaf
Jenn says
June 20th, 2011 at 7:51 pmSo bummed this did not work for me. I love Nars but had to return it. I think my eyelids may be too oily 🙁 – My search for a HG Eyeprimer continues….
Denise says
June 20th, 2011 at 9:34 pmPricey, but if it’s worth it, why not? I hope this can help shadow stay on my oily lids 🙂
Denise recently posted … Cult Favorites- MAC Well Dressed and EOS Lip balms
Rita says
June 21st, 2011 at 1:05 amI just ordered this last week! I hope I will get it soon. I’ve been using UDPP and UP Eye Shadow Pencil in Sin.
I recently bought quite high platform shoes (the ‘real’ heal is actually only 2 inches), but I have not used them yet. I also ordered a pair of very high (4 inch) wedge shoes – well, for me at least, I’m not a high heel person. I have tried them on last summer and probably won’t be able to wear them, but they are so lovely I had to have them!
Vonvon says
June 21st, 2011 at 3:35 amI tried this when I had a NARS makeover last month, and yes! IT stays put and doesn’t budge a bit, even with excessive tears!
Vonvon recently posted … Its Offically Summer!
Naj says
June 21st, 2011 at 4:37 amOh my god, I stopped breathing when I scrolled down to the purple platform. *In love*
By the way, I was wondering if you have any suggestions on the extremely wallet-friendly eye primer/base.
Makeup By Aisha says
June 21st, 2011 at 4:53 amI agree!!! Pro prime is my HG or primers! Since I picked it up I haven’t used another since. Its the only one that does not crease on me EVER…..event after 10 hours. LOVE IT!
Nina says
June 21st, 2011 at 6:16 amomg yes! this is an awesome eyeshadow pirmer! 🙂
Katie says
June 21st, 2011 at 7:20 amOne time, I fell asleep with this under my shadow (don’t judge me! lol) after wearing it all day. When I woke up the next day, my shadow was still in place! Seeing as my eyelids are rather oily, I was shocked. This is truly a HG product for me. It’s more expensive than I would usually pay, but I think it’s worth every penny.
Emmaline says
June 21st, 2011 at 10:25 amI prefer Udpp in eden to this, but suddenly, after months of use it started creasing on me. I switched to normal Udpp, same thing, and again with tfsi. Tried this and it worked well for several months, and now is doing the same thing. Is it possible to get “used” to a primer and it stop working? I just hate creasing.
Karen says
June 21st, 2011 at 10:40 amHi Emmaline,
Hmm, do you wear eye cream? One thing I’ve noticed is that sometimes it can increase creasing. You may want to try waiting for the cream to set in a few minutes and then blotting away any excess before applying primer.
Your skin could also be changing as well. I’ve noticed that as I get older certain parts are oilier and others are drier.
lexi says
June 21st, 2011 at 10:40 amI am almost done (finally) with my TFSI tube and I’m debating on whether or not to restock or try this one out.
Thanks for doing NARS unsung heroes – I have lots myself and probably a bigger fan of the NARS line that I am of MAC (sad but true)
lexi recently posted … I was a Girl at Barlast Friday!
Kim says
June 21st, 2011 at 12:11 pmHi there! How is it for under your eyes? That’s usually my worst spot for eyeliner (making my fine lines look like tributaries). Also, how do you feel about the consistency compared to UD? The UD works well for me on my lids but I’d like something that glides a little better for under my eyes.
Those shoes are awesome, btw. Believe it or not, I’m actually much better in high platforms than regular heels. I think it must be the all-over-chunk factor. 🙂
I’m just catching up today – the boys had a Field Day at school and I was a last minute volunteer, after our committed volunteer (cough, Hubs, cough) had to bail. It was fun, though. 🙂
Kristi says
June 22nd, 2011 at 8:44 amAgree!! I love it so much more than UDPP!
HappyLittleNinja says
June 22nd, 2011 at 4:56 pmThe NYX HD Eyeshadow Base is supposed to be really good. I haven’t tried it myself, but I just ordered it online for only $5.25! It’s normally $7. You might want to check it out.
Bijuterii Argint says
June 26th, 2011 at 10:08 amI love the kitty from the pictures! Have you tryed the Color Stay from Bellapierre?
lisa says
June 27th, 2011 at 7:18 pmmy nars pro disc finally kicked in and i can’t wait to order this!!!
i have a ton of primers with “shimmer” in them but i need something without so this was perfect timing 🙂
Gracie says
January 2nd, 2012 at 4:41 pmAm in love with NARS Pro Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base as well, Karen! My skin is dry and I tried every eyeshadow primer out there, none of them makes my e/s last all day except this one. The only complain that I have is the price. 😉
nadine says
January 6th, 2012 at 8:20 amHands-down the BEST eyeshadow primer in the world. Yes…I said it! In the world!!!!
Michele says
December 5th, 2012 at 4:23 pmKaren ,
I have a crazy comment : having lived through the 60’s we wore platforms then & more!
I say why would I make that mistake again ?
Other than that they really are beautiful shoes !
Michele
Kay Easson says
July 5th, 2015 at 8:48 pmIs the NARS Pro-Prime good for oily eyelids? I am still looking for the HG of primers for oily lids.
AZ says
March 24th, 2016 at 10:42 amThanks, Karen! I bought it and love it!