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They are 100% worth the extra step.

A collage of mascara primers on a tan background

Byrdie / Marcus Millan

Enter: mascara primers.

Likeface primers, lash primers are the secret extra step to create outstanding results.

According to New York City-based makeup artistJoseph Carrillo, they help to thicken and lengthen the lashes beforemascara.

Lancôme Cils Booster XL Super-Enhancing Mascara Primer

PHOTO: Amazon

“They usually come in white so you could see where you have applied it,” he says.

Carrillo adds that some even have additional benefits.

The microfibers coat each lash, lifting them once a swipe of mascara is applied.

A person before applying Lancôme Cils Booster XL Super-Enhancing Mascara Primer

PHOTO: Byrdie

We love that it separates, curls, and thickens the lashes without getting goopy or weighing them down.

It leaves them feeling soft and primed for mascara system, thanks tojojoba oil.

And we love that it’s accessible at pretty much any drugstore.

Lancôme Cils Booster XL Super-Enhancing Mascara Primer applied to the back of a person’s hand

Best Tinted

Benefit Cosmetics They’re Real!

It can be worn alone to mimic the appearance of alash tintor layered under mascara for an added boost.

It’s the perfect everyday primer.

A person after applying Lancôme Cils Booster XL Super-Enhancing Mascara Primer

Not to mention, getting a two-in-oneproduct for $20 is a pretty great deal.

Thanks to the inclusion ofpeptides, it works to fortify lashes and make them look smoother and more conditioned.

The water-resistant formula also lengthens, thickens, and separates the lashes for a full, fanned-out look.

A person before applying Lancôme Cils Booster XL Super-Enhancing Mascara Primer

If you want your mascara primer to work overtime, this is the one we recommend for you.

We also love that it contains olive esters to condition and moisturize the lashes.

Primer can thicken, lengthen, and volumize your lashes, boosting your mascara’s ability.

Lancôme Cils Booster XL Super-Enhancing Mascara Primer applied to the back of a person’s hand

It also reduces the number of mascara coats you may need and helps it last longer.

It is best to allow your eyelash primer to dry before applying mascara.

Otherwise, your primer could be swiped off with your mascara brush.

A person after applying Lancôme Cils Booster XL Super-Enhancing Mascara Primer

Primers often contain oils, vitamins, and other benefits for your lash health.

Mascara primer is not necessary, but it is very beneficial.

Why Trust Byrdie

Hallie Gouldis Byrdie’s editor-in-chief + GM.

Dior Diorshow Maximizer 3D Triple Volume Plumping Lash Primer

PHOTO: Amazon

Kelli Acciardois a writer at Byrdie covering all things beauty.

Although a newbie to mascara primers, shes recently become obsessed with Winky Luxs First Swipe.

Sanvictores T, Chauhan S.Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid).

A person before applying Dior Diorshow Maximizer 3D Triple Volume Plumping Lash Primer

PHOTO: Byrdie

In: StatPearls [Internet].

Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan. PMID: 33085380.

Plants (Basel).

Dior Diorshow Maximizer 3D Triple Volume Plumping Lash Primer applied to the back of a person’s hand

2022 Dec 5;11(23):3379. doi: 10.3390/plants11233379.

PMID: 36501418; PMCID: PMC9739549.

Sleiman R, Kurban M, Succaria F, Abbas O.Poliosis circumscripta: overview and underlying causes.

A person after applying Dior Diorshow Maximizer 3D Triple Volume Plumping Lash Primer

J Am Acad Dermatol.

2013 Oct;69(4):625-33. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2013.05.022.

Epub 2013 Jul 12.

A person before applying Dior Diorshow Maximizer 3D Triple Volume Plumping Lash Primer

Dior Diorshow Maximizer 3D Triple Volume Plumping Lash Primer applied to the back of a person’s hand

A person after applying Dior Diorshow Maximizer 3D Triple Volume Plumping Lash Primer

L’Oréal Voluminous Lash Primer

PHOTO: Amazon

A person before applying L’Oréal Voluminous Lash Primer

PHOTO: Byrdie

L’Oréal Voluminous Lash Primer on the back of a person’s hand

A person after applying L’Oréal Voluminous Lash Primer

A person before applying L’Oréal Voluminous Lash Primer

L’Oréal Voluminous Lash Primer on the back of a person’s hand

A person after applying L’Oréal Voluminous Lash Primer

Amazon Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Serum Infused Lash Primer for Mascara

PHOTO: Amazon

Ulta Benefit Cosmetics They’re Real! Tinted Lash Primer

PHOTO: Ulta

A person before applying Benefit Cosmetics They’re Real! Tinted Lash Primer

PHOTO: Byrdie

A person holds a tube of Benefit Cosmetics They’re Real! Tinted Lash Primer in their hand

A perosn after applying Benefit Cosmetics They’re Real! Tinted Lash Primer

A person before applying Benefit Cosmetics They’re Real! Tinted Lash Primer

A person holds a tube of Benefit Cosmetics They’re Real! Tinted Lash Primer in their hand

A perosn after applying Benefit Cosmetics They’re Real! Tinted Lash Primer

Honest Beauty Extreme Length 2-in-1 Mascara and Lash Primer with Jojoba Esters

PHOTO: Target

A person before applying Honest Beauty Extreme Length Mascara + Lash Primer

PHOTO: Byrdie

Honest Beauty Extreme Length Mascara + Lash Primer on the back of a person’s hand

A person after applying Honest Beauty Extreme Length Mascara + Lash Primer

A person before applying Honest Beauty Extreme Length Mascara + Lash Primer

Honest Beauty Extreme Length Mascara + Lash Primer on the back of a person’s hand

A person after applying Honest Beauty Extreme Length Mascara + Lash Primer

Ulta Grande Cosmetics GrandePRIMER Pre-Mascara Lengthener & Thickener

PHOTO: Ulta

Ulta Tarte Opening Act Lash Primer

PHOTO: Ulta

A person before applying Tarte Opening Act Lash Primer

PHOTO: Byrdie

Tarte Opening Act Lash Primer applied to the back of a person’s hand

A person after applying Tarte Opening Act Lash Primer

A person before applying Tarte Opening Act Lash Primer

Tarte Opening Act Lash Primer applied to the back of a person’s hand

A person after applying Tarte Opening Act Lash Primer

Amazon Winky Lux First Swipe Conditioning Lash Primer

PHOTO: Amazon

Amazon JOAH Eyelash Primer

PHOTO: Amazon

Too Faced Better Than Sex Foreplay Mascara Primer

PHOTO: Too Faced

A person before applying Too Faced Better Than Sex Foreplay Mascara Primer

PHOTO: Byrdie

Too Faced Better Than Sex Foreplay Mascara Primer applied to the back of a person’s hand

A person after applying Too Faced Better Than Sex Foreplay Mascara Primer

A person before applying Too Faced Better Than Sex Foreplay Mascara Primer

Too Faced Better Than Sex Foreplay Mascara Primer applied to the back of a person’s hand

A person after applying Too Faced Better Than Sex Foreplay Mascara Primer