e.l.f. Discovery

Water-based vs. Silicone-based Face Primer and Foundation

Let's talk primers—the unsung heroes of every flawless makeup look...the real-life photoshop tool. Face primers are like Instagram filters in real life. They are a necessary step between your skincare and makeup application. They prepare the skin for makeup, making it smooth and flawless. This helps makeup last longer and stay in place better for a seamless application.

If you ever wonder which primer you should use, listen up. There is a long-standing debate about whether water-based or silicone-based primers are best, and depending on who you talk to or which influencer or makeup artist you follow, opinions may vary. However, the rules surrounding which primer to use when and with what products are pretty universal across the board.

So, let’s dive face first (pun intended) into the heart of the matter.

Water-based primers are ideal for those with oily or combination skin. These hydrating primers offer a breathable canvas for your makeup. But here's the kicker—be sure to pair them with water-based foundations to avoid any messy mishaps like pilling or patchiness.

On the flip side, silicone-based primers are the secret weapon for a silky-smooth complexion. With supreme pore-blurring magic, they come in a variety of finishes from dewy to matte and create a flawless base that locks in makeup for hours on end. The golden rule? Stick to silicone-based foundations when using these primers to ensure seamless application and long-lasting wear.

Simple, right? Now that you’re primed (get it?)—let’s break it down further.

WATER-BASED FACE MAKEUP

The Power of Water-Based Face Primers

Water-based primers are lightweight, hydrating formulas designed specifically to create a smooth base for makeup application. Infused with water as the base ingredient, these primers offer a breathable canvas and have an innate ability to hydrate the skin without clogging pores. Water-based primers also have an important impact on the longevity of your makeup throughout the day.

Again, ideal for those with oily or combination skin types, most beauty enthusiasts love water-based primers for their weightless feel and ability to deliver a natural finish from dewy to matte that can help to enhance the skin's natural radiance.

But, if you prefer to achieve a hydrated, smooth complexion while extending the wear of your makeup, and tend to use water-based foundations on the regular, then water-based primers should be your go-to primer of choice.

Which e.l.f. Face Primers are Water-Based?

If you’ve ever scrolled through TikTok, you know there are a ton of water-based face primers. But a few stand out among the rest, especially one in particular, thanks to their ultra-hydrating properties and Kung Foo power-grip on makeup ensuring long-lasting wear.

#1 Primer In America: Power Grip Primer
This OG best-selling primer is a translucent, gel-based, hydrating formula that goes on clear making it an ideal application base for all skin tones. Ideal for, this gel formula locks makeup in place, preps and smooths skin, keeping it hydrated and giving skin a long-lasting, naturally dewy finish.
Power Grip Primer + 4% Niacinamide
Another powerhouse primer, this sticky, gel-based formula infused with 4% skin-loving niacinamide helps to even out the appearance of dull-looking skin. It’s a favorite for those looking for a multi-tasking primer. The sticky texture grips makeup for long-lasting wear and provides a translucent-finish that works on all skin tones and leaves the perfect, dewy finish.
Stay Cool Primer Stick
This cooling gel primer stick helps to hydrate, soothe, and prep skin for makeup with a cooling, watery feel. This primer stick is not only infused with aloe water to help promote hydration, but allows a mess-free application—perfect for on the go!

Water-Based Foundations

Water-based foundations are composed primarily of, you guessed it...water. These lightweight formulas feel weightless and breathable on the skin making them ideal for everyday wear.

If you prefer a foundation that helps to create a fresh-faced complexion and looks effortlessly flawless, then water-based foundations are ideal for you. They offer buildable, breathable coverage that feels comfortable on skin and blend effortlessly and seamlessly with other products.

For best results, follow these easy applications tips:

Prep Skin: Start with a well-moisturized and primed base to ensure smooth application and help the foundation glide on more evenly to prevent patchiness. Next, apply a face primer that is also water-based to avoid any pilling.
Use a Damp Makeup Sponge or Brush: This helps blend the water-based foundation seamlessly onto skin and sheer out the product for a natural finish while ensuring even coverage.
Build Gradual Coverage: Water-based foundations allow you to customize from sheer to medium coverage. Start with a small amount and layer as needed, focusing on areas that require more coverage, like redness or blemishes.

Which e.l.f. Foundations are Water-Based?

Here are a couple of our favorite hydrating water-based foundations that pair perfectly with our revolutionary water-based face primers.

Halo Glow Liquid Filter

The halo effect. That’s right. If a naturally flawless, filtered look is your goal, look no further than this complexion boosting Allure Best of Beauty Award Winner. Available in 12 beautiful shades, this multi-purpose glow booster gives every complexion a soft-focus filter effect IRL. Wear it alone, over or under makeup, mix with your favorite water-based foundation or simply use as a highlighter, your complexion will never look healthier or more radiant.

Soft Glam Satin Foundation

Looking for a hydrating liquid foundation that delivers buildable coverage and a satin finish? You’ve met your match. This breathable formula is a foundation dream. At only $8, this satin finish foundation comes in a wide range of shades.

SILICONE-BASED FACE MAKEUP

Silicone-Based Face Primers

Silicone-based face primers have become renowned for their ability to offer a velvety base that effortlessly blurs imperfections and can help to refine the appearance of your skin's texture. These primers are primarily composed of silicone-based polymers, and create a pore-minimizing effect, help to minimize the appearance of fine lines and providing a flawless, silky-smooth finish.

There are a lot of benefits to using silicone-based primers, but one hero advantage is their lightweight, velvety texture that glides effortlessly onto skin creating an ideal base for makeup application, and preventing makeup from settling into fine lines and wrinkles. Silicone-based primers help extend the wear of makeup, ensuring a long-lasting, flawless finish that extends the vibrancy of makeup and keeps it in place throughout the day. Additionally, their mattifying properties also help to maintain a fresh, matte complexion, making them a go-to for those with oily or combination skin.

Silicone-based primers excel at transforming the appearance of skin to a refined, airbrushed finish that leaves the skin looking flawless and photo-ready. Their lightweight, non-greasy formulas typically make them a favorite among makeup artists and beauty influencers alike, elevating any makeup look to perfection.

The net-net? Silicone-based primers are a game-changer for achieving a polished, professional makeup look that lasts.

Which e.l.f. Face Primers are Silicone-Based?

Silicone-based face primers are really an outlier because that they come in a variety of formulations, each offering unique benefits to enhance your makeup application and longevity.

Traditional silicone-based primers feature a clear, gel-like texture that effortlessly glides onto the skin, creating a smooth base. These are excellent for blurring imperfections and minimizing the appearance of pores.
Matte silicone-based primers are specifically formulated to help provide a matte finish that lasts. These primers are ideal for those with oily or combination skin, helping to maintain a fresh, shine-free complexion.
Hybrid silicone-based primers combine the benefits of silicone with additional skincare ingredients, such as hydrating agents and/or illuminating particles. These multi-tasking primers offer hydration, luminosity, and pore-minimizing properties, making them a versatile option for oily, normal, dry, and combination skin types and concerns.

Whatever your personal preference or specific skin need, the diverse lineup of e.l.f. silicone-based primers cater to a range of different skin types, offering a tailored approach to achieving a flawless, long-lasting finish:

Silicone-Based Foundations

If you talk to any makeup artist or influencer, they’ll tell you that one of the key advantages of using silicone-based foundations is their ability to help makeup stay put throughout the day. Formulated with silicone-based polymers, silicone-based foundations offer a smooth, velvety texture that provide a pore-blurring effect, creating a flawless canvas that minimizes the appearance of imperfections and fine lines.

Silicone-based foundations excel at providing a refined complexion and typically come with a matte or semi-matte finish. Their lightweight formula allows for buildable sheer to full coverage, depending on your preference.

When applying silicone-based foundations, it’s best to start with a well-moisturized base to ensure smooth application. Use a foundation brush or damp sponge to blend the product evenly onto the skin, focusing on areas that require more coverage. Remember to blend well along the jawline and hairline to avoid any harsh lines.

Which e.l.f. Foundations are Silicone-Based?

Typically when things go viral, it’s a good thing. That’s definitely the case with two of e.l.f.’s viral sensation color-correcting silicone-based foundations. Both offering medium to full-coverage and broad spectrum SPF protection to boot—these multi-tasking foundations are anything but basic and offer a natural-looking semi-matte finish:

How to Know if Face Primer or Foundation is Water-Based

It’s pretty straightforward to determine if a primer or foundation is water-based. Here are some helpful tips on how you can identify water-based formulas:

Look At The Ingredients: First ingredient is usually water (often listed as aqua or distilled water) or glycerin.
Look for "Non-Comedogenic": meaning they won’t clog pores.
Texture & Finish: Water-based primers and foundations are typically lightweight, fluid textures that feel hydrating and absorbs quickly into the skin without feeling heavy or greasy.
Read Product Descriptions: Product descriptions often highlight whether a product is water-based.

How to Know if a Face Primer or Foundation is Silicone-Based

Similarly, determining if a primer or foundation is silicone-based is just as easy to identify. However, you may have to do a little more reading. But again, start with the ingredient list to isolate the base of the formula.

Look At The Ingredients: Silicone-based formulas often contain ingredients ending in “-cone”, “-methicone”, or “-siloxane” as the second or third ingredient. These are silicone derivatives commonly found in silicone-based products. It’s important to note, however, that water-based formulas may still contain silicones but they are not the primary ingredients in the formula. If water is listed as the first ingredient, it does not always mean that the formula is water-based. In addition, silicone-based formulas may list water as one of the first ingredients but it does not mean that it is a water-based formula.
Look for “Pore-Refining" or "Blurring" Claims: Silicone-based products often highlight pore-refining or blurring effects as main benefits due to their smoothing properties.
Texture & Feel: Silicone-based primers and foundations typically have a silky-smooth texture that feels velvety to the touch. They glide effortlessly onto the skin, creating a smooth canvas and blurring effect.
Research & Reviews: Reading product reviews or consulting beauty experts can provide insights into whether a product is silicone-based as they often highlight key ingredients or characteristics of the formula.

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