ELF Studio blushes: Review and swatches

I thought I’d post my thoughts on eight of the ELF Studio blushes, because I have gotten the impression that good reviews of ELF products are hard to find. And I do think that these blushes are good value for money, so I would like for more people to know about them. 

I own eight of these blushes. These are: Fuchia Fushion, Pink Passion, Mellow Mauve, Blushing Rose, Peachy Keen, Candid Coral, Tickled Pink and Berry Merry. Below are pictures of the packaging and swatches.

The packaging of the ELF Studio line blushes.

Swatches of eight of the ELF Studio line blushes that I own. Click to expand the image size.

Fuchia Fushion is a pink shade with golden shimmer. It is very smooth and easy to apply.

Pink Passion is one of my favorites. It has a matte finish, and although it might be a bit chalky when swatched, I don’t think that it looks chalky when applied with a blush. You do have to be very light-handed with this blush, as it is soo pigmented. I find that this blush is perfect for a more dramatic look, especially with a pink lip. I love to use this with MAC’s Pink Nouveau Lipstick.

Mellow Mauve is one of my favorite everyday blushes from ELF. It has an almost matte finish. Although it is a bit less pigmented than for instance Pink Passion, which is insanely pigmented, it does not lack in pigmentation and also applies more easily than the most pigmented ones.

Blushing Rose is a deep red with a satin finish. This blush is one of the less pigmented of the bunch, but I think that is kind of necessary with a deep colour like this, to make it easier to apply. This blush is, however, not one of my favorites, as I think it’s too dark to look natural on my skin tone.

Peachy Keen is another one of my favorites. This is a glowy peach with golden shimmer. Some say that this is a dupe for NARS’s Orgasm blush. Although I think it’s similar to that one, I think that Orgasm is a bit more pink toned than this is. This is a good blush to slap on for everyday use, and I think it would look good on most skin tones.

Candid Coral is the last one of my favorites. This light coral colour is smooth and easy to apply, and has a satin finish. When it comes to pigmentation, this one is between the insanely pigmented Pink Passion and the less pigmented blushing rose: pigmented enough to make it show up well on your skin, while still being easy to apply and blend when you’re in a rush.

Tickled Pink has a matte finish and is not too pigmented. Considering how light this colour is, and the poor amount of payoff that this blush has, this is one that I would not recommend.

Berry Merry is the blush that I haven't gotten around to using yet, so there isn’t a lot I can say about this one, besides the fact that it has a satin finish with golden shimmer to it.

As for the packaging, I think that it’s really good considering the low cost of these blushes: They are compact enough for easy travel, relatively sturdy and have a small mirror for on-the-go application. The ELF Studio blushes even have a small window on the top, which makes it so much easier to see which blush is which. But on the other hand, I do find that the packaging tends to attract fingerprints and powder if you’re hands aren’t completely clean. 

Pros:

+ Low price

+ Most of the blushes are pigmented or even very pigmented (except for Tickled Pink)
+ Most of them apply well (except for Pink Passion, since this one is insanely pigmented)

+ Good packaging

Cons:

- Pigmentation can vary somewhat

- Packaging tends to attract dirt 

Conclusion:

Considering the low price of these blushes, they are really good value for money: Most of these blushes are well pigmented, and some are even very pigmented, and most of them apply well. Although some of the deeper colours are less pigmented, I don’t mind this at all, since it makes these colours easier to apply for those with lighter skin tones, like myself. The packaging is also study and practical, considering the price range, although powders and fingerprints tends to stick to the cover if you’re not careful. I think these blushes are a must-have if you’re on a budget. And who isn't, these days? :)

Price: £3.50 / 32 NOK

Makeup Tips For Beginners II

Which brushes to get first and why

First of all, let me just say that I think Sigma Brushes are phenomenal value for money. They are similar to MAC brushes, which are also very good, but at a fraction of the price. That makes them perfect for beginners and professional makeup artists alike. I own a whole bunch of these brushes, and if I were new to makeup and were to do things all over again, these are the brushes I’d start with and the reasons why:

FACE:

Pictures of Sigma brushes are from their site.

• The Sigma Flat Top Synthetic Kabuki - F80
   This brush applies foundation quickly and effortlessly, and gives you an air brushed finish. You can use it with powder or liquid foundation, and it to apply and blend these products into your skin.

• The Sigma Large Powder - F30
  I use this brush to blend powder products, such as blush and bronzer, into my skin, so that my face won’t appear streaky in any way. This is actually quite important if you want to get a more natural look.
  

EYE SHADOW:

• Sigma Eye Shading - E55
  This brush can be used to either apply a light wash of colour, or pack it on for a more intense look. With its rounded top, it is very easy to work with.

• The Sigma Blending - E25
  Blending away harsh edges is a must with all eye shadows. This brush will make these disappear in second. This brush in also very versatile in the sense that you can also use it to apply a light wash of colour to you lids, if you don’t feel like packing it on.

EYE LINER:

• The Sigma Small Angle - E65
  Because this brush makes it so easy to apply eyeliner that even a beginner will think it is fun. I love this brush when I’m pressed for time in the morning (because I refuse to go out without eyeliner on).
  

BLUSH:

• The Sigma Large Angled Contour - F40
  This brush is perfect for me because I can be a bit heavy-handed on the blush sometimes. But this brush applies just the perfect amount, even when I’m applying blusher while I’m still half asleep.

So there you go, guys. I hope this might help someone. And just so you know, these are 100% my own opinions, because this post has not been sponsored. I just happen to love Sigma’s brushes. And the fact that they’re so affordable makes them perfect for beginners. Looking back at the time I first started wearing makeup, I can’t understand how I was able to get anything done without. And so, with this post, I’m hoping to get my message out there: Yes, everything is easier with brushes! And no, they don’t have to cost a fortune.

Good luck!

Makeup Tips For Beginners

7 things I wish I knew when I first started with makeup…

Picture is from this page.

• Buy a concealer that is a shade or two lighter than your skin. That way, you will conceal your blemishes and dark circles, rather than highlight them. This is a handy product that you can just slap on, even if you’re in a hurry, and that will work wonders for your complexion.
  
  
• Get your hands on a foundation that is suited to your colouring and skin type. Let the sales assistants at your beauty shop help you with this, since this is usually more difficult than you would think. A foundation that is too dark can for instance make your complexion look muddy, and a foundation that contains lots of moisture can make a person with combination or oily skin look greasy and shiny all day long. So if you’re new to makeup – ask for help!
  
  
• Always remember to use a good moisturizer under your foundation. Your foundation is, after all, greatly affected by its base.
  
  
• Always remember to wash your hands before doing your makeup. Germs on hands make for germs on face, which can lead to breakouts and things like that. So clean hands at all times is a must.
  
  
• If you’re unsure of what products you should invest in, and which ones you can buy cheap, go by this rule of thumb: The longer a product is supposed to sit on the skin, the more you should be willing to spend on it. Moisturizers, for instance, can greatly affect your skin and the look of your foundation, and so you should make sure to use good quality products. Mascaras and eye shadows, on the other hand, you can get from the drug store until you’ve been able to get your hands on the most important basics.
  
  
• Always remove your makeup before you go to bed. It is important that your skin is able to breathe and rejuvenate while you sleep. You might as well get into this beauty habit early.
  
  
• Do not believe everything you see and hear on YouTube. First of all, you should consider the features or characteristics of the reviewer or beauty guru compared to your own. Consider his or her skin type, type of lashes or makeup preferences and compare these with yours, before you decide to buy a similar product. If he or she is raving about a foundation, but has dry and sensitive skin, whereas you have combination skin, you should take this into consideration. Also consider the finish of the products that they are recommending. If they are raving about a palette with mostly shimmery eye shadows, but you tend to like matte or satin ones, then it might be a good idea to swatch the shadows yourself before buying. Also consider the fact that some of these reviewers or makeup gurus do sponsored posts from time to time. 

So these were my two cents on makeup for beginners. What is your best tip for those who are just starting out with makeup? What kind of products would you recommend?

The Makeup Geek Eyeshadows: Review and swatches

Groundbreaking news:
THE MAKEUP GEEK EYE SHADOWS ARE TRULY JUST AS GOOD AS MAC
  – AND AT HALF THE PRICE!

OMG, you guys..  I’ve been trying out the Makeup Geek Eye shadows I bought for a couple of weeks now, and I’m completely blown away. Because everything I heard about them is true. I was so skeptical because I never really thought that cheap eye shadows were more than decent when it comes to quality. But this proves me wrong, because the Makeup Geek eye shadows are only 6 US Dollars a pop, and I actually think they’re just as good as those I have from MAC…

Let me start with this: They are very pigmented. Although this does vary a bit, depending on colour and finish, I found that every single one I tried was just as pigmented as eye shadows I have from MAC, Urban Decay and other similar high-end brands. But I won’t even try to describe just how pigmented they are – that is something you are going to have to see for yourself. So check out the swatches below at the end of this post.

But most importantly for me, they were sooo blendable! Since I tend to like eye shadows with a matte finish, I sometimes find blending to be somewhat of a hassle. Especially when I’m pressed for time in the morning. But these shadows blend so nicely after just a few movements with the brush. So with these eye shadows, I feel that I might actually be able to save some time in the morning. Hallelujah, right?

Right about now, I guess you’re wondering about fallout. Because I have, in the past, found that eye shadows that are easy to blend tend to have a lot of fallout, or fade quicker throughout the day. Although the most shimmery ones had a tiny bit of fallout, it was hardly noticeable most of the time. And certainly no more than one has to expect from eye shadows with a lot of shimmer. I also didn’t find that these shadows faded more than high-end eye shadows normally do. Moreover, these shadows also come in pans, which I really like, because it means that each one costs less, and that I can store them as I want to. I keep mine in two Z Palettes :)

I did test these shadows thoroughly because I wanted to give more detailed recommendations about which colours to buy and which to stay clear of, but in truth, I found them all to be very good. I didn’t find any duds, so which ones you should buy then only becomes a question of personal preference. And I don’t care if the shimmery ones have a tiny bit of fallout, because aside from that, these eyeshadows are damn near perfect!

So let me get down to the gist...

Pros:

+ The price: For 6 USD a pop these eyeshadow pans are a bargain

+ Highly pigmented

+ Very blendable

+ Fallout is not an issue with 97% of the eye shadows I tried

+ Fading is not an issue

(+ The site that sells these shadows has very affordable international shipping, too. I was amazed!)

Cons:

-          A tiny amount of fallout with the most shimmery ones

Sum: 

These eye shadows are highly pigmented and soo blendable and affordable that I’m flabbergasted. And when fading and fallout is not an issue, either, there isn’t anything else I could want from an eyeshadow. I will definitely buy more of these!

I hope you liked this review!