elf Camo Powder Foundation Review, Swatches, Wear Test

Like many of you, I am a gal that adores a great powder foundation! They are my go-to, especially for special occasion or event makeup. With that being said, you know that I have to test the overly hyped elf Camo Powder Foundation. As a part of this review I have two wear tests and swatches. Together we will find out if this stuff really works and performs up to my expectations.

Details & Claims

I am going to start with where you can buy this powder foundation. It retails for $12 from elf Cosmetics, Ulta, Target, and Walmart. The shade selection may vary from store to store.

This is a primer-infused powder, with the idea being that it will last for long-time wear. It features buildable medium to full coverage with a semi-matte finish. Your skin should be left airbrushed, blurred, and evened-out. This powder is non-cakey, lightweight, and crease-resistant.

You are to press the powder into your skin with gentle patting motions. Additionally, you can touch-up during the day to control shine.

It does come with an applicator sponge. You can buy Camo Powder Sponge refills in two packs from elf. I prefer to not use the sponge, rather, my favorite brush. You probably have a tool that you favor, so definitely go for that.

Swatches & Shades

This foundation is available in 30 shades that correspond to their Camo CC Cream line. W = warm, N = neutral, and C = cool:

1. Fair 100 W
2. Fair 120 N
3. Fair 125 C
4. Fair 140 W
5. Fair 150 C
6. Light 205 N
7. Light 210 N
8. Light 240 W
9. Light 250 W
10. Light 280 N
11. Medium 310 C
12. Medium 330 W
13. Medium 335 W
14. Medium 370 N
15. Medium 375 N
16. Tan 400 W
17. Tan 415 C
18. Tan 425 N
19. Tan 450 N
20. Tan 460 W
21. Deep 500 W
22. Deep 510 C
23. Deep 530 W
24. Deep 540 N
25. Deep 560 C
26. Rich 610 N
27. Rich 620 W
28. Rich 640 W
29. Rich 650 C
30. Rich 660 N

Below is the full ingredients list:

Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Nylon-12, Boron Nitride, Zinc Stearate, Zinc Palmitate, Isoamyl Laurate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Dimethicone, Pentaerythrityl Adipate/Caprate/Caprylate/Heptanoate, Phenoxyethanol, Aluminum Hydroxide, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Phenyl Trimethicone, Caprylyl Glycol Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxide (Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499), Yellow 5 Lake (Ci 19140)

I own shade Fair 120 N, which is what you see below:

Review

This review covers two wear tests. I did two tests because the first one came out awful! I tested this on oily/combo skin with large pores and fine lines.

First, I have general notes. While the shades are meant to correspond to Camo CC Cream, they do run light. I recommend going down one to two shades. Fair 120 N is pretty pale on me, but I am making it work.

I find that it does have buildable medium to full coverage, and it is matte. Products layer great over top! I do have normal wear and tear at the end of the day, which means it settles into my smile lines, but every product on the market does.

This powder does allow oils to peak through, so my t-zone gets shiny during the day. It will warm up to your skin and sort of look better as the day progresses, but this foundation never looks 100% awesome on the skin.

The first test is the one that I did for my full-face of elf Cosmetics makeup look at the end of this review. I ended up with a heavy, powdery, dry, cakey look on the skin. There is so much texture, plus there are patchy and clingy areas. It looks terrible on my forehead and chin, as well as between my eyebrows. It also looks strange on my nose, as if it does not want to “stick.”

Beware that if you have any sort of blemish, dry patch, acne, or otherwise, this product will cling.

It did help for me to drench myself in dewy setting spray, but not entirely. The final results made me want to wash the product off entirely.

I really wanted to make this product work. After all, I ended up not loving the Camo CC Cream in my review. I gave this a second redemption try. I used it with my entire powder foundation routine that I have done a million times. That means I layered it over my preferred primer and moisturizer.

It ended up looking much better, but not perfect. You can see that my skin looks softer and there is significantly less texture, as well as reduced heaviness and dryness. But, it is still clinging in weird spots. If you look closely, you can see clinging around my nose, on my upper lip, above one eyebrow, and between my eyebrows. I can tell that it is sitting on the primer strangely.

Ultimately, this is a powder foundation that you can make work if you are willing to experiment with different primers until you find the one that works for you. When it comes to makeup, my belief is that it should be effortless. You should not have to think about what you are doing, especially if you are short on time. This one is too temperamental. It does not beat my holy grails either.

Needless to say, for $12 I will continue to use this up, as I work from home so my makeup is not a big deal. But, I do not want to spend more money to get my ideal shade when I do not like it enough.

Rating:

e.l.f. Camo Powder Foundation Key Details

Makeup Look

I am ending with a full-face of elf Cosmetics makeup look. Based on my review, this product does not pair well over Poreless Putty Primer! But, I do like it with their Camo under eye concealers. Here are the products that I am using:

• Poreless Putty Primer
• Hydrating Camo Concealer in Fair Warm
• Camo Powder Foundation in Fair 120N
• Halo Glow Setting Powder in Light
• Instant Lift Brow Pencil in Neutral Brown
• Brow Lift
• Primer Infused Bronzer in Forever Sunkissed
• Dewy Coconut Setting Mist
• Rose Gold Eyeshadow Palette in Sunset
• Expert Liquid Liner in Midnight
• Waterproof Length & Volume Mascara in Black

Amanda’s Review: ★★

Pros and Cons

Pros
• Provides full coverage with a smooth, airbrushed finish that blurs imperfections
• Lightweight feel despite its matte coverage
• Long-wearing and resists shine throughout the day
• Compact includes a mirror and sponge for easy on-the-go touch-ups
• Buildable formula—can be used lightly for medium coverage or layered for full coverage

Cons
• Can cling to dry patches or textured areas if skin isn’t well-prepped
• Limited shade range for deeper skin tones
• May oxidize slightly after application
• Not ideal for very dry skin types without hydrating primer underneath

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the e.l.f. Camo Powder Foundation good for dry skin?

No. The e.l.f. Camo Powder Foundation can emphasize dry patches and texture. It tends to cling to dryness and accentuate flaky areas, especially if you don’t use a hydrating primer or moisturizer underneath.

Does the e.l.f. Camo Powder Foundation have full coverage?

It offers buildable medium to full coverage. You can layer it for a higher level of coverage, but applying too much can result in a heavy or cakey finish.

What finish does the e.l.f. Camo Powder Foundation have?

This powder foundation has a semi-matte finish. It helps blur imperfections and provides a soft, airbrushed look when applied properly.

What primer works best with the e.l.f. Camo Powder Foundation?

It performs best when paired with a primer that suits your skin type. Avoid matte or putty primers if your skin is dry. A lightweight, smoothing primer tends to help prevent patchiness and improve blendability.

Does the e.l.f. Camo Powder Foundation oxidize?

The shades do not oxidize dramatically, but they tend to run light. It’s recommended to go one or two shades darker than your usual Camo CC Cream match.

Is the e.l.f. Camo Powder Foundation good for oily skin?

It can work for oily or combination skin types. However, you may still notice shine breakthrough during the day, so touch-ups or a setting spray are recommended for longer wear.

Can I use a brush or sponge with the e.l.f. Camo Powder Foundation?

Both can be used. The included sponge gives more coverage, while a brush creates a lighter, softer look. Many users prefer a dense powder brush for even application.

Shop The Foundation

ou will need to experiment to find a primer that will work for you. Otherwise, you will end up looking like a dry and cakey mess. This product is too much of a hassle to work with, especially if your beauty routine does not afford you much time. Do you regularly wear powder foundations? Until next time, continue to let your true beauty shine.

Discover More elf Cosmetics Complexion Reviews: