This $9 Primer Made Me Love My Foundation, Blush, and Bronzer Even More — Here's Why

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When I started wearing the e.l.f. Cosmetics Putty Primers ($9 each), midday makeup touch-ups became a thing of the past. While I was absolutely thrilled with the results, I can't say I was completely shocked, because a good primer is supposed to increase the wear of makeup by essentially gripping onto it. The brand's Putty Primers are also famous on TikTok and tout hundreds of glowing reviews online, so I had high expectations from the get-go.

However, the Putty Primers did deliver a wonderful benefit I wasn't fully expecting. These primers have essentially reignited the love I have for the other makeup products in my kit — specifically my foundation, concealer, bronzer, and blush.

First, the e.l.f. Cosmetics Putty Primers boost the initial performance of these face makeup products.

While each of the four primers in the Putty Collection has a different specialty, they all create a smooth surface that allows my foundation and concealer to adhere better to my skin. When I'm wearing the primers, I also find that it's easier to evenly blend these base products. Therefore, the end result is so much more transformative.

The Luminous Putty Primer ($9) makes my glowy-finish foundation and concealer so much more radiant, while the Acne-Fighting Putty Primer ($9) enhances the natural-skin finish of my tinted moisturizer. I can't wait to see how the Poreless Putty Primer ($9) and the Matte Putty Primer ($9) complement my blurring and matte foundation products, too.

I feel like I didn't really discover the full potential of my base makeup products until I started using primers like the e.l.f. Cosmetics Putty formulas. Because the primers allow for my foundation to blend and adhere easier, I get a more even skin tone, which then makes my blush and bronzer application cleaner. I also feel like the true and advertised pigment and finish of my bronzer and blush show up on my skin better, too.

Now, I find myself looking forward to wearing and experimenting with the other products in my stash.