Review -- e.l.f. Studio Hydrating Under Eye Primer

Over a year ago, I reviewed the Tarte Tight & Bright Eye Perfector, which I absolutely love.

It's a dual-ended wand with one product meant to prime the under eye area for concealer and another to brighten up the area after concealer.

Personally, it's really just the primer end that I love because the brightener isn't that unique a product in my book (I've got lots of concealer type things that can do that). The primer, though, does a great job hydrating and smoothing the under eye area so my concealer goes on easily and without creasing.

Now, it's not a miracle product -- some concealers still do crease by the end of the day -- but my under eye concealer never looks as good without the primer as it does with it.

I must have been one of the few people who enjoyed the Tight & Bright, though, because Tarte has discontinued it. I managed to snag a couple of tubes when Tarte was on HauteLook a while back, but I'm going to run out eventually.

So that's why I was really excited to try the e.l.f. Studio Hydrating Under Eye Primer.


Because it's meant to do the same thing that the primer end of the Tight & Bright does -- hydrate and smooth the under eye area so concealer goes on better and help prevent creasing and fading throughout the day.

The formula contains vitamins C & E, shea butter, green tea, and aloe, so it's got good-for-your skin ingredients too.

It comes in a convenient little pump tube, though you have to be careful not to press too hard or you'll wind up with too much product. The consistency seems slightly thinner than the Tarte version, but otherwise, it feels very similar. It goes on easily, blends into the skin without tugging, and does a nice job hydrating the delicate skin under the eye.

e.l.f. Studio Hydrating Under Eye Primer's pump

e.l.f. Studio Hydrating Under Eye Primer

e.l.f. Studio Hydrating Under Eye Primer (blended out slightly)

Like the Tarte version, it doesn't work any miracles -- by the end of the day, most of my concealers have faded and there might sometimes be some creasing -- but the primer does help smooth fine lines (there's silicone in it that helps fill them in) and hydrate the skin so concealer can go on smoothly. I really like the end result and I can definitely notice the difference on days when I don't use the primer.

This is all great news given that the Tarte version isn't on the market any more -- not I don't have to worry about running out.

Best of all, it only costs $3 -- and e.l.f. is always running sales so you can often get it even cheaper than that.

I definitely recommend checking the primer out if you're having issues with your concealer creasing, looking dry or not lasting.

Have you tried the e.l.f. Studio Hydrating Under Eye Primer? Are you a fan?