My forehead was a grease slick by 10 AM. Foundation? Migrated south.
The real issue wasn’t the oil itself — it was the makeup dissolving into it, leaving a patchy, separated mess.
The e.l.f. Poreless Putty Primer. $10. They said it was a dupe for a $54 one. I was skeptical.
Smooth AF Texture
It’s a dense, velvety putty — not a lotion.
Blurs on Contact
Fills pores and fine lines instantly. Like spackle, but for your face.
Grip Factor
Creates a slightly tacky base that makeup actually sticks to.
Photo: Alexander Grey / Unsplash
It’s a silicone-based primer — that’s the blurring magic. But the key is Squalane, which is weird for oily skin.
Turns out, a little hydration stops your skin from panic-producing more oil. Smart.
- Silicones: Fill pores, create a smooth canvas
- Squalane: Lightweight hydration that doesn’t clog
- Kaolin Clay: Gently absorbs excess oil
- Vitamin E: Antioxidant protection
Photo: Marek Studzinski / Unsplash
Warming it up with your finger is crucial. It transforms from putty to a silky, second-skin veil. Zero greasiness.
Surprise: It didn’t make me matte all day — nothing does. But it bought me 4 extra shine-free hours. My makeup stopped sliding. It just… stayed put.
Photo: Nick Noel / Unsplash
My T-zone was visibly matte longer. Cheeks stayed normal. It’s a control tower, not an oil eliminator.
Photo: Vya Naturals / Unsplash
It’s not magic, but it’s the best $10 you can spend to get your makeup to behave. A total workhorse.