e.l.f. Cosmetics Power Grip Primer

Eleanor Vousden from Who What Wear UK highlights the e.l.f. Cosmetics Power Grip Primer as an impressive, affordable gem that stands out in a crowded market of pricey primers. With a candid, balanced tone, she praises its lightweight, hydrating gel formula that delivers a unique tacky finish—“like velcro for your makeup”—which significantly improves makeup longevity without clogging pores or causing breakouts. Eleanor’s personal experience with combination, oily, and dehydrated skin lends credibility, as she details how the primer plumps and moisturizes while maintaining a fresh, dewy look throughout a demanding day. She notes the primer’s excellent performance even under challenging conditions, such as long wear and heat, and appreciates its vegan, fragrance-free formulation. While acknowledging it may not suit those seeking a mattifying effect, she emphasizes its versatility and value, recommending it broadly. Her review combines thorough real-world testing with clear enthusiasm, making a compelling case for this cult-favorite primer’s hype and affordability.

Janiah McKelton from Byrdie highlights e.l.f. Cosmetics Power Grip Primer as a standout product that revitalized her approach to primers. Initially skeptical due to past experiences with unpleasant textures and dry skin incompatibility, she found this gel primer’s blend of hyaluronic acid and niacinamide both hydrating and skin-soothing. McKelton praises its ability to keep makeup fresh for six hours, even in humid conditions, while minimizing creasing around the eyes and nose. She notes the primer’s slightly sticky texture before drying but appreciates how it smooths makeup application once set. At an accessible $10 price point, she emphasizes its excellent value and longevity, requiring only a small amount per use. While briefly comparing it to other budget primers, McKelton’s unique insight lies in balancing hydration with oil control, making this primer a “game changer” for her routine and a must-have for those seeking long-lasting, comfortable wear.

Valeza Bakolli from Marie Claire UK highlights the surprisingly transformative effect of the e.l.f. Cosmetics Power Grip Primer, a cult-favorite gel primer that has converted her despite initial skepticism. Praising its hydrating, smoothing formula enriched with skin-friendly ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, she emphasizes its impressive ability to extend makeup longevity without causing irritation—an uncommon feat for her sensitive, acne-prone skin. The primer’s slightly tacky finish creates a natural, dewy look while ensuring makeup stays put through long, humid days and special occasions. Bakolli also notes the primer’s universal appeal, as it applies clear despite its blue gel appearance, and lauds its exceptional affordability. While she was initially doubtful about needing a primer, her real-world testing across various events convinced her of its value. Overall, she enthusiastically recommends stocking up on this budget-friendly, high-performance product that balances skincare benefits with makeup enhancement.

Renee Rodriguez from POPSUGAR highlights e.l.f. Cosmetics Power Grip Primer as an affordable, effective option for those seeking long-lasting, matte-finish makeup. She appreciates its hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, which help retain moisture despite her dry skin. The primer’s slightly tacky, gel-like texture initially felt sticky but ultimately created an ultra-smooth base that improved foundation application, even over textured skin. Rodriguez was particularly impressed by the primer’s durability, noting that her foundation remained largely intact after a sweaty 45-minute workout—an impressive feat for a $10 product. While the primer slightly muted the brightness of her foundation, she valued the matte effect and longevity it provided. Overall, she enthusiastically recommends the Power Grip Primer for anyone wanting a reliable, budget-friendly primer that enhances makeup wear without compromising hydration or comfort.

Jen Shiori Adams from BuzzFeed highlights the effectiveness of the e.l.f. Cosmetics Power Grip Primer as an affordable, sticky, gel-based primer that truly helps makeup last all day, especially for oily skin types. She praises its lightweight feel, clear application, and how it creates a smooth, dewy canvas for foundation, though she notes the primer’s glossy finish can emphasize oiliness if not managed with setting powder. Adams offers unique insights into the importance of waiting a few minutes after application for optimal makeup grip and shares a detailed routine combining the primer with the matching Power Grip Dewy Setting Spray. While she appreciates the setting spray’s fine mist and hydrating finish, she cautions that using it last can make oily skin look overly shiny, recommending instead to apply it earlier in the routine. Overall, Adams finds the duo delivers long-lasting wear and a radiant look for just $10 each, emphasizing that some experimentation is needed to perfect the application but ultimately recommending the products for their value and performance.

Madison San Miguel from TODAY (Shop TODAY) highlights the e.l.f. Cosmetics Power Grip Primer as an affordable, travel-friendly alternative to the higher-priced Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer. She appreciates its cooling, thicker gel texture that blends easily and provides a pore-smoothing effect, noting it offers comparable staying power to the Milk Makeup primer. However, she points out that the e.l.f. primer’s silicone-based formula can sit slightly on top of the skin and may feel less hydrating, making it better suited for normal to oily skin types rather than dry skin. While the Milk Makeup primer excels in hydration and skin care benefits with ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, the e.l.f. primer wins on packaging convenience and price. Ultimately, San Miguel recommends choosing between the two based on individual skin needs and makeup routines, affirming she will continue using the e.l.f. primer for certain looks despite favoring Milk Makeup for daily hydration.

Wendy Vazquez from Southern Living highlights the e.l.f. Cosmetics Power Grip Primer as an exceptional, affordable gem that delivers impressive year-round performance. Praising its long-lasting, hydrating gel formula enriched with hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, floral water, and rosemary leaf, she emphasizes how it effectively balances combination skin by controlling oil in the T-zone while moisturizing dry areas. The primer’s tacky texture ensures makeup stays put even in hot, humid conditions without looking oily or settling into fine lines. Vazquez also notes its clear application avoids leaving a white cast on darker skin tones, making it versatile across skin types. While the review is overwhelmingly positive, the enthusiasm is grounded in real-world testing, particularly during summer heat and cooler weather, underscoring the primer’s adaptability. At just $10, Vazquez considers it a standout value and a reliable makeup essential, recommending it as a year-round savior for diverse skin needs.

Amanda Vitale from The Aesthetic Edge highlights the close similarity between e.l.f. Cosmetics Power Grip Primer and the earlier Jelly Pop Primer, noting that despite marketing claims of improvement, the two formulas perform nearly identically. Both primers feature a translucent gel texture with a natural dewy finish and light hydration, designed to provide a tacky base that helps makeup adhere and extend wear time modestly. Vitale points out key differences such as Power Grip’s permanent availability, teal tint, and lack of scent versus Jelly Pop’s pink tint, watermelon scent, and additional skin-benefiting ingredients like niacinamide and vitamin C. She advises that neither primer fills pores or pairs well with powder foundations due to potential clinging. Overall, Power Grip is recommended as a reliable, permanent alternative to the limited-edition Jelly Pop, with the review offering practical insights into usage, formulation, and subtle distinctions without overstating benefits.

Users on Ulta Beauty widely praise the e.l.f. Cosmetics Power Grip Matte Primer for its impressive ability to grip makeup and extend wear time, especially for those with oily or combination skin. Reviewers highlight its gel-like, slightly tacky texture that creates a smooth, matte base without feeling heavy or drying. Many appreciate how it controls shine and minimizes the appearance of pores while maintaining a natural, skin-like finish rather than a flat or cakey look. The primer’s lightweight feel and fragrance-free formula also earn positive remarks, making it suitable for sensitive skin. Several users note that the primer performs exceptionally well in humid or hot conditions, keeping makeup intact for hours and reducing the need for touch-ups. Some find it works best when applied thinly and allowed to set before foundation, with a few sharing tips like pairing it with water-based products to avoid pilling or clumping. Reviewers with dry skin recommend layering a hydrating moisturizer underneath to prevent tightness, while others with dry or sensitive skin surprisingly report good compatibility when combined with hydrating foundations. Unique insights from Ulta reviewers include the primer’s compatibility with both cream and liquid foundations, its ability to blur fine lines and pores subtly, and its effectiveness when paired with e.l.f.’s Halo Glow Powder for a soft-focus, airbrushed effect. Some users contrast it favorably against higher-end primers, noting it offers similar performance at a fraction of the price without harsh ingredients like denatured alcohol. A few caution that the initial sticky feel can be off-putting but emphasize that it dries down smoothly and the grip it provides is worth the brief adjustment. While the majority celebrate its long-lasting, shine-controlling properties, a minority mention that it may not suit very dry skin types or those who prefer a less tacky texture. A small number report issues with makeup separation or sensitivity, often linked to product layering or skin type mismatches. Nonetheless, many recommend experimenting with application techniques and compatible products to maximize results. Overall, Ulta Beauty reviewers endorse the e.l.f. Power Grip Matte Primer as an affordable, effective primer that delivers strong makeup hold, oil control, and a smooth matte finish, making it a standout choice for those seeking a reliable base that performs well in various conditions.

Amazon users praise the e.l.f. Cosmetics Power Grip Primer for delivering impressive makeup longevity and a flawless finish that rivals high-end brands. Many highlight its lightweight yet tacky texture, which helps makeup adhere firmly without feeling heavy or greasy. Reviewers appreciate how it smooths the skin and provides a hydrated base, enhancing foundation application and wear, especially for oily and mature skin types. Several users note its excellent value, emphasizing that it performs as well as pricier primers. While most find the primer’s stickiness effective for holding makeup all day, some describe it as overly sticky or glue-like initially, requiring a brief adjustment period. A few customers with sensitive or silicone-reactive skin report breakouts, indicating it may not suit everyone. Overall, Amazon reviewers recommend this primer for its reliable grip, smooth finish, and affordability, making it a standout choice in the drugstore primer category.

Users on Target praise the e.l.f. Cosmetics Power Grip Primer for its strong makeup-holding ability, often comparing it favorably to high-end primers like Milk Hydro Grip and Urban Decay’s All Nighter. Many highlight its tacky texture as a key feature that creates a “sticky canvas,” helping foundation and skin tints stay put throughout long, hot, and even sweaty days without creasing or melting. Reviewers with combination and dry skin appreciate how it smooths makeup application and prevents foundation from settling into fine lines, while some with oily skin report impressive oil control when used with setting powder. Several customers celebrate the primer’s affordability and cruelty-free formula, calling it a “holy grail” and a “game changer” that rivals pricier alternatives. Users also note that it works well layered over moisturizer and pairs nicely with water-based foundations, enhancing blendability and longevity. TikTok trends and social media buzz have driven many to try it, with numerous reports of it becoming a staple in daily routines. However, Target reviewers also warn that the primer contains menthol, which causes burning, tingling, redness, and allergic reactions for those with sensitive or rosacea-prone skin. Some users experience breakouts, clogged pores, or a greasy finish after several hours, especially those with oily or acne-prone skin. The primer’s thick, glue-like consistency feels uncomfortable or sticky to some, making makeup application challenging and occasionally leading to cakey or patchy results. A few caution against using it under the eyes due to creasing and cracking of concealer. Overall, Target customers find the e.l.f. Power Grip Primer highly effective for makeup longevity and grip, particularly for normal to dry skin types and those seeking an affordable dupe for luxury primers. Yet, they advise sensitive skin users to proceed carefully due to potential irritation and recommend applying sparingly and allowing it to set before foundation for best results.