Make Up Brands: ELF vs Urban Decay (Primers)

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I picked up the $1 ELF (eyes lips face) Essential Eyelid Primer while I was at the grocery store. Figured it couldn’t hurt to try since the one I always use, Urban Decay’s Primer Potion, is not cheap! For the ultimate test, I tried these two make up brands’ primers side by side to see if I should splurge or save :)

make up brands urban decay It was clear to me, upon application, which primer would out perform the other. I was hoping that the two would be similar enough that I could start only paying $1 for eyeshadow primer, but alas HAHAHA If you’ve never tried these primers, the ELF one is more liquid-y and the Urban Decay is more creamy. I just dot a bit on my lid and then blend it in with a fingertip. Both primers (in the original shade) leave an ivory color behind, so make sure to cover it with your eyeshadow, especially if you have a darker skin tone.

elf makeup brands Both of these pictures were taken after a couple hours of wear. Can you tell which make up brands’ primer I used on which lid? On my right eyelid (the first picture) I used the Urban Decay Primer Potion and on my left eyelid (the 2nd picture) I used the ELF Essential Eyelid Primer! You can see that the ELF primer left my eyeshadow looking terribly creased…after only a COUPLE hours of wear. The UDPP can last so much longer.

Save or splurge make up brands…

If you are a beginner with makeup or have a really tight budget, the ELF primer is better than no primer at all. Otherwise, I recommend saving your dollar toward the $20 Urban Decay Primer Potion. The bottle will last a long time because a little amount is all you need to apply. Here’s my FOTD with these products:

make up brands fotd On my lips I wore a Baby Lips balm in Pink Punch with my NARS Ophelia lip gloss on top. I will do a review on the blush I was wearing (by ELF) soon!

When it comes to primers, save or splurge?

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  • http://mua-kissandmakeup.com/index.php/beauty-news Kiss & Make-up

    When it comes to primers I think it is okay and worth it to splurge!

    • xlovehappyx

      I agree!!

  • http://mostlysunnyblog.com/ Sunny

    I swear by UDPP! I’ve tried NARS as well, but I don’t think it’s “better” and it’s even more pricey. With the new packaging UDPP is just perfect!

    • xlovehappyx

      Thanks for letting me know about the NARS primer! Also agree that the new UDPP packaging is better :)

  • http://myhighestselfblog.com/ Tina @ My Highest Self

    I have always used Too Faced Shadow Insurance, it has never failed me! However, I recently tried the Wet n Wild Fergie eye primer and it is outstanding! If you get the chance try it, I still can’t believe it was only $4.99 and worked beautifully.

    • xlovehappyx

      I would enjoy trying both of those primers! Especially the new Wet n Wild

  • http://Mylucitedreams.com Taylor

    Hi! It’s true, I had a small sample of UD primer and it lasted forever. Although I didn’t love it.. I don’t use primer but I was quite impressed by Lorac’s

    • xlovehappyx

      I love how long it lasts :)

  • http://www.unprofessionalbeautyblog.com Angela @ The Unprofessional Beauty Blog

    UDPP is definitely the best. Although it seems a bit pricey compared to drugstore brands, each tube really lasts a lot time.

    • xlovehappyx

      I have never been let down by UDPP!

  • http://cokarabbit.com CokaRabbit

    Agreed! Love UDPP primer!!! Can’t do make-up without it!

    • xlovehappyx

      glad to hear you love it, too! can’t believe I ever went without it haha

  • http://shortylegsbeauty.blogspot.com Shortylegsbeauty

    In Finland, where I live, we can´t buy Urban Decay in stores. The UDPP that Ive tried have come with the Naked 1&2 palettes that I got as gifts. I will have to say though that I am not that fond of UDPP.
    I think there has to be something wrong with mine cause from the minute I started wearing them they were really watery and strange and they did only one thing and that is to make my eyelids watery.
    I use a primer from a brand from Finland called Lumene.. the primer has brightening arctic lingonberry in it and I just love the primer :)
    It is rather pricy though but I am willing to pay a higher prize for such an essential product :)
    hugs
    xx

    • xlovehappyx

      Too bad your UDPP was watery! I haven’t heard of Lumene but it sounds great :) Thanks for stopping by, ShortyLegs!

  • http://theblogofworldlydelights.com laura

    yeah, I actually go on ahead and splurge on primers, and my fave are UDPP and Two Faced Shadow Insurance. Both are really comparable and are around the same price, I believe.
    ♥ laura

    • xlovehappyx

      I guess I will have to try the Too Faced one sometime! :)