Monday, April 29, 2013

Get It or Skip It? ELF Cosmetics

ELF was one of the first brands I started to explore when I was first starting out. Everything was affordable so it was easy to get a bunch of stuff to just learn with. ELF tends to be very hit or miss. Today I'll be sharing with you some of the things I think you should include in your next ELF order and things you should just pass over.

Get it:
The Studio HD Powder is amazing! It sets my makeup without leaving a white cast to my face, or making me look too matte or powdery. You get a good amount of product for $6. Only downside is how messy it can be, as it is a loose powder.
Everyone sings the praises of the Studio Blushes and for good reason. I have three and there is really only one of them I wouldn't recommend, Fuchsia Fusion. It's too glittery for my taste. But the other two, Tickled Pink and Candid Coral, I highly recommend. Not the most pigmented but they are inexpensive and have become staples for me.
One of the first things I picked up from ELF are the Essential Brightening Eye Color quads. They are only $1 each and the colors pair so well together. They can take you from day to night and are a great way to experiment with different colors and looks without breaking the bank.
I've already mentioned how I grew to love the Essential Hypershine Glosses but it's worth mentioning again. They are not highly pigmented but they are long lasting and add a ton of shine and a touch of color to any look. My only complaint is the scent, it's kind of plastic-y. These are still totally worth a look.
I own a ton of ELF Brushes. I would really recommend getting the studio kit if you can catch it in a sale. My four favorites are the Essential Spoolie, Essential Blending Eye Brush, Studio Angled Contour Brush and Studio Powder Brush.

Skip it:
Another one of my first ELF purchases were the Essential Duo Eye Shadow Creams. They are just too greasy feeling and never really set. Also, they crease even with a primer.
On a similar note, the Studio Cream Eyeshadow is just not great. I reviewed it here and at the time I liked it. But the texture is just so dry and it lacks the pigmentation and longevity that would make it a real winner. There are better cream shadows out there for the money.
I got the Essential Super Glossy Lip Shine on the recommendation of emilynoel83 but I just can't love it. It's goopy feeling and it tends to migrate to the edges of my lips. Plus it smells like grape cough syrup and that's just gross.
The last two things you should recognize from my Project Pan. The Essential Brightening Eye Liner is just so dry and it skips. It takes multiple passes to get an opaque line and this is just to painful to do that.
The Essential Clarifying Pressed Powder is just not finely milled at all. Unless I use an ever so slightly damp brush, it goes on looking powdery. Plus it has little to no coverage. Just don't bother.

So that's it! This isn't everything I've tried from them but just the ones worth mentioning. I haven't ordered from ELF in a long time but they have a lot of new stuff I want to play with. Any favorites from ELF I should check out? And what should I just skip?

4 comments:

  1. This was super helpful! I love Elf but they are often hit or miss. Thanks for the tips!

    xoxo,
    The-Lipglossary.com

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  2. I've tried a lot of E.L.F products as well. I like the Duo Powder eyeshadows, the Studio Blush in Candid Coral, the liquid lipsticks and the essential hypershine glosses the most :)

    xx
    Astrid

    http://truthaboutcosmetics.blogspot.be/

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    Replies
    1. I haven't tried the Duo Powder eyeshadows or the liquid lipsticks. I'll definitely check them out the next time I'm making an ELF order!

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