Saturday 1 September 2012

My first e.l.f experience (+ haul)

Over the past few months, I've been hearing more and more about e.l.f (or eyes, lips, face) as a company and as a set of products.

E.l.f. describe their company as:

' a line of simple, luxurious, problem-solution tools that allow you to showcase and believe in your unique, personal beauty. Our cosmetics are designed to improve and accentuate the individual, not hide her away... Every woman should have the opportunity to participate in innovation, without sacrificing her budget. ' 

In short, they focus their products around simplicity and affordability - products with a purpose, which do what they say on the tin and won't break the bank. They seem to lower the price by not spending on advertising or packaging - as well as they are only available online (in the UK, they sell in stores in the US).

After reading many reviews on various products and hearing bloggers rave about them, I was amazed to take a peek on the website and find that their products were ridiculously cheap - usually this would put me off, because I would assume the quality was horrendous, but after the rave reviews - I was so excited to put an order in!

So on Thursday, I put in a little order, and here is what I bought:

waterproof eyeliner pen, £1.50

Waterproof Eyeliner Pen:
I've been searching for a waterproof liquid (or felt tip) eyeliner ever since I started my lifeguarding job, as you're around a lot of water and going in saunas etc - I really didn't want my eye makeup ending up half way down my face. The applicator of this pen is like a thin felt tip - meaning it's easy to use, and easy to apply either a very thin line, or thicken it up if necessary. I tested this out this morning when I went swimming, with my Rimmel Colossal Volum' Express waterproof mascara (see earlier haul), and I was so happy with the result! I applied this on the top of my eyelid above my eye, and when I came out of the pool my eye makeup was exactly as it was when I entered - this stayed in a pristine line above my eye, with no smudging or moving of any kind!

all over color stick, £1.50

All Over Color Stick in Spotlight
The e.l.f color sticks are basically a stick of product which can be used anywhere on your eyes, lips or face. They come in a range of colours from pale creams to bronzes and deep pinks, and I chose the palest cream colour called Spotlight. I'm hoping to use this on my cheekbones mainly, as a highlighter, but I might also end up using it as a kind of nude lipstick, because I hate how bright my lips are!

swatches of spotlight color stick and waterproof eyeliner pen

make-up mist and set, £3.75


Makeup Mist and Set
The e.l.f makeup mist and set is basically a make up setting spray which contains lots of natural ingredients, and claims to 'improve makeup wearability','moisturize and sooth the skin' with natural ingredients, and prevent colour from 'running or fading'. So far I have been impressed with it, as I wore it to the pool when I lifeguarded yesterday, and my makeup did seem to stay in place longer than usual - even with the increased heat and humidity. I haven't developed a full opinion on it yet, but I'll pop up a review when I've tested it some more.


My friend also joined in my order (to save on postage!) and she ordered a few things which I thought I'd show you before I give them to her!

tone correcting powder


Tone Correcting Powder
The e.l.f tone correcting powder has been quite controversial between bloggers, as some claim it's a miracle product, and others hating it. Personally, I think it just looks like a cheap eyeshadow compact from primary school - but each colour combats a different problem with skin tone - and the overall powder aims to even skin tone and mattify your skin. I'll be interested to see how she finds it, as I'm not sure I'd be too happy putting these colours onto my skin!

all over color stick, £1.50

All Over Color Stick in Golden Peach
She also ordered a colour stick, but this time in Golden Peach - a lovely pinky bronze colour, which I assume will be used for either a blush or a bronzer!


Another thing I love about e.l.f is that they constantly have offers on! A while ago they were doing a complete 50% off offer, where everything was half price - recently they put all their makeup brushes for £1 each for a weekend, and at the moment the offer is that shipping is £1 (normally the offers have a minimum spend of £10). When I ordered everything on Thursday, the offer was that you got a free nail varnish with every order (again, I think it was everything over £10), and so I got this free nail varnish with the order:

nail polish in royal purple, £2.50

Nail Polish in Royal Purple
I didn't get to choose the colour, so I was given Royal Purple, though I would describe it as more of a dark fuchsia. The formula seems nice, but maybe a bit runny - and there is a glittery shimmer throughout it, which probably makes it more suitable for toes than fingernails, but I'm sure I'll get some use out of it!

Another thing to mention that I loved about e.l.f was how amazingly quick it was! Postage was around £3, and within an hour or two or ordering it on Thursday afternoon, I recieved an email saying my package had been dispatched, and it arrived in the morning post the next day!

I would definitely recommend e.l.f as a company, and I love all the products I recieved from first impressions - I'll let you know how I got on with them later!

21 comments:

  1. The waterproof eyeliner pen sounds amazing..might have to make a small purchase to Elf now! Haha. xo

    http://electricdaisies.blogspot.co.uk/

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    1. it's amazing - especially for the price, what a bargain! liv xx

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  2. The eye liner look great! I haven't try any elf products but I think I'm ready to give it a shot :)
    xx-B
    http://thegreyclover.blogspot.co.uk/

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    1. it's so good - i would definitely recommend it!xx

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  3. I've never tried any elf products, I'm thinking I might give them a go and get some later this month! I don't usually buy stuff off the internet which I think might be why. Just to let you know, I tagged you in the Sunshine Award! To follow the award check out the post on my blog :) xoxo

    pariswhenitspink.blogspot.com

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    1. i would definitely recommend them so so much! i'm the same, i like to try things out in real life first, but it's so worth the risk :)
      wow thank you so much! i will :)
      liv xxx

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  4. The eyeliner pen looks great! I might have to give that a try!
    Beauty by T

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  5. I'm a massive fan of elf products, looks like you've got some lovely new items..such great value for money xx

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    1. i am so pleased with it all! agreed :) xx

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  6. I can't wait to see your opinion on the setting spray. I never payed much attention to elf, and completely look over it at the drug store. The only thing I have from them is the concealer brush which I use to clean up around my nails =P

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    1. I'll definitely make sure to do a review at some point! I've only recently come across it, but it was a nice surprise!:)
      liv xx

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  7. nice review, it's really great to know more about the products. my personal favourite for waterproof eyeliner is maybelline NY eye studio - it won't wash off even after I shower with my eyeliner on!
    would you like to follow each other?
    A
    xx
    giveaway on my blog:
    http://epiquemoi.blogspot.com

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    1. thank you! wow, that sounds great - maybe a bit too waterproof though, haha :)
      i'll take a look at your blog now :) Liv xx

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  8. Great post !

    Really well and clearly explained well done ! I will check elf out here a lot about it ;)

    Just stopped by your blog!
    Loved it instantly so I have no choice but to follow you around!!

    Please feel free to check out my blog if you have the time

    p.s Do you want a Snake Wrap Earring ? Come join my giveaway too :)


    Love,

    Janice
    the-fashion-milkshake.blogspot.nl

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  9. thank you :) i will definitely take a look!

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  10. Great Review! I want to try all these elf products now especially because they are so inexpensive. I'm following you now, please check out my blog and if you like it follow me too :)

    http://perlaxmakeup.blogspot.com/

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    1. thanks! that was one of the main selling points for me as well :)
      thanks, i definitely will!:)

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  11. I was actually thinking about ordering some foundation off their site, but since I hadn't really heard about them enough I decided not too.
    I wish I had now though! Let us know about the setting spray, it sounds like a really good product! ♥

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    1. i've looked at their foundation too! would love to know what you think of it if you do decide to buy it :)
      i will do, still making my mind up about it!:)

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Thank you for taking the time to comment! I make sure to read all of them and will always reply to any questions :)