Eyelash primer is a beauty product that is applied to the eyelashes before mascara. It is designed to create more surface area for the mascara to cover, making the eyelashes look thicker and longer. Most kinds of primer are sold along with an accompanying mascara, sometimes as two matching tubes or one long tube with mascara wands on either end. In the second instance, the cosmetic tube has a barrier in the center to keep the mascara from mixing with the primer.
Some eyelash primer is sold without accompanying mascara, and it is formulated to work well with most mascaras. In some cases, these kinds of primer include small fibers that clump around the eyelash in order to maximize the additional surface area on which the mascara will be applied. In so doing, the product makes each lash thicker while also making it look as though the number of eyelashes have increased.
The benefit of using a primer that is not packaged with mascara is that it can be used with almost any other eyelash product. This is useful for people who like to use multiple shades of mascara on a regular basis. People who like to use mascaras with different kinds of finishes — such as matte or glossy — on a regular basis may also prefer it.
In most cases, eyelash primer is white, and the color of the primer is covered when mascara is applied. One of the benefits of this color is that it is easier to see where the primer has been applied, especially for people who have naturally dark lashes. Then, every bit of the primer can be covered with mascara for the illusion of longer, thicker, darker lashes.
The price of eyelash primer varies. Mascara that comes packaged along with the primer is often more expensive than regular mascara, and such packaged sets can be anywhere from 25% to 100% more expensive than mascara that is sold alone. Some high-end cosmetics companies charge much more for primer than the prices that are found on similar brands that are commonly sold in drug stores.