I Compared MAC and Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primers for Oily Lids

Eyeshadow primer is one of those makeup steps that seems optional until your carefully blended look folds into the crease before lunch. My eyelids are oily enough to soften shimmer, deepen crease colour and turn a neat smoky eye into something distinctly lived-in. I wanted to see whether MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Painterly and Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion could genuinely keep shadow fresh through a full day.

These are very different products, even though both are often described as eyeshadow bases. MAC’s formula is a creamy, pigmented pot that can cancel discolouration and create an opaque canvas. Urban Decay’s primer is a dedicated, sheer-to-lightly tinted eye base designed to grip powder shadow without adding much colour.

I tested them with matte, shimmer and satin eyeshadows, using the same skincare underneath and applying each primer to one eye. I wore them through errands, desk time, warm afternoons and a few long makeup days. That matters in Australia, where a commute across Sydney or a humid Brisbane morning can expose weak eye makeup surprisingly quickly.

The short version is that both can work beautifully, but they suit different kinds of oily lids. Urban Decay delivered the more reliable crease-resistant finish, while MAC offered better coverage and a more polished look when I wanted to neutralise visible veins or uneven tone.

The Formulas Feel Completely Different

MAC Painterly has the texture of a dense cream concealer. It is soft enough to spread with a finger, but it sets with a little grip rather than remaining slippery. The muted beige-pink colour gave my lids a smoother, more even appearance and made pale shadows look closer to their pans. It also helped darker shades appear cleaner and more intentional.

That coverage is useful if your eyelids are naturally red, veiny or uneven in colour. I could use a small amount to make the whole area look tidier before reaching for shadow. The catch is that the formula needs restraint. A thick layer can become slightly tacky, and powder may catch in one spot instead of blending evenly.

Urban Decay Primer Potion feels lighter and more fluid. The original version is close to invisible once blended, so it does not correct colour in the same way as Painterly. Instead, it leaves a thin, slightly grippy film that gives powder something to hold onto. It made blending feel smooth without making the shadow look overly creamy.

For very oily eyelids, that thinner consistency is an advantage. There is less product sitting on the skin to break down during the day. It reminded me of the appeal of lightweight beauty products elsewhere in my routine, such as these barely-there lip oils: comfortable, unobtrusive and effective without feeling heavy.

Application Makes a Bigger Difference Than Expected

With MAC, I got the best result by warming a tiny amount between my fingertip and pressing it over the lid. I then used the leftover product near the crease rather than applying a fresh layer there. A flat synthetic brush gave more coverage, but it was easier to apply too much and create a thicker base than I needed.

I waited about thirty seconds before applying eyeshadow. That short pause allowed the cream to settle without becoming fully dry. Matte shadows blended well over it, especially medium browns and muted mauves. Very pale mattes looked more vivid, although the extra opacity from Painterly slightly changed the tone of sheer, duochrome shades.

Urban Decay was more forgiving for quick application. I spread a thin layer from lash line to brow bone, allowed it to set briefly, then began blending. It worked particularly well with loose shimmer and metallic formulas because the shadow adhered where placed without becoming patchy around the edges.

The main mistake with either primer is using too much. Oily lids do not necessarily need a thick barrier; they need a stable, even surface. I also found that heavy eye cream underneath made both products less dependable. On hot mornings, I kept skincare around the eye area minimal and blotted gently before priming.

Wear Time Through Heat And Long Days

After eight hours, Urban Decay was the clear winner for crease control. My transition shade remained visible and reasonably fresh, with only a little softening at the deepest fold. Shimmer stayed more evenly distributed instead of collecting in a shiny line. On a particularly warm Melbourne day that moved from cool morning air to bright afternoon sun, the eye makeup still looked presentable by dinner.

MAC performed well, but the result depended more heavily on application. On the eye where I used a sheer layer, shadow lasted around seven hours before I noticed mild creasing. With a thicker application, it began to feel slightly waxy and the crease became more obvious. It never completely ruined the look, but it was less consistent than Urban Decay on my oiliest days.

Where MAC excelled was visual finish. The eye with Painterly looked brighter and more perfected at the beginning of the day. It was the better choice for a polished neutral look, especially when I wanted a cream shadow or pale matte to show its true colour. Urban Decay looked more natural and transparent, which is ideal when the lid itself does not need correcting.

Neither primer stopped every trace of oil. By late afternoon, I could see a small amount of shine near the inner corners, particularly after walking outdoors. Still, the shadows did not disappear or turn muddy. For especially long occasions, I would combine a thin primer layer with carefully pressed powder shadow rather than piling on additional base.

Colour, Texture And Everyday Versatility

MAC Painterly is more versatile if you treat it as both an eye primer and a lid-colouring product. It can mute redness, sharpen the appearance of a cut crease and make low-pigment shadows seem richer. It also worked under cream eyeshadows, although I preferred a very thin layer so the two creamy formulas did not compete.

Its downside is that the shade will not suit everyone equally. On my light-to-medium skin, Painterly blended into a soft neutral base, but deeper skin tones may find it ashy or too pale. MAC offers other Paint Pot shades, though choosing the right colour becomes part of the process. The pot also requires clean fingers or a brush, and I am always more aware of hygiene with jar packaging.

Urban Decay’s translucent finish makes it easier to use across a wider range of eyeshadow colours and skin tones. It does not noticeably shift the shade in the pan, which is useful when working with an expensive palette or a carefully planned colour story. The tube packaging is also convenient for travel, whether I am packing for a weekend in Adelaide or a longer trip along the coast.

Neither formula is particularly skincare-focused, and I would not buy either for moisturising benefits. Both are makeup performance products. If your under-eye area is dry, use a suitable eye cream earlier in the routine and allow it to settle; do not expect the primer to correct dehydration.

Which Base Earns A Place In My Kit

The right choice depends on whether your priority is oil control or lid perfection. Urban Decay is the stronger all-rounder for oily lids because it feels lighter, lasts longer and interferes less with the colour and texture of eyeshadow. MAC is the more satisfying option when visible discolouration is your main concern or when you want a creamy, perfected canvas.

Price and availability also matter in Australia. MAC is easy to find through MAC counters and selected department stores, while Urban Decay is commonly available through Mecca. Prices can shift with local promotions, and neither is a truly casual purchase compared with an eyeshadow base from Chemist Warehouse. I would wait for a beauty sale if you are stocking up rather than paying full price automatically.

I also think about the occasion. For a wedding, an evening event or a full day in tropical humidity, Urban Decay gives me greater confidence. For a soft office look, a pale lid or a makeup style where the base itself contributes to the finish, MAC is more rewarding. My long-wear testing has made me similarly practical about complexion products; this foundation layering trick follows the same principle of thin, controlled layers.

Feature	MAC Painterly Paint Pot	Urban Decay Primer Potion
Texture	Dense cream	Lightweight, fluid primer
Coverage	Medium, buildable	Sheer to light
Crease resistance	Good with a thin layer	Very good on oily lids
Colour correction	Excellent	Minimal
Best for	Uneven tone and polished looks	Long wear and true shadow colour
Packaging	Pot	Squeeze tube
Application	Finger or synthetic brush	Finger or doe-foot applicator
Main drawback	Can feel heavy when over-applied	Does not conceal lid discolouration

Practical Picks For Different Makeup Days

• Choose Urban Decay when your main concern is oily eyelids, creasing or a full day of wear.
• Choose MAC when you want to cancel redness, cover veins or brighten pale eyeshadow.
• Apply either formula in a very thin layer and let it settle before adding powder.
• Keep rich eye cream away from the immediate lid before priming, especially in hot weather.
• Use Urban Decay for sheer, metallic or multi-chrome shadows that need dependable grip.
• Use MAC for neutral matte looks where an even, opaque base improves the finished colour.

My final preference is Urban Decay Primer Potion for consistently oily lids. It gave me the best balance of comfort, longevity and easy blending, and it behaved more predictably when the weather changed. MAC Painterly remains valuable in my collection, particularly when I want coverage and a smoother-looking canvas rather than the absolute longest wear.

For more detailed product comparisons, real-world wear tests or a question about how I use either base, you can get in touch. A primer may be a small step, but choosing the one that matches your skin and makeup habits can make the rest of the look last much longer.