Looking to step up your makeup game this fall, girls? Consider a few of Urban Decay’s new primers for face, lips and lashes:
- Pore Perfecting Complexion Primer Potion ($30)
- Brightening Complexion Primer Potion ($30)
- Eyelash Primer Potion ($20)
- Lip Primer Potion ($20)
These bad boys deliver an almost airbrushed application for smooth skin, luscious lips and longer, thicker lashes.
To get the most bang for your buck, Urban Decay International Makeup Artist Eric Jimenez suggests a few insider tricks.
Smile, Eric!
Flawless makeup in t-minus three, two, one…
Urban Decay Complexion Primer Potion — Pore Perfecting
What it is:
An oil-free, velvety foundation primer with a texture like medium-weight lotion.
What it does:
Minimizes the size of pores, gets oil under control (great for areas like the t-zone) and helps foundation look smooth and flawless.
How to apply:
Begin by cleansing and moisturizing your skin. Cleansing encourages better absorption of moisturizer. Blot away any excess with a tissue.
Next, with your favorite foundation brush (interestingly, Eric prefers stiffer synthetic brushes made from Taklon or nylon), apply Pore Perfecting Primer to forehead, nose, the apples of the cheeks and chin. Blend in an outward direction.
While the primer is wet, apply your foundation with the same brush. Eric suggests blending both together, rather than layering one on top of the other, because “You get more of an airbrushed effect.”
Breaking it down
- Eric likes synthetic Taklon or nylon brushes precisely because the man-made fibers don’t absorb as much product as natural fibers do. With that, he says, you can really make your foundation last, as one is apt to use and waste less.
- If you have very oily skin, avoid applying primers and foundation with your fingers. Being warm, they can stimulate the pores on the face to up their oil output.
- Live where it’s hot and humid? Pore Perfecting keeps makeup in place even in the stickiest, steamiest locales.
Urban Decay Complexion Primer Potion — Brightening
What it is:
A lavender-tinted, oil-free primer to brighten, smooth and extend the wear time of foundation.
What it does:
Brightening’s color-correcting lavender tint adds a reflective, but not necessarily shimmery, look to foundation. Eric applies it wherever there are fine lines, like the fine lines around the eyes, nostrils, mouth, and in the hollows of the cheeks. Opt for this formulation if you have combination skin.
How to apply:
Apply in the same manner as the Pore Perfecting formulation (the steps above).
Breaking it down
- Anticipating a big event? Exfoliate the night before, not the morning of. The reason being that exfoliation stimulates the production of oil, which means shine. It can also change the color of your skin for a short time, giving it a warmer, pink tone.
- And when you want heavier coverage (like for photo shoots), apply primers with a sponge, rather than a brush.
Urban Decay Eyelash Primer Potion
What it is:
A hydrating, protein-rich mascara base packed with silk protein (aka gossamer) and panthenol.
What it does:
Eyelash Primer Potion is like a POWERUP 
for mascara, boosting lash thickness and length. It also makes mascara more water- and smudge-resistant.
How to apply:
Eric suggests starting by coating lashes thoroughly with primer. Then, after waiting about a minute, add mascara.
For a false lash look, apply primer once more to the outer corner of the upper lashes, starting at the base and then wiggling up. Immediately follow with an addtional coat of mascara to the outer lashes only.
Breaking it down
- Got sparse brows? For added oomph, Eric recommends applying Eyelash Primer Potion to bald spots before brow products.
- If you’re down to your last niblets of mascara, warm up the tube. Maybe store it in your pocket for a few minutes, Eric suggests, or point a hair dryer (on low heat) at the tube for 30 seconds. “It makes it new again!”
Urban Decay Lip Primer Potion
What it is:
An invisible, moisturizing stick primer with SPF 15 and vitamins A, C and E.
What it does:
Prevents feathering and adds staying power to lipsticks or gloss.
How to apply:
Pat and blend Lip Primer Potion (directly from the tube) starting in the middle of both lips, covering them entirely and going just a bit outside the lines. Follow with lip liner and lipstick.
Breaking it down
- If lips are cracked or peeling, try a DIY exfoliator before applying Lip Primer Potion. After you wash your face, dig around for an extra toothbrush. Apply some moisturizer to it, and use it to gently buff your lips (careful not to swallow any of the product).
Tada! Ready for prime time.
Or for your Thursday morning class. 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Let us know how these work out for you! I’m interested in the eyelash primer, but i’m very iffy because of my straight lashes.
Hi Giselle,
So far I’m really loving the face primers… I can totally tell the difference IRL and in pics.
Karen! I bought (and returned) the eyelash and lip primer… I just couldn’t hang. I hope they work out better for you than they did for me.
Hi Patty,
Oh no! What did you not like about the products?
The Lip Primer Potion is in the spot where the Eyelash Primer should be!
Hi Cristina,
Thanks for letting me know. I fixed the pic.
oooh i want these bad boys UD is soo my favorite these days
i am working on some events here at work for fashions night out here in nyc
i am trying to get someone to let me in at a UD event
so far no luck lol
Hi Yadi,
How exciting! You’ll have to send me pics if you get in so I can vicariously live through you. One of these days I’ll make it out there for FW… it always just seems to happen when my life is in chaos, LOL!
Hi Karen,
I bought the lip primer a few weeks ago and promptly returned it. I hated it b/c it’s so drying. It’s drying to put on as well as throughout the day even with a lipstick on top of it. It also doesn’t help keep lip color out of the fine lines in my lip. I can’t hang with urban decay primers, I guess.
I think I am the only one who likes the lip primer potion!
I didn’t realize that UD has a face primer, the only face primer I have used is Benefit’s Dr Feelgood and it did make my face feel very silken smooth but it didn’t really make a difference in makeup application for me. I do really want to try UD eye makeup primer eventually. I also apply foundation with synthetic brushes for the same reason Eric listed.
.-= amy’s last blog post… The Balm Shady Lady Eyeshadows =-.
I’ll have to try the Pore Perfecting Primer with a brush like he suggests. I’ve been using it for a couple weeks and the only complaint I have is that it makes my super fair skin a little flushed when I apply it, for some reason. But I do love the texture I get!
.-= Trude’s last blog post… Is it Wednesday already? =-.
awwwwwwwwwww….these primers are looove! too bad urban decay is not available in the Philippines…and if ever local sellers sell a bottle or two, it would be tooo expensive!
.-= sunmom’s last blog post… Spent Two Days Off at La Luz Batangas =-.
Hi Sunmom,
Aww, that’s too bad. Maybe someday they’ll make it overseas. You never know!
Thanks for the info on Urban Decay Complexion Primer Potion — Pore Perfecting, I’m curently using a primer from Lancome and I’m very happy with it. Karen, can you tell me if this primer from Urban Decay is worth giving up to my Lancome La Base Pro?
.-= Tavia’s last blog post… Chic Preview – Urban Decay – Book of Shadows vol II – Holiday 2009 =-.
Hi Tavia,
I think it is. I can totally tell the difference when I’m wearing it — my skin looks dramatically smoother and foundation/powder doesn’t budge!
Karen, I hope the lash primer works better for you than it did for me. I didn’t like it all; it actually caused my lashes to droop instead of holding their curl.
I love their eyeshadow primer, so I tried the brightening complexion primer and it worked really well – I noticed my concealer lasted a LOT longer than usual.
.-= Kristen’s last blog post… Cargo’s Runway Palette, Possibly the Coolest Fashion-Inspired Cosmetic Ever =-.
Hi Kristen,
Oh, which eyeshadow primer do you have? I love their Sin version. The original one — not so much!
the face primers sound great!
i thought they’d be in little tiny bottles but i went to ULTA to check them out and they were very reasonably sized! lol.
I got this set too. I definitely see a difference when I use the Pore Perfecting Primer, but I didn’t see a difference the one time I used the Brightening Primer. I’ll definitely have to give it another shot, maybe with a different foundation.
The eyelash primer didn’t do a whole lot for me, but I don’t know if I applied it correctly. I’ll try what you suggest, with waiting a minute then applying mascara, and then doing the outer lashes again.
I love the lip primer potion! I don’t really wear lipstick, but I have ABSOLUTELY noticed an extension in the amount of time that my lip glosses last. It feels a bit dry going on, but it doesn’t bother me enough to get me to stop using it.
The set is such a deal, I’d soooo get it! I’m happy with my 24/7 liners, so these shouldn’t be a let down, specially after all I read about them! I’m drooling over the new 24/7 stash too, now that I remember! =D
.-= Marce’s last blog post… Givenchy Maharani Jewels – Swatches =-.
Hi Marce,
Oh, what 24/7 colors do you have?
URBAN DECAY!!!! I want to try their UDPP so much…and now they have a whole new range of primers….including primer for lips….wow!! would love to try that!
.-= Vonvon’s last blog post… Day 5 – STRESSED! =-.
Hi Vonvon,
I feel eh about the original UDPP, but the Sin version is TOPS!
You asked me this on another post (which I just spent 15 minutes looking for, *sigh*) about my UD 24/7s. I think I posted it there, but it was lost that day you lost comments. If it’s somewhere on the site, and I’m repeating myself, I apologize!
I have full-sized Flipside, Bourbon, Gunmetal, Honey, and Deviant. I have the two sets of minis (with Zero, Yeyo, Stash, Bourbon, 1999, Lucky, Covet, Electric, and Lust) from last year, plus another mini-Bourbon on top of that (which is wonderful because I LOVE LOVE LOVE Bourbon), and I’m feeling very much like I need all three of the 24/7 Holiday sets 🙂
I pretty much do the same makeup every day, but switch up the liners. I know I definitely want Dime, as I have the L’Oreal HIP liner in their bright silver and love it, but it doesn’t wear well on me, and I’m excited to try El Dorado, after applying and wearing Honey for a day I realized it’s a very cool gold. Too cool for me, I think, sadly. I need to play with it more, I think 🙂
I think I may be turning into a UD girl . . . I’m also lusting after the Book of Shadows 2, and I want to check out their Surreal Skin Cream to Powder compact thing.
My birthday is coming up in a month and a half, and it’s a big one (30!) so perhaps I’ll splurge on these for myself. And maybe a perfume.
Or maybe I should stop 🙂
Hi Hyzenthlay,
I tried the Surreal Skin Cream to Powder — it’s very good if your skin is extra oily. ‘Round my dry spots (cheeks and mouth), I found it a little drying. The coverage is good though!
BTW, I LOVE LOVE LOVE Bourbon, too! 🙂 I think it might be my favorite out of the 24/7 liners. It’s brown, but with a pop.
Hey, I just started reading your blog. You crack me up! And I drool over your considerable makeup collection.
Anyway, just wanted to chime in because I’m obsessed with UD. I have the original UDPP, and it’s a staple because I have oily lids and my shadows crease without it. I really want to try Sin though, because I’ve heard good things!
Also, I have the Complexion Primer Potion and *loves!* A little goes a long way! I like it better than the Smashbox one.
P.S. I’m from Hawaii too 🙂 808 represent!
Hi Jen,
You gotta try the Sin version! I like it much more than the original UDPP — shadows are so much easier to blend and it passes as a neutral for days when I’m too lazy to really do anything, ha ha ha!
Oh, that’s cool that you’re from Hawaii. I’m actually from the Bay Area, but my husband (El Hub ’round these parts) is from there. We go back to Oahu when we can to see his family! What island are you from?
Bourbon is the most awesome color 🙂
My skin is on the sensitive/dry side of things, so the Cream to Powder may not work for me, but I’m definitely willing to give it a shot!
There’s a new brown 24/7 in one of the sets which I am SO excited to try! I’d look up the name of the color, but the UD set is apparently blocked at my school. Oh well . . .
Have a great Friday!
I will definitely pick up the Sin version one day…
I’m from Oahu too. Born and raised in Honolulu. And I have cousins who live in the Bay Area. Small world.
Hi Jen,
How cool! I’ve noticed there are a lot of cool Hawaii girls who read the blog. 🙂 Small world, indeed.
Last time we were there was a few months ago to see family on the Windward side. Hopefully we’ll be able to go back soon…
I have been eying the set from $65 (I believe) from Sephora for two or three weeks now. It’s such a good value. I am excited to try them. I think in the set from Sephora, you get the eyeshadow primer too.
Hi Ginna,
That is a good deal. Thank you for the heads up! 🙂
If you ever get the chance, try their Sin primer for the eyes. It’s fabulous.