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Beauty Review: elf Poreless Primer

Most days, I go make up free.

Not because I am overwhelmed by my natural beauty. Lol. Far from it. I joke that most days I look like a bridge troll.

It’s just that I spend the majority of my time working from home or living in my car, carting kids around.

So, instead, I slather on extra moisturizer and slap on an under-eye patch. Ever since I turned my attention and budget to skincare a few years ago, my skin has never looked better. 

But of course, I love make up and when I wear it, I want it to look its best and last all day or night.

I’ve used primers in the past; the Smashbox Photo Finish Primer, for example, is one of the best around, but it’s $40, and while I’m admittedly a product snob, that feels like a lot.

So after seeing a few articles and videos featuring the e.l.f. Poreless Primer, a drugstore find for only $10, I had to pick it up. 

Beauty Review: Elf Poreless Primer

e.l.f. Poreless Face Primer Large

 

e.l.f. Poreless Face Primer Large, $10 

You can find e.l.f. products everywhere. While taking a mental break at Target, I picked it up, but it’s also at Ulta, Amazon, and drugstores nationwide. 

This past weekend was a busy one.

Our oldest, Maddie, had her Freshman Formal on Friday night. It was a lot of fun getting her ready, then we had a cocktail party at her friend’s house with other parents beforehand, and Bri and I snuck in a quick date night dinner after we dropped the kids off at the dance.

I had to be fully dressed a few hours before we left to get everyone else ready, as moms do,  so  I used it as an opportunity to try out the primer.

Why Should You Use Primer? 

Primer acts like a buffer between your skin and your makeup. It keeps your makeup in place so it doesn’t move around, helps it from settling in your pores and lines and creates a  smooth finish. 

Some claim to create a “flawless finish” but, it should be noted, your skin will always have texture to it. It’s suppose to have texture. Don’t believe any one claiming to look airbrushed by using a cream. 

What primer will do is soften the look of your skin and help your products last longer. 

To use, follow your regular skincare, and apply after your last step, which should always be sunscreen in the morning.

My best tip is to let your skincare absorb into your skin for about 5 minutes  before you layer on the primer.

If you apply the primer too quickly, it won’t stick to your skin, and will flake off as you apply your foundation. 

Why I like the e.l.f. Poreless Primer

As I’ve aged, I like a dewy finish to my skin rather than a matte one; I think it looks more youthful,

The e.l.f. Poreless Primer goes on like a moisturizer. It’s very light and not sticky at all. Some primers are VERY sticky – and I can’t stand how it feels on my skin.

Use a tiny bit and work in sections. For example, I start around my T-zone, applying a thin layer to my cheeks, which gets very red, and around my nose. Then I use even less on my forehead and chin.

A little goes a long way.

Then I let that sit for a minute before applying foundation.

Some reviews talk about the primer having a scent, but I honestly don’t even notice it, and I’m pretty sensitive to fragrance.

Results

How this beautiful creator is mine or how I am old enough to have a teenager is a whole other conversation. But I will say she is as kind and fun as she is pretty. 

This photo isn’t filtered or airbrushed at all. My husband took it with my phone while we were heading out, so no fancy lighting either. 

On this particular night, I used the Armani Luminous Silk Perfect Glow Flawless Oil-Free Foundation. I moisturized, then added the primer, then the foundation.

Around my eye, I used a small amount of  Tarte Shape Tape concealer. I have a very annoying age spot on the side of my eye facing the camera, and this stuff does an incredible job covering it up without looking cakey. 

The rest of my make up is also balm based: this cheek tint by Wander Beauty in Peony, I smudge Laura Mercier’s Caviar Stick on my eyelids, and a little of this highlight stick by Gucci Westman

I was done getting ready at 2 pm, this photo was taken at 5:30, and we got home around 10, my face looked the same. 

Maddie also used the primer but only wore a little of the same concealer under her eye and then some powder. She doesn’t “need” a lick of make up, but has fun with it. 

Also, she’s not this much taller than me! She’s wearing heels, and I’m in flats. She’s got about a half-inch to go before she officially catches up to me.

Verdict: Totally worth the extra step to get a long-wearing, not matte, soft look to your make up. 

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Recommendations are based on my experience as a personal stylist and wardrobe consultant for over a decade. I worked with busy, down-to-earth women who wanted to look chic and feel confident but were often confused by so much of retail. 

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Beauty Review: elf Poreless Primer
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Megan Kristel

Megan Kristel is an entrepreneur, working mom, and former personal stylist. Tired of the one-dimensional portrayal of women online, she founded The Well Dressed Life as a resource for other professional women.

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Lori

Thursday 17th of February 2022

What brand & color is on your lips? It’s perfect!

Jacqueline

Tuesday 15th of February 2022

You both look beautiful! Would you provide more information about the under eye patch?

Jacqueline

Wednesday 16th of February 2022

@Megan Kristel, Thank you! Just ordered :)

Daniela Spallino

Tuesday 15th of February 2022

@Megan Kristel,

Thank you for the patch information, Megan. I am looking forward to trying them as I have a lot of under eye puffiness. Do you have a new hair style? It looks great!

Megan Kristel

Tuesday 15th of February 2022

Of course! I buy these at Target by Pixi and keep them in my fridge. They help cool and de-puff your eyes. You can spend a lot more for them but these guys do the trick!

Cristin Kist

Tuesday 15th of February 2022

Maddie is incredibly beautiful- you both are!

Megan Kristel

Tuesday 15th of February 2022

Awww, thank you. She really is such a great young woman.

Jean D

Tuesday 15th of February 2022

Maddie and you look beautiful! Thanks for the info on the products

Sylvia Scott

Tuesday 15th of February 2022

I've tried the Elf Primer and actually used it for a year or two before I began having problems finding it in stock at the stores. I thought it was a great and affordable alternative to the pricey primers! You and your daughter look beautiful!!