I hate it when eyeshadows crease, don’t you? You spend time applying them to create beautiful and polished looks and a couple of hours later all that’s left of them is an ugly mess. This happens because the oils on our lid mix with the shadows, making them slide off and crease. This also explains why it’s mostly people that have oily lids that experience this problem while the lucky ones with dry lids are usually unaffected by it (oh, how I envy you!). But luckily for us girls that have to deal with eyeshadow creasing, there are several ways to prevent this problem. Here’s how:
1. An eyeshadow primer is a must
Eyeshadow primers are one of the best inventions of all time. At least in the beauty world. After battling for years with eyeshadows that faded soon, creased even faster and were poorly pigmented, I finally discovered the existence of this handy little product and got myself one. And since that day, I could never do without. I have somewhat oily lids and a primer is the only thing that prevents my eyeshadows from creasing from morning till night. All the other methods I’ve tried in the past worked too, but only for a few hours. And a primer doesn’t only prevent creasing, but also fading. And it improves the color payoff of eyeshadows too.
2. Foundation and concealer work too
If you don’t wanna invest in a primer or buy an extra product, you can use your foundation or concealer as a base to make eyeshadows stay put and not crease. To tell you the truth, I’ve tried this method for years and it never worked for me. Whenever I used my foundation, my eye makeup would last about only 3 or 4 hours on me before those horrible lines started to appear. But I know many people and makeup artists swear by it so if your lids aren’t very oily, you can always give it a try before buying your first primer.
3. Dust some powder
To make your foundation or concealer work best as a base, you can dust a veil of translucent powder on top of it. In alternative, you can skip the base and apply powder straight on the lids. This will work better for those that have oily lids as powders have absorbent properties that will keep the shine at bay for a few hours, thus preventing the oils to mix with your eyeshadow and make it crease.
4. Love cream eyeshadows? Use layers
I have to admit I’m not a fan of cream eyeshadows. I only have a couple of them in my stash and I don’t really use them much. That’s because on my slightly oily lids, cream eyeshadows tend to crease like crazy very soon and so overtime, I got too used to wearing powders to go back to them. But on those rare occasions I wear them, here’s what I do to prevent creasing: first I apply the cream eyeshadow on my eyes, then I place a powder eyeshadow whose color matches that of the cream one on top it. This should guarantee you several hours of wear.
Do you have any more tips to prevent eyeshadows from creasing?
{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
i don’t know what i’ll ever do without my too faced shadow insurance !!
mimi´s last [type] ..mini haul
Mimi, I totally agree! I don’t know what I’d do without a good primer either, I’d look a right mess!
I agree with all of your tips. I’ve started to enjoy applying and wearing eyeshadow so much more since I started using foundation on my eyelids, and powder, and eyeshadow primer (because I discovered them in that order, hehe). I think primer and/or some sort of base make a lot of difference. But still, cream eyeshadows ALWAYS crease with me, no matter what I do.
Simone´s last [type] ..First Archetype EOTD
Simone, I found out about them in that order as well, but primer is the one that works the best for me. I agree that some sort of base is necessary and will make you enjoy your eyeshadows more. And I feel your pain with cream eyeshadows. They last longer without creasing when I layer then but sadly never all day, so I only wear them on days when I know I won’t be out for too long.
Great tips! I have tried all 4 and they work. Especially like using cream shadows, like MAC Paint Pots, Benefit Creaseless Cream shadows and EL Double Wear Shadow Cremes.
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Vonvon, I’ve been wanting to try those cream eyeshadows since forever, but because cream shadows crease on me, I still have to purchase them. The thing with cream eyeshadows is that they last a few good hours on me if I layer them and use a primer, but never all day.
I’m glad you don’t have this problem and they work well for you. 
Before eyeshadow primer was even invented, my cousin told me about the concealer trick. It worked to a certain extend. I’m trying the $1 ELF eyelid primer. If it works, it would save me a lot of money.
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Dao, I agree about concealer working to a certain extent. It makes my eyeshadow stay put for several hours, which was already a big improvement for me, but never all day. Only a primer does that for me. I can’t wait to hear how the ELF primer performs for you, I hope it’ll work well.
Thank you sooooooo much!!! not sure if you read some of my recent posts ranting about e/s not staying put.
but unfortunately, UDPP hasn’t really worked for me. it helped me with intensifying the e/s colour but not so much for lasting power. i am using dermablend cover cream for the time being and it works quite OK. but i am still looking for a HG.
And I can’t agree more with your post. Please keep such posts coming. Most appreciated.
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Jojoba, you’re welcome and yes, I read you have problems with eyeshadows too, that’s too bad.
If UDPP didn’t work too well for you, I’m not sure what other primers to suggest cos to be honest they all worked pretty much the same in making my eyeshadow last longer. The only difference between the ones I tried was that some made eyeshadows more vibrant than others. But I’m glad the Dermablend foundation works ok for now, maybe you can dust some powder on it and see if that improves things. I hope you find something better soon.
I’m glad you enjoyed the post and I will.
I can’t sing the praises of eye primer enough! I won’t wear eye maker without it. I love Too Faced Shadow Insurance, Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadows and Aromaleigh eye primers and cream shadows. Foundation and concealer don’t well as primers for me. I guess I’m too greasy, lol!
Tammy, I agree and never wear eyeshadows without primer these days either. Foundations and concealers never worked too well for me either, they helped but to an extent. I’m guess I’m too greasy too. lol
Primer is a must!! I don’t even want to remember what life was like before primer!
Deepa Berar, primers are great, aren’t they? Definitely an essential. And I so don’t want that either lol.
I’ve only recently figured out how to apply primers. Until then, my eyeshadows would crease even more if I used a primer! Now I know I need to wait a bit before applying eyeshadows.
Still, in this hot/humid weather, eyeshadows crease, especially in my outer corner. Now I have to apply primer, dust a bit of powder in my outer corner, and then apply eyeshadow. I wish it were easier!
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K, unfortunately the hot and humid weather can really challenge the best of primers and make eyeshadows crease. I’m glad that using some powder works for you even if it is an annoying extra step.
Great post!! I swear by eyeshadow primers, I simply can’t live without them!! I have very oily and quite hooded eyelids, so if I don’t use a primer my eye makeup disappears after 2 hours!
drugstoreandbargainlover
Stavroula Plag´s last [type] ..Random Tip of the Day 09082010
Stavroula, primers are such life savers aren’t they? My makeup doesn’t last much longer without it either.
Not a pro myself when it comes to things like this.
I keep looking for tips and hints that might help me out when stuck.
LatestGirls´s last [type] ..Choosing perfect eye shadow according to your eye color
LatestGirl, a primer is always the best bet, but powders work well too. Anything that absorbs the oil or creates a layer on the lids so that the shadows won’t come into contact with the oils is good.