Review: e.l.f. Mineral Eyeshadow Primer

If you were to ask me to name a cheap and reliable makeup brand, e.l.f. would definitely be mentioned (along with NYX and Sleek MakeUP). Because e.l.f. is so ridiculously cheap, I don't understand how they make any money off it.

I picked up the e.l.f. Mineral Eyeshadow Primer when Smoochiezz was running a roadshow, which they usually do - I've even seen Smoochiezz at Watsons and Robinsons fairs. Smoochiezz brings in brands which you can hardly find off the shelves locally such as NYX, e.l.f., Coastal Scents etc, and you can probably purchase from them on Qoo10. Retailing at US$3 on the e.l.f. website, I got it for about S$6.50 or S$8 at the fair, which is still really cheap for such a quality item.

Off the website:

This gentle and completely sheer Eyeshadow Primer has key vitamins A, C and E to help prevent aging and moisturizes the skin. The formula glides on easily and disappears instantly to create longer-lasting, crease-proof eyeshadow. The Mineral Eyeshadow Primer is designed to be used with your favorite mineral eyeshadow to provide ultimate staying power for beautiful and vibrant color that lasts. All our mineral makeup are mineral-based with no parabens, no preservatives and no chemical dyes.

This is in the colour Sheer, and is a relatively large tube. The cap opens up to a doe-foot applicator which is just so easy to apply - dab some on each eyelid and blend!

The texture is not as tacky as UDPP and blends easily, but it also isn't as slippery as NYX HD Eye Shadow Base. It dries quick, and as sheer as it's supposed to be, it sometimes still leaves sort of a beige layer on my eyelids. However, I use eyeshadow so that is easily masked. It does accentuate any dryness around my eyes though, so I suggest you prep your eyes with your eye cream/gel before putting this on.

Top: e.l.f. Mineral Eyeshadow Primer in Sheer, Bottom: Blended in.

It blends sheer enough if you use just a tiny little amount. :)

Left: Without primer, Right: With primer.

From top to bottom - Copper Red, Black, Purple (all from NYX 10 Colour Eyeshadow Palette in Strike a Pose)

Note that the above colours are achieved with just one swatch. If you look at the black and purple, it's evident that the colours on the e.l.f. Mineral Eyeshadow Primer show a lot more.

Face Primer: POPBeauty Face Magnet
Foundation: MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation
Eyeshadow Primer: e.l.f. Mineral Eyeshadow Primer
Base: Virgin (from Urban Decay Naked Palette)
Lid: Buck (from UD Naked Palette)
Contour: Smog (from UD Naked Palette)
Outer V: Hustle (from UD Naked Palette)
Eyeliner: Barry M Wink Marker Pen
Mascara: Majolica Majorca Lash Enamel Glamour Neo (discontinued)
Blusher: Illamasqua Powder Blusher in Hussy

After a full 12 hours...

I think it held up pretty well - eyeshadow stayed on (I could still see the shimmer of Virgin on the lids) and eyeliner didn't budge as well!

If you don't fancy spending loads of money on UDPP or TFSI, I think one of the best and cheapest alternative would be the e.l.f. Mineral Eyeshadow Primer. Honestly, some people call this the dupe for UDPP! It isn't exactly since the texture isn't as similar and I believe that UDPP would outlast e.l.f. but $6.50 vs $32 - would you pay so much more for that little bit of extra mileage?

Rating: 8.5 / 10