Menu
Best Lip Primers
Updated December 2021
Header Image
Why trust BestReviews?
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. Read more  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. Read more  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.Read more 
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
SHANY Eye and Lip Primer/Base
SHANY
Eye and Lip Primer/Base
Check Price
Bottom Line

A little bit of this hypoallergenic, waterproof lip and eye primer goes a long way. Works best with lighter skin types.

Pros

Primer helps keep lips smooth, prevents feathering in the lip area, and shows off true lipstick color. Waterproof. Paraben-free. Talc-free. Hypoallergenic. Infused with vitamins and essential ingredients. Not tested on animals. Member of PETA. A little goes a long way.

Cons

Some find it heavy and drying on the lips.

Best Bang for the Buck
Irene Gari Anti-Feathering Lip Base
Irene Gari
Anti-Feathering Lip Base
Check Price
Bottom Line

This lip primer helps prevent lip color from feathering and bleeding, and it moisturizes too. Just be sure to let it dry fully before you apply your lipstick or it may affect the color.

Pros

Prevents lip color from feathering and bleeding, especially when applied over lips and just outside lip line. Swivel-style tube allows for easy application. Prevents feathering even after drinking hot beverages. Moisturizing. Great smell.

Cons

Primer stick can be a bit hard and challenging to spread on lips.

Ogee Sculpted Lip Oil - Organic & Natural Lip Primer, Moisturizer & Treatment Balm
Ogee
Sculpted Lip Oil - Organic & Natural Lip Primer, Moisturizer & Treatment Balm
Check Price
Bottom Line

The organic beeswax in this lip oil keeps lip color right where you want it, while the jojoba oil and peppermint oil moisturize your lips underneath.

Pros

Blend of organic oils for the lips that helps to moisturize, prep, and prime. Beeswax, jojoba oil, and peppermint oil, plus other ingredients. Certified organic. Gluten free. Cruelty free. GMO free. Can also use as a gloss.

Cons

Pricey. Do not leave in your car, or the oils may melt.

Voronajj Bite Beauty Line & Define Lip Primer
Voronajj
Bite Beauty Line & Define Lip Primer
Check Price
Bottom Line

This natural lip primer is especially great under matte lipsticks, which are prone to drying and cracking.

Pros

Instantly preps, plumps, and moisturizes lips. 100 percent natural. Silky, weightless. Lauroyl lysine and silica combine to nourish lips, retain long-term color, and prevent feathering. Smooths and conditions with resveratrol, jojoba oil, and argan oil. Makes lightly plumped lips.

Cons

May not lengthen the life of your color as well as it smooths your lips.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Lip Primer
Anastasia Beverly Hills
Lip Primer
Check Price
Bottom Line

Sheer primer that locks in color.

Pros

Excellent for matte lipsticks. Keeps lipstick fresh for hours. Doubles as a lip balm. Can be used overnight as a conditioning lip treatment.

Cons

Did not stop liquid lipsticks from creasing.

HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

Click here for testing insights
35
Models
Considered
166
Consumers
Consulted
18
Hours
Researched
Category cover

Lip primers are a must for preparing your lips before applying makeup. They work by helping the pigment in the lipstick stick to the lips, which means it will go on smoothly and last longer, even through eating and drinking, without smudging or feathering. Some can be quite drying, however, so it’s important to look at the label — those with ingredients like beeswax will be more moisturizing. Some primers do double duty as lip plumpers. Many primers are colorless, but some look more like foundation to tone down the lip color and make the lipstick more vibrant. Lip primers come in a variety of applications, from creams to lipstick and brushes, and in a wide range of prices, from bargain beauty lines to truly high end.

Our Top Picks
SHANY
Best of the Best
SHANY
Eye and Lip Primer/Base
Bottom Line
A little bit of this hypoallergenic, waterproof lip and eye primer goes a long way. Works best with lighter skin types.
Shop Now
Irene Gari
Best Bang for the Buck
Irene Gari
Anti-Feathering Lip Base
Bottom Line
This lip primer helps prevent lip color from feathering and bleeding, and it moisturizes too. Just be sure to let it dry fully before you apply your lipstick or it may affect the color.
Shop Now
Ogee
Top Pick
Ogee
Sculpted Lip Oil - Organic & Natural Lip Primer, Moisturizer & Treatment Balm
Bottom Line
The organic beeswax in this lip oil keeps lip color right where you want it, while the jojoba oil and peppermint oil moisturize your lips underneath.
Shop Now
Voronajj
Top Pick
Voronajj
Bite Beauty Line & Define Lip Primer
Bottom Line
This natural lip primer is especially great under matte lipsticks, which are prone to drying and cracking.
Shop Now
Anastasia Beverly Hills
Top Pick
Anastasia Beverly Hills
Lip Primer
Bottom Line
Sheer primer that locks in color.
Shop Now