It's finally time for that long awaited verdict on e.l.f. cosmetics! I bought a lot of things from them recently (they've had so many sales in the past two months that I couldn't resist), and I wanted to give a definitive recommendation about what's in and what could be better with the often buzzed-about cruelty free line.
FACE:
E.L.F SHEER TINTED MOISTURIZER IN TONE THREE.
SEPHORA MATTIFYING POWDER IN D50
E.L.F. MAKEUP SETTING MIST
LIPS:
E.L.F. LIP STAIN IN CRIMSON CRUSH
BEAUTIQUE LIP LINING PENCIL IN WINE
C.O. BIGELOW ROSE SALVE
EYES:
ARDELLE FALSE LASHES IN DEMI-PIXIE
E.L.F. LENGTHENING AND DEFINING MASCARA IN BLACK
E.L.F. LIQUID EYELINER IN BLACK
E.L.F. ESSENTIAL 83 PIECE STUDIO SET, SHADE B2 (PICTURED BELOW) USED ON INNER CORNER OF LOWER EYELIDS.
Looking back on this I now realize that my eyeliner was smudged on my left eye! I didn't rub or anything so I don't know what happened with that. But anyway, I'm really pleased with how a lot of the product performed! For the face items, I love my TM to death but I can only use it if my skin is having a dry spell (Winter coverage only ordeal) other than that it's too dewy for me. It looks good at first but after a few hours my skin will be bogged down with both moisture from the TM and my own oily-ness. As for the color, I'm pleased with it! I thought it'd be too light but it worked out just fine, and this product was just a dollar so I'll definitely think on buying it again in the future. Now here's to the bread winner: the makeup mist and set spray. I'm not into heavy setting sprays (I find that if they're too wet that they create wet, splotchy discoloration in my foundation; I work too hard for that to happen!) but this one is wonderful. It wastes a bit of the product with each spray but I think that can be regulated with half pumps. On top of makeup, it keeps your coverage smooth and long lasting, but underneath your makeup it can double as a primer! That's what I generally use it for when I want a smoother finish to my tinted moisturizer. It also helps to minimize the appearance of cakey-ness in powders! This spray is three dollars and can be found at K-mart or on eyeslipsface.com.
The lip stain pen is a product that I had some inhibitions about using. It was very dry when I opened it and the color doesn't spread at all. It's a felt-tipped pen with a cap insulation and while I'm madly in love with the design, the color performed poorly and the amount of product in the pen is a bit.. Alarming to say the least. Still, as you can see from the picture, the color is build-able (I'm wearing about five layers of stain here). One thing that you should know if you buy this lip stain is that the pen will make any dehydration problems you have very obvious, so use a lip conditioner or have a cup of hot tea before you put it on. All in all, it's a dollar, and cheaper than they alternatives offered by Revlon and Benefit: use at your own discretion.
As for my eye products, I've nothing but good things to say! I'm very impressed with the mascara. I has a short wand and the bristles are appropriately short and rounded. If you want to get the full length detail on each lash, then this is the mascara for you. It's even short enough for use on the lower lash line, so go for it! I use this mascara now even more than my full exposure by Smashbox! It's good all around and just one dollar. The wand in the eyeliner has changed to a thinner brush, and that allowed me to regulate how much product it picked up from the pot. I'm really glad that was changed, it was something that I'd pointed out in my review of the eyeliners that can make using them a bit of a hassle, but not anymore! Later I think I'll get into the other colors, but I'm pleased with my black liner for now. Still love my studio eyeshadow kit. I'm using mostly neutral colors now because I want to try something different: I usually use a lot of color and liner to create my looks, and avoid neutral/nude/brown hues, so this Fall I'm taking the dive! What I really want now is a good, played down smokey eye look made with neutral hues (but I'm still praying on the whole red shadow thing..)
Overall, I'm going to give E.L.F. cosmetics a big thumbs up! I'm partial to their mineral and studio items, but, they've really got something good going on. With all the sales they've been having recently, it's really easy to get into their collections without spending a lot of money. I will be reviewing the products listed here in full detail through December, but please remember that experience is the best review that you can benefit from!
