July 26, 2026 at 2:10pm EDT

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Under-eye concealer has a bad habit of looking perfect for approximately 15 minutes, then sinking directly into every fine line beneath your eyes. Adding more powder can make the area look drier, while piling on extra concealer usually gives the creases even more definition. Shoppers say a tiny, under-$5 primer from essence may be the step their routines were missing.

The essence Jelly Grip Under Eye Primer Stick is designed specifically for the delicate skin beneath the eyes. Its cooling jelly formula contains hyaluronic acid, which helps attract moisture, and panthenol to support a softer, more comfortable base for concealer. One 46-year-old reviewer with fine lines said the stick was “instantly hydrating” and made the area look plumper. She sometimes wears it alone, but said concealer applies beautifully over it, looks smoother and “DOES NOT CREASE!”

That hydration appears to be doing some heavy lifting for dry under-eyes, too. Another shopper said the primer keeps her very dry skin moisturized while smoothing the appearance of lines, helping concealer remain even “24 hours later.” A 40-year-old reviewer layers it over sunscreen and said it makes her entire under-eye routine feel better.

The under-eye primer’s stick format also keeps application refreshingly uncomplicated. Swipe on a thin layer without tugging at the skin, give it a moment to settle, then apply concealer. One longtime Lancôme concealer wearer said she had struggled to find a primer that stopped makeup from sinking into her fine lines. She called this one “absolutely amazing,” adding that it lasts all day and keeps her concealer in place.

It is not only dry skin giving the miracle under-eye product enthusiastic reviews. A shopper with oily, loose skin around her eyes said she previously had to tap creased concealer back into place throughout the day, but the jelly primer “totally changed that.” Another reviewer who works 12- to 14-hour shifts called it the cosmetic world’s “best-kept secret,” reporting no creasing around small, watery eyes and no settling on aging skin.

The catch is that this thing is tiny. Multiple reviewers mention the limited amount of product, with one recommending buying more than one of the jelly stick primers because it runs out quickly. At less than $5, though, it is a fairly low-risk experiment for anyone tired of finding her concealer gathered in the same fine lines by lunchtime. Why not grab a tube (or two) of essence’s Jelly Grip Under Eye Primer Stick and try it out for yourself?

Before you go, check out our slideshow below: