Yes, Mascara Primer Can Help Lashes Day and Night — Here Are 11 Top-Rated Sephora Picks

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Before going into all the ways lash primer can help mascara go on more smoothly, last longer, and boost volume, let's first consider why even people who don't regularly wear mascara should still consider a mascara primer. (Yes, you read that right.)

Lash primer often packs hydrating ingredients like panthenol, oils, and peptides that can strengthen and protect the hair. In fact, the light-colored creams applied with a mascara-like wand can double as a conditioning mask for lashes, even when worn solo or overnight. Of course, because primers also include microfibers, any follow-up mascara you apply will get a better grip for fuller, longer-looking lashes as a result. They also help makeup stay on your lashes and can reduce clumping.

Ahead, find the short list of mascara primers already tested and loved by other Sephora shoppers. If your lashes could talk, we're fairly sure they would say thank you, too.

Lancôme Cils Booster XL Super-Enhancing Mascara Base
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Lancôme Cils Booster XL Super-Enhancing Mascara Base

There are more than 2,700 five-star reviews for this Lancôme Cils Booster XL Super-Enhancing Mascara Base ($13-$27), which can also serve solo as a nightly nourishing mask. Its formula boasts vitamin E and microfibers to make lashes look longer and thicker while also conditioning them.

Dior Diorshow Maximizer 3D Triple Volume Plumping Lash Primer
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Dior Diorshow Maximizer 3D Triple Volume Plumping Lash Primer

This top-rated Dior Diorshow Maximizer 3D Triple Volume Plumping Lash Primer ($30) coats with an oil-serum concentrate so lashes look thicker, feel softer, and their curl lasts longer, too.

Tarte Opening Act Lash Primer
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Tarte Opening Act Lash Primer

With an average 4.5-star rating from shoppers, this Tarte Opening Act Lash Primer ($11-$22) is well-loved for how well it strengthens lashes with plant-based conditioners. And, not only does this product help prevent mascara from flaking off, the full-size tube comes with a bonus Lights, Camera, Lashes 4-in-1 Mascara to test together, too.

Grande Cosmetics GrandePrimer Pre-Mascara Lengthener and Thickener
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Grande Cosmetics GrandePrimer Pre-Mascara Lengthener and Thickener

For lashes that still seem thin even with mascara on, this water-resistant Grande Cosmetics GrandePrimer Pre-Mascara Lengthener and Thickener ($25) adds minifibers, peptides, and a natural wax blend to coat and separate so mascara can grip on and help lashes look longer and fuller.

Marc Jacobs Beauty Velvet Primer Epic Lash Primer
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Marc Jacobs Beauty Velvet Primer Epic Lash Primer

There are more than 2,220 reviews for this bestselling Marc Jacobs Beauty Velvet Primer Epic Lash Primer ($27). Its creamy formula coats smoothly so lashes are ready to get boosted even more with mascara . . . and without any icky clumps.

Milk Makeup Kush Lash Primer
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Milk Makeup Kush Lash Primer

Milk Makeup Kush Lash Primer ($12-$24) has hemp-derived cannabis seed oil inside (along with poppy and sunflower seed oils) all to add volume to limp lashes. This primer also has a unique spiral brush to coat each hair with heart-shaped fibers, so there's extra boosts of volume and definition, too.

Urban Decay Subversion Lash Primer
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Urban Decay Subversion Lash Primer

This whipped Urban Decay Subversion Lash Primer ($22) both protects lashes with panthenol and conditions them with vitamin E. Earning more than 24,000 loves from other Sephora shoppers, the primer also helps boost and coat even the shortest lashes, adding extra volume before mascara is even swept on.

Givenchy Base Mascara Perfecto
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Givenchy Base Mascara Perfecto

The top-rated Givenchy Base Mascara Perfecto ($29) packs cotton nectar and soy proteins to condition and boost natural lashes to be their very best. Its unique brush features black fibers to separate lashes as white fibers softly and smoothly apply the unique pink formula.

Blinc Lash Primer
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Blinc Lash Primer

This top-rated Blinc Lash Primer ($26) works on its own as an overnight conditioner or as a daytime base coat for mascara, too. It replenishes vitamin B5 so hair is protected against free radicals and other environmental stressors while lashes also get a visible volume boost.

Lashfood Conditioning Collagen Lash Primer
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Lashfood Conditioning Collagen Lash Primer

The top-rated Lashfood Conditioning Collagen Lash Primer ($20) sweeps on microfibers that attach to each lash so they appear longer and fuller on the outside. This primer also packs a nourishing nanopeptide complex plus added collagen to strengthen hair from within at the same time.

Clinique Lash Building Primer
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Clinique Lash Building Primer

This vegan Clinique Lash Building Primer ($18) helps moisturize dry lashes under your favorite mascara and helps add a boost of volume, too.

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