Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Nudey Tuesday: E.L.F. Studio Contouring Blush & Bronzing Duo Review & Swatches

Repurchase: No
Price: $3.00 (0.28 oz)
Product: 17.5/25
Packaging: 3.5/5
Value: 10/10
Overall Grade: C

I bought E.L.F.'s Contouring Blush & Bronzing Powder months ago but never got around to reviewing it. It's supposedly a dupe for the NARS Orgasm/Laguna duo but we'll see..
The Packaging: I'm not too fond of E.L.F.'s Studio Line packaging -it looks like a very cheap copycat of NARS. The blush/bronzer duo comes in a plastic, matte black compact with the words "E.L.F. Contouring Blush & Bronzing Powder" in the front and nothing in the back. The upside is that it comes with a nice mirror (inside.)
Product Description, Directions, & Ingredients

The Product: Mica again! I didn't realize that this contained mica until I took a picture of the ingredients list. Aside from the fact that it caused these 4 tiny bumps all over my cheeks (because of the mica), I just don't really like this stuff. I think the color of the bronzing side is really nice and works for contouring but the blush is way too glittery. Also, the blush and bronzer (especially the blush) are powdery and only last for about 2 hours on my bare skin.

This of course is not a dupe for NARS when it comes to the actual product -NARS is way more finely milled and doesn't break me out.

The Color: The blush side is like NARS Orgasm but it looks different to me (sorry I don't have NARS Orgasm to compare it with. I sold all my palettes that have NARS Orgasm in them) -it's a bright peachy pink with gold glitter. The contouring side is really nice but I'm not sure how it compares to NARS Laguna. It's a darker bronzed brown with a nice sheen to it -I like that there's not a bunch of shimmer and glitter. The blush is honestly too glittery for me but the bronzing side is nice on my medium skin tone.

Swatches..
Above (with flash): E.L.F. Studio Contouring Blush & Bronzing Duo

Overall: I wouldn't repurchase the E.L.F. Contouring Blush & Bronzer Duo for several reasons: it broke me out, it's too powdery, and the blush is way too glittery. For 3 bucks, I think it's an OK product but it's not going to work wonders. I rather go and splurge on a real NARS duo than buy this again.

Where To Buy: E.L.F. Cosmetics, Target

10 comments:

  1. I didn't ever pay much attention to the ingredients in ELF products until recently, lots of talc for sure.

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  2. Yea definitely! I started paying more attention because I kept breaking out. =\

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  3. The biggest problem I have with elf is they put kathon CG preservatives into a lot of their studio products, the ones that have moisture to them like the concealer and the shadestick dupes. Kathon CG preservatives are potent irritants that can cause acne, blackheads, and aging.

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  4. Im a beginner with make up. Meaning i just started using it! Is foundation the same thing as primer?

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  5. @ PoorCollegeStudent.. Oh wow.. thanks for the know because I didn't know that! I have to admit that I don't often look into ingredients (I should!) unless a product irritates my skin.

    I'm pretty much over ELF at this point but haven't even reviewed all the product from my ELF haul (from a few months ago) yet! The thing I noticed is that most their products irritate my (sensitive) skin and I wish I hadn't swatched/used most the things because I could've given them away. =(

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  6. @ Anonymous.. There are face primers and eye primers. Face primers are basically used as a "base" to make face products like foundation, blush, bronzer, etc. last longer.

    Eye primers serve the same purpose except they help eyeshadow, eyeliner, etc. to last longer.

    It's important to invest in a good primer especially if your makeup tends to fade or crease. I recommend Urban Decay Primer Potion or Too Faced Shadow Insurance for the eyes and Make Up For Ever HD Primer or Smashbox Photofinish for the face. I haven't tried any drugstore primers but I LOVE these and have had great results with them.

    Urban Decay Primer Potion
    http://sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P74310&categoryId=B70

    Too Faced Shadow Insurance
    http://sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P202625&categoryId=B70

    Make Up For Ever HD Primer
    http://sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P217906&categoryId=B70

    Smashbox Photofinish
    http://sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P9889&categoryId=B70

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  7. if it breaks u out, just use it for few hours and wasssshhhhh ur face right when u get home. Thats how i do it ;)

    Rinz @ miss-rinrin.blogspot.com

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  8. LOL! But see I'm lazy.. I wash my face at the end of the day before I go to sleep.. I sort of rather buy a better product than deal with the hassle. =\

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  9. i've tried to love this product..i bought it not even knowing about it being a 'dupe' for Nars i really just liked the colors i didnt think the blush would be soooo shimmery. right after i use the bronzer i feel my face itching and breaking out its so gross i get big bumps or immediate breakouts i don't know why! i use powder makeup instead of liquid foundation but not sure of the ingredients (will check after) i wish they made this product better !

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