The other week, I was intrigued when I received an invitation to a launch event for e.l.f. Cosmetics (short for eyes, lips, face). Although I'd never tried anything from the brand before, the name was very familiar to me. There seemed to be lots of hype around it a few years ago, but more recently, not a word. I soon learned that there was a good reason for this. E.l.f. makeup used to be available in the UK (to buy online) but then mysteriously disappeared. Now, however, it's back, which is most certainly good news! It's already available online at Superdrug, and you'll be able to check it out in store from 1st June.
E.l.f.'s mission is to provide luxurious beauty at affordable prices, and the most expensive product you'll be able to buy at Superdrug will be the Precision Multi Blender Massager Brush at a very reasonable £14.50. Sounds good, no?! I had the opportunity to look at quite a few products at the event, and received a very generous goodie bag at the end of it, the contents of which I didn't hesitate to try out. As a result, I've come up with three separate lists - my must-have products, things you don't need but might like, and finally, a wishlist of interesting products that have caught my attention and which I would very much like to own!
Must-Have Products
1. Natural Glow Face Palette* - I absolutely love this. Not only does it come in this beautiful mirrored packaging, which would give any high end equivalent a run for its money, but the quality of the powders themselves is really lovely. While I found that none of the products swatched particularly well, it was a different story when it came to applying them to my face. This palette contains a bronzer, highlight and two blushes, all of which are designed to give a very natural, flawless glow. I've been wearing the bronzer and peach toned blush every day since I got this and I'm loving the way it looks. If you're only going to get one thing from e.l.f., make it this.
2. Lip Exfoliator* - This looks like a cute pink lipstick, but it's actually a lip scrub in bullet form. You can get this in several fragrances - mine is Sweet Cherry and smells good enough to eat. So much more practical than a messy sugar scrub in a pot, this also feels lovely to use and does an amazing job of both exfoliating and moisturising the lips. This has definitely taken the place of my old Lush lip scrub - it's brilliant.
3. Precision Powder Brush* - Soft as a unicorn's mane, this brush is fantastic quality and I have been loving using it to apply the bronzer from the Face Palette. Plus, the silver trim and clear handle make it look pretty on my dressing table, which is always a bonus. I definitely want to explore e.l.f.'s brush collection a little more.
4. Radiant Gel Lip Tint in Dewy Berry* - I'm not always a fan of this type of product, but this one is really pretty. It's a lovely colour and gives a beautiful sheen to the lips. Although sheer products don't always show up on my lips, this shade is deep enough to make an impact. Part of e.l.f.'s Aqua Beauty range, it's infused with purified water, rosewater and Vitamin E to keep lips soft, so this together with the shiny finish make it a perfect product for summer.
"Nice To Have" Products
1. Nude Rose Gold Eyeshadow Palette* - I know. It's called "rose gold" and I don't think it's a must-have. Am I even a proper blogger? The shades in this palette are undeniably pretty and I'm really impressed with the quality of the packaging. The pigmentation isn't the greatest as you can see in the swatches above, but I found it was vastly improved when worn over an eyeshadow primer - you will see that the colours look a lot more vibrant on my eyes in the photos below. If you're in the market for a neutral eyeshadow palette and don't want to spend a fortune, this would be a nice choice - it's only £12.50. However, if like me you have neutral eyeshadows coming out of your ears, you probably don't need it.
2. Baked Highlighter and Blush in Rose Gold* - Yep, I went there again. This is pretty, especially when you swirl the two colours together to create a pink gold highlight. However, on me it just doesn't seem to translate well onto the skin. A shame, because I really wanted to love this. It could just be my skintone, however.
3. Intense Ink Eyeliner* - This is nice and black and not too tricky to use, and at £4.50 is a great affordable eyeliner. For me, though, it just doesn't compare with my Kat Von D Tattoo Liner. I need a really precise point on these, if only because my hooded eyes make liners difficult to apply, so the Tattoo Liner was always going to be tough to beat. It is, however, nearly four times the price of this one.
In the pictures below, I'm wearing as many of the above products as I could fit on my face. I have a couple of the mid pink shades from the eyeshadow palette on my eyes, as well as the eyeliner, while my bronzer and blush are from the face palette. I'm also wearing the rose gold highlight, although you can't really see it, and the lip tint.
My Wishlist
1. Molten Liquid Eyeshadows in Brushed Copper and Rose Gold - these looked absolutely stunning when I looked at them at the launch event and have pride of place at the top of my wishlist.
2. Illuminating Face Primer - I've been wanting to try one of these for ages. The e.l.f. one is a good price (£7.50) and apparently can handle both dry and oily skin. Brilliant if you have a face like mine that can never make up its mind.
3. Matte Lip Colours - Supposedly rich in pigment with a matte finish, they're in jumbo pencil form, twist up, but come with a sharpener just in case you need one. I have my eye on the shade Tea Rose to start with.
4. Velvet Matte Lipsticks - I do love a velvet finish. These lipsticks contain moisturising ingredients and I very much like the look of Ruby Red.
Are you excited about e.l.f.'s return to the UK? Will you be making any purchases?
Kate x
*Gifted item. All opinions, as always, are my own.
elf is very common here in Germany, but somehow never made it on my shopping list. But I have heard great things about them, despite being so affordable. I guess I will need to look into them again.
ReplyDeleteLinda, Libra, Loca: Beauty, Baby and Backpacking
Definitely take a look Anne, I'm sure you will see a few things you like! x
DeleteThe face glow quad looks right up my street! It's a pity the baked blush/highlighter didn't work well for you because, again, that's my kind of product. Also the lip scrub looks great - I hate messy lip scrubs & this seems like it would be a good affordable alternative to the new Dior one in similat form xx
ReplyDeleteBeautylymin| LuxurySkincareGiveaway
I can't say enough good things about the face quad or the lip exfoliator. I so wanted to love the baked highlighter and blush! Others might find it works great for them though. x
DeleteI remember I used to order Elf products from i-herb but later on, they didn't have their new products. Everyone is raving about these products these days and there are so many I want to try, especially their blush palettes.
ReplyDeleteYiota
PinkDaisyLoves
Yes, the blush palettes look lovely. If they're as good as the face palette they'll be well worth checking out! x
DeleteI am still waiting for the new elf launches to arrive Canada, I don't know why we are so behind in comparison to UK and US. :-(
ReplyDeleteHopefully they will get there soon Shireen! x
DeleteThat rose gold eyeshadow palette! Looks amazing
ReplyDeleteCharacters & Carry-ons
That's so awesome that Elf is finally back in the UK! It's one of my favorite drugstore brands :) That precision powder brush looks so fluffy! The lip tint also looks so lovely. I recently tried one of their lip oils and really liked it-- I'll have to try the lip tint next!
ReplyDeleteMili | Sharmtoaster
Ooh, a lip oil sounds great! x
DeleteThe Natural Glow Face palette is gorgeous, I need to pick up some bits! x
ReplyDeleteLusting after the lip exfoliator - I think I have to order elf overseas. Everyone is raving about it so I might give the brand a go!
ReplyDeleteKiri
Set to Glow
http://www.settoglow.com.au
You won't regret it Kiri! x
DeleteWow, this makeup looks amazing! There are so many beautiful colors in that eyeshadow palette!
ReplyDeletehttp://roadesque.com
http://ourruins.com
Thanks so much Valerie! x
DeleteThis makeup looks stunning on you Kate, especially the lip and eye shades, beautiful!
ReplyDeleteElle
www.theellenextdoor.com
xx
Thank you Elle! x
DeleteI have read great things about Elf but it is rarely available in Australia, Have one of their eyeshadows though, similar to yours in colour! Sooo beautiful!
ReplyDeletewww.talesoftwoblog.blogspot.com
ooh how cute are these bits! i wish they had a store here. you look great!
ReplyDeleteIt was so lovely seeing you at the event and having a good catch up :). Love the makeup look you created with your goodies xx
ReplyDeleteBeauty with charm
Likewise Alina! Made the evening so much more fun. Thank you! x
Deletesuch a bummer the baked blush didn't work out - its so pretty!
ReplyDeleteOlivia / Olivia Roses
I've never heard of this brand before but the products look amazing, love the colours in the pallete :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing,
Jaz xoxo
http://www.thelifeofasocialbutterfly.co.uk
I totally love Elf products, I've been using it since then. It's cheap but the result is superb! It satisfy me.
ReplyDeleteHope you could drop by my blog Katrina Isha
xx, KatrinaIsha
I´ve never actually tried anything from the brand. The blush palette looks nice!
ReplyDeleteVanessa x | www.springlilies.com
I've always wanted to try some elf products! I love the makeup look that you created :) xx
ReplyDeleteI would definitely love to try the lip exfoliator! My lips are always so dry and I never get that uniform lipstick application
ReplyDeleteDora
http://www.adropofindigo.com/
This makeup look looks absolutely stunning on you! x
ReplyDeleteLiz | LotsofLoveLiz ♥
This makeup looks nice!
ReplyDeleteI love the Molten eyeshadows as bases. The Mad for Matte 2 palette is also great. ELF brushes are also good. Http://www.mrsqbeauty.com
ReplyDeletenice
ReplyDeletehttps://helenaonthego.blogspot.al/2017/09/5-diy-hair-masks-we-know-youll-love.html