The BEST elf Products that I have tried over the past five years.
elf has so many affordable options that are considered dupes for many luxury brands.
I have saved hundreds of dollars on quality elf skin care, makeup, and tools.
The latest elf product that I highly recommend:
elf Poreless Putty Primer $8 (21g)
This elf poreless putty primer will blur your pores! This is a major dupe of Tatcha’s The Silk Canvas $52. elf has 21 grams of this product vs. 20 grams of the Tatcha.
Why this product is so incredible. If you suffer from clogged pores, this makeup primer helps keep makeup from clogging your pores. This is huge for acne sufferers. I’ve been using this product for one month and I’ve noticed 100% clear skin. It blows my mind. Both version contain an ingredient called “squaline.”
Even if you don’t want to wear makeup, this will blur your pores and lock in moisture.
My Favorite elf products review
I have been trying to save money on my monthly makeup splurges and I’ve purchased almost everything elf makes as an investment to discover dupes to some of my favorite high end makeup. I would much rather purchase a product that costs $3 instead of $30! I’ve found 30 elf makeup products that I love and I have repurchased many times – replacing expensive products and saving me money.
I’m also trying to replace all my makeup with cruelty free brands and elf is cruelty-free! Yay! Elf has some hits and misses. You cannot beat the price on most elf products, making it worth your while to try. Check out my faves – the best elf products I have tried.
The best elf products I have discovered
Here’s a list of the top 10 best elf products below.
#1 e.l.f. Studio Flawless Finish Foundation (I wear sand) $6
This elf foundation feels so light and clean on my face. This was my “go to foundation” for Summer. I apply it with a sponge applicator (my real techniques sponge) over my elf mineral face primer (the purple one). The price is so low, it’s irresistible to give it a try. I also want to mention this did not break out my sensitive acne-prone skin.
Here’s my elf Flawless Finish Foundation Review
#2 e.l.f. Vitamin C Serum: Beauty Shield
OMG. This serum is only $16. If you want brighter and healthier skin, this is your ticket. This is my go-to after I cleanse my face.
#3 e.l.f. Mineral Pressed Mineral Foundation
After my elf flawless finish foundation, I love setting my makeup using this mineral pressed powder! I actually like to use the powder puff it comes with to press it into my skin’s T-zone for a matte finish and keep my T-zone shine-free. There’s great coverage too. I love to press this puff into my skin. I prefer using this than my MAC Studio fix in N20. Best of all, elf is cruelty free unlike MAC Cosmetics – they’re NOT cruelty free anyone.
#4 e.l.f. Studio Baked Highlighter $3 – Moonlight Pearls
I LOVE using this shimmery powder on the top of my cheekbones. I’ve had mine for 1 year and it still looks barely used!
#5 e.l.f. Studio Prism Eyeshadow -$10 Sunset
Gorgeous colors. Super blendable, love the shimmer this palette has. I also did a review on just this palette! I created a wild shimmery look with it too. Check out my elf Studio Prism Eyeshadow Review here. This palette also comes in two other color schemes – there’s a pretty neutral shimmer palette! Probably the most expensive eyeshadow palette on the website!
#6 e.l.f. Essential Flawless Eyeshadow $2 – Party Purple
A high pigmented eyeshadow palette in wild colors! I also did a review on this eyeshadow and created some wild looks with it! Check out my elf essential flawless eyeshadow review.
#7 e.l.f. Studio Makeup Mist & Set – $3.00
This is a great setting spray to keep your makeup looking nice and fresh all day. It’s a great dupe to MAC Fix + I love this sooo freakin much that I wrote a review read my elf studio makeup mist and set review
#8 e.l.f. Studio BB Cream SPF 20 $6
I use this everyday! Even if I’m having a “makeup-free” day this gives your face a nice glow – tiny hint of coverage and has SPF 20. If you have dry skin, this feels very soothing and moisturizes.
#9 e.l.f. Studio Mineral Infused Face Primer -(lavender one) $6
This makes your skin feel so silky smooth. I have tried the other elf primers without luck and this one is the best one!
This one is great if you suffer from uneven skin tones. (like me)
*DUPE Alert – the elf studio mineral infused face primer is a great dupe to Smashbox’s photo finish!
Here’s my elf studio mineral face primer Review
#10 e.l.f. Studio HD Lifting Concealer – $3 (color – brightening)
I love using this to contour my face as well as conceal. This works just as good as my Maybelline fit me concealer and my fav NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer. This has a slight touch of luminosity to it, making it light reflective and ideal for contouring. I also like to use this under my eyebrows to make them appear freshly plucked.
Thanks for reading The BEST elf Products. Do you have a favorite elf product? Please list it in the comments below.
My other fabulous elf reviews!:
1. elf Studio Prism Eyeshadow Palette Review
2. elf Essential Eyeshadow Palette Review
3. elf Studio Flawless Finish Foundation Review
4. elf Mineral Face Primer Review
5. Get Ready with me work edition – Using elf products
Final thoughts
You might have noticed elf makeup products are significantly cheaper than most makeup brands. If you read the ingredients, you’ll also see that elf uses the majority of the same ingredients many high end makeup companies use. However, all of elf’s ingredients are paraben free, do not contain preservatives or harmful dyes. Top top it off, elf is CRUELTY FREE! Yay!
Elf is a great company! Elf Cosmetics are manufactured in China for a very low cost and the savings carry through to your wallet! I was surprised how many elf products go the extra mile to include skin loving ingredients such as vitamins and SPF. There’s many elf dupes that I have discovered! Check out my list below of The BEST elf Products!
Elf also gives us hints that they have created dupes by creating similar packaging as the high end makeup companies. I have included my top 30 elf products in the video I made below. I also listed my top ten favorite elf products below + my favorite #1 elf DUPE! You might want to purchase these too so I have links to the elf website. Do you have a favorite elf product? Please let me know in the comments below!
xo- Jen
Jen,
What blush do you use, I love the color.
Thanks,
Michelle
Thanks Michelle,
I use the Tarina Tarantino dollskin cheek palette. I run my blush brush across all of the colors and mix them, I use them all at once. It’s my favorite blush ever!
I use MAC N20 foundation, which shade of elf do you use? As I can’t test in the UK. Similarly what shade concealer do you use? I imagine we would be similar.
Thanks X
Hi Lauren!
I don’t use MAC anymore since they’re not cruelty free anymore. I did used to use NC 20 for my face and to hi light using c2. Hope that helps xo!
Jen
I’ve been shopping online for years now and I’ve had my worst online shopping experience with E.L.F.
I suggest you to not buy from them, If you are not in the UK or the US .
Let me give you the whole story.
First of all, the minute I get to their webpage, I choose “ship to Greece” and I get a note that yes , they do ship to Greece, right?
I placed a bunch of orders a few weeks ago.
For some of them , the payment did not work, so they weren’t completed, and for some others, 2 actually, I did pay.
I have the receipts and everything .
After that, they notified me that some orders were rejected, cause they don’t ship internationaly or cause I didn’t make my order international.
First of all, what’s the point in telling me from the very first moment that you do ship to Greece, only to cancel my order after that, telling me that you don’t ?
Second, I contacted my bank and they told me that E.L.F. needs to release my payments , which they STILL haven’t.
And there’s more…
I got notifications from Borderfree for some orders, telling me that they were shipped and that they are coming in a few days.
DHL contacted me, telling me that they do have my order and that they need a bunch of documentations to go through with the delivery.
After I gave them what they asked, they told me that I can’t receive my order, if it’s more than 5 items.
So I ask you again:
Why wasn’t there a warning in the site that for shippings to Greece, there should be maximum 5 items?
Why did I get into all this trouble, just to realize that I can’t receive my order anyway?
And most importantly, why am I 150 euros short, and still haven’t received neither my orders not a refund?
I went into all that trouble, just because they don’t have the warnings that they should, on the website.
They are obligated to give me all the information I need to make a purchase, otherwise they’re a fraud.
I don’t know if the products are good and I am not judging that, but the online buying thing, has some serious issues.
I am willing to let this go if they reinmburce me for all that trouble and for the fact that their website does not have adequate information, but they won’t even answer my messages .
That sounds upsetting. International orders are usually more complicated than it seems and take longer to process and ship.
I agree, they should have more disclaimers about international shipping. Thanks for sharing your experience.
I understand that they can be complicated (even though I have ordered many times clothes from abroad and didn’t have these issues) but still, I was willing to go through the whole process needed to get my package.
And when I did all that “oops sorry , we can’t give you the package if it’s more than 5 items”
WTF people????
You are welcome 🙂
Ya, that just seems like something elf needs to call attention to. Because their prices are so low, you’d think people would naturally order more items. Elf – should REALLY fix this.
Hi
I have dry skin
And this is the first time using cosmetics .
Can you suggest me some good elf stuff
Hi Deepa,
elf has an amazing and affordable moisture collection. I especially like the hydrating gel mist – (spray throughout the day), daily hydration moisturizer, night serum, I also like their moisturizing spf.
You can’t go wrong, its good simple stuff.
Jen xo