e.l.f. Power Grip Primer Review

Few drugstore primers have generated as much buzz as e.l.f. Power Grip Primer. The promise is simple: a clear, cushiony gel that gets tacky, grabs onto your foundation, and helps everything last longer without heavy fragrance or a heavy price tag. After weeks of testing in different weather and with a range of foundations, here is how it actually performs, who will love it, and what to know before you buy.

Overview

e.l.f. Power Grip Primer is a translucent gel primer packaged in a slim, teal-tinted pump bottle. The texture is bouncy and slightly thick at first, then transforms into a tacky veil as it warms on skin. That tackiness is intentional. It acts like a subtle adhesive layer that grips your makeup so pigment applies more evenly and resists sliding and fading through the day.

The formula is water-based and fragrance-free, which makes it a comfortable option for many skin types, including sensitive. It is vegan and cruelty-free. The standard bottle contains roughly 0.8 ounces, and the price typically sits in the low drugstore range. e.l.f. also sells a separate version labeled with niacinamide. This review focuses on the original clear Power Grip.

Claims focus on improved makeup longevity, smoother application, and a fresh, slightly dewy finish. The brand does not position this as a pore-filling or mattifying primer. If you want shine control or instant blurring, this is not its main purpose.

Who it’s for

This primer is a strong match if you want your base to adhere better and hold up through heat, humidity, long work days, or mask wear. It suits a broad range of skin types because it is hydrating without being oily, and its grip pairs well with lightweight to medium-coverage bases.

You will likely enjoy it if:

• Your makeup fades or slides off within a few hours and you need a longer-lasting base.
• You like a fresh, slightly dewy finish rather than a flat matte look.
• You use skin tints, tinted moisturizer, or flexible medium-coverage foundations that benefit from extra adherence.
• You prefer fragrance-free formulas and a straightforward ingredient list.

You might skip it if:

• You want visible pore blurring or line-filling from your primer. This does not create a silicone-smooth finish.
• Your skin is extremely oily and you need true oil control. It improves wear time but does not absorb oil on its own.
• You dislike any tacky feel on the skin, even temporarily. The tack is part of its magic.
• You rely on heavy silicone creams or sunscreen that can pill. You will need to adjust your layering to prevent pilling.

How it feels and performs

Texture and application feel: The gel comes out thick but spreads with a little slip. Within 20 to 40 seconds it shifts from slightly slippery to noticeably tacky. Once tacky, it feels bouncy and grippy rather than wet. There is no detectable scent. The finish leans dewy at first and settles into a natural sheen after makeup is applied.

Grip effect with base makeup: The tack helps foundation cling evenly, especially around the nose, chin, and smile lines where product usually wears off first. Skin tints and serum foundations glide on more evenly and show less patchiness. Medium coverage liquids build smoothly. Very matte, full-coverage formulas can catch or skip if you try to blend too quickly while the primer is still wet; waiting the full set time and using a damp sponge solves this.

Shine and oil control: Power Grip is not matte and does not contain strong oil-absorbing ingredients. On normal to combination skin, it keeps makeup looking fresh longer without making skin greasy. On oily skin it prolongs wear but will not stop shine by itself. Pairing it with a light dusting of translucent powder through the T-zone helps a lot. If you prefer a flat matte finish, a different primer category will suit you better.

Longevity: Across our tests, the primer consistently extended wear by several hours compared to going primer-free. Blush and bronzer stayed more vibrant into the afternoon, and transfer on masks and phone screens was reduced. In high humidity, it still improved adhesion, though heavy perspiration eventually breaks down most bases. Touch-ups were simpler because pigment had held in place rather than disappearing in patches.

Pores and texture: Do not expect a blurred, velvety effect. This is not a silicone-smoothing primer. On smooth, well-moisturized skin the base looks fresher and more even. On flaky or very textured areas, you may see some cling unless you prep with a moisturizer or a gentle exfoliating toner. If blurring is your priority, you can spot-prime with a pore-filling product on the T-zone and use Power Grip on the parts of the face where you want staying power.

Compatibility with skincare and sunscreen: Because this primer is water-based and uses film-formers to create its grip, it plays best with lightweight lotions and gel moisturizers. Heavy silicone creams or rich balms under it can cause pilling. Mineral and chemical sunscreens both worked in our tests as long as we allowed them to dry down completely before primer. The key is thin layers and patience between steps.

Comfort and sensitivity: The formula is fragrance-free and did not sting or cause redness in our tests. If you are sensitive to acrylates or film-formers, patch test first. Once set, it feels like a soft, flexible layer rather than a tight film, and it removes cleanly with a standard cleanser at the end of the day.

How to use for best results

1. Finish skincare and sunscreen, then wait 2 to 5 minutes. Makeup primers behave best on skin that is dry to the touch. If your moisturizer is rich, give it the full 5 minutes.
2. Dispense a pea-size amount to start. Warm it between fingertips, then press and smooth it over the face. Focus on the T-zone, nose, cheeks, and chin where makeup tends to fade. Add a tiny extra dab only if you need more coverage; too much can cause pilling.
3. Wait 30 to 60 seconds until it turns tacky. You are looking for that light, sticky bounce under your fingertips. If it still feels slippery, give it a few more seconds.
4. Apply base makeup with a damp sponge or fingers, using pressing and tapping motions. Brushes can work, but swiping aggressively may lift the primer before it sets with the foundation.
5. Set strategically. If you get oily, press a small amount of translucent powder through the center of the face. If you prefer a dewy finish, skip powder on the high points and just set under eyes and around the nose.

Pairing tips:

• Choose compatible bases. Water-based, flexible formulas play nicest. If your favorite foundation is heavy in silicones, let the primer fully set and work in thin layers with a sponge.
• Mind your sunscreen. Let it dry completely. If pilling happens, try switching to a lighter lotion or gel sunscreen under the primer.
• Layer with cream blush and bronzer. The grip helps cream products adhere and stay vibrant, especially on the apples of the cheeks.
• For long days, lock down the T-zone with powder and finish with a setting spray to reduce transfer.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Noticeably extends makeup wear and pigment vibrancy, even in humidity.
• Pros: Affordable, fragrance-free, vegan, and suitable for many skin types.
• Pros: Clear gel works with any skin tone and leaves a fresh, natural finish.
• Pros: Helps cream blush and bronzer grip and fade more evenly.
• Cons: Tacky feel can be off-putting if you prefer a velvety or matte base.
• Cons: Offers little pore blurring and no true oil control.
• Cons: Can pill over heavy silicone skincare or if over-applied.
• Cons: Needs a 30 to 60 second set time, which adds a step to your routine.

Final verdict

e.l.f. Power Grip Primer delivers on its central promise. If you want an affordable, fragrance-free primer that makes foundation and cheek color stick better and look fresher longer, this is one of the most reliable options at the drugstore. It does not blur pores and it does not control oil, so it is not a universal replacement for every primer type. Instead, think of it as a flexible wear-extender that suits normal, dry, and combination skin best, and that can work on oily skin when paired with powder in the T-zone.

Use a small amount, give it a moment to get tacky, and press your foundation on rather than swiping. Follow those basics and you will see the grip in action. For shoppers who want long wear without a heavy, silicone-slick feel, e.l.f. Power Grip Primer is a smart buy that punches above its price.

See also

For those looking to extend their makeup’s longevity, explore our best long-wear foundations for weddings and events paired with the best primers for various skin concerns like combination skin.

• Discover how to minimize imperfections with our tips on the best blurring primers for pores and fine lines.
• If you’re concerned about aging, check out the best primer for wrinkles to smooth your complexion.
• Decide between finishing products by comparing setting powder vs setting spray for a flawless finish.

FAQ

Does e.l.f. Power Grip Primer work on oily skin?

It improves makeup adhesion and longevity on oily skin, but it does not control oil by itself. Expect your base to last longer before breaking up, especially on the nose and chin, but plan to add a light dusting of translucent powder through the T-zone. If you want both grip and shine control, spot-prime with a mattifying product on oily areas and use Power Grip elsewhere.

How long should I let Power Grip Primer set before applying foundation?

Wait 30 to 60 seconds. Apply a pea-size amount, spread it evenly, then check with clean fingertips. When it feels lightly tacky rather than slippery, start applying foundation. Pressing and tapping with a damp sponge works best because it avoids lifting the primer as it sets with your base.

Will it blur pores and fine lines?

No, it is not designed to be a pore-filling or line-smoothing primer. It can make makeup look more even because pigment adheres better, but it will not create that velvet, airbrushed effect. If blurring is a priority, spot-prime with a pore-filling primer on the T-zone and apply Power Grip on the rest of the face for staying power.

How can I prevent pilling with this primer?

Use thin layers and let each step dry fully. Choose lighter lotions or gel moisturizers under it, and avoid heavy silicone creams right before makeup. After sunscreen, wait a couple of minutes. Apply a pea-size amount of primer, let it turn tacky, then press foundation on with a sponge. Over-applying is the most common reason for pilling.

Which foundations pair best with Power Grip Primer?

Water-based skin tints, serum foundations, and flexible medium-coverage liquids pair especially well. Very matte, silicone-heavy formulas can work, but only if you allow full set time and use thin layers. If you see skipping or patchiness, switch to a damp sponge and press product in rather than buffing with a brush.

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