Yves Saint Laurent Beaute Couture Eye Primer, $50

#1 Yves Saint Laurent Beaute Couture Eye Primer, $50

This portable perfection in a pot promises to seal in your shadows for a good 16 hours – and by golly, as far as that claim is concerned, this baby delivers in spades. This industrial-strength hard worker was sturdy enough to hold up to snuff until I stumbled back into bed – a fact made more impressive given how I had slapped it onto my lids before a sweaty sundown soiree and saw no need for mid-party touch-ups.

Even better, the beguilingly bare hue means you can wear this “neat” sans shadows for a hint of a tint that’s perfect for no-makeup makeup days. Sidenote: The formula is fortified with moisture magnets that makes it deeply quenching for desiccated skin, so much so that it functions almost like a filler in erasing fine lines under my eyes. Whoo-hoo!

The Body Shop All-In-One Instablur Eye Primer, $24.90

#2 The Body Shop All-In-One Instablur Eye Primer, $24.90

Terrific for touch-ups throughout the day, the universally flattering flaxen hue is fabulous both over and under concealer. Pat lightly into lids before makeup for better grab of pigments, and top up whenever your under-eye region starts to betray signs of fatigue – I’ve found that the formula’s subtle pearlescence is incredibly useful for reducing residual redness and the bruised blues of dark circles.

And because this is The Body Shop we’re talking about, expect an entire suite of sustainably sourced botanicals, chief of which is cold-pressed Namibian marula nut oil for a deeply hydrating beautifying boost. “Eye” love it!

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion, $33

#3 Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion, $33

Deeply hydrating for the papery thin lids of a more mature mien, this superbly soothing salve functions almost like a filler in erasing fine lines and “freezing” powders so that your undereye concealer doesn’t slip and slide down your nose. Light-reflecting optics blur away blemishes, and the comforting creaminess of the formula is fantastic for crepey lids; you might want to snag another set for your Mum if you’re browsing the beauty aisles.

Nars Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base, $40

#4 NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base, $40

Excellent for eyeshadow enthusiasts, this lightweight, heavy-duty stuff boasts some serious staying power – up to 10 hours, if the cult colour cosmetics brand is to be believed.

The intriguingly gooey gel is shot through with silky polymers that provide a perfectly even canvas for smudge-proof shadow application. Works like a magnet to magnify the sheen and saturation of your shadow pots, so you get a more powerful payoff with less product. Win-win for all, right?

Right, then. It’s prime time, party people. Good luck perfecting your peepers!

Text: Eugene Quek / Her World Plus Additional reporting: Arissa Ha

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