I recently made my second purchase from E.L.F. (also known as eyeslipsface), and this encompasses my haul, as well as a review of both the products I purchased, my purchasing experience, and the company itself.
PRODUCTS PURCHASED:
Regular Makeup Line
Eyelash Curler - $1
Eyeliner Brush - $1
Waterproof Eyeliner Pen “Coffee” - $1
Waterproof Eyeliner Pen “Black” - $1
Shimmering Facial Whip “Spotlight” - $1
All Over Color Stick “Spotlight” - $1
Liquid Eye Shadow “Sultry Satin” - $1
Liquid Eye Shadow “Coco Loco” - $1
Eyelash/Brow Wand (spoolie) - $1
Blending Eye Brush - $1
Eye Shadow Brush - $1
Concealer Brush - $1
Studio Line
Eyebrow Kit “Light” - $3
Contouring Blush/Bronzing Powder - $3
Contour Brush - $3
Blush “Peachy Keen” - $3
Blush “Candid Coral” - $3
Blush “Gotta Glow” - $3
Flat Top Powder Brush - $3
Cream Eyeliner “Coffee” - $3
Cream Eyeliner “Ivory” - $3
COMPANY REVIEW (product review below)
Firstly, a review on the company and shipping. This is my 2nd order from ELF, and I have to say that I have had a problem with both orders, which means that 100% of my dealings with them have been negative on one level or another, always with products and sometimes with bad customer service.
I had a coupon code for around half off, so I tried a bunch of things I probably wouldn’t otherwise, and was really looking forward to trying some new products. Shopping was fun, and I went a bit crazy (as is obvious from the list above, especially considering there are multiples of a number of the things listed).
Now, on to this particular experience.
To begin with, it took nearly 3 ½ weeks for me to get my order. Apparently the default shipping option gives you FedEx SmartPost shipping as an option (a horrible shipping option that I will do a video on another time), and this meant that my package did some very strange things (like sitting in one location for FIVE BUSINESS DAYS STRAIGHT). When it had finally been nearly a month I called up the customer service number to make a complaint and was essentially told where I could shove it. I got a lengthy lecture about how poor most of the customers are and that these kinds of things are the price that is inevitable for such low prices on products. A simple apology probably would have made me satisfied, and half or all my shipping charges back would have restored my faith in the company, but instead I got a lecture and, when I didn’t simply agree with the woman and be silenced, she launched into how I was welcome to go find a more expensive company to work with that would have better shipping and customer service (a reaction I found ironic at best…).
I finally got my package and there were some issues which required contacting ELF yet again. Now I will say this for them – when I contact them about a broken product they mostly handle it. I say mostly because they only halfway listen. I emailed them to tell them that my Gotta Glow blush was broken, as was my eyeliner brush, that my Coffee Waterproof Eyeliner pen was dried out, and one of my powder brushes was missing. I got an email the next day saying that my concealer brush, powder brush, and 2 Gotta Glows were being sent. So I emailed them to thank them for handling the problem (after my previous experience with the customer service people I wasn’t too surprised by the issues and to be honest I hated the eyeliner brush so it being broken was no big deal since I wouldn’t have used it anyway, and the brown eyeliner pen would have been neat but I wasn’t THAT attached to it). They wrote back saying “sorry again for the issue, we’ll send out a new eyeliner brush.” Clearly, not listening. That said, at least they were taking care of things so I’m done fighting with them over $1 items that I got on sale for less than that, I just abhor bad customer service…
PRODUCT REVIEW – REGULAR LINE
I will start with the regular line, and go in the order I listed them above. Most of the products I was actually quite happy with.
Eyelash Curler – Seems to be of good quality and works well, but is too flat for my eye shape so simply does not work for me, but seems to be a good product.
Eyeliner Brush – I do not like this brush. I wanted a flat top eyeliner brush for pushing eyeliner or shadow into my lash line, and this brush does not work for me. It is too thick to make a good line and I find it to be too hard to work with. Might work great for some.
Waterproof Eyeliner Pen “Coffee” – Mine arrived totally dried out, so I have not gotten to use it.
Waterproof Eyeliner Pen “Black” – Definitely seems waterproof, and well-pigmented. Glides on smoothly and has that pen shape that gives great control. Would definitely suggest this for anyone looking to foray into liquid or waterproof eyeliner as it is so easy to use and decent for the price.
Shimmering Facial Whip “Spotlight” – Love the idea of this product, but because I require a heavy coverage makeup, this tends to disturb my foundation (and I can’t put it underneath because my foundation would cover up the shimmers). Great product if you wear normal foundation, and very nice highlight.
All Over Color Stick “Spotlight” – I found this to be useless. Very heavy and hard to blend. Color is alright, and might work on someone without a lot of foundation on, but this has the same issue as the one above, only multiplied by like 100.
Liquid Eye Shadow “Sultry Satin” – This is a very shimmery eye shadow and I really haven’t found a reason to use it yet, but it’s a pretty color.
Liquid Eye Shadow “Coco Loco” – One of my new FAVORITE eye shadows. The color reminds me of the eye shadow look worn by the main girl in the Ghost Whisperer, and I love it as an all-over lid color. It is a rich bronze, goes on well, and sets quickly. Cons include its drying time (you need to work fast or it will set in a strange way), and layering ability (if you put too thick of a layer on, it WILL flake off or make lumps). It is better to put a thin layer on and cover with a similar eye shadow for depth rather than try to put a thick layer of this on.
Eyelash/Brow Wand (spoolie) – a spoolie is a spoolie. I’m not sure what else to say. Love these for separating the lashes or brushing through the brows, and for $1 you can’t go wrong.
Blending Eye Brush – ELF’s version of a crease brush. It blends alright if you work at it. Bristles are soft but dense so it isn’t really a “blending” brush so much as a “placement” brush. I actually love this brush for defining the outer V as it is small and precise, will place the color without dragging it away, blending it to nothingness, or blending in a wide area. Recommend it for this type of application if you need a cheap option and can’t afford a crease brush, but NOT as a blending brush.
Eye Shadow Brush – everybody knows about the eye shadow brush. I was a bit less impressed with this than I thought I would be the first time I bought it (thought it would be more firm or more dense or something), but for $1, it is great and I now have like 7 of them as they work fine for putting color on the lid and they’re cheap enough to have spares so you don’t have to clean a brush every color change. Definitely recommend this brush.
Concealer Brush – this is TINY. If you’ve seen my haul/review video on this, you’ll know what I mean, but for others it is about ¼” wide, if that. In other words, it is about the thickness of half a pencil. While I have a lot of spots and like to conceal individually, this is small even for me. If you want a tiny brush, go for it – it’s not bad, just small.
PRODUCT REVIEW – STUDIO LINE
Now, on to the Studio line, which mostly retails for $3 each (although some powders, etc. are more).
Eyebrow Kit “Light” – I first bought the kit in “Medium” and like it alright, bought this for a lighter color. Product is decent enough for price. It has a shadow and a wax, which is always darker than the shadow. I am personally not fond of this – it ends up making the entire thing more difficult to work with than it has to be. If you put the powder on and cover with the wax you have to make sure it is even or it will be blotchy, and if you put the wax on and the powder over it, then it is lighter than the wax so it is weird. I usually use the wax, then top with my face powder (which lightens the whole thing enough to match my darker red-blonde hair better), then define the tail and arch a bit with the powder to re-darken it. Was hoping 2nd color would work better, but it just requires the same steps, just turns out a lighter color. Will probably buy a kit from the store with 3-4 powders and clear wax next time. Good product if you’re looking for a very defined brow look.
Contouring Blush/Bronzing Powder – often compared to NARS “Laguna” bronzer and “Orgasm” blush. Love these. The colors are great – the blush is a universal pinky-peach with gold shimmer (it’s glitter, to be honest), and the bronzer is a soft brown without too much red or orange (also with “shimmer”). Would SWEAR by these if not for the glitter. There is also a sheen to the skin given even if you tap off the glitter, which is quite lovely. Definitely a staple in my kit but do wish it came without glitter.
Contour Brush – contrary to what the name implies, this is an eye shadow brush. This seems to be more for eye contouring, but it’s basically a fancy version of the “blending brush” above. A bit more dense and less soft. Makes more defined contour work. Can apply product VERY harshly if used with anything besides a very light hand. I use mine for applying my concealer to blemishes and LOVE it for this. Stiffer and smaller than a blending brush like a 224, it applies only where you want it, blends out, and is synthetic to boot, making it easy to clean.
Blush “Peachy Keen” – This verges more on the pink side of peach, and has that same shimmer plus glitter as the others, but is pretty nonetheless.
Blush “Candid Coral” – if it weren’t for the amount of shimmer in this blush (again with the glitter as well) I would have bought 100 of them so that I never ran out. Something about this color is so natural and perfect that I used it almost every day this summer, when I can get away with shimmer in a way I can’t in the winter.
Blush “Gotta Glow” – this is a cream colored blush with gold (and call me crazy but I swear there is green in it, too) shimmers in it. Gives an absolutely beautiful shine to the skin without adding much product or any color. Great highlighting product, and since it does not disturb my makeup, is my favorite. I now have four of them and if I ever run out (which I doubt), will buy more.
Flat Top Powder Brush – I think I have 4 or 5 of these. Throw out your 187 or paddle-style foundation brush and just TRY this. You get all the blending benefits of the duo-fiber stippling brushes, but the full coverage application of a standard paddle style brush. I will be purchasing a flat top kabuki from Sigma or Coastal Scents or something soon, but this is a great brush to try out the flat top brush application, and is the brush I use every day and have since I bought my first one 4 months ago.
Cream Eyeliner “Coffee” – lovely brown color – the name is perfect for it. Creamy and smooth, it glides on and once set, stays PUT. Reminds me a lot of Wet ‘n’ Wild cream liner. One of my favorites. Stays all day and is nearly waterproof. A must have (in this color or black, whichever you prefer).
Cream Eyeliner “Ivory” – I tend to put cream liner in my waterline and wanted the white one as a brightening liner for the waterline. This liner doesn’t show up at ALL in the waterline or on the lid – if you pile it on your hand you’ll get a shimmery line, but that’s about it. Useless.
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