Today I'm trying something a little different -- I made a video of a beauty haul and I'm going to be reviewing some makeup I got from e.l.f.!
In the video, I show all the products I'm going to review and also why I'm switching makeup brands. I'm making an effort to switch over to cruelty-free and vegan cosmetics, so when I heard that e.l.f. was all of that plus affordable, I had to make an order! Everything from e.l.f. is so inexpensive; the most expensive item I bought was still only $6. They also have specials and promotions constantly -- almost half of the items I received were free.
Disclaimer: The links in this post are affiliate links, meaning I get a small kickback if you choose to purchase through them. However, all opinions are my own, and honestly? I am smitten with e.l.f. I joined the affiliate program after trying all their products, and I truly believe that e.l.f. is a great company.
I tried out a few different foundations, concealers, and other skin fixers. I'm happy to say first off that everything matched my skin tone! I usually have the issue of getting makeup that is too orange or dark for me, but everything worked for my pale skin with pink undertones. Next, everything hydrated my skin. This is a big deal for me because with my dry skin, it is difficult to wear liquid or powder foundations because either one can make my skin flaky. That simply wasn't the case with e.l.f.!
My overall favorite is the Mineral Foundation and Mineral Booster. The coverage was a little more than I anticipated, and I like it for daily use. They really smooth out my skin and make it look naturally flawless!
I also enjoyed the Studio Maximum Coverage Concealer and the Studio Flawless Finish Foundation. The concealer covered most of my blemishes well, although I will always be cursed with undereye circles, and the liquid foundation is perfect for days where I want more coverage.The Studio Tinted Moisturizer wasn't moisturizing enough for me on its own and felt kind of heavy compared to the other products I got.
As an added bonus, my face has really cleared up since I switched to this makeup. Is it possible that my previous, much more expensive foundation was breaking me out? Possibly.
I bought a Mineral Infused Face Primer and the Essential Eyelid Primer. I used to use the famed Smashbox primer, and I've found the e.l.f. primer to be a perfect replica of that! It helps everything glide on nicely and fills in any imperfections in your skin, without making it greasy. The eyelid primer is also great quality and stayed on all day when I used it. Both options come in corrective colors or clear. I chose clear and a neutral shade for the eyelid primer, but if you have any sort of discoloration give the colors a try.
Another product I had heard a lot about was the Studio High Definition Powder. Let me tell you, it does not disappoint! Even though my skin already looked fabulous with concealer and foundation, the powder on top of it really sets everything and makes everything look even better. It's hard to explain, but I definitely think it's worth a purchase.
As I stated in the video, I don't tend to do a lot of eye makeup. I'm actually working on expanding my makeup repertoire, and that means adding in eyeshadow and eyeliner into my regular rotation!
The main reason I ordered when I did was to get the bonus 100-Piece Eyeshadow Palette as a gift. I was not disappointed! While I haven't used every color yet -- not even close! -- the range is impressive and I really enjoyed the color payoff of the colors I have tried. I think having more colors than just browns will help me experiment with makeup more.
Another bonus I recieved was the Essential Triple Tip Waterproof Eyeliner Pen and the Essential Regular & Waterproof Mascara Duo. I love both of these products! I was skeptical to try the eyeliner pen, but it is actually the easiest way I have ever applied eyeliner. The only issue is that if you aren't holding it at an angle, the eyeliner has difficulty coming out of the pen, and it takes a little while to dry. The two-in-one mascara duo is also one of my new favorite products. The waterproof and regular formulas are both excellent and give me lashes comparable to my last mascara, Maybelline's Great Lash.
The one product I wasn't satisfied with were the brushes, the Essential Eyeshadow Brush and the Essential Eye Crease Brush. They shed and felt very rough on my skin. Compared to my other synthetic brushes, they just didn't stack up, although they are a little bit less expensive.
I only got one lip product this time around -- the Essential Shimmer Lip Gloss! It was sent as part of the promo deal I got, but might be one of my favorite items. The color is really flattering on me, it doesn't feel goopy and sticky, and it lasts a while. It also has a pleasant scent (and flavor?!). I actually already bought some in a different color because I loved it so much!
I'm an e.l.f. Convert!
It's official -- I love e.l.f.! I have always been skeptical of budget beauty brands, but e.l.f. far exceeded my expectations. I actually already made another order (Don't look at me like that, they have excellent promotions!) and I'm looking forward to trying to find the perfect vegan red lipstick.
I think e.l.f. is perfect for those trying to be humane with their makeup while on a tight budget, but it works so well that anyone could benefit from trying it out!
Have you tried e.l.f. before? What did you think?
Let me know in the comments if you have any favorite e.l.f. products or any favorite vegan, cruelty-free cosmetics!
If you liked this post, let's keep in touch! Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest | Google+
