Urban Decay Eden Eyeshadow Primer Potion
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I’m going to share my secret shame with all of you. My name is Krista and I have oily eyelids. This is my burden to bear but it does have a silver lining. My dermatologist once told me that my oily lids would keep the skin around my eyes more youthful, longer (Yay!) On the other hand, eyeshadow melts off my lids like I’m wearing built-in eye makeup remover (Boo!)
But, a few years ago, my saviors, Urban Decay came out with it’s original Eyeshadow Primer Potion and I started enjoying wearing eyeshadow again. With the teeniest bit of product, I managed to enjoy crease-free, smudge-free eyeshadow and liner for the first time in well, ever. I could apply my eye makeup in the morning and it would still look fresh when I was ready to remove it at night. I know people like to throw around the word “miracle”, but it was a MIRACLE!
Never tested on animals and containing no parabens or sulfates, I really didn’t think there could possibly be any way to improve upon perfection, but then Urban Decay came out with their Sin Eyeshadow Primer Potion, a shimmering champagne shade that works well on its own as a brightening cream shadow, as a highlighter, or as a standard eyeshadow primer. There are no words to express how fabulous a product it is.
Again, I wondered how Urban Decay could match that and then I got to try their new Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Eden. I was ridiculously excited to receive this new member of the Eyeshadow Primer Potion family! I admit, I squealed like a girl when I saw it. I was a little embarrassed by myself. The tube itself is an indicator of the product inside: matte nude. I wondered about this product’s ability to be a stand alone cream shadow like Sin is, and due to my paleness, I’d say it is less of a shadow shade and more of a super-powered concealer on me. I’ve used other heavy duty concealers on my eye area before, but never with these results.
I applied Eden sparingly to my eyelids with the bent sponge applicator, let it sit for a few seconds, then gently blended on my entire lid. It completely eliminated any and all redness (an issue that’s plagued me since I hit the big 3-0) which no ordinary concealer can hide. Inspired, I applied a few dots under my eyes, let it sit for a few seconds, and lightly pressed the color into my under eye area with my ring finger–exactly as you would when applying an eye cream. Unbelievably, my dark under eye circles were banished! Again, it’s a MIRACLE! Seriously, I thought I heard a choir of angels singing…
The smooth and creamy formula not only covered up any and all discoloration around my eyes, but because you only need the smallest amount of product for application, it didn’t look like I was wearing anything at all. Even better, there was no product settling into my fine lines. I really hope that they come up with a richer shade that can work on darker skin tones because this product is so fabulous, that I want everyone to be able to enjoy it as much as I am.
While I love this product as a concealer, it is equally outstanding as an eyeshadow primer (of course). Since all of the competing redness and discoloration has been perfectly concealed by this primer, all eyeshadows I apply on top of this appear more true in color. It’s like I’ve rediscovered most of my eye makeup. Colors I loved look so much better and colors that just didn’t work on me suddenly do. Shadows appear more vivid and brighter over the Eden primer. Thanks to the no-budge, no-crease formula, my eye makeup looks better than ever and my tenacious under eye circles are under control, I think they may be hiding from this product in terror…
Finally, my application secret – waiting a few seconds before you start to blend Eden is key to getting the most tint from this product because if you blend it immediately, it looks like you wiped it all away.
Don’t forget to check the comments for the we heart this review team’s thoughts and experiences with Eden. Meanwhile, has anybody else experienced their own miracle with Urban Decay’s Eden? Are there any other shades you would love to see available in Eyeshadow Primer Potion? (Oh, Powers That Be at Urban Decay, please, please, please make a deep, silver grey next!)
photo: we heart this
Disclosure: This review includes products that were provided by the manufacturer/PR firm for our consideration. It also contains an affiliate link, a link that gives us a small commission if you purchase the item. For more info, or any questions, please see our disclosure policy.
I think Eden is Urban Decay’s best primer potion yet! I love to use it to prime my lids and undereye area. It’s a bit too light to be used as concealer for me (I’m probably fair-medium?) but it works well under my concealer. My only complaint is the packaging. While it is super cute, the slanted applicator is not my favorite.
I also squealed at delight when I saw this in my We Heart This package. I’m a big fan of the original primer potion and couldn’t wait to try this new tinted version. Like Krista, I also fell in love with Sin. It looks pretty all by itself for a more natural look and does a fabulous job keeping my eyeshadow on throughout the day. It’s also just a tad too light to use as a concealer for me (medium skin tone), so I do hope they consider offering this in multiple shades. Urban Decay’s primer potions are the best out there in my opinion. This is one product that I won’t go without.
This product didn’t really wow me. But after reading your post Krista, I think I’m going to try it again. When I was applying it on my eye I didn’t let it set. So I must have been wiping it off when I was trying to spread it. I didn’t have the same results as you, it didn’t cover all my natural tint in my eyelid. Probably because I didn’t know your little secret.
The bent applicator wasn’t my favorite either, I found it awkward to put on. Plus I was trying to use the applicator to spread it around on my eyelid so I had a ton of product on my eye. I think I was half retarded when I was applying this…..
I’m going to give this another whirl and use your tips. I really want to like this product so I’m going to cross my fingers and give it another go.
Great review, Krista. This is a product I probably wouldn’t have tried on my own, but you have me really curious now. Using it as a concealer is especially intriguing! Thanks!
By the way, my 55 year old coworker has oily eyelids, and while she complains about her eye makeup fading, she looks younger than a lot of 30 year olds I know! So your curse will also be your blessing in time :)
I absolutely adore this product. I use it every time I put on shadow now, and it definitely helps me to look more awake a little earlier in the morning than usual! This keeps even bright, shimmery shadows sticking around well into the evening, and for another oily eyelids sufferer, this is no small feat! I also like to pat a little tiny bit around the inner corners of my eyes for a nice brightening effect.
Like Katherine and Cori, I’m really not a big fan of the slanted, sponge-tip applicator. For my purposes, it’s too wide and applies faaaaaar too much product. This hasn’t bothered me in the least, however, because I usually just apply a bit to my finger and pat it onto my eye that way.
I’m definitely sold on this product and absolutely give it a five!!!
I’ve read that the slanted tip is so you can get more of the product out of the tube. UD got flack for the fact that a lot of the product remained in the tube, unreachable in the original and Sin versions of their Primer Potion. They listened to the feedback and redesigned the tip….
But some of you think it’s too big, eh?
.-= stef´s last blog ..LORAC Multiplex 3D Lip Gloss review =-.
I haven’t tried this, and being dark skinned I’ll probably stick to the original formula. BUT, the original formula is SO great that I’m okay with that! Urban Decay has some amazing products that are fun AND do their job very well! My only sadness is that I don’t get to buy something new and shiny. :-)
Yeah, I have to say, the applicator is really only to get the product from the tube and onto your eyelid. You can’t use it to apply to the whole lid or else you have applied too much. I just press the bent sponge tip on the middle of my lid, let the product sit for a bit, then gently spread it out with my ring finger in a gentle patting motion. The first time I tried this, I wiped it all away, too, because I didn’t do the gentle application (I have a need for speed…). I really wish that this product came in a clear tube so you can see how much product you have and where it’s hiding because I have had friends tell me about how they weren’t getting any more product out of their tube with the applicator, so they cut the tube open to get the last little bit and the bottle was 1/3 full!
I really wish they made this in some deeper shades for those medium to darker skinned ladies out there b/c it’s really fabulous *cough, hint, cough, hint*… :)
I received Urban Decay’s Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Eden.. I found that the best way to use this is to use is sparingly, a little goes a long way to provide a perfect and natural canvas for my eyelids. When applying shadows this primer acts like a magnet and the shadow stays on nicely for hours.. I also (often) use this alone with just eyeliner and mascara–It is practically crease resistant and is very creamy. I love the color- it’s right on the money as it blends in so well with my skin tone. I also use the bent wand to put the primer on the backside of my left hand. I use my fingers to apply it and it dries in seconds. I think this will be worth keeping in my stash and believe you might like it as well. I have no problem giving this amazing product 5 big stars!
I am a huge fan of the original and sin primers. They are wonderful. I never dreamed that I would using something like an eyeshadow primer. It just sounds so fake and weird-like something no one really needs. Not true! It really improves the clarity and wear of you eyeshadow and it looks equally great by itself in many cases. I have not yet tried Eden. But I have no doubt that I will eventually.
I’ve never even considered using primers before but now I’m wondering why I never looked into it! I must have oily eyelids because I always feel like my makeup disappears after a while, or it smears on my lower eyelid and I get the dreaded raccoon look. This sounds really cool. Will definitely have to give it a try.
I wholeheartedly agree that Eden is the most amazing eye primer ever (at least of those which I’ve tried). My eyelids are also super oily (just like my skin, my hair…) and this is the ONLY thing that has kept my powder shadows creaseproof for hours upon hours.
Also, I really like loose eyeshadows but find that many times much of the powder falls from lid to cheek, leaving a mess. With Eden, the loose powder seems to be almost magnetically attracted to my lid…much less fallout.
Regular cake shadows seem more pigmented with Eden as a primer. Whether this is because more shadow is deposited on the lid or that the color is more true on this pale canvas, it is a definite plus.
I’m going to go out on a limb and say that I like the applicator. Though it’s true that if you rely on it solely to apply the primer you will have applied too much product, the angled tip is comfortable on the bulging surface of a closed eyelid and my fingers can take over with minimal effort. If this applicator gives you more product as Stef says is its intent, all the better.
The only thing for which this primer did not work for me was the cream eyeshadow. I could never before think about wearing oil-based cream eyeshadows, but thought that maybe Eden would change that (especially when I had a nifty one to try from WHT). Unfortunately, such was not the case. Oil+eye anything=crease no matter the primer (for me, anyway), and that’s just not Eden’s fault.
Invaluble. I will be buying this when mine is finished for sure. 5 stars.
I tested Eden as well and loved it! The color works great with my complexion and it kept my shadow completely intact for more than 12 hours. My lids are slightly oily too and often I find that ever so annoying crease in my shadow by the end of the day. UD’s Eden kept my color looking so strong, it has definitely become one of my daily staples. I actually didn’t mind the slanted tip. I was happy to get a lot of product out of the tube in one pull and while it might have been too much for my eye, it was easier for me to brush what I needed across my lid and then blend it with my fingers. I liked that I didn’t have to hold the wand completely vertical or poke it onto my eye like the old one. All in all, I love Urban Decay and love this product…five stars for sure!
I remember a time when I would’ve thought this kind of product was a waste of money too…and then I read a review on the original primer potion a few years back – that maybe even one of us wrote (?)- about someone who had put this on, gone out clubbing all night, passed out on someone or others floor, and the next day the only thing still in tact was their eyeshadow!!! From that second I knew I had to have this, and have not been without it since! I tested Eden and agree it’s still a 5 star product for me. I’m not a huge fan of the bent applicator, but using just a touch is the way to go, and it’s not that hard to get used to applying just the tip to my eye. I’d rather have more product available at the bottom without having to get the saw out to cut the bottle. Maybe it is time though to totally redesign the bottle – I know it wouldn’t be the genie look (or whatever they’re going for), but they could just TRY to launch another design and see how it sells…anyways, I love the color, too. It blends great with my fair skin, too. I do have to have a pretty steady hand though when applying my liner and shadow after using it, because once it dries it doesn’t really allow for too many mistakes (I wear liquid eyeliner so usually have some slight touchups to take care of that I usually can just wet my finger and take care of right away). It makes it a little more difficult to blend shadows too, but the benefits of a truer shadow color and lasting shadow color FAR outweigh any blending issues I have. For these reasons I don’t use it every day (but I also don’t have the time to be concerned anymore about looking perfect every day, either). But, any time I want my makeup to be spot-on perfect, there’s not a chance I will go without it!
Well well well…I had my entire review for this UD product written out in my head yesterday, and then I read your review, Krista, and I had to rush home this afternoon, wash off all my makeup and try this as a concealer before I wrote this comment.
I AM FOREVER IN AWE OF YOUR GREATNESS, KRISTA! Seriously, I never in a million years would have thought to even TRY this as concealer, but OMG OMG OMG, this stuff if amazing!! I have been wearing it around my house for several hours now under my eyes, and it’s not settling one bit into my fine lines. Also, it’s doing a bang-up job of concealing my circles! I even tried it on some old acne scars and redness on other parts of my face and it’s awesome there as well. I have SUPER oily skin, so honestly, this is like a dream-come-true.
Krista, I feel like you just gave me the greatest beauty tip I’ve seen in decades! I just feel so lucky that the color of Eden works so nicely with my skintone. I would be bummed if I was just a shade darker or light and could not use this as a concealer. I am truly trying to think of ways to repay you for sharing this idea with us…cookies? Money? Doing your laundry for a year? :)
Anyway, I guess I should join the chorus and add that this is also one fantastic eye primer. After many failed attempts at using the original version years ago, I realized that it works best for me when I use it very sparingly, and also it’s best to wait about 30 seconds before blending into your skin. Then, it’s go time. Totally indestructible.
If I could give this 10 stars, I would. But five will have to do.
Okay, I so have to try this as a concealer. It’s a wee bit dark to use on my incredibly fair skin for a primer. However, I do have the I-look-like-I-haven’t-slept-for-four-days undereye circle problem. Don’t you just love genetics sometimes?
I feel like I’m missing out on something big here. Because honestly? I don’t love this. (Surprising, right?) And I think I may have just discovered that I must have dry eyelids. So I’m bummed all around.
Here’s the good part, per Krista I used this under my eyes today and I do really like it in that use. It didn’t settle into lines and make me look old and crusty (something that I find most under eye concealers do for me). And it’s got really great coverage. So hooray and stars for that.
But on my lids? I found it sooo drying. It just flaked up on me and created this yucky, dry looking base. Every time I used it I had to apply eye cream over top to moisten it. Especially in the corners of my eyes.
I also found the tube and applicator to be really messy. I’ve got so much product caked up around the top, it feels very wasteful. The tip gives you way too much product too. I def. agree with Mel, this could use a package update.
I really wanted to like this, because there are tons of other UD products that I truly love. And as you can see, people flip for their primer potions, in any form. But I guess it’s just not for me and my dry lids.
.-= stef´s last blog ..LORAC Multiplex 3D Lip Gloss review =-.
Stef–it made my eyelids flaky too. I thought it was just because it was winter (I have normal eyelids) but it really does make my eyelids look like filo layers. Hence, why I’m going to try it as a concealer.
I like the original UDPP formula.
So Katie, maybe I should finally try the original version. You didn’t notice dryness with that one?
.-= stef´s last blog ..we heart Kevyn Aucoin lipstick =-.
that was another thing I noticed too! (the flakiness) What little of the primer that managed to stay on my lid, the eyeshadow looked weird. I have dry skin, so I’m guessing my eyelids would be as well. Maybe I’ll just try it as a concealer too.
Stef–No, I haven’t noticed any dryness. I’ve been using the original UDPP for about three months now. I haven’t experienced any dryness unless the skin around my eyelids were a little dry that day. If they are a little dry, I pat a little of my eye cream (I use Burt’s Bees), wait for about twenty seconds and apply UDPP gently.
Recessionista: one million dollars in small, unmarked bills is all the thanks I need :)
P.S. Krista, you’re a GENIUS. My black-blue undereye circles went POOF!!!! I thought my Almay was as close as I was going to get to them going POOF! but boy was I wrong. They’re, like, completely gone. Woo hoo!
P.S.S. Zena gives you big kisses for solving my undereye circle problem. She loves a happy sissy.
I can’t wait to get my pale hands on this :)
I became a faithful devotee of UDPP when they first introduced it several years ago. I don’t think my eyelids are quite as oily as,say–Krista’s, but they smudge and run shadows and liners all the same, and UDPP just keeps everything in place! I might have receently defected to TooFaced’s Shadow Insurance (just to see the difference)…but it’s definitely worth your money! The Urban Decay is the gold standard.
Now, I couldn’t exactly figure out what was differnet about the Eden variety of Primer Potion at first, but I definitely concur with Krista that it’s a great concealer around the eyes, stopes raccoon-eye-rundown from the lower lashes and really makes a great canvas for using vivid shadow colors on your lid.
BONUS: One tube of Primer Potion last you a long time…its $17 VERY well spent!
This is such a great product! I’ve never used primer before, but I’m totally sold now! It gives the perfect clean palette for my makeup. It’s basically like a concealer for me because I have naturally dark eyelids (so does my mom). It looks like I have brown eyeshadow on all the time. Which is totally okay until I want to mix things up a bit! That’s where this fantastic product steps in to save the day! I’m so glad I got to try this – 5 stars for sure!