e.l.f. Brow Mascara Review

e.l.f. Brow Mascara Review

From the Brand:
Achieve glossy, shiny, healthy-looking lashes and brows, infused with long wearing conditioning agents in our Wet Gloss Lash & Brow mascara. Flawless lashes and brows have never been easier!

Retails for:  $1.00


Where to Buy:  EyesLipsFace.com, Target, Walmart, and Walgreens.com


My Thoughts:  This is one of those impulse buys that ends up in my cart every time I go shopping at Target.  I inevitably browse my way through the cosmetics department, just "to see what's new" and end up with a bunch of products tossed in with my bread, sponges, and whatever random other things I convinced myself I had to leave the house to buy that day.  (I swear, it's really just for their pretzels and the peace and quiet of wandering the aisles sans kiddos.)  For a buck, I figured it was a justifiable purchase.  However, I was quickly convinced that this is a definite underrated gem by the uber inexpensive e.l.f. brand!

I usually don't use brow mascara/gel at all, since I keep my brow hairs trimmed pretty well.  And if they are a bit on the unruly side, some hairspray spritzed on a spoolie does the trick quite nicely.  That all changed when I tried this stuff.  Now, every time I do my makeup I put a little bit of this over my brows to give them definition, a touch of shine, and staying power.

It goes on easily, and honestly I can't tell a difference between the "gel" side and the "mascara" side.  Both work the same for me on my brows.  I don't bother with clear mascara on my eyelashes. I figure if I'm going to put something on them, I'm going to be using black mascara.  It doesn't dry super crusty or hard, and it doesn't take forever to dry like some brands can.  It also doesn't dry super matte, so they have just a little bit of shine to them like naturally shiney healthy hair rather than slicked up gelled hair.  You know what I'm talking about.


Final Verdict:  If I could only pick a handful of e.l.f. products to own, this would be one of them!  Amazing product for the price!

**Disclaimer: As with all my product reviews, I was not paid by the cosmetic company to provide feedback or review/promote their products. This article contains some affiliate links provided through Viglink.com. All the opinions expressed in this article are my own. These items were purchased with my own money. For more information on my policies, please view my Let's Chat page.

e.l.f. Makeup Mist & Set Review

From the Brand:  Wish you could have a product for your makeup like Hairspray is for your hair? Well…keep your makeup staying in place all day with a radiance boosting invisible hold with our new Makeup Mist and Set. The invigorating mist moisturizes and soothes the skin with key ingredients Aloe, Green Tea, Cucumber and Vitamins A, C and E. The lightweight, comfortable and alcohol free formula improves makeup wearability and prevents color from running or fading.


Retails for:  $3.00


Where to Buy:  Target, Walmart, EyesLipsFace.com, and Drugstore.com


My Thoughts:  I don't think this has the same setting power and last effect as the MAC Fix+, but this is a decent comparison.  You really get what you pay for a lot of the time with products, and e.l.f. can be hit or miss with it's lower end products.  This is a nice refreshing facial spray, with vitamins and minerals to recharge your skin especially after a day of travel or when the dry air is sucking the moisture from your skin. It doesn't disturb the makeup on your face already and absorbs pretty quickly.
I didn't notice my makeup lasting any longer with this spray over the top afterwards, but I didn't notice it looking worse either.  It's a good product to use to dampen your brush with when foiling eyeshadows, but again, it doesn't give the same long lasting power of either the MAC Fix+ or even eyedrops.  It's comparable to using water to dampen the brush for foiling.



Final Verdict:  For just a few bucks, this is a great option to toss in your purse when you're flying or for the winter to perk up your skin and add a quick shot of moisture without having to put on actual moisturizer.  

**Disclaimer:  This article contains affiliate links.  As with all my articles, the opinions expressed herein are fully my own.  For more information on my policies, please view my Let's Chat page.

e.l.f. Flawless Finish Foundation Review

From the Brand: 

Achieve a flawless complexion with the silky smooth e.l.f. Studio Flawless Finish Foundation. The lightweight and oil-free formula blends in naturally for a beautiful semi-matte finish. This liquid foundation applies easily and lasts all day for visibly brighter and radiant looking skin. Using our Flawless Finish Foundation not only restores uneven skin textures and tones, but most importantly, the SPF 15 protects your skin against harmful sun damage!

Retails for:  $6.00


Where to Buy: Target stores, EyesLipsFace.com, Drugstore.com, and Google is saying Walmart, too but I've never seen it at my local one.

My Thoughts:  I think today is a good day to write up this review since I've been wearing it for most of the day already.  At first when I applied it (with my Real Techniques Buffing Brush) it wasn't too bad.  I originally purchased a color that was too dark, but I got the lightest shade and it matched pretty perfectly.  It hasn't oxidized at all, so that's a definite bonus.  However, that's about where the praise ends.

The coverage is what I'd consider medium.  It evened out my tone well without looking heavy, but I did need to build up to cover the redness around my nose, and it didn't do much at all under my eyes.  It set quickly and hasn't moved on my skin, but it's sucked the life out of my complexion.  I now look very dried out and aged.  It's settled into any fine lines on my face and is clinging to flakes I didn't even realize I had.  I wouldn't call this a semi-matte foundation.  I'd call this a matte foundation once set.

I didn't use a primer first, but I rarely use primers on a daily basis.  Today I'm just at work, trying to get some work done on the blog in between clients.  (It really seems my only time lately to get reviews written.)  I almost want to wash my face before the next person arrives, as I don't want them to look at the status of my skin and think that's my skill as an artist!

My cheek color has also started to look a bit blotchy, and seeing as it's my Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush that I love and have used for years with no issues, I'm going to have to assume that the foundation is fading unevenly underneath causing the patchy appearance to the color.



Final Verdict:   I really love most of the products from e.l.f. cosmetics, and I was looking forward to trying this one out.  It's about what I'd expect from a $6 foundation, but for my skin it's not a good fit.  I'll try it again this summer when my face isn't so dried out, and I'll experiment with different primers underneath, too, to add more of a hydration factor.  If you have oily skin, I'd say try it out.  It is only $6, so even if it's not great for you, you haven't wasted too much, and I think that there's a good chance it'll do much better with oilier skins.

**Disclaimer:  This article contains affiliate links.  As with all my articles, the opinions expressed herein are fully my own.  For more information on my policies, please view my Let's Chat page.

Product Review- e.l.f. Baked Eyeshadow

e.l.f. Studio Baked Eyeshadow Review


From the Brand:  The silky and blendable formula of our Baked Eyeshadow provides smooth and even application with each sweep of color. Baked in an oven, these eyeshadows offer rich pigmentation for a beautiful effect. Infused with active key ingredients Jojoba, Rose, Sunflower, Apricot and Grape to nourish and hydrate the skin. The long-lasting and shimmering color can be worn wet for a vibrant effect or dry for sheer pigmentation, offering a variety of gorgeous eye looks!

Retails for:  $3.00 each for single shadows, $10.00 for 10 pan palette


Where to Buy:  eyeslipsface.com, Select Target stores (singles only, limited shades)


My Thoughts:  I absolutely adore these eyeshadows!  I can't believe the quality you get for only $3.  This is definitely one of the best e.l.f. products they make.  Sometimes it can be hit or miss, and typically I'm not a fan of their pressed eyeshadows.  These, however, are a different story. These are much more pigmented, and the color payoff is both brighter and longer lasting.  I also find little to no fallout at all from these.

I have three different colors, although I only showed two in this photograph.  I first heard about these from a video by Emily from Beauty Broadcast on YouTube.  (I caution you if you watch her videos, you're going to be making a list for the drugstore so you can go shopping!  This woman is the queen of finding the best low-budget products, and she's probably the reason I have so many drugstore brands in my bathroom now.  Which if you'd asked me a year ago, I'd have told you I hate drugstore brands!)  She recommended the three colors I picked up, but after trying them out I think I'm going to go back and get the palette next. 

The colors shown in the photo are Toasted and Burnt Plum.  The other color I have at home is Bark.

I've only tried them dry, but since it's a baked eyeshadow (which is almost the same thing as a pressed pigment in my opinion, since they're a much more concentrated color than a traditional pressed eyeshadow) they can be used with a damp brush for even more concentrated color.

Final Verdict:  They're really missing out on huge profits only charging $3 for these!  In a blind test, I'd guess they were a much more prestige brand based on the quality of the shadows.

**Disclaimer:  This article contains affiliate links.  As with all my articles, the opinions expressed herein are fully my own.  For more information on my policies, please view my Let's Chat page.

Product Review- e.l.f. Contouring Blush and Bronzer Duo

e.l.f. Studio Contouring Blush and Bronzing Powder Review


From the Brand:
Create a healthy and natural glow all year long with the Contouring Blush & Bronzing Powder. The Blush highlights the cheeks to add a flush of color, while the Bronzer accents and contours cheekbones for beautiful definition. This convenient compact has just what you need to achieve a gorgeous glow anytime, anywhere.

Retails for:  $3.00


Where to Buy:  eyeslipsface.com


My Thoughts:  For only $3, this is a really good buy.  One side is a beautiful bronzer with a very subtle shimmer, and on the other side is a soft peach.  The bronzer is richly pigmented and worth the purchase on its own.  I love it for contouring all fair to medium skin tones.  People with a deeper shade of tan and darker, might not find enough color for them to use as a contouring product.  I don't find it to be orangey at all, which is perfect.  Although, the fact that it does have shimmer in it does eliminate it for my first choice in contouring products.  But during the summer when I don't mind a bit of shimmer, it's a great option to bring on my vacations.

I wish the blush was as pigmented and slightly more flattering on myself.  I'm not as big a fan of the peachy hue.  I personally prefer more pinky tones.  This does have a soft golden shimmer through it that gives a subtle glow to the skin, and those with fair skins should be pretty happy with the overall effect.  People with more tan skin and darker definitely will find it too chalky and light for them.


Final Verdict:  If it's the right shades for your skintone, it's a fantastic way to pare down your makeup bag for travel or touchups!

 

**Disclaimer:  This article contains affiliate links.  As with all my articles, the opinions expressed herein are fully my own.  For more information on my policies, please view my Let's Chat page.

Product Review- e.l.f. Eyeshadow Primer

e.l.f. Essential Eyelid Primer Review


From the Brand: Preps your eyelid for smoother, longer-lasting and crease-proof eyeshadow. The lightweight liquid formula quickly absorbs into the skin for comfortable wear and increases eye color longevity.

Retails for:  $1.00



Where to Buy:  eyeslipsface.com, select Target stores


My Thoughts:  For only one tiny measly dollar, this eyeshadow primer sure packs a punch!  I wouldn't put it up on the same tier as the Too Faced or Urban Decay versions, but this is more than sufficient for people on a budget who want their eyeshadow to last longer than on bare lids alone.

It's easy to apply with the wand, although I caution against using it on the lid directly if you'll be applying it to multiple people.  Even when using it on myself, I still put some on the back of my hand then work it in an even layer over my ring fingertip for the most even and sanitary application.  Since this has no color to it, it's great for any skin tone, but if you have discoloration on your lid that you'd like to hide, be sure to add some concealer or foundation over your eyelids first before applying the eyeshadow primer.


Final Verdict:  Don't let the price tag deter you!  This eyeshadow primer really works!

 

**Disclaimer:  This article contains affiliate links.  As with all my articles, the opinions expressed herein are fully my own.  For more information on my policies, please view my Let's Chat page.

Product Review- e.l.f. Lock and Seal

e.l.f. Studio Makeup Lock and Seal Review


From the Brand:

Increase the intensity of your makeup colors and lock it on instantly with Makeup Lock and Seal. Coat your eyeliner, shadow, lipsticks, blush, brow color and more for a sealed smudge-proof wear. The quick dry and easy to use formula keeps your makeup in place for hours. Say goodbye to makeup smudges and hello to makeup that stays put!

Retails for:  $3.00


Where to Buy:  eyeslipsface.com, select Target stores


My Thoughts:  If you didn't have to apply this with a brush, I think it would be a much better product. I though that I could just swipe the thin clear liquid over my eye makeup to set it into place all day, but it really just wiped it all off.  It was like taking a wet cotton swab and washing it off more than setting it.  You're supposed to use the dampened brush to apply the makeup to your skin, which seems a little counterproductive if you ask me.  The key to an amazing application really comes mostly from the brushes/tools you use to apply the makeup.  And not every look calls for a densely pigmented "wet" application that inhibits blending.  A spray application would make much better sense.  At least I can utilize it for those times when I do a wet foiled look with loose pigments, which in and of itself is still infrequent.  But it's better than letting the product go to waste completely.

I'm curious to see if anyone else has had a different experience with this product and would recommend it? Anyone?  Anyone?  Beuler?  Beuler?


Final Verdict:  I was super disappointed by this product.  I really hoped that it was an inexpensive alternative to setting sprays that I could swipe over the top of my eye makeup to lock it in place.  Not even worth wasting the $3 on.

 

**Disclaimer:  This article contains affiliate links.  As with all my articles, the opinions expressed herein are fully my own.  For more information on my policies, please view my Let's Chat page.

Product Review- e.l.f. Makeup Brushes

e.l.f. Makeup Brushes Review


From the Brand:

Studio Small Taper Brush- The tapered head of the Small Tapered Brush makes application easy for reaching small crevices for a flawless finish. This precision brush is perfect for contouring and creating even coverage. Use with powder to set under the eye, on the hollows of the cheek to contour with bronzer, or use with foundation to achieve a light finish.

Studio Angled Eyeliner Brush- This new anti-bacterial, synthetic-haired Taklon brush is softer and more absorbent and can be used with wet or dry products. Be a professional makeup artist and create a flawless look with this e.l.f. Studio brush! This thin pointed brush creates even and accurate color application in one fluid movement. The perfect angled tip of the brush provides exact placement for concentrated color right up to the lash line. Use to apply eyeliner for perfect color application.

Essential Smudge Brush- This short curved brush is the perfect shape to expertly smooth in color along the lash line for a smoky look. The dense brushes apply exact color application for extreme intensity to blend colors or smudge lines. Perfect for contouring and enhancing definition around the eye.
 
Essential Blending Eye Brush- Expertly blends multiple eye shades while softening dramatic edges and fine lines. Using a Blending Eye brush after shadow and liner application creates a natural finish to any eye look. This brush can also multitask:  use it to set powder or liquid concealer.

Studio Small Stipple Brush- Use the Small Stipple Brush to create soft layers by adding texture for a natural airbrushed result. The two layers of bristles create ultimate control from sheer to heavy coverage for small and hard to reach places. Ideal with liquid, cream or powder products, foundation, concealer, and cream blush.

Studio Stipple Brush- This new antibacterial, synthetic haired Taklon brush is softer and more absorbent and can be used with wet or dry products. Be a professional makeup artist and create a flawless look with this e.l.f. Studio brush!

The layered bristles create a soft airbrushed look that's perfect for applying foundation or adding color definition to cheekbones or highlighting with soft layers. Use this brush with any liquid or powder face product such as foundation, blush or bronzer to build your coverage from sheer to heavy.

Studio Angled Blush Brush- The slanted shape of the Angled Blush Brush offers precision application for a sculpted look. The soft dense bristles contours facial features easily. Use with cream, liquid or powder blush, bronzers or highlighters for a professional result.

Retails for:
Small Taper Brush- $3.00
Angled Eyeliner Brush- $3.00
Smudge Brush- $1.00
Professional Blending Brush- $1.00
Small Stipple Brush- $3.00
Stipple Brush- $3.00
Angled Blush Brush-$3.00

Where to Buy:  eyeslipsface.com

My Thoughts:

I own many more of the e.l.f. brushes than those pictured, but these are my most used brushes along with the two I wish I hadn't wasted the money on.  Therefore, I'm calling this my "mini" review, and in time I hope to do reviews on more of their brushes.  Hopefully you enjoy this!  Be sure to leave me some feedback in the comments section below and let me know if there's a specific brush you'd like reviewed or if you have had similar/different experiences with any of these brushes!

Small Taper Brush- {not pictured, it's mixed with my work brushes from a recent photoshoot}  I love this brush, and it's no surprise I couldn't find it when it was time to take my photos.  I'm sure it's mixed in with my kit brushes somewhere waiting to be washed after a recent photoshoot.  It's perfect for applying contour and highlight to the face and blending out.  You can use it to apply loose powder under the eyes or around the nose, but use a light hand.  The hairs are just a little more tightly packed than I prefer for those areas, but it will do.  Amazing brush for only $3!

Angled Eyeliner Brush-

I use this brush all the time to mix the foundation colors in my airbrush.  I use a professional airbrush system, and the gun has a little cup up top where I can custom blend foundation colors.  Since most people aren't one straight color right out of the bottle (which is why I really detest the "pod" style systems that give you no control over the color and therefore negate the biggest feature to the airbrush besides the delivery method), I have to blend multiple shades together for the most lifelike look.  This is perfect because it's bent and can get all the way down to the bottom of the cup.  For those of  you not using an airbrush all the time, it's still a great brush to apply gel eyeliner easily.  The little bend is the perfect angle to get a nice even straight line.  The hairs are slightly on the thick side, so it's a little tricky at first to get a super thin line, but with a little practice it's easily managed.

Smudge Brush-

The white handled brushes are from the Essential brush line, and these are only $1.  The quality on these brushes is significantly lower than those with the black handles in the Studio line, and this brush is no exception.  The hairs on it are super soft, but they aren't densely packed enough to really get a good smudge.  It's ok for applying a sheer smudgy line along the lashes, but it's not really that great for blending or smudging out a cream product or applying a more dense layer of color.  They tend to shed a lot, which is a real bitch when you're working in the lashes as they tend to get in your eye and make them water.

Professional Blending Brush-

Another of the Essential brushes, this one is even more useless than the previous.  It's too short to be a big fluffy blending brush, which it would be great at given the loosely packed hairs, and it's too loose to be a useable crease brush for applying a sharper line.  It sheds, and you can just see how cheap the hairs are by looking at them up close.  The white pearlized paint chips with long term use, too.  The ferrule is a cheap metal that snaps easily, and the whole head of this brush came right off at the base where it meets the wood handle.

Small Stipple Brush-

This is my favorite of these brushes, and I plan on getting several more for my makeup kit for clients.  I like to apply a cream product before foundation to highlight and contour the face for a very subtle natural look, and this brush is perfect for blending those colors out and into the skin before the foundation is applied over the top.  It's also great for applying powder highlight to the tops of the cheekbones lightly, especially when you have a densely glittery or shimmery product.  It's small enough to fit into the hollows of the cheek for a very chiseled look if you like to apply a powder contour, too.

Stipple Brush-

I use this more for applying bronzer than anything, which is why you can see the dirty bristles.  This one in particular obviously needs a good washing, but you can see that the head on it is much larger in comparison to how it's represented online.  I thought it would be more narrow, but it fluffs out quite a bit with use.  I think it makes it perfect for a soft diffused wash of color over the perimeter of the face, which is how I like to bronze.  (Think of it as a 3 pattern starting at the center of the forehead, sweeping around the outside of the eyes onto the cheekbones towards the nose, then back out around again ending along the jawline.  Like drawing a large 3 on the outer edge of your face.)  This brush also works really well for loose powder over the surface of the face, but I like something a little more dense for patting a setting powder into the t-zone to absorb shine.

Angled Blush Brush-

This is a really great blush brush, but be careful that it's slightly dense and a tiny bit stiff.  The hairs pick up a good amount of product, so depending on how finely milled your product is be sure you're tapping the brush to remove excess before applying the color to your face.  The angled shape is perfect for sculpting and hugging the curves of the cheekbone for a flawless application.  It's not the softest of brushes, but for only $3 it's very well made and works great.

Final Verdict:  Holding each of the types of brush in your hand, you can see a huge difference in quality between the $1 Essential line and the $3 Studio line by e.l.f.  I'd skip over the Essential brushes, as despite the implications of the name, they are anything but essential.  The Studio line is worth every penny of the paltry $3, with a quality of a brush at many times that cost.

 

**Disclaimer:  This article contains affiliate links.  As with all my articles, the opinions expressed herein are fully my own.  For more information on my policies, please view my Let's Chat page.

Product Review- e.l.f. HD Blush

e.l.f. Studio HD Blush Review


From the Brand:  Rich and creamy HD Blush naturally sculpts and highlights the cheekbones for a soft-focus effect that is great for everyday use. The Vitamin E enriched formula conditions and hydrates the skin for a healthy, radiant glow. Velvety soft, lightweight and highly pigmented color creates a long-lasting result for all day wear.

Retails for:  $3.00


Where to Buy:  eyeslipsface.com


My Thoughts:  This stuff is so super pigmented, you need to apply it quickly and correctly or else you're at risk of looking seriously clown-like.  I chose this bright hot pink shade (Diva) for two reasons: 1- I needed something bright for my kit since everything else I have is pretty sheer or natural looking on average, and 2- I'm in addicted to hot pink in an I-need-a-12-step-program kind of way.  I figured the color in the tube couldn't possibly be as bright and pigmented in person for a product that only costs a mere $3.

Boy oh boy was I mistaken!  I used it for the first time at a photoshoot for a photographer on a client with skin on the slightly lighter side of tan.  I applied it with a sponge, intending to work it into the foundation and build up what I thought would be sheer layers to give a nice flushed look to the skin.  Instead, I had to back track and layer more foundation over the top along with some powder to damped down the color saturation enough so that she didn't look like she was having a hot flash.  It took way more work than I intended it to, and I still wasn't 100% happy with the results.

All that being said, I was really impressed with just how pigmented and true to color this product is.  It looks exactly on the skin as it does in the bottle.  This can be a blessing or a curse, depending on your skill level when working with a cream blush product.  I'd say this is much more suited for people with an advanced blending technique.  If you're looking for something more natural looking, I'd go with the color Headliner, which is a softer pink.  {Bonus:  During the month of October, e.l.f is donating 100% of the profits from the sale of that shade to Breast Cancer Research!  So if you're thinking of buying this blush, make sure you do it now!- Join us in the fight against breast cancer! In October, when you shop HD Blush in Headliner from EyesLipsFace.com, 100% of proceeds will be donated to the Breast Cancer Foundation. Shop now!}

It's taken some experimentation, but I've figured out a relatively easy way to apply this super pigmented cream blush in a way that blends easily. First, you'll need a round shaped makeup sponge, like the bottom of an egg-shaped blending sponge.  Make sure the sponge is nice and damp.  I use the one that I've applied my foundation with, so there's a trace of the foundation itself still on the sponge.  (Just make sure you wash your sponge after applying the blush so you don't end up with a hot pink face the next time you go to apply your foundation!)  Otherwise, you'll want to apply a pea size amount of foundation to the back of your hand and use that to put a very thin layer over the surface of your sponge.  Next, apply a dot of the e.l.f. HD blush no bigger than a grain of rice to the back of your hand and use a fingertip or cotton swab to spread it out in a large circle about the width of your sponge surface.  This will help you from getting a concentrated dot on the sponge that will require extra blending once on the face.  Dab your sponge into the cream blush quickly once to pick up some product, and starting at the apples of the cheek bounce the sponge in a line back towards your temples, careful to overlap only minimally.  Quickly switch to the side of the pointed end and dab that in circles along the edges and over the surface of the area you applied the blush to blend it and pick up excess product.

Make sure you've got a layer of cream or liquid foundation on first so that the cream will work down into something to help sheer it out and give it staying power.  Cream blushes like this don't work very well over powder foundations.  You can top it off with some translucent powder or a powder matching your skin tone to help sheer it out a bit more if neccessary.

Another method I've found that works nicely is also to apply the e.l.f. HD blush to the cheek area first with the e.l.f. Studio Small Stipple Brush (again using the same technique of spreading a thin circle on the back of your hand first so that there's no clumps of product on the fine hairs of the brush) and really working it into moisturized skin in circular motions starting at the apples of the cheeks and blending back towards the temples.  Follow with a tinted moisturizer or sheer-medium coverage foundation for the appearance of skin that glows from within.  You can top with a quick swipe of powder blush if the color has been covered up too much, but this stuff is so pigmented that it usually shows right through perfectly.

The consistency of the cream blush is almost like a liquid lipstick, and Diva has a soft shimmer to it when you look closely but no actual glitter or iridescence.  It dries to a nice demi matte finish that looks very natural and doesn't feel greasy or drying on the skin.  While it's so insanely pigmented, it's not a stain and won't leave behind telltale splotches on the skin.  It's easily removed with the e.l.f. Studio Makeup Remover Cleansing Cloths. It's more easily removed from the face and the back of the hand though. I do notice just a faint discoloration to the tips of my fingers for a few hours until it fades.


Final Verdict:  Super super super pigmented and a little on the tricky side to use, but once you've mastered a technique that works for you, this is an amazing blush for just $3!

 

**Disclaimer:  This article contains affiliate links.  As with all my articles, the opinions expressed herein are fully my own.  For more information on my policies, please view my Let's Chat page.

Product Review- e.l.f. Makeup Remover Cleansing Cloths

e.l.f. Studio Makeup Remover Cleansing Cloths Review


From the Brand:    Gently and easily cleans skin to remove all traces of makeup and dirt, even waterproof mascara. Great for on-the-go travel. Gentle cloths are soft and soothing for even the most sensitive skin. Infused with Aloe Vera Extract for deep hydration and moisture. 20 Pre-moistened cloths included.

Retails for:   $3.00

Where to Buy:   eyeslipsface.com, Target stores

My Thoughts:   I keep these on my desk when I'm writing my reviews so that when I'm testing products on the back of my hand (whether it's a brand new product to cross my desk or I just want to refresh my memory with how it looks and feels on my skin while I'm writing) because they are a really inexpensive makeup cloth, and I can really use them up with impunity.  They do a great job getting all the makeup off my hand without leaving a residue or drying my skin out.

They don't have an overpowering scent like some wipes can, and they are soft yet fairly durable.  I wouldn't use them for removing waterproof eye makeup on my eye, because I just don't feel they are quite capable of removing it without a lot of rubbing.  But they are great to have on hand when I need them.  I especially love the price point, because I go through a looooooot of makeup remover wipes.

I love the packaging these come in.  They have a handy plastic flip top that allows me quick easy access without them drying out!  I hate when wipes come in a plastic sleeve with just a thin tab held in place by a sticker underside.  As soon as that gets wet or a bit of makeup on it, they loose their stick, and my makeup remover wipes end up all dried out.  Not cool when I go to pull out a wipe and wipe up with little more than a tissue.

Now because I can't be all "oh this is totally the most perfect thing ever" about any product and have to poke and prod until I find something that can be "complained" about (because let's face it- in this wide world web, you're always going to find some haters, so I might as well be preemptive and find their concerns to address up front), my "complaint" is this....they aren't very durable.  I'd prefer a bit more thickness to them so that it doesn't feel as if it's going to tear if I do need to scrub a bit to remove a particularly stay proof product.  It's fairly easy to combat this by laying the wipe across the area to start to dissolve the product on the surface of the skin for about 20 seconds before wiping.  Oh, and like all makeup remover wipes, make sure that you do wash your face with cleanser afterwards.  You need a deeper cleanse if you've worn a liquid or cream foundation to really remove every last trace from your pores before sleep.

Final Verdict: Totally worth a piddly $3.  So worth it in fact, you should probably grab a few... along with a ton of other amazing finds from e.l.f.  I mean makeup for $1?!

 

**Disclaimer:  This article contains affiliate links.  As with all my articles, the opinions expressed herein are fully my own.  For more information on my policies, please view my Let's Chat page.

 

Product Review- elf Volume Plumping Mascara

Close up of the mascara wand head

Close up of the mascara wand head

e.l.f. Studio Volume Plumping Mascara

From the Brand: Create lush and bold lashes with our Volume Pluming Mascara. The oversized brush fully coats lashes from root to tip for an intense and dramatic effect. The Vitamin B rich formula conditions and strengthens for visibly healthier looking lashes. 

 

Retails for: $3.00

 

Where to Buy: e.l.f. Cosmetics, Target stores

 

My Thoughts:  Let's say this one won't be making my Top 10 list of best mascaras.  For only $3, I wasn't expecting the most miraculous mascara in the world, but I did have a little bit higher hopes.  The formula itself is pretty decent.  It's not too thin in consistency, and it's a nice deep black.  Sometimes with cheap mascaras, you can find the formula to be thin and more grey than black, so this did deliver on the formula standpoint.  You do need 2-3 coats to build it a good volume, but it's thin enough that it doesn't clump. With a disposable mascara wand that I like better, this is a pretty good mascara for the price actually!

 

So my obvious problems with this is the mascara wand itself.  The bristles are in a corkscrew pattern, leaving wide open gaps that don't hug thin lashes.  The head itself is also much to large for my smaller eyes.  The taper helps me to get into the corners, but the overall size of it makes it difficult to reach those corners without depositing mascara onto other areas of my eye/face.

 

Like most of the elf products, the packaging does leave a bit to be desired.  Not going to lie here.  It's nothing fancy.  Although, it's nice and lightweight, so I'll focus on the positives!  I just wish that they would invest more in a better wand for delivering their product to the eyelashes.

 

It has a decent wear time.  I'd say between 6-8 hours before I noticed any smudging under the eyes.  I'd avoid it if you live in a very humid climate or have very oily lids, or use another of their formulas that's waterproof.  If your lashes are very long and touch your eyelid during the day, or if you wear glasses, you might notice transfer as well with friction.  

 

Final Verdict:  Not the worst mascara I've ever tried, but decent for $3 in a pinch so long as you use a different mascara wand to apply it. For starting makeup artists that don't have the budget to invest in expensive mascaras for their kit, this is a great mascara to start out with.  You can use disposable mascara wands (which you should be using anyway) to apply it and build it up for the look you want.  Chances are you'll be using some kind of false lash as well, so you don't need to much mascara.  And for shoots, the mascara doesn't have to last hours and hours if you're going to be on set to touch up.

 

Have you tried this mascara before?  What were your experiences with it?  I'd love to know!

 

**Disclaimer:  This article contains referral links.  As with all my articles, the opinions expressed herein are fully my own.  For more information on my policies, please view my Let's Chat page.