10 Mascara Primers That Are 100% Worth the Extra Step

Best Overall: Dior Diorshow Maximizer 3D Triple Volume Plumping Lash Primer

4.9

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This lash primer's formula, dubbed an "air-pumped texture," coats each lash with a dense layer to intensify the effects of your mascara. Plus, it's infused with an oil serum concentrate to improve the thickness and curl of your lashes—immediately and over time. In the clinical study, in fact, subjects reported 73% more curl after eight weeks of application and 90% more curl when compared to their bare lashes.

Best for Sensitive Eyes: Lancôme Cils Booster XL Super-Enhancing Mascara Primer

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Specially formulated for sensitive eyes, Lancôme's primer offers a white mascara base with microfibers to enhance both the color and the length, curve, and thickness of your lashes. The microfibers coat each lash, pumping them up once a mascara coat is painted on top. With so many positive reviews on the brand's website, we trust the hype.

Best Budget: NYX Professional Makeup Big & Loud Lash Primer

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Though prestigious products are great, we can't help but fall in love a little harder with an offering that comes at a lower price point. NYX Professional Makeup's drugstore version is exceptional—it offers a ton of volume and a super-smooth, even application (courtesy of the thin brush).

Best Drugstore: L'Oréal Voluminous Lash Primer

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This shockingly lightweight formula (no more droopy, heavy lids) amplifies your natural lashes for a thicker, longer look that still feels soft.

Best Volumizing: Stila Lash Stunner Extreme Lash Primer

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A favorite of our editorial director, Faith, Stila's lash primer is a combination of vitamin E and jojoba to effectively thicken sparse eyelashes. Plus, it's brown, which complements and warms your complexion.

"I love that the formula is a light-brown color instead of white," Faith notes. "When I pulled out the wand, I saw thousands of little bristles coating the brush—bristles that I could just imagine coating my lashes and making them thicker, fuller, and more Twiggy-esque. The next day, I curled my lashes as usual and applied the lash primer immediately afterward. I didn't see an immediate difference but waited a few seconds and applied the mascara. Kapow—then the magic happened."

She continues, "Usually I have to apply many, many coats of mascara to coax out any semblance of actual eyelashes, but this time, just a quick stroke or two immediately showed results. My lashes were more defined, thicker-looking, and so lifted. There wasn't any clumping, either."

Best Lengthening: Urban Decay Subversion Lash Primer

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Created without parabens and whipped into a butter-like texture, this panthenol and vitamin E–infused creamy, conditioning lash primer works to coat every inch of your eyelashes, from root to tip. Once applied, it offers both longer and stronger lashes, prepped and ready for a bold mascara application.

Best for Travel: Tarte Opening Act Lash Primer

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Now for the jet-setting crowd: This one's travel-size. Its formula reveals soft, silky lashes with just one prep step—swipe on the conditioning blend for unprecedented separation and absolutely zero clumping.

Best Black: Pixi by Petra Black Lacquer Lash Primer

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Rather than white (or clear), this lash-prepping primer comes in a rich black formula and is packed with vitamins A and C to keep your eyelashes just as nourished as they are lengthened. The comb applicator defines, volumizes, and sets each lash prior to mascara application (or on its own for a tinted, natural look). 

Best Brown: Benefit Cosmetics They're Real! Tinted Lash Primer

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Use this mink-brown primer (a favorite of our assistant editor, Erin) to tint, define, and separate your lashes for a natural, feathery look. Use it alone or pair it with mascara for a quick boost.