While I have not tried every single item (and they continue to push out products on the regular), I have used enough that I can confidently produce a list of the best elf Cosmetics products of all time and to date. I am limiting this list to non-discontinued makeup only.
Srsly Satin Lipstick
These lipsticks feature a buildable to full-coverage formula that sets with a satin finish. They are comfortable on the lips and feel rather nourishing and soft. With careful eating and drinking, they hold up as well as any drugstore lipstick. I love the clear packaging!
Brow Products
Second are a variety of their brow products.
- Instant Lift Brow Pencil: The size of the pencil is not too skinny that it takes ages to fill your brows, but not too wide that you make a mess. It effortlessly fills the brows, and the built-in spoolie is a bonus.
- Wow Brow Gel: This is a fiber brow gel that adds gentle tint, yet holds your brows in place all day.
- Lock On Liner and Brow Cream: I use this product to fill my brows. It lasts all day while providing hold, and is my go-to for special occasion makeup.
- Ultra Precise Brow Pencil: This is the perfect skinny tip brow pencil from the drugstore to create hair-like strokes. It also has a built-in spoolie!
Foundation
For the most part elf does great with foundation and if they do not, they are good about discontinuing them.
- Flawless Finish Foundation: This foundation has a satin finish that looks so fresh and healthy on the skin with buildable medium to full coverage.
- Camo CC Cream: I find that this foundation is buildable, and the finish is satin that leans closer to being matte. It is definitely full coverage. No matter what primer or other products that I use it with, I find that it wears the same. It lasts really well and can be dubbed long-wearing. I would only apply powder around the nose as a touch-up to control oil there. This foundation looks the best when applied with a sponge and when paired with hydrating products. Ultimately, this product never looks fully skin-like on me. It always seems to sit on the skin. Foundation wears differently on everyone, so you may have a different result.
Primer Infused Bronzer
The formula is soft and highly pigmented, but still workable. Some of the shades definitely give high-end bronzers a run for their money.
Powder Blush Palette
I like all of their face palettes in this quad style, but I am trying to keep this post under control. The blush palette in particular is near and dear to me because I have had it since my early makeup days, and it is my mom’s favorite. You can reach for this palette every day and the pigmentation is buildable and soft. There is minor shimmer. Quick tip- you can pop the individual shades out of these quad palettes to re-arrange them or to make your own palette!
Bite Size Eyeshadows
The reason I am picking the Bite Size Eyeshadows over all others is that these feature the best eyeshadow formula that elf has created to date. Both the mattes and shimmers are buttery smooth to the point that they are nearly creamy, richly pigmented, and yield little to no fallout or kick up in the pan. All of these shadows blend easily on the eye and have consistent formulas. These palettes are beyond affordable, give high-end eyeshadow a run for their money, and will place new colors in your collection.
Halo Glow Setting Powder
In all honesty, all of elf’s loose powder options are excellent. They have found a way to make them super finely milled so that they make your skin look soft and blurred, while effectively setting your makeup. When it comes down to which powder you choose, it is more so about the function or finish that you are after. I am picking Halo Glow as my favorite because of the extremely subtle glow that it provides, which is still safe for combination or oily skin.
Dewy Coconut Setting Mist
I do not see this spray extending the wear of my makeup, but it does nicely set everything in place with a pleasant, but not overbearing, coconut scent. If you are expecting a super glowy and dewy face with this spray, then you will be disappointed. The level of dew is incredibly light and natural, which I personally like a lot with my combination skin.
Liquid Glitter Eyeshadows
I recommend letting each layer of the product dry, if you plan on doing layers. You can build the pigmentation up to be nearly full coverage. When they dry they do not feel like powder, but they are comfortable. The amount of glitter is not overdone. At the end of the day I do see minimal fallout on my face. I do find that these shadows last all day without fading, cracking, or creasing. You can definitely wear these over top of eyeshadow, alongside eyeshadow, or simply on their own. You can also use them as eyeliner.
Hydrating Camo Concealer
The formula is ultra creamy and full coverage. It dries to a satin finish. A little bit goes a long way. The curved applicator holds more product than you may expect, so you do not need to dip the applicator in the tube several times. With drugstore concealer it can be tricky to find a light enough shade to brighten the face, but elf’s shade range is great. It is definitely long wearing. Many people love the matte counterpart of this concealer, which is the 16 Hour Camo Concealer, but as a matter of personal preference, I like this one better.
Poreless Putty Primer
This primer does smooth the skin out, and it fills some of the pores on my nose. I do not get a perfect fill with my severe pores. As far as any blurring, I do not see any instant Photoshop effects. This primer does control my oils all day. Honestly, I do think that Poreless Putty Primer makes a visible difference for foundation wear time. I do not think it is God’s gift to the makeup world, but good things are happening to extend wear a bit longer.
Shop The Products
You can always use the comment section to add onto this list with your own favorites! We shall hope that these items get to stick around for a very long time. I may come back and do another post for their skincare items. What is your cannot live without elf product? Until next time, continue to let your true beauty shine.
Discover More elf Cosmetics Product Reviews:
| elf Setting Spray Review | elf Dupes for High-End makeup | elf Haul | elf Makeup Sponges Review |
