If you are someone who wears makeup, then you will know how important it is to look after your skin. Having the best cleansing and nighttime routine is paramount, but you will also have to care for your skin before you put any makeup on!
This can be done with a skin primer, that will need to be applied before you put any makeup or concealer onto your face. A skin primer will act as an extra barrier of protection before applying any other products straight onto your bare face.
In addition, face primers can work to help your makeup look even better. You can purchase oil balancing primers, mattifying primers, and even ones that color correct any blemishes or imbalances in your skin.
This way, your face can look glowy, fresh and amazing when you use a primer before applying any makeup! One of the most popular and well loved makeup brands is Elf, or also known as e.l.f.
This brand is favored by make up and skin enthusiasts alike for their impressive range of skin and beauty products.
Elf is also favored for its skin primers. If you are looking to purchase a face primer, then Elf will be the first place you want to go! This is why we have created a list of the best Elf primers to help you find one that is perfect for your skin.
Best e.l.f Primers: Our Top 6 Picks
1. Best Overall: Elf Poreless Putty Primer
The Elf Poreless Putty Primer is one of Elf’s most best selling products! This primer is infused with Squalane for optimal levels of hydration and smoothness, making it perfect for all skin types.
If you are looking for a perfectly flawless and poreless look, then the Elf Poreless Putty primer is the best option for you.
The velvety putty texture simply glides over the skin, smoothing away any blemishes or imperfections for a beautifully flawless look, and a great grip for your makeup!
All you have to do is apply a small, thin layer of this product to moisturized skin, and evenly cover your whole face. Leave it to set to around 30 seconds, and then apply your make up as normal.
This Elf primer is easy to use, small and compact enough to carry, and can be taken anywhere with you for a flawless base for your makeup.
What is even better is that the Elf Poreless Putty Primer is also cruelty free, vegan and 100% free from Phthalates, Parabens, Nonolphenol, Ethoxylates, Triclosan, triclocarban and Hydroquinone for a safe and skin friendly product.
Pros:
- Intended for all skin types
- Ultimate hydration
- Putty consistency infused with Squalane
- Velvety texture
- Poreless and flawless effect
- Compact size
- Cruelty free and vegan
Cons:
- Only apply a small amount to avoid ‘cakiness’ or excess oil
2. Elf Hydrating Face Primer
If you need a little more moisture for your skin, then the Elf Hydrating Face Primer will be the perfect choice for you! However, this Elf face primer is actually great for most skin types.
Use this primer as a hydrating, moisturizing everyday base before applying make up. Your skin will love you for it! With this Elf face primer, you have vitamins A, C and E infused with grape for a beautiful base for your skin.
As it is more moisturizing and creamy, this primer has a little more of an oily serum-like consistency.
This hydrating face primer offers a creamy base that smoothens and primes your skin for makeup, leaving your foundation to glide on easily and last all day! As with all Elf products, it is 100% free from harmful chemicals and additives, whilst also being vegan and cruelty free for your peace of mind.
Pros:
- Suitable for combination skin types
- Hydrating skin primer
- Moisturizing
- More of a serum consistency
- Vitamins A, C and E infused
- Smoothes skin
- Locks in moisture
- Vegan and cruelty free
- No harmful chemicals
Cons:
- May be unsuitable if you have extra oily skin
3. Elf Blemish Control Face Primer
Having problem skin can be, well a problem. It can be difficult to find beauty products that do not aggravate blemishes or acne prone skin. But Elf has you and your skin covered with the Blemish Control Face Primer.
This product is skin perfecting, long lasting and helps to control breakouts and blemishes. It will really transform your face into a flawless, smooth canvas ready for your makeup. Even better, it will help your foundation last all day!
Infused with powerful vitamin E, tea tree and salicylic acid, this primer is equipped with all of the nutrients your skin needs to heal blemishes and spots. All you need to do is blend it evenly across your face and leave it to dry before applying makeup.
This primer can also be used by all skin types, but is particularly formulated for blemish prone and oily skin as it works to repair imperfections and control excess oil at the same time.
Pros:
- Blemish control
- Blends away imperfections
- Includes vitamin E, tea tree and salicylic acid
- Controls oil
- Can be used for all skin types
- Cruelty free and vegan
- No toxic chemicals
Cons:
- Not much product in the bottle
4. Elf Tone Adjusting Face Primer
If you suffer from skin discoloration, whether it is redness, dark circles, or acne, then you will need a tone adjusting face primer. The Elf Tone Adjusting primer works to balance skin discoloration and neutralize uneven skin tone for a flawless finish!
You can purchase this primer in a green tone to counteract acne and rosacea because it neutralizes any redness in your skin tone. If that is not your issue, it also comes in a brightening lavender color to balance yellow skin tones or dull patches, and is suitable for all skin types.
In addition, this primer is an award winning bestseller. It is ideal for creating a lightweight, smooth base for your foundation, whilst also filling in any fine lines and wrinkles, smoothing out your complexion perfectly.
This Elf primer is silky, smooth, and long lasting for all skin types!
Pros:
- Tone adjusting
- Comes in green and lavender colors to balance uneven skin tones
- Silky smooth primer
- Flawless finish
- Weightless formula
- Suitable for all skin types
- Cruelty free and vegan
- No toxic ingredients
Cons:
- Not suitable for very oily skin
- Small product
5. Elf Mineral Infused Face Primer
If you want a face primer that will ensure your makeup lasts all day, and protects your skin, then you will want to try the Mineral Infused Face Primer from Elf. This primer smooths your skin, fills in fine lines and refines your complexion perfectly.
The weightless formula is perfect for all skin types and never feels cakey or heavy under your makeup. If you want a smooth, flawless finish for your foundation, then you will need to try this primer equipped with all the minerals your skin deserves.
Pros:
- Mineral infused
- Perfect for all skin types
- Silky finish
- Long lasting
- Refines complexion
- Moisturizing consistency
- Only need a small amount of product
Cons:
- Not suitable for oily skin
- Not much product in the bottle
6. Elf Mineral Infused Face Primer Matte Finish
If you love the sound of the Elf Mineral Infused Primer, but you are unsure whether it is suitable for more oily skin, then do not worry, it also comes in a matte finish perfect for you.
This version still refines lines and creates a smooth, flawless look, but also works to reduce excess oil and keep your foundation in place all day! The Mineral Infused Face Primer with a matte finish is still a perfect everyday base to make your foundation stay in place for hours on end.
With lots of minerals infused in the formula, you can rest assured that your skin is protected, moisturized and primed for make up. It is still cruelty free, vegan and free of any toxic or harmful ingredients for your convenience and skin care.
Make your foundation and concealer simply glide on with a velvety, mattifying finish that is absolutely perfect for oily skin types. This primer is high quality, recommended and at an affordable price.
Pros:
- Mineral infused primer
- Velvet, flawless look
- Mattifying finish
- Formulated for oily skin
- Suitable for all skin types
- Cruelty free and vegan
- Free from harmful ingredients
Cons:
- Small bottle
- More expensive than other products
e.l.f Primers: Buyer’s Guide
Why you need to use a primer
Beauty experts will swear by the use of face primers!
Primers not only prepare your skin for makeup, but they also work to smoothen skin, keep your makeup in palace and blur your pores so that they are invisible.
With a face primer, you can also specifically target your skin problems such as dryness, excess oil, discoloration or rosacea so that your makeup and your bare skin can look great.
Face primers will also work as an extra barrier of protection for your bare skin.
Wearing makeup can cause a lot of breakouts and blemishes, and so you will want to ensure that your skin is protected from thick and cakey foundation.
How to apply a face primer
To apply a face primer, you will need to start with a perfectly cleansed and moisturized face.
Make sure you apply a little sunscreen for protection (if your primer does not include SPF) and then squeeze a dime sized amount of primer onto the back of your hand.
Then, you can dab a little of the primer onto your face and apply all over. Gently rub in the primer on your face and prepare to apply your makeup on top.
Things to consider when buying an Elf primer
Everyone has different skin types, that will have different requirements in order to make it look amazing. If you are thinking about purchasing a face primer from Elf, then you will first have to think about what your specific skin needs are.
If you know what type of skin you have then you will be in luck. You may have dry, oily, or combination skin, in which case there will be an Elf primer to help you combat your specific skin issues.
In addition, Elf have primers available that work to color correct dark circles, redness or rosacea.
If you have blemish prone skin or acne skin, then you will also be able to purchase an Elf primer specifically for you. Make sure that you know what you want your primer to do for your skin.
For example, if you want a primer to make your makeup look flawless and your skin poreless, then look for a silky, poreless primer to help you!
If you have oily skin that tends to produce oils throughout the day, then you will want to purchase a mattifying skin primer to keep your skin looking flawless all day long.
There are so many different options when it comes to Elf primers, and many have different consistencies.
You can purchase thick, putty-like face primers, or creamy ones, or even some that feel like a gel or serum. If you do not like a particular consistency for your skin, then be sure to check before you buy!
In addition, it is important to remember that Elf primers are cruelty free, and made without toxic ingredients.
Elf products actually have a lot of natural ingredients and nutrients added to help boost your complexion and care for your skin.
Frequently Asked questions
What is a primer?
A skin primer is everything it says it is. Primers act as a prepping product that should be applied after you have completed your skin care regime in order to create the perfect canvas for applying makeup.
The makeup will usually then adhere much better to the skin, and will be much easier to apply.
Why buy Elf products?
Elf has quickly become one of the most popular drug store brands of all time.
With affordable, high quality and amazing beauty products, Elf has become a firm favorite for celebrities, influencers and beauty enthusiasts alike.
In addition to this, Elf is a vegan beauty and skincare brand that has a lot of green values, and is cruelty free.
This, along with its affordable price tags may be why the brand is so popular in the beauty community.
What is the best Elf primer for all skin types?
If you are looking for a primer that will be suitable for most skin types, then you will love the Elf Mineral Infused Face Primer.
You can make sure that your makeup stays on all day, whilst also protecting and creating a barrier between your face and cakey makeup.
It is silky, long lasting, and creates a smooth base whilst also being suitable for all skin types!
What is the best Elf primer for oily skin?
Having oily skin can be a real annoyance if you are wearing makeup.
No matter how much foundation or concealer you put on, it will seem to slip off after a few hours, as your skin produces lots of oil throughout the day.
To combat this, you can use an Elf primer specifically formulated for oily skin types such as the Oil Control Primer Mist.
It is mattifying, controls oil, balances skin and prevents any oily shine on your skin.