e.l.f. Power Grip Matte Primer Review: Does the Hype Actually Hold Up?

 

e.l.f. Power Grip Matte Primer

If you spend even ten minutes on beauty Instagram or TikTok these days, you've probably seen it — that little black tube everyone keeps talking about. For weeks, I kept scrolling past reels of girls swearing by the e.l.f. Power Grip Matte Primer, calling it a "holy grail" and a "makeup glue in a tube."

At first, I brushed it off. I already had my primer lineup sorted — I've used the Benefit Cosmetics Professional (POREfessional) primer, a mattifying gel-rescue primer, and the Smashbox Photo Finish primer at different points, and honestly, each one did its job well enough that I didn't feel the urge to switch things up.

But curiosity has a way of winning. After seeing one influencer after another literally stick the tube of this primer to their cheek to prove how "gluey" it is, I couldn't resist anymore. I had to know if this primer was genuinely that good, or just another viral moment that fades in a month. 

e.l.f. all primers

The tricky part was actually picking which one to buy — e.l.f. has an entire family of Power Grip primers, and it got a little confusing standing there scrolling through options. There's the 

• Original Power Grip Primer (the OG green tube everyone started with), 
• Power Grip Primer with Hyaluronic Acid (the pink one, aimed more at hydration)
• Poreless Putty Primer for anyone chasing a soft-focus, blurred finish.  
• Power Grip Matte Primer 

I still haven't tried any of those three, but for this round, I went straight for the black tube — the Power Grip Matte Primer — purely because my main concern in summer is oil and shine, not extra hydration, so the matte finish felt like the right fit for me.

So I picked one up, and here's my honest, unfiltered take after actually living with it through a full Indian summer.

Product Claims (As Per the Brand):

e.l.f. Power Grip Matte Primer

According to e.l.f.'s own product description, the Power Grip Matte Primer is built to do the following:

• Provide a shine-free, matte finish
• Grip makeup for extended, long-lasting wear
• Create a smooth base for foundation application
• Help control oil and minimize the appearance of pores
• Formulated with a lemon myrtle blend to reduce excess shine
• Suitable for oily, normal, dry, and combination skin types
• Non-comedogenic (won't clog pores)
• Vegan and cruelty-free

In short, the brand is positioning this as a mattifying, grippy, pore-blurring primer that's gentle enough for most skin types — a big promise for a drugstore-priced product.

e.l.f. Power Grip Matte Primer

How to Use (As Per the Brand):

The instructions listed on e.l.f.'s official site are refreshingly simple:

1. Apply evenly to the face before makeup using your fingertips.
2. Pat it into the skin — the warmth from your fingers helps the product melt in for even application.
3. Allow 30 seconds for it to set before applying foundation or any other makeup.
4. Discontinue use if any irritation occurs.

Nothing complicated here — no brushes, no sponges, just clean fingers and a little patience while it sets.

Product Quantity:

The primer comes in a travel-friendly 0.87 fl oz (26 ml) squeeze tube, which is a fairly standard size for a primer you'd use daily. A little goes a long way with this one, so the tube tends to last longer than you'd expect from its size.

e.l.f. Power Grip Matte Primer

Product Price:

In the US, it retails for around $10–$11, and there's also a smaller travel-size version for those who want to try it before committing. In India, pricing typically falls in the ₹1350/- range on marketplaces like Amazon India, though it's always worth checking the live listing since prices do shift with ongoing offers.

Packaging:

e.l.f. Power Grip Matte Primer

The packaging is simple, sturdy, and very e.l.f. — an all-black squeeze tube with a twist-off cap, no pump, no fuss. There's something satisfying about how minimal it looks sitting on a vanity, and functionally, the tube gives you full control over exactly how much product you're dispensing, which matters a lot with a primer this potent. I've actually been using this same tube for about three months now, so if the packaging looks a little smudged and worn in my photos, that's just from sitting in my makeup drawer alongside other products and getting used daily — not a reflection of the primer itself.

Texture:

e.l.f. Power Grip Matte Primer

This is where the primer immediately sets itself apart. The texture is a smooth, clear gel — it isn't thick or heavy, and it isn't watery either. It sits somewhere in between, gliding onto the skin easily and turning almost invisible once patted in, leaving behind a soft, tacky finish rather than a greasy or cakey one.

Ingredients:

As per e.l.f.'s official ingredient list, the Power Grip Matte Primer contains:

Water (Aqua), Glycerin, Silica, Butylene Glycol, PEG-150 Distearate, Niacinamide, Polysorbate 80, Backhousia Citriodora (Lemon Myrtle) Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Laurate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, PEG-240/HDI Copolymer Bis-Decyltetradeceth-20 Ether, Phenoxyethanol, Disodium EDTA.

e.l.f. Power Grip Matte Primer

A quick breakdown of what's actually doing the work here:

• Water, Glycerin & Butylene Glycol — hydrate and keep the formula lightweight rather than drying
• Silica — helps absorb oil and blur the look of pores for that smooth, matte effect
• Niacinamide — a skincare favourite that helps balance oil production and calm the skin
• Backhousia Citriodora (Lemon Myrtle) Leaf Extract — the ingredient behind that shine-control claim
• Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer — this is essentially the "grip" agent, the film-forming ingredient responsible for that sticky, makeup-locking texture
• Tocopherol (Vitamin E) — acts as an antioxidant
• Phenoxyethanol & Disodium EDTA — standard, widely-used preservatives that keep the formula stable

The formula is fragrance-free, oil-free, and non-comedogenic, which is reassuring if you're someone with sensitive or acne-prone skin who still wants that grip factor. As e.l.f. themselves note, ingredient lists can vary slightly between batches, so it's always worth double-checking the box you actually receive.

My Experience: Does It Actually Deliver?

Here's the part I was most curious about, and I'm not going to sugarcoat it — this primer genuinely impressed me, especially considering what I was up against.

Living through an Indian summer with oily skin is its own kind of battle. Between the humidity, the heat, and the sweat, my makeup would usually start sliding off my face by early afternoon, no matter how many setting sprays or powders I layered on top. Foundation would separate around  nose, base would go patchy near  cheeks, and by evening I'd basically be starting from scratch. So when I applied this primer for the first time and waited those recommended 30 seconds, I wasn't expecting much — I've been let down by "miracle" primers before.

e.l.f. Power Grip Matte Primer

But this one actually did what it promised. Once it sets, it turns genuinely sticky and gluey on the skin — and I mean that in the best way possible. This is exactly what those influencers were showing off when they pressed the primer tube against their cheek and it stayed stuck there. That's how much grip this thing has, and once you feel it on your own skin, you understand why. My makeup didn't just sit on top of my face — it felt like it had actually locked into place.

I've been using it with a water-based foundation, and the combination has been a game-changer for my oily, sweat-prone skin in summer. Even on days with heavy humidity and a lot of running around, my base has stayed put for hours without that midday meltdown I used to dread. It also holds up beautifully when paired with just a loose setting powder on days I want a simpler, lighter routine — proof that it works well both as a full-glam base and a no-fuss everyday primer.

e.l.f. Power Grip Matte Primer

One important tip I picked up (and one I'd pass on to anyone trying this for the first time): always pair a water-based primer with a water-based foundation. Mixing formulas — say, a water-based primer with a silicone-based foundation — can cause pilling or that annoying "balling up" effect on the skin. Once I made sure my foundation was water-based too, the pairing worked seamlessly every single time.

Overall, this primer earned its hype in my books. It doesn't just claim to control oil and grip makeup — it actually follows through, especially in conditions where most primers tend to give up.

e.l.f. Power Grip Matte Primer

Pros:

• Genuinely long-lasting grip, even in extreme heat and humidity
• Excellent for oily and combination skin types
• Controls shine effectively without feeling drying
• Smooth, lightweight gel texture that isn't sticky to the touch before it sets
• Works well both under full makeup and with just powder
• Budget-friendly compared to high-end primers like Smashbox
• Non-comedogenic and vegan formula

Cons:

• Tube packaging means you can't always see how much product is left

My Rating: 

4.7/5

Will I Buy It Again?

Yes, absolutely. After going through a full summer with this primer as my daily base, it's earned a permanent spot in my routine. Coming from someone who's tried the Benefit POREfessional, a mattifying gel-rescue primer, and Smashbox Photo Finish, I can honestly say the e.l.f. Power Grip Matte Primer holds its own against pricier options — and in terms of grip and oil control specifically, it might just be the best one I've tried yet.

If you have oily skin and dread how quickly your makeup gives up on hot, humid days, this is one viral product that's actually worth trying for yourself.

Where to Buy: 

If this review has convinced you to try it out, you can grab the e.l.f. Power Grip Matte Primer right here click the link — I've linked it below for easy access. It's currently priced around ₹900–₹1,100, though do check for any live offers before checkout.

🛒 Buy it here: e.l.f. Power Grip Matte Primer in India

How to Stop Makeup From Sliding Off in Humid Weather

You know the feeling. Foundation looks flawless at 8am, and by noon it's pooling in your smile lines like it's trying to escape your face. Mascara's under your eyes. Your powder has given up entirely. If you've ever stepped outside on a muggy day and watched your entire routine unravel in real time, you're not doing anything wrong — humidity is just genuinely brutal on makeup, full stop.

Woman with dewy makeup and slight sweat sheen on her face during humid weather

The annoying part is that most of the advice out there is either "use more setting spray" (doesn't work, tried it) or a 12-step routine that takes longer than your commute. What actually helps is smaller and less obvious: it's less about which products you buy and more about how you're layering them, and which habits are quietly working against you.

Why your face turns into a slip-and-slide

Here's the short version of what's happening biologically, because it actually changes how you should approach the problem. Humid air is already saturated with moisture, so sweat on your skin has nowhere to evaporate — it just sits there. Your oil glands also tend to go into overdrive in heat. Put those two together under a layer of makeup and you basically have a lubricated surface for your foundation to slide around on. It's not that your products are bad. It's that they're fighting a losing battle against your own skin chemistry.

woman blotting oily skin why makeup breaks down in humidity

So the fix isn't a miracle product. It's building a base that can actually handle moisture instead of getting undone by it.

Start lighter than you think you need to

This is the step people skip, and it's usually the reason everything after it falls apart. Rich, creamy moisturizers feel luxurious but they leave a layer of slip on your skin — and slip is exactly what makes foundation slide instead of grip. Switch to something gel-based or lightweight, and actually wait for it to sink in before touching your primer. Rushing this step is a mistake I see (and make) constantly.

Woman applying a lightweight moisturizer to bare skin before starting her humidity-proof makeup routine

If your skin runs oily, resist the urge to skip moisturizer altogether. Dry, under-hydrated skin tends to overcompensate by pumping out more oil later in the day, which is the opposite of what you want.

What's worked for me: The Derma Co. 5% Nia-Ceramide Mattifying Moisturizer (also on Amazon) is genuinely lightweight and keeps the shine down without feeling stripped. If open pores are more your issue than pure oiliness, The Derma Co Pore Minimizing Daily Face Moisturizer with 3% Niacinamide, 3% PHA and p-REFINYL® is the one I'd reach for instead — it does double duty as a gentle exfoliant too, so it's less "extra step" and more multitasker.

If you want to rework more of your routine for the season, not just this one step, here's our full summer skincare guide — worth a read before the next heatwave hits.

Primer isn't optional — but pick the right one

Primer is genuinely where the difference gets made. It's the thing standing between your skin and your makeup, and in humid weather it's doing double duty: smoothing texture and giving your foundation something to actually hold onto.

applying gripping primer to skin as a base for humidity-proof makeup

A few rules of thumb:

• Oily zones (forehead, nose, chin) want something mattifying or gripping
• Match your primer's base to your foundation's base — silicone with silicone, water with water
• Don't slather it everywhere. Focus on the areas that break down first

Worth trying: e.l.f. Power Grip Matte Primer, Matte Finish, Long-Lasting, Suitable for All Skin Types or the e.l.f. Poreless Face Primer — both are budget-friendly enough to experiment with before committing to something pricier.

Less foundation, not more

Blending a thin layer of long-wear foundation with a damp sponge for humid weather

Counterintuitive, but true: piling on more product doesn't make it last longer in humidity. It just gives sweat more to break down. Thick, full-coverage formulas crack and separate faster than sheer ones because there's simply more of them for moisture to get under.

What actually works better:

• Buildable, sheer-to-medium formulas — add coverage only where you need it
• Anything labeled "long-wear," "sweat-resistant," or "humidity-resistant" on the bottle
• A damp sponge in thin layers instead of a brush loaded with product

For what it's worth, Clinique Vanilla Even Better Makeup Broad Spectrum SPF 15 is a solid,without full-glam coverage.

If you haven't tried a serum foundation yet, it's worth a look — they're built around this exact idea of sheer, buildable coverage with skincare benefits mixed in. Here's a full breakdown of our favorite serum foundations if you want to go deeper.

Setting powder: technique matters more than product

Woman pressing setting powder into her skin for a long-lasting humidity-proof finish

Here's a detail almost nobody mentions — how you apply your powder matters as much as which powder you buy. Sweeping it on with a fluffy brush leaves it sitting loosely on top of your skin, which is exactly what makes it slide off with the first bit of sweat. Press it in instead, with a puff, patting rather than brushing.

And don't go overboard. Mattifying your entire face usually just makes you look flat. Stick to the T-zone and any spots that tend to crease.

Setting spray is your actual insurance policy

If you only add one product to your routine, make it this. A light, even mist after your makeup is done helps everything "melt" together and adds a genuine layer of resistance against sweat and humidity — it's not just a marketing claim, it does something.

Woman misting setting spray close to her face to lock in makeup during humid weather

Hold the bottle a little away from your face, don't soak yourself, and keep a travel-size one in your bag. You'll use it more than you expect.

A few to try: e.l.f. Power Grip Dewy Setting Spray, or if you're shopping in India, L'Oreal Paris Infaillible 3-Second Setting Mist, Transfer-proof & Waterproof Setting Spray, Quick drying and Daily Life Forever52 Makeup Fixer Spray 24H Long Lasting | Matte Finish Setting Spray

Your eye makeup needs different rules entirely

Eyelids sweat too, and they move constantly, which is a bad combination for anything creamy. A few swaps that genuinely change the outcome:

Eyeshadow primer first, always — it's not optional in humidity the way it might be in cooler weather. A thin layer, give it a minute to dry, then go in with color. Powder shadows generally outlast cream ones once things heat up, and if you're a liner person, gel or a smudge-proof pencil beats a regular pencil every time your face starts to sweat.

Close-up of crease-proof eyeshadow and defined lashes that hold up in humidity

Mascara is where I'd push back on convention a little — waterproof formulas are fine, but tubing mascaras are the real upgrade. They wrap each lash instead of just coating it, and they come off with warm water instead of leaving raccoon eyes by 3pm.

Worth trying: I'm a big fan of Maybelline for this specifically the Maybelline New York Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara (waterproof) has never let me down on a sweaty day, and the Maybelline New York Lash Sensational Waterproof Mascara with the fanning brush is great if you want more volume without clumping. Both hold up genuinely well once things get humid.

Skip the gloss, embrace the stain

Woman applying a long-lasting matte lip stain for humidity-proof makeup

Cream blush and lip gloss both look gorgeous in photos and both move within a couple of hours once it's hot out. Swap gloss for a matte or satin lipstick, or better, a lip stain that doesn't need constant reapplication. For cheeks, powder blush and bronzer hold their shape far better than cream — or try a cream-to-powder hybrid if you want the blendability without the slide.

What to actually carry with you

When your makeup starts to give out mid-afternoon, more product is rarely the answer. What actually helps:

Humidity-proof makeup touch-up kit with blotting papers, powder, and face mist

• Blotting papers, to lift oil without disturbing what's underneath
• A pressed powder compact — easier to carry and less messy than loose powder
• A small face mist for a quick reset without adding more layers

Woman using blotting paper to refresh her makeup during humid weather

The instinct to rub or wipe your face is the wrong one here. Press, don't rub, or you'll just smear your base around instead of fixing it.

It's not one-size-fits-all — adjust for your skin

Oily skin benefits most from mattifying primer and blotting papers, but still needs moisturizer — skipping it backfires.

Dry skin should avoid anything too mattifying, since it tends to highlight flakiness once sweat gets involved. Dewy, hydrating formulas and a damp sponge are your friends here.

Combination skin means treating your face like two different zones — mattify where you're oily, hydrate everywhere else.

Sensitive skin does best with fragrance-free, alcohol-free everything. Heat already stresses your skin barrier; there's no need to add fuel to that fire.

If you're curious what dermatologists and celebrities actually reach for, we rounded up a few derma-approved, celebrity-favorite picks here — some solid options beyond what's listed above.

Mistakes that quietly make it worse

A handful of habits feel like they should help but actually don't:

• Reapplying powder all day instead of blotting first — this is how cakey happens
• Skipping moisturizer on oily days, which backfires by triggering more oil production
• Choosing the heaviest, fullest-coverage foundation "just in case" — it's usually the first thing to crack
• Wiping your face with a tissue mid-day instead of blotting, which just moves your makeup around rather than fixing it

Woman with makeup still fresh and intact after a long humid day outdoors

A few things people ask

Does setting spray actually do anything, or is it hype? 

It does something real, but only over a base that's already properly prepped. I've watched people mist an entire can over a heavy, poorly set foundation expecting a miracle — it won't save that. Think of it as the last 10%, not a fix for everything before it.

Can you overdo setting spray? 

Yes, and it's more common than you'd think. Too much and you end up with a damp, tacky finish that actually attracts more dirt and oil through the day. Two to three light passes, six inches away, is plenty. More isn't "more protection," it's just wet skin.

What's a "makeup fixer spray" versus a setting spray? 

Same thing, different label depending on where you're shopping. "Makeup fixer" shows up a lot on Indian and Southeast Asian sites; "setting spray" is the term you'll see on US and UK packaging. Don't overthink the name.

Does this routine work the same for Indian monsoon humidity as it does for, say, a US summer? 

Mostly yes, but monsoon humidity tends to be more relentless — less of a dry break between sweaty stretches. If you're dealing with that kind of constant, all-day humidity, lean harder into the powder-and-blot routine and skip anything with a dewy or gel finish that stays tacky. A drier-finish setting spray tends to hold up better than a dewy one in that kind of climate.

Is primer really necessary if I don't have oily skin? 

Yes, and this is the one people skip most. It's not just about oil control — it gives foundation something to grip so it doesn't slide, which matters no matter your skin type once humidity's involved.

How often should touch-ups actually happen? 

Every three to four hours is a fair rule of thumb, but honestly, just watch your own face — some people need it by hour two, some can stretch to five. Blot first, then a light powder pass. Takes under a minute if your bag's stocked right.

Could I just skip foundation entirely on brutal humidity days? 

Sometimes that's the smarter call, not a compromise. A tinted moisturizer or skin tint with SPF gives up some coverage but drastically lowers your odds of anything cracking or sliding by 2pm. Worth trying at least once before you write it off.

The takeaway

None of this requires an overhaul of your entire makeup bag. It's mostly about layering lighter than you're used to, prepping your skin properly before anything else goes on, and picking a couple of formula swaps — tubing mascara, gel liner, a stain instead of a gloss — that actually hold up once the temperature climbs. Get those right and your face will still look like your face by the end of the day, humidity or not.

Got a trick that's saved your makeup on a brutal humidity day? Tell me in the comments — always looking for more.

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