e.l.f. Cosmetics has recently partnered up with RED Driving School to offer the chance to win 10 hours worth of driving lessons, proving that preparation is key
Stocking up our makeup bag and skincare shouldn’t cost us our latest paycheck, nor should we settle for low-priced products that will leave our skin in need of some serious TLC. Thankfully, one cosmetics brand has bridged the gap between affordability and quality with its products that shoppers are calling their ‘holy grail’ – including a primer that reportedly leaves makeup and skin looking ‘flawless’.
I am talking about e.l.f. Cosmetics, whose most coveted product is most likely its Power Grip Primer, which retails at £11 for a 24ml tube and has been hailed by makeup buffs as a ‘must buy’ for keeping makeup in ‘perfect condition all day long’, as one fan of the product raved: “Best primer hands down, I have ever used. My makeup lasts a lifetime when I use the primer.”
The grip primer is hailed as a gel-based, hydrating face product that ‘smooths skin while gripping your makeup for long-lasting wear’. With its translucent formula (i.e., no pilling under makeup), the product, which is promoted as perfect for ‘oily, dry and combination skin’, delivers a glowy, dewy finish and, as a bonus, offers some nourishment thanks to its hyaluronic acid infusion.
What’s more is its non-comedogenic formula is designed not to clog pores – and helps users look like they don’t have any, as one shopper backed up: “This is quite literally the best primer I have ever owned. It’s now the only product I reach for when I start applying my makeup. Although it’s a bit sticky when applying at first, it’s well worth it with how smooth your skin looks and easy makeup stays on your face. I quite literally look like I have 0 pores when I use this primer. The coverage is absolutely extraordinary, and I’ve been raving about this to anyone who will listen.”
As for its staying power, users have been applauding its longevity, with one beauty fan remarking how it even withstood a gym session: “I’ve been using this for a few months, and the first thing I noticed is that it has a stickier consistency than my higher-end, more expensive primer. However, it kept my makeup on all day without having to touch it up, even after working out, so I call that a win. After my makeup was on over it, I felt like it was no longer ‘sticky’ but made my makeup look great!”
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e.l.f. Plates is a partnership between e.l.f. Cosmetics and RED Driving School. Find out more here.
Someone else echoed the sentiment on its hours-long wear and shared their experience: “The elf cosmetics power grip primer gives make-up a smooth, flawless base all day without feeling heavy or greasy. Stays on for hours, even during hot days with humidity. It doesn’t clog pores.”
While most people don’t particularly mind its tacky texture at first, some people found it a bit much, with one person deducting two stars from their rating alongside a review that read: “Not my favourite, I just don’t like the feeling and it’s super sticky and cold.”
Another mixed review shared this thought regarding its stickiness, but said: “Love this! Used it for the hot summer (30°+) and it has really helped my base stay. It is quite sticky at first, but you can’t notice it once it is blended, and it really keeps your makeup on. I’d still recommend pairing with a setting spray for the hot weather, but it’s probably fine on its own depending on what look you want when it’s cooler.”
For those who don’t enjoy this texture, Charlotte Tilbury’s Wonderglow Face Primer may be a good option. At £17 for a 15ml tube, its skin-nourishing and plumping ingredients, including hyaluronic acid, wild pansy extract, rosehip and camellia oil, help blur the appearance of fine lines and imperfections while keeping skin hydrated for hours.
Other users commend the Power Grip primer for helping their makeup look less cakey, which is something we all want. It just goes to show that preparation is key. Echoing this sentiment, e.l.f. Cosmetics has launched a brand-new campaign in partnership with RED Driving School to help young people prepare as best they can for one of the most important tests in a teen’s world: their driving test. This has been developed by the makeup brand to support UK learner drivers through its e.l.f. Plates campaign.
The brand explains on its website: “Learning to drive is e.l.f.ing hard. That’s why e.l.f. has partnered with RED Driver Training to give away thousands of free driving lessons to grip the skill that lasts an e.l.f.ing lifetime.” Shoppers who want the chance to be part of this partnership don’t need to buy anything to enter, but need to do so between July 8 and July 30. If successful, participants will win 10 hours worth of driving lessons with RED Driver Training.
It has been created to help UK learners feel more confident, independent and prepared for the road ahead – and, as many of us know, preparation, in all walks of life – from makeup to life milestones, like passing a driving test, included – is key. See here for more information and terms and conditions.
Many beauty fans adore pairing e.l.f.’s Grip Primer with the Power Grip Dewy Setting Spray, also £11. A bi-phase ‘shockingly fine mist’, this makeup setting spray is boosted with skin-loving and soothing ingredients like aloe, hyaluronic acid, squalane and green tea seed oil.
This helps not only makeup stay in place, but leaves skin looking hydrated, dewy and gorgeous. For those that don’t know, a bi-phase setting spray is made up of water and oil. The water phase is, as e.l.f. explains, ‘makeup-gripping’, while the ‘oil phase helps moisturise’. All it needs is a little shake before application (to activate it), and you’re good to go.
If a bi-phase formula isn’t hitting the mark, one of our favourite setting sprays on the beauty team is ICONIC London’s Prep-Set-Glow Hydrating Mist, £26. Not only does it hold makeup in place for hours on end (even on the hottest of days), but its light-reflecting properties leave the skin looking seriously glowy. Not to mention it’s hydrating.
Designed to be fragrance-free, the e.l.f. setting spray is likely suitable for sensitive skin, and what shoppers also love about this product is its lightweight finish. With more than 13,000 reviews and a 4.7 star rating, one person cited: “It’s so lightweight on your face and really does lock everything in to make it last all day and night. It came right on time and in such great packaging. The consistency is very nice, and it doesn’t have a super strong scent, which I like. Very happy with this product!”
Another user added: “e.l.f. Cosmetics Power Grip Dewy setting spray is one of the best and affordable setting sprays that I have used. Long-lasting, hydrating, and keeps your face looking flawless,” while a third simply said: “Super dewy and stays all day long even if you’re sweaty.”
While most people were wowed by the formula, one user wasn’t quite as bowled over, stating in a three star review: “I didn’t notice a big difference and how it makes my makeup last longer than other setting sprays I tried, but this is definitely a good option and budget friendly and it’s very easy to fit in your purse because of the size.”
For those who want to stock up on both the primer and the setting spray, e.l.f. Cosmetics has its Power Grip Stick & Set Duo in which shoppers can get both products for £34 instead of £36. Shop here.
