# Eyeshadow primer for sensitive eyes

Source: HiveTried, https://hivetried.com/beauty/eyeshadow-primer/for-sensitive-eyes/
Category: Beauty > Eyeshadow primer. Updated 2026-10-11. Based on 137 counted first-hand reports from Ulta and Sephora shopper reviews, Mar 2010 to Aug 2026.

**Question:** Which eyeshadow primer works for sensitive eyes?

**Short answer:** LORAC Behind the Scenes Eye Primer has the best record for sensitive eyes: 15 of 17 shoppers said it didn't itch, burn or water their eyes, though that rests on a small group. Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion follows at 15 of 18 and NARS Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base at 13 of 16, close enough that the first three read as a tie, while Benefit Stay Don't Stray Eyeshadow Primer has the weakest record at 4 of 9. Each record counts just shoppers who said they have sensitive eyes.

**What stands out:** Staying power is praised across all four primers. Shoppers mention shadow lasting all day in 64% of LORAC reviews, 51% of Urban Decay reviews, 67% of NARS reviews and 30% of Benefit reviews.

## Ranking (buyers who said whether it worked)

| Rank | Product | Didn't irritate | Share | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LORAC Behind the Scenes Eye Primer | 15 of 17 | 88% | yes |
| 2 | Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion | 15 of 18 | 83% | yes |
| 3 | NARS Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base | 13 of 16 | 81% | yes |
| 4 | Benefit Stay Don't Stray Eyeshadow Primer | 4 of 9 | 44% | no |

Ranked by the lower bound of a 90% Wilson confidence interval, so a product needs a high share and enough reports to rank high. An Amazon link is shown only when at least 60% say it works.

## Product notes

### 1. LORAC Behind the Scenes Eye Primer

Shoppers say it kept shadow from creasing in 18% of its 28 reviews, and 11% say it controls oily lids.

- Praised for: Makes shadow last all day (64%), Stops eyeshadow creasing (18%), Tube lasts a long time (11%)
- Reports counted: 28

### 2. Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion

More vibrant color comes up in 20% of its 49 reviews and easy blending in 10%. A tube that lasts a long time gets praise in 6%.

- Praised for: Makes shadow last all day (51%), Makes colors more vibrant (20%), Stops eyeshadow creasing (20%)
- Reports counted: 49

### 3. NARS Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base

Color payoff gets a mention in 10% of its 30 reviews. On the downside, 7% say shadow still creases, 7% call it too expensive and 7% find the product hard to get out.

- Praised for: Makes shadow last all day (67%), Stops eyeshadow creasing (13%), Tube lasts a long time (10%)
- Complaints: Shadow still creases (7%), Too expensive (7%), Hard to get product out (7%)
- Reports counted: 30

### 4. Benefit Stay Don't Stray Eyeshadow Primer

Its 5 misses said it stung, burned or irritated their eyes. Of its 30 reviews, 27% say getting product out is hard and 10% say shadow faded by afternoon.

- Praised for: Makes shadow last all day (30%), Shadow blends easily on top (10%), Stops eyeshadow creasing (10%)
- Complaints: Hard to get product out (27%), Shadow fades by afternoon (10%), Shadow still creases (10%)
- Reports counted: 30

## Questions

**Which eyeshadow primer works for sensitive eyes?**

LORAC Behind the Scenes Eye Primer has the best record (15 of 17), followed by Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion (15 of 18), NARS Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base (13 of 16) and Benefit Stay Don't Stray Eyeshadow Primer (4 of 9). The first three are close enough to treat as a tie.

**How many shoppers are behind each record?**

The second number in each record is the group size, and every group here is small. It runs from 9 shoppers for Benefit Stay Don't Stray Eyeshadow Primer to 18 for Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion. Group size is already built into the order, so a card's rank reflects both its share and how many shoppers stated a result.

**Which of these eyeshadow primers are sold on Amazon?**

LORAC Behind the Scenes Eye Primer and Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion are sold on Amazon by the brand or Amazon itself, and LORAC Behind the Scenes Eye Primer is both the leader and the best pick sold on Amazon. We could not confirm the exact Amazon listing for NARS Pro-Prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base, so its button searches Amazon for it. Benefit Stay Don't Stray Eyeshadow Primer has no buy link here, because too few shoppers reported a good result for us to recommend it.

**Do these records test what is in each primer?**

No. The counts are what shoppers with sensitive eyes said after using each primer, not a test of ingredients or of how skin reacts, so follow the label directions.

## Method

HiveTried counts first-hand reports only, drops reviews written for free products, shows brand-site reviews without counting them, and never accepts payment for placement. Full method: https://hivetried.com/how-we-count/