I have used a bunch of eye primers and I have determined which ones work for me, which ones I wanted to work but they don't work that well, and which ones just plain out suck. We all have different eyelids and different needs so what works for me may not work for someone else. When I say something sucks, I mean it sucks for ME. So don't let me discourage you from trying a primer that I don't like! That being said, I fully believe that cheap eye primers are not nearly as good as pricier ones. So far on my "do not like" list I have Laura Geller Eye Spackle, NYX Eyeshadow Base, and now... sadly.. Essence I Love Stage. On my "like very much list" is Urban Decay Primer Potion, Too Faced Shadow Insurance, and Tarte Lifted Natural Eye Primer.
Essence I Love Stage eye primer: I wanted SO bad to love this, the price is $3.50 USD, the consistency is amazing and similar to that of Smashbox Photo Op eye primer. I Love Stage is flesh colored and blends so well while drying to a nice matte finish. But sadly, that's where our love affair ends. I have worn this primer two days in a row and have had the same odd result. It didn't make my shadow crease or look messy persay, but instead my eyeshadow just kind of disappeared altogether. This primer somehow sucks the shadow up like a ship passing through the Bermuda Triangle, never to be seen or heard from again.
I did try it again the second day to give it one more chance because I really wanted to like it. Much to my chagrin, my shadow did another disappearing act within 3-4 hours. Oddly enough, I think Essence alludes to the fact that this primer is a suitable stage makeup primer, or so I've heard. I figure if it can't last through 3 hours of sitting in an air conditioned office, I'm not so sure it has the ability to take on more intense surroundings. Too bad on the primer but I have enjoyed some of the other products by this brand.
