Beauty Clinic: What's the low-down on eye primers?

Q.  Please can you recommend an eye primer? I am 56 years of age so have some wrinkles around my eyes. I have been using the Bare Minerals eye primer, which does keep my eye make up in place but wonder if you have any other recommendations? A.  If the Bare Minerals Prime Time Eyelid Primer is working for you, then we can’t see a reason to change from this silky lightweight primer, which is designed to provide a smooth base for eye shadow in powder or cream format.

A good primer should not just help your eye make up stay fresh and in place, it should cover any unevenness or pigmentation on your lids, and also help the colour of your eye make-up look clear and bright.

One of the products that is recommended to us time and again by make-up artists is Benefit Lemon Aid Colour Correcting Eyelid Primer, which – as the name suggests – is more lemon yellow than pink flesh-toned and there's one shade for all skin tones.

However, you can create a D-I-Y primer by smoothing foundation or concealer over your lids and then powdering them before adding a neutral eye shadow as a base.  We like Bobbi Brown Eye Shadow in Ivory.  Then you can put the colour/s of your choice on top.

Finally, if you have crêpe-y lids – something that happens with advancing years – it’s better to avoid anything too shimmery or sparkly.   We recommend going for a free make-up makeover at a counter in a department store;  the rule-of-thumb is to choose a consultant looks like you want to look…  It’s always fun and you might pick up some eye-opening good tips...!

• Bare Minerals Prime Time Eyelid Primer/£16 from www.selfridges.com - buy here

• Benefit Lemon Aid Colour Correcting Eyelid Primer/£16.50 from www.boots.com - buy here

• Bobbi Brown Eye Shadow/£16.50 from www.johnlewis.com - buy here