For the most part, every drugstore brand has a fair offering of products for the eyebrows. There is a lot of overlap and repeats across brands, with little innovation and a lot of high-end dupes. If you are wanting to get the look for less with affordable and dependable products, then this is the blog post review for you. Here I am covering elf eyebrow makeup in terms of their current offering of color cosmetics. I am showing swatches and brow looks, plus providing the details that you need to purchase the best products for you.
Read All elf Reviews Soap Brows Tutorial
elf Cosmetics Eyebrow Products
elf Brow Lift
We are starting off the elf eyebrow makeup parade with their most popular brow item, probably of all time- the elf Brow Lift! Here they are trying to dupe an Anastasia Beverly Hills product, among other brands that sell lift/freeze/glue type of brow gels. This product is designed to give your brows the “soap brow” effect, where they are fluffy, defined, lifted, and held in place all day. I will say that I like this, and the soap brow effect is similar. However, I still follow my Pears soap brows routine for special occasions, because soap brows are overall different. elf has its place and time, and I do reach for this!
This product is clear and leaves no residue in the brows. It is thick, and you only need the slightest amount. You can apply it before or after using colored brow products. Personally, I like using it after. For example, if you use Brow Lift first then go in with a pencil, you will move your brows all around and mess up the look.
elf provides an applicator for this, which is nothing more than a spoolie on one end, and a metal spatula on the other. I lightly pat the spoolie into the product, then press it into the lid to remove excess, but also to work the gel into the spoolie. I never get colored product into my Brow Lift because from here, I work on the lid.
This product will keep your brows in place all day. Every once in a while, mine move a bit. You do get that lifted and defined look that is groomed. The thick formula is hard to describe until you experience it. It is not soap, gel, or glue, but its own thing. Again, a little goes a long way.
I do use the metal spatula to press the brows down, to get that “laminated” and “lifted” effect. I find that this formula does not dry down 100%, and if you physically touch your brows during the day you will feel it, and risk displacing some brow hairs. Overall, this is not a holy grail to me, but it works good enough.
Wearing the Ultra Precise Brow Pencil and Brow Lift
elf Instant Lift Brow Pencil
Second is one of the best elf eyebrow product offerings, their Instant Lift Brow Pencil. The size of the tip is perfect! While it is too thick to be called mini or micro, it is still small enough to get a perfect fill and hair-like strokes, all while staying “in the lines” and keeping your look clean. Really, the size helps you get the job done faster than with a micro pencil. This is a twist-up with no sharpening required. The formula glides right on with no waxy feel, skipping, or tugging. I like to use the spoolie end to evenly distribute the product, then finish with an elf eyebrow mascara.
Wearing the Instant Lift Brow Pencil and Wow Brow Gel
elf Bite-Size Brow
Third is the elf Bite-Size Brow palette. With these palettes you get two powder shades, a tinted gel, and a clear wax. You can go all out here and use the lighter powder on the inner part of the brow, then the darker powder toward the tail. Then, set them in place with the gel and wax. But, this mini palette is quite versatile. Maybe you want to set with the wax for a no-makeup look, or keep it simple with one powder and the gel. It is all up to you! You can even fill and tame with the gel alone.
The wax and gel offer light to medium hold, so stubborn brows will move around. Otherwise, these products apply well and look great.
elf Wow Brow Gel
Fourth for elf Cosmetics eyebrow options is the elf Wow Brow Gel. This is a brow mascara with fibers that adds tint and hold. Pair this with a pencil or powder, or go alone for light tint. It will hold your brows in place all day, with no crunchy or hard feeling, even though it fully dries down.
Quick tip! With any brow gel, mascara, or even the Brow Lift, brush the spoolie down into the brows before brushing up and across. This will coat both sides of the brow hairs and fully lock them in place all day. Now that I have heard of this, I cannot do my makeup without using this trick!
elf Ultra Precise Brow Pencil
Next is an elf brow pencil that everyone should own. The elf Ultra Precise Brow Pencil is a micro pencil, just like what you will find from most drugstore brands. You get a good amount of product for the price, plus it does not break while in use. This is a twist-up with no sharpening required.
It does a great job of creating precise, hair-like strokes. The spoolie end brushes the product through well. This product applies easily with no waxy feeling, skipping, or tugging.
elf Eyebrow Kit
A classic from the elf eyebrow makeup collection is the elf Eyebrow Kit. If my memory serves me correctly, this is the first brow product that I owned, going back to my days of not knowing much about makeup. I hit pan on it, and recently threw it away because it was beyond expired. Yes, I kept it this long, then repurchased! The point is, this is a good starting item for makeup beginners.
In this kit you get a basic brow powder, which is used to fill the brows. Then, you get a tinted wax that provides a light to medium hold. Again, if you have stubborn brows, they will move around. The tinted gel can be used on its own to create some hair like strokes and minor hold. The wax formula is not 100% perfect, but easy enough for a beginner.
elf Lock On Liner and Brow Cream
The final item from the elf eyebrow makeup collection is one of my holy grails, the elf Lock On Liner and Brow Cream. I have never used this as an eyeliner, but it is amazing in the brows, and a true two-in-one. This gel glides right on easily, allowing you to create hair-like strokes, while it fills and provides hold all day! I still reach for this when I am doing special occasion, bullet-proof makeup when I am not doing soap brows. You can find this in my travel makeup bag too. Even my stubborn brows will put up with the hold. Over the years I have penned this elf eyebrow gel review several times, and it never dries out or goes bad. This is my original pot and I think it will outlive me!
elf Eyebrow Product Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs:
I am ending this elf eyebrow makeup discussion with some frequently asked questions:
How do you do elf eyebrows?
You can do elf eyebrows in a variety of ways. Their product lineup provides pencils, gels, powders, mascaras, and a soap-type product. It is recommended to start with a pencil or powder to fill, and then a gel or mascara to define and hold.
How do you use the elf eyebrow lift?
You use the elf eyebrow lift by lightly dipping a spoolie into the product, then wiping off the excess in the lid. Next, brush it into the brows in an upwards motion. Use the metal spatula to press down on the brows, laminating them in place. You may fill and tint with a color product before or after.
How long does the elf eyebrow pencil last?
The elf eyebrow pencil will last as long as you want to wear your makeup. It is solid for eight hours plus of wear.
How do I sharpen my elf Instant Lift Brow Pencil?
You do not sharpen your elf Instant Lift Brow Pencil because it is a retractible twist-up product.
Shop elf Eyebrow Pencils, Powders, Gels, and Mascaras
Conclusion
In summary of the elf eyebrow makeup offering, this brand has a solid collection of items that are true staples in your collection. They do not have an overwhelming selection. If you are in need of a basic pencil, powder, or mascara, you can trust elf’s offerings. I have never used an eyebrow product from them that I thought was horrible. For the most part, their products are not unique from other brands, but the prices and sizes are good deals, plus their items are highly accessible. Until next time, continue to let your true beauty shine.
What is your favorite type of eyebrow product?
2 Responses
I would love to see a before and after of your bare brows then product. I recently got a scar on my eyebrows and no hair will grow, so my beloved Anastasia spoolie no longer works. I’m switching back to powder. This article is so helpful, but narrowing down by seeing your natural brow would be so helpful. Thanks as always for you amazing reviews!
Hi Darcy! This is a great idea! I have updated the post with new images to show my natural brow. Enjoy!