10 Best e.l.f. Primers to Prime And Pamper Your Skin

March 13, 2024

Written by Sayantani Deb, Makeup & Beauty Writer

Updated on Feb 08, 2024

Best e.l.f. Primers to Prime And Pamper Your Skin

The products curated for this article are independently chosen by the editorial team. If you make a purchase through the links mentioned below, we may receive a commission. Check out our product research & curation process

The ultra-nourishing quality of e.l.f. primers is making them a hit amongst makeup and non-makeup lovers! Doing so much more than just prolonging your makeup look, they soothe, hydrate, and enhance your complexion compared to the age-old silicone-heavy primers. Yep! All you need to do is choose the best e.l.f. primer for your skin, and a smooth base for makeup is ready. Easy to blend, super-light, and suitable for all skin types, your face won’t feel icky or give you that strong urge to wash up with e.l.f.!

E.l.f. primers are changing the way people think about primers. Considering their versatility, getting that perfect “au naturel” matte look is easy-peasy with their usage. And saving the best for the last, all e.l.f. products are vegan, chemical-free, cruelty-free, and made in a fair-trade certified factory. Hence, the skin-loving label!

They are made purely of good stuff and are free from parabens, phthalates, sulfates, triclosan, hydroquinone, nonylphenol ethoxylates, and triclocarban. Now, that’s a lot of good reasons why your next primer should be from e.l.f. So let’s go choose the most suited primer for your skin!

Our top picks

10 Best e.l.f Primers

Infused with grapes and vitamins such as A, C, and E, this e.l.f primer is an indulgence for dry or flaky skin. Its ultra-smooth texture glides like butter on the skin to create an ideal canvas for makeup. And underneath this layer, it hydrates your skin intensely and enhances your natural complexion. Another bonus for makeup lovers— it’ll make your “LOTD” last longer than you think! Ideal for all skin types, transform your look with this hydrating primer.

Pros

Non-drying
Lightweight
Blends evenly
Creamy texture
Natural matte finish

Cons

Strong scent

Best for Poreless Natural Look

e.l.f PORELESS PUTTY PRIMER

Wearing makeup daily will not be a problem if you have e.l.f.’s Poreless Putty Primer in your kitty. Acting as the barrier between your skin and makeup, it goes on so flawlessly that you’ll wonder if it’s really a primer. It contains camellia sinensis leaf extract and squalene for intense hydration and to hold your makeup all day long. And its texture is super smooth and silky. e.l.f. PUTTY PRIMER also fills in your pores and blurs imperfections to give you that seamless base for makeup.

Pros

Soothing
Lightweight
Natural matte finish
Skin-perfecting primer

Cons

Messy application

Best for Neutralizing Redness

e.l.f. TONE ADJUSTING FACE PRIMER

To minimize that unsightly redness, go green with e.l.f.’s Tone Adjusting Face Primer! It has a sheer green tint that not only neutralizes the redness but also minimizes patchiness and evens out skin tone to enhance your natural complexion. You can either wear it alone or with your makeup, as it creates a smooth and seamless base. Suitable for all skin types, this color-correcting primer delivers a skin-perfecting coverage that you can’t help but flaunt.

Pros

Lightweight
Silky texture
Blends easily
Blurs imperfections
Natural matte finish

Cons

Not for acne-prone skin

Best for Blurring Pores And Fine Lines

e.l.f. PORELESS FACE PRIMER

Blur out those visible pores and fine lines to get that radiant, smooth look with e.l.f.’s Poreless Face Primer. Call it a filler if you like, because it fills in your pores and fine lines to create a smooth base for your makeup to stay put. And don’t worry! It’s infused with skin-loving ingredients! It contains vitamins A and E and tea tree leaf oil to nourish your skin while enhancing your natural complexion.

Pros

Matt finish
Lightweight
Blends easily
Long-lasting
Creamy-silky texture

Cons

Not quick-drying

Best for Acne-prone Skin

e.l.f BLEMISH CONTROL FACE PRIMER

For oily, irritated, and acne-prone skin, e.l.f. BLEMISH CONTROL PRIMER is a must-have! It creates a smooth canvas on your skin, which fights acne and soothes and hydrates skin. Packed with anti-inflammatory, nourishing, and skin-clarifying ingredients, it contains salicylic acid, vitamin E, and tea tree oil. All these ingredients work overtime to control breakouts while leaving a seamless base for your makeup. It goes on sheer without disturbing your skin’s natural barrier and works well for no-makeup looks.

Pros

Lightweight
Matte finish
Blends easily
Sheer coverage

Cons

Not long-lasting

e.l.f. POWER GRIP PRIMER

The powerful grip of this gel-based primer will make you go wow with every application! It literally grips your makeup, so you don’t have to worry about it wearing off. Besides its powerful grip, it also moisturizes, preps, and smoothes your skin to create a seamless base for your makeup. Enriched with nourishing and skin-loving ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and vitamin E, they boost moisture to make your complexion look plump and glowy.

Pros

Translucent
Cooling gel
Soft-focus effect
Suits all skin tones

e.l.f. PUFF PUFF PRIMER

The nourishing feel of this primer will get you thinking about whether it’s a primer or a moisturizer! Infused with the goodness of hemp seed (Cannabis Sativa) oil and vitamins A and C, it hydrates, nourishes, and brightens your natural complexion effortlessly. Besides, its creamy-silky texture absorbs immediately to plump and condition your skin. Wear it alone or use it under foundation, it creates a super-smooth and seamless base for your makeup to stay put. In fact, it serves as one of the best e.l.f. primers for dry skin.

Pros

Lightweight
All-day wear
Blends easily
Mattifying effect

Cons

Messy to apply

e.l.f. Illuminating Face Primer

Getting a bright and radiant glow will be easy-breezy if you have e.l.f.’s Illuminating Face Primer for your makeup base. Infused with subtle shimmers to give your skin an illuminating (not shiny) effect, it reduces overall dullness effortlessly. And it doesn’t end there! It also fills in fine lines to create a seamless base. Just the illuminator your complexion needs to glow up without going over the top, this primer is a great choice for damaged and mature skin.

Pros

Lightweight
Silky texture
Long-lasting wear
Refines complexion

Cons

Tough to blend

e.l.f. OIL CONTROL PRIMER MIST

Enjoy the freshness of cucumber in this water-based primer, which also works as a mist. You can call it the best e.l.f. primer for oily skin as it controls the unwanted shine and sebum to give you that ideal mattified base. If creamy or gel-based primers don’t work, this one might be the primer for you! Spray on to feel refreshed and hydrated instantly, the formula also contains vitamin E, vitamin B, and purified water to nourish your skin.

Pros

Non-sticky
Lightweight
Blends easily
Long-lasting wear

Cons

Messy application

e.l.f. Glow Primer Stick

This hydrating e.l.f. primer is all you need for a natural radiating complexion. With a user-friendly twist-and-apply design, it glides smoothly on the skin. And its super-smooth formula is infused with shea and coconut butter. A must-try for dry and damaged skin, it moisturizes intensely and makes skin illuminate with its gold shimmer finish. Give e.l.f. Glow Primer Stick a try if you are looking for soothing, nourishing, and smoothening benefits in a primer.

Pros

Lightweight
Blends easily
Long-lasting
Full coverage
Lightly scented

Cons

Slightly sticky

So, which primer will it be? These 10 best e.l.f. primers are hands down great for your skin, especially if you are a fan of the ultimate matte look. Not sure how to apply a primer? Or need shopping tips to choose the best e.l.f. primer? We’ve got it all covered for you below.

How to Apply an e.l.f. Primer?

There are 3 types of e.l.f. primers— creamy, gel-based, and misty. Applying them may differ, but the idea is to get full coverage and a protective barrier between your skin and makeup.

Here are the steps you can follow:

Step 1: Take a pearl-sized amount on your fingertips.

Step 2: Warm it a little by rubbing it between your fingertips.

Step 3: Start applying gently from next to your nose or under-eye areas where pores are visible.

Step 4: Keep blending and spreading to other sides with your fingertips or blender.

Step 5: Once the primer has dried or absorbed, you can apply makeup.

How to Choose the Best e.l.f. Primer?

Skin Type:

It’s half the battle won if you know your skin type well. Especially if you are dealing with skin irritation, visible pores, premature fine lines, or damaged skin, checking the ingredients before buying becomes all the more important. For example, tea tree oil is non-comedogenic and great for fighting acne and reducing scars. But, if you have acne-prone and sensitive skin, it may worsen the irritation or even cause rashes. So be mindful before you choose a product.

Finishing Look:

Although a matte finish is well-loved as it creates a smooth base for your makeup, there are primers with dewy and shimmery finishes too. A must-try for those with dull skin, primers with a dewy or shimmery finish add a radiating touch to your skin that makes your complexion glow without going over the top. e.l.f. GLOW PRIMER STICK and e.l.f. ILLUMINATING FACE PRIMER are great options if you want to add a subtle shine to your daily look.

Gripping Power:

If your primer doesn’t grip well, your makeup will not last long. This is why choosing the right texture and formula is imperative to get that perfect gripping base on your skin. Also, knowing your skin type plays a crucial role in this. Ideally, creamy textures grip better on dry and normal skin, whereas gel-based and water-based are ideal for oily, combination, and acne-prone skin.

Added Features:

e.l.f. primers don’t just prime but come with extra skin-loving benefits. If you have dry skin, choose an ultra-hydrating primer with ingredients such as squalene or hyaluronic acid. If you have acne-prone skin, e.l.f. has a primer that reduces breakouts too! So make the most of these benefits for your skin.

Primers have definitely come a long way from being just a makeup base. Now with priming and pampering benefits, e.l.f. primers care for your skin, so you can choose your makeup look without worrying about damage. And lucky for you! We collated the 10 best e.l.f. primers that are absolute glow-getters and must-haves in your makeup kitty. So let’s go choose the best e.l.f. primer and get that skin glowing this season.

FAQ's

Which brand of primer is best?

e.l.f. is one of the best primer brands. Milk MAKEUP, NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP, e.l.f., MAC, and FENTY are some great cosmetic brands for primers. However, it depends on your skin type and priming needs.

Is the e.l.f. primer good?

Yes, absolutely! e.l.f. primers are made in a fair-trade certified factory and are infused with vegan, cruelty-free, and skin-loving ingredients. Besides, they also deliver a natural matte finish which is super-light, easy to blend, and suitable for all skin types.

Does e.l.f. primer clog your pores?

If you choose an e.l.f product for your skin type, it will not clog your pores. For example, e.l.f. PORELESS PUTTY PRIMER and e.l.f. PORELESS FACE PRIMER are great primers for a poreless look. Also, they have ingredients such as squalene and tea tree oil, which are non-comedogenic (will not clog pores).

Should I apply anything before primer?

Yes! You should apply a moisturizer before a primer, so your skin stays hydrated and moisturized under the primed coverage.

Why Trust Pinkvilla

Primers are an integral part of one's makeup routine that shouldn't be avoided to get the desired result. Our makeup expert, Sayantani, who has a great collection of primers in her stash to use on different occasions, believes that she can't go anywhere without it! And, Sayantani believes e.l.f. literally has some of the greatest primers in the beauty market. Thus, she rounded off a few from their collection for our readers to pick one or two so that their makeup has a second-skin-finish. Hurry, find your favorite one today!

Our product experts study the specifications of every product we suggest and try them out to bring what’s proven to be worthy of your money, time, and energy. We also have subject matter experts from various fields like Fashion, Skincare, Haircare, Home Decor, and Health & Fitness onboard to make sure our suggestions are credible and trustworthy. You can trust select to be your faithful shopping guide for all the right reasons!

Author BIO

Sayantani is a certified hair and makeup professional turned writer with 2+ years of experience in the same genre. Ap More

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