Elf Cosmetics Review

I'd heard a lot about Elf products, mostly from our friends overseas in America. I believe in the US most Elf products are $1, which is just amazing value. In the UK our equivalent is MUA, which I'm also a big fan of. 

When Elf launched a UK website I was really excited to try the elusive products and recently have placed a couple of orders with them.

The first thing to say is that the delivery is EXCEPTIONAL! I placed my first order at 9.30pm, the next morning I had an email to say it's been dispatched and my order was with me by 9am the next day! What a fantastic service. I always thought MAC were quick, but Elf are quicker! 

So I ordered a range of products, lip glosses, brushes, concealers, lip liners, eye liners etc. I have to say overall I'm impressed. 

  

I bought a range of Elf brushes. The basic brushes are £1.50. I purchased the Blending Eye Brush, the Eye Crease Brush and the Lip Defining Brush. I was bit disappointed that upon arrival the head had come off the Lip Defining Brush, but then again, for that price, you can't complain! I also bought the Eyeshadow "C" Brush from Elf's Studio collection. This brush was £3.75 (still amazing) and much better quality than the others. I have been using this brush as my main eyeshadow brush for a while now to test it out and I really like it. It picks up any eyeshadow so easily and you can really build up the colour with this brush. The blending and crease brushes are also good, but I don't think I'll ever been converted from my Mac 217 blending brush. :)

On my first order with Elf I ordered the Plumping Lip Glaze in Fuchsia Fanatic, I liked this product so much that on my second order I bought two more! One side is a very sheer white colour which when applied feels really tingly and minty on your lips, then you apply the colour which is super glossy. After application I really felt like the product does what it says on the tin; 'plumps' my lips! They looked fuller and these glosses come in really lovely colours! All in all, for £1.50, these lip glazes are great products!

Top to Bottom: Fire Coral, Wink Pink and Fuchsia Fanatic

I also ordered 3 of the Shimmer Eye Pencils, these were also £1.50 each. I am so surprised how soft and pigmented these pencils are. They glide on gorgeously! I've only swatched these so far, but the colours are lovely and I'm sure they're going to look great when creating a bright eye look. I seriously cannot wait to try these out.

Top to Bottom: Plum Passion, Twinkle Teal and Blissful Blush

R - L: Plum Passion, Twinkle Teal and Blissful Blush

I also thought I'd try Elf's Complete Coverage Concealer palette which was £3.75. I got the Medium coloured palette which contains four colours ranging from medium tones to darker tones. When i first opened it, I was worried that the two darker tones may be a little too dark even for me, but when applied then do actually look lighter and they'll be perfect for holidays when I have a tan.

I also bought a couple of misc items to try. One of the Soothing Lip Balms in Blackcurrant (smells amazing and glides and moisturises like a dream), a double pencil sharpener, and a lip liner in Natural Blush. 

I can honestly say, for a low budget cosmetic brand, Elf are top dog! I love the products I have from them so far, but they have so many products to choose from I cannot wait to try more! So check out Elf's Website for some great products, with low prices and quick shipping! 

Have you tried Elf, and are you a massive fan like me?

August Glossybox

Yay.... Glossybox time! I absolutely love Glossybox day, it's so exciting to see whats in the box and if there's any gems you discover and want to use permanently! Last couple of boxes haven't disappointed. I must admit, I was slightly half and half on this box! Here's what was in it...

Alessandro Pro White Nail Varnish

I haven't actually tried this product yet, as I'm still wearing a nail colour but am excited to try it. I love wearing nail varnish and often find my nails 'off colour' when I come to remove it. This nail varnish promises to brighten and whiten tired nails when used regularly. I'm definitely hoping it works well! 

Lipcote Lipstick Sealer

I actually really like this product, and used to own it years and years ago. It's basically a sealant to apply after your lipstick to ensure it lasts. Now, these days i haven't felt as much of a need considering so many of my favourite lipsticks or lip stains actually stay for a long time anyway, but certainly looking forward to using this product again. 

Glossybox Lipstick

I must admit, after the Glossybox brush we received a couple of boxes ago (I had brush hairs all over my face with first use), I was sceptical! Yet I actually really love this lipstick. The colour is called Glossy Pink, and that is a spot on name. It's a lovely colour, feels really moisturising and the packaging looks really nice. Will definitely be using this soon. 

Vera Valenti - L'ombre a Paupiere Magarita

This particular item is what was really disappointing for me. As soon as I saw this product, it reminded me of something I used to buy from the market when I was 11. It looks really cheap and although the eyeshadow colours are OK, they aren't very pigmented making them incredibly hard to apply. Not a fan if I'm honest, bit disappointing. 

All for Eve for the Eve Appeal Balm

I think this product is actually quite nice, it is quite compact with a little mirror and is really moisturising and easy to apply. The thing I'm not sure about; the smell! It's hit or miss, a lot of people may love it while to me it smells a bit 'off'.  Saying that, I think it's great that they raise funds and awareness for gynaecological cancer. Any products that are supporting charities are great products in my opinion. This has been in my handbag since Glossy day! :)

DHC Deep Cleansing Oil

This is definitely the winning product for me, hands down! I've never been a fan of oil based cleansers, always preferring cream based, but this truly has me hooked. Just one application removed all my make up (including all mascara traces) leaving me feeling really refreshed! Love it! And this size is perfect for travelling. I'm going away for work next week and this will be perfect! No more carrying make up removers, cleansers etc etc. Just this, then a good toner and moisturiser! Perfect! Definitely my fave item!

So all in all, a mostly positive box for me this month. What did you get in yours? I'm disappointed i didn't get the imPress nails though like some did. Did you get the same items as me?

Mini Mac Haul

 We all have those days where we're like "OMG, I need to shop and buy some pretty things to make me feel better", well I seem to have these days regularly! *Sorry bank balance!* :/ So here's just a couple of things I bought from Mac recently on a lonely dinner hour!

MAC's Pro Eye Makeup Remover

My eyes are so sensitive that the most important part of my skincare routine is removing my make up as gently as possible. This eye makeup remover certainly does the trick. You only have to dab the littlest amount on to a cotton pad, sweep it across your eye and the hardest part is done. I love this remover, however, something has just arrived in my Glossybox this month which could compete... keep posted to hear more on that one! :)

MAC Eyeshadow Pro Palette Refill Pan

MAC eyeshadows are my absolute top 'go-to' eyeshadows for any occasion. Most are sooo pigmented and give a lovely colour on the eye. They are so blendable and the colour choices are simply gorgeous! I am building up my palette at the moment but I mostly stick to brown and neutral colours as that's what suits me best. Here I went for a dark brown called 'Smut', which blends gorgeously with with 'Satin Taupe' from MAC, and 'Star Violet' which is a brighter colour allowing you to vamp up the lips also. I like to wear Illamasqua's Wanton lipstick with it!

Left to Right: Star Violet and Smut

Left to Right: Star Violet and Smut (sorry, this pic doesn't show the colours very well!)

MAC Lipstick

I love MAC lipsticks, and literally haven't stopped wearing this colour since I got it. It's called Chatterbox and is such a gorgeous bright pink colour and perfect for a night out, meal out etc etc. It's one of MAC's amplified lipsticks, so it literally stays on allll night! I think this lipstick will be a staple fave throughout the rest of summer and for my holidays for me. 

Anyone else gone a bit crazy on online purchases? Please tell me I'm not the only one abusing my bank account! :) More soon!