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What it is: The matte version of the original Elf Power Grip Primer. It is a clear gel foundation primer with a semi-tacky finish that helps to smooth the look of pores and texture when worn under foundation. The sticky feel is supposed to help “grab” onto foundation and make it wear longer while the matte formulation is supposed to help keep shine at bay throughout the day.
Price/Quantity: There are two sizes available to purchase. The larger option is 0.87 oz for $10, and the smaller one is 0.5 oz for $5. Oddly, the smaller one is a better value.
Availability: Elf, Ulta, Target
Shade Range: These primers do not come in shades. They are all clear. However, there are 3 versions of the Elf Power Grip Primer: the original green one, the pink one with niacinamide, and now this one with a matte finish.
Packaging: Both size options come in a squeeze tube with a twist off cap. Neither one comes with a pump like the original Elf Power Grip Primer in the larger size. Personally I have no issues with this packaging. It is not difficult for me to remove or replace the lid and I have very good control of how much product I dispense from the tube.
Smell/Fragrance: It has hardly any smell to it, but what I can detect is vaguely herbal. It has an ingredient called Lemon Myrtle Extract, which is where I’m guessing this scent comes from.
Expiration/Shelf Life: 12 Months after opening
Ingredients (from elf’s website): water (aqua), glycerin, silica, butylene glycol, peg-150 distearate, niacinamide, polysorbate 80, backhousia citriodora leaf extract, tocopherol, ethylhexylglycerin, caprylyl glycol, potassium laurate, ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer, peg-240/hdi copolymer bis-decyltetradeceth-20 ether, phenoxyethanol, disodium edta
Performance
Application: I’ve been applying this in sections rather than applying it to the entire face at once because it does start drying down very quickly. I’ll give it about a minute to completely set on the face before applying foundation over top. Some foundations are more difficult or time consuming to apply over this product compared to just applying them over clean moisturized skin. For example, matte finish foundations tended to require longer blending times to get as even an application than without the primer.
Texture/Consistency/Finish: It is a thick gel that spreads over the skin fairly easily and dries down to a slightly tacky finish. It’s not as sticky as the original primer and leaves the skin feeling simultaneously silky and tacky. Feels cooling and hydrating during application.
Longevity: I’m not convinced this is SUPER effective at increasing wear time but I do think it helps a little bit. My foundation still looks pretty decent even after a long day when I use this underneath.
Pros and Cons
Things I like:
- Smooths skin as well as the original green Elf Power Grip Primer.
- Not as sticky or shiny on the skin as the original.
- Seems to help some foundations last a little bit longer than without.
Drawbacks and other considerations:
- Doesn’t play well with some of my foundations. So far it seems to work best with thinner, more hydrating formulas. Heavier/drier formulas with more of a matte finish didn’t sit as well over this primer.
- It’s not really all that mattifying. It just doesn’t add shine.
Do I Recommend It?
Yes. It’s a nice product BUT if you are specifically looking for a matte look, I’d caution you to look for other options. The finish it gives the skin is more of a natural finish. On me, I find my skin still reflects light with a soft glow even with this on and being that it has worked best with thinner more hydrating foundations, I never actually end up with a matte skin finish. As long as you’re fine with that and the foundations you plan to pair it with sound like they might work together, I think it’s worth giving a try.
Where I think this product adds the most benefit is in solving a problem with the original formulation. The original one is awesome at smoothing the skin underneath foundation but for my preference, it adds too much of a glow and too much of a tack to the skin. Even powder doesn’t quite do enough to tone it down. This one gives me that smoothing effect under some foundations (not all) but I don’t have the issue with it giving me excess glow when I don’t want it. I don’t feel the need to use so much powder either to keep that sticky feel in check.
I’m still figuring out how well it improves wear time and prevents oil breakthrough with different foundations. So far it has only been *slightly* effective in combination with Urban Decay Stay Naked Foundation and Revlon Illuminance Skin Caring Foundation at helping keep my natural oils from breaking through the foundation. I haven’t noticed much increase in wear time with any other foundation so far.
Above, I am showing you what it looks like without primer (first quadrant), with the primer by itself (second quadrant), and with a couple of foundations over top (third and fourth quadrants). On the lower left I’m wearing Laura Mercier Real Flawless Weightless Perfecting Foundation over the elf primer. This combo works very well together. On the lower right, I’m wearing Urban Decay Stay Naked Foundation with the elf primer on only one half of the face. This combo was okay together but not as good as the previous one. I didn’t feel the elf primer added any additional matte effect to the skin (the right and left side of the face look pretty much the same) and it also didn’t add too much of a smoothing effect either.