Do you ever go crazy and buy a bunch of makeup primers? No? Just me? It must be a beauty blogger problem! Well, I have way too many elf primers for one face, so I am putting them to the test! I have combination skin, meaning my t-zone is oily, but my cheeks are normal. Blemishes/acne are a normal part of life for me, but I do not stuffer from dry skin. I am on a quest to find the best elf primers for combination skin so that you can spend your money on only the best.
The Control Group
For the testing process, I am trying to keep my other face makeup products as consistent as possible. My foundation choice is Maybelline’s Dream Urban Cover because of how poorly it wears on my skin. It looks perfectly fine on initial application, but by the end of the day, besides normal wear and tear, it does something odd. Something I have not seen with any other foundation. It wears off on my chin in a way where it looks… spotty and bumpy. That’s the best way that I can say it. I want to see if any of these elf primers can make this foundation wear better.
For concealer I am using Maybelline’s Supserstay Concealer, only because I am trying to use it up. For powder I am using Coty’s Air Spun. As for setting spray, I started with Urban Decay’s All Nighter in the Honey scent just to use it up, then I transition to wet n wild’s Fantasy Makers Neon Setting Spray. I do not feel as though switching setting sprays has damaged my review, as I still see unique traits from each primer. All products are layered over elf’s +Glow Radiant Moisturizer.
Ultimately, I know and trust all of the products that I am wearing over the primers, so I know how they wear and react. My wear tests are always around 8+ hours so we can see what a full day looks like.
Common Traits from All Primers
Instead of repeating myself in review of each primer, I want to share some common info up front.
None of these primers stopped normal wear and tear from happening on me. What I define as normal wear and tear is the foundation settling into my smile lines, forehead lines, and the chin crease. I do not know of a product that does eliminate normal wear and tear, so this is completely acceptable.
Also, I have huge pores on my nose, and I consider them to be worse than average. None of these primers have the ability to fill these pores 100%, which is what I expect. I always have to use a separate pore filling primer on my nose. You are probably wondering, what about the Poreless Putty Primer? Read my review for more, but it does help a bit with the pores.
Some good news here- I do not see the weird fading issue on my chin with these primers! This is amazing, considering how many times I experiment with Dream Urban Cover in terms of primers/powders/setting sprays and find no relief. That speaks volumes of elf. A few primers come dangerously close to giving me the unusual breakdown, but read the reviews to see.
elf Stick Primers
Prep & Blur Stick
Primer Application. I am starting my hunt for the best elf primers for combination skin with the Prep & Blur Stick. I do not se as much mattifying of the skin as expected, as it does allow some natural glow to come through. The skin feels slightly tacky and prepped for makeup application.
Makeup Application. Makeup applies normally over the primer, but the area around my nose looks patchy and clingy.
Wear Test. There is little to no oil coming through. The skin does look somewhat cakey, patchy, and heavy.
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Prep & Glimmer Stick
Primer Application. The formula feels cool, wet, and refreshing as it glides across the skin, even though it is not really making the skin wet. The skin looks dewy which is due to a fine gold glitter that is visible on the skin. It dries tacky and ready for makeup application.
Makeup Application. I do see some patchiness on the forehead near the eyebrows. The pores around my nose are exceptionally visible. The dew does not last once all makeup is applied, and no glitter comes through.
Wear Test. I see oil around the nose, but no where else. The skin does look a bit heavy and cakey, with cracking beginning to form at the corners of the mouth.
Rating: ★★★☆☆
+Glow Primer Stick
Primer Application. This product applies and feels similar to the Prep & Glimmer stick in that it glides right over the skin easily and gives a cool and wet sensation. My skin is visibly glowing, but I cannot see any glitter on the skin. It dries down to be mildly tacky.
Makeup Application. All makeup applies normally over top of the primer with no areas of clinging or patchiness. Once all other products are applied, I can no longer see the glow.
Wear Test. There is cracking and separation around my nose, as well as some cracking near the right jaw. I can see some oil immediately around the nose, but none elsewhere.
Rating: ★★★★☆
elf Tube Primers
Who does not love a good ol’ squeeze tube primer? There are some winners here as we search for the best elf primers for combination skin.
Beautifully Bare Luminous Matte Makeup Primer
Primer Application. The formula is a thick, white cream that smells like a combination of flowers and chemicals. It does not smell good. The skin does have a glow which may be caused by fine glitter, but I really cannot see the glitter on the skin. I think it is somehow luminous and matte, in a way that the matte properties tone down the glow. So, if the matte properties were not there, this primer would probably glow more. The skin is smooth and not tacky.
Makeup Application. This primer is making my foundation look like it is sitting on top of my skin. My setting powder looks clingy all over the face, and I am seeing a clingy effect with other products blended over top, such as blush and bronzer. So far, my makeup does not look good.
Wear Test. As the day goes on and the makeup warms up to the skin, things are looking better. There is separation at the nose creases, and a hint of fading on the chin. I see some slight cracking and dryness near the nose and right jaw, but it is not as pronounced as it is with the other primers. The forehead still looks like the foundation is sitting on top of the skin, but all other areas are smooth. I no longer see the clingy look. My oils are being controlled very well, the look is matte for the most part.
Rating: ★★★☆☆
+Matte Oil Control Primer
Primer Application. The formula of this primer is a clear gel and it really is reminding me of my all-time favorite high-end makeup primer, which is Smashbox’s Photo Finish Primer. It even has that same greasy feel that Smashbox’s has, although it does feel extra greasy. I need to wipe my hands off after applying this primer, as I have a hard time using my pen to take notes for this blog post! A little goes a long way, so definitely apply less than you normally do. The package directions do say to apply a small amount, and I urge you to heed that warning. The skin feels mildly tacky, and the finish is indeed matte.
Makeup Application. Makeup applies normally over top, and I gotta say, this foundation is looking exceptionally good on me. This primer levels up this crappy foundation.
Wear Test. I ended up giving this foundation two wear tests. On the first round, my foundation was literally peeling off of my face, as pictured below. I finished applying my makeup about one hour before I ate dinner, and after eating dinner, the peeling action was real. I could literally take a pair of tweezers and pull the foundation off, which I have never seen ever in my life! This is a real shame because this primer makes this foundation look beautiful, and could be the closest drugstore dupe to Smashbox. I believe this peeling is happening because I applied too much in defiance of the package directions. I applied as much as I do for any other primer.
On the second wear test, I applied about half of what I did before, and that does the trick! Absolutely no peeling on the second go. This may just be my favorite elf primer because it transforms a bad foundation into lovely product, and works as good as high-end. Your oils are perfectly controlled as nothing passes through for me. The matte look lasts all day. We have a winner for one of the best elf primers for combination skin.
For a fun little extra, I did go to a few stores and wear a face mask during my second wear test. I am sharing a picture of the inside of my mask so that you all can see how much rubs off. The results do not surprise me or upset me in any way. Naturally, you will see rub off when something is making contact with your skin. Luckily, my face does not look that mangled from the mask, but all of the foundation is gone from the tip of my nose. There is no makeup product that will prevent that from happening on my nose.
Rating: ★★★★★
Related Post: elf Haul 19
Moisture Lock Primer
Primer Application. The formula of this primer is a white cream that feels like a moisturizer. It leaves the skin feeling tacky. It feels like a good choice for those with dry skin.
Makeup Application. Makeup applies normally over top.
Wear Test. Considering I have an oily t-zone, I assume this primer will make me look like an oily mess. Honestly, it controls my oils pretty well! I see a little bit around the nose, but otherwise everything is fine. At the end of the day my foundation still looks smooth, and no areas look heavy or cakey. My face looks fresh. Here is a winner for one of the best elf primers for combination skin.
Rating: ★★★★★
Jellypop Dew Primer
Primer Application. This primer is a clear gel that is sticky, and ultimately does leave the face sticky. My skin is dewy, but there is no glitter.
Makeup Application. The dew actually shows through the foundation and other products, but the downside of that is my foundation still feels tacky no matter how much powder I apply. When I blend other products over my foundation, like my blush and bronzer, I find difficulty in doing so because the foundation is not dried down. It also causes setting powder to look patchy and clingy. Using a setting spray does tone down the patchy and clingy look to an extent.
Wear Test. Somehow, the tackiness does go away during the day. My nose is very shiny with oil, and there is much breakdown around the nose. There is cracking on my chin and it extends towards the cheek/jaw area. The dew definitely lasts while letting some oil through. My skin does look heavy.
Rating: ★★☆☆☆
elf Poreless Putty Primer
I am no stranger to Poreless Putty Primer, and it is probably the primer you are looking for in this best elf primers for combination skin science experiment. I have emptied at least two samples, plus I use my full-size on occasion. Here on the blog I always say that this primer does not impress me as much as it impresses the world, which is definitely an unpopular opinion. This is the first time I am really scrutinizing the wear and giving an in-depth review. My thoughts are changing a little bit here!
Primer Application. This primer does smooth the skin out, and it fills some of the pores on my nose. I do not get a perfect fill, but this is a stark difference to all of the other primers I am reviewing here. It dries with a mild tackiness. As far as any blurring, I do not see any instant Photoshop effects.
Makeup Application. Makeup applies normally over top with no issues or complaints.
Wear Test. This primer does control my oils all day. I can just see the hint of mild cracking forming near the right jaw, but it is no where near as bad as what I am seeing with the other primers. As I have said, I do not get a perfect pore fill, so it does not eliminate the need for me to use a second primer on the nose area. But, the foundation is holding up noticeably well in comparison to the other primers, and I honestly think that Poreless Putty Primer makes a visible difference. I still do not think it is God’s gift to the makeup world, but good things are happening.
Rating: ★★★★☆
elf Serum Primers
Next up in search of the best elf primers for combination skin are the serum primers.
Glow Up Primer Serum
Primer Application. This primer is a clear liquid with a fine gold glitter suspended in it. The dropper does successfully suck up and apply the product. You can see the glitter on your face, but you have to look very close. Naturally, you do get a glow. It feels cooling on the skin, and leaves the skin feeling tacky.
Makeup Application. Makeup applies normally over top of this primer, but little to no glow is left once all products are applied. After a few hours of wear, giving the foundation time to warm up to the skin, my face looks exceptionally good considering the issues I have with this foundation. This gives me high hopes that a dewy primer might work for me.
Wear Test. I am having cracking around the nose, similar to what I saw on my first wear test of the +Matte Oil Control Primer. The cracking is happening on both sides of my face in that area that is near the nose but is still the upper lip. It is threatening to peel, but is not. But, I do see a small amount of actual peeling near the right jaw. There is some oil coming through, but nothing significant enough to call my face shiny. My chin looks like the foundation may do that weird breakdown thing where it looks spotty and bumpy, but it never actually reaches that point.
I am doing a second wear test, which I am doing any time the peeling thing happens. On the second go I am applying less of the primer. While I no longer see the mild peeling near the right jaw, the second go looks exactly like the first, including that cracking that I talk about before that suggests peeling is on the way. Using less primer simply prevents peeling, but not the cracking. What a bummer! This primer looks so good everywhere else.
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Related Post: elf Haul 20
Blurring Primer Serum
Primer Application. This primer does not get sucked up or dispensed by the dropper, so it takes some time and finesse to actually get onto the face. It massages easily into the skin, but I cannot say much blurring is happening. Perhaps there is a slight blurring of the pores on my nose, but this is no replacement for an actual pore reducing primer. It dries down leaving the skin with a smooth finish with gentle hydration.
Makeup Application. My makeup looks heavy cakey on the upper lip, and otherwise normal on the rest of the face.
Wear Test. This primer does control my oils all day. There is significant breakdown around the nose. But, the rest of my face looks good.
Rating: ★★★★☆
Hydrating Primer Serum
Primer Application. This primer is a clear liquid, but it hesitates to dispense from the dropper. It makes my skin look fresh and it really sinks right into the skin. My skin does feel hydrated with the slightest amount of tackiness.
Makeup Application. Makeup applies normally over top, but right off the bat it is not looking good around the nose.
Wear Test. I see a lot of breakdown around the nose, including cracking. There is also cracking on my chin, and much of the foundation looks worn off. My forehead looks heavy. It does control my oils. Ultimately, this foundation looks reminiscent to how it breaks down all the time.
Rating: ★★☆☆☆
elf Pump Primers
I am ending my hunt for the best elf primers for combination skin with the infamous pump primers.
Mineral Infused Face Primer
Primer Application. The formula of this primer is a clear gel, and if you have ever tried the other pump-style primers, then you will notice that it feels like the others. It leaves the skin smoothed out.
Makeup Application. Makeup applies normally over top, and honestly looks good for the foundation.
Wear Test. Some oil is coming through on the forehead and the nose. There is no cracking. My chin is hinting that the foundation might break down, but it never gets to that point. I see some separation around the nose. Ultimately, none of these negative finds look at that bad! I am surprised by this one.
Rating: ★★★★☆
Blemish Control Face Primer
Primer Application. This primer feels cool and wet on the skin, leaving a dewy finish that is fresh. There is a mild tackiness.
Makeup Application. Makeup applies normally over top.
Wear Test. There is much cracking happening around the nose area. It suggests that the foundation might flake off, but that never actually happens. I do see that strange cracking and dryness by the jaw. Some oils are being allowed through on the t-zone.
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Related Post: elf Haul 18
Tone Adjusting Face Primer
Primer Application. This primer is purple, but it sheers out when applied to the skin, so you are not left with any purple pigment. My face does not look different, but purple is meant to cancel out yellow spots, which I do not have. It has that similar, greasy feel that most of the pump primers have, so much so I do think of the +Matte Oil Control Primer. It does smooth the skin, but leaves no tackiness.
Makeup Application. Makeup applies smoothly over top and it looks good, reminding me of the +Matte Oil Control Primer once again.
Wear Test. The cracking and peeling issue that I see with the +Matte Oil Control Primer is happening again, but it is worse on one side of my face than the other. It is peeling on the right, but only suggesting that it may peel on the left. As you can see in the below picture, the peeling is mild in comparison to +Matte. Sorry to stick my nose in your face and get all up close and personal, but it must be done. There is not much of that odd cracking/dryness on the jaw, and the rest of the face looks good, despite some separation around the nose creases.
Of course, I am doing a second wear test due to the peeling on the first one. This time I am applying one pump of primer rather than two (but I always apply two with the pump primers). With the second go, there is no peeling, and the face looks much better. The spots that peeled before only look a bit cracked and heavy. My face looks good, considering the foundation I am wearing. One pump is the key, and this is definitely one of the best elf primers for combination skin.
Rating: ★★★★★
Poreless Face Primer
Primer Application. This primer does smooth the skin and mildly blur some pores, but I do not get a perfect fill. The skin does not feel tacky, and that usual greasy feel of the formula is present.
Makeup Application. I see some patchiness on the center of the forehead and on the left side of my nose.
Wear Test. The primer does allow some oils through on the t-zone, and the makeup is actually settling into the pores on my nose, making them highly visible. I see some breakdown on the chin, as well as some cracking/dryness similar to what I report for the Hydrating Primer Serum.
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Illuminating Face Primer
Primer Application. The skin does appear to be illuminated by this primer, which is due to gold glitter and shimmers that are visible on the skin. It does smooth over the skin easily, and dries with a slight tack.
Makeup Application. Makeup does apply normally over top, and it really looks smooth and perfected. There is not much glow left after applying all of my makeup products.
Wear Test. Some oils do come through, and my face really looks how it does in my review on the Blemish Control Face Primer. I can see some of that cracking/dryness, but it is not as severe.
Rating: ★★★☆☆
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Conclusion
In summary of my quest to find the best elf primers for combination skin, the winners here are all of the primers that I give a four or five star rating to! The winner list goes to the +Matte Oil Control Primer, Moisture Lock Primer, Blurring Primer Serum, +Glow Primer Stick, Poreless Putty Primer, Tone Adjusting Face Primer, and Mineral Infused Face Primer. My absolute favorite out of all 16 primers tested is the +Matte Oil Control Primer, so it wins my ultimate stamp of approval! Any primer that I rank three or less stars, I am apt to donate, while the others I will likely keep. It really is amazing when you keep all of your face products the same, only change your primer, and look with a scrutinizing eye, that you can see that different primers do in fact perform in their own unique way. I hope that this post will enable you to evaluate which primers to save your money on, and which are worth the buy. Until next time, continue to let your true beauty shine.
What is your favorite elf primer?
2 Responses
This is so helpful because literally yesterday, ELF arrived in Italy so I’m excited to experiment more with the line and especially with their primers
Oh, wow! What great timing. You’ll have to let me know what you think.