ELF, You're Making Me Blush

A few months ago, ELF released new blush colors in Fuschia Fusion and Pink Passion ($3). Of course I had to get them so I could have ALL the blushes they make. When I opened my package, I was shocked, and a little scared, of how BRIGHT these pink blushes were. The pictures do not do them justice. I'm not much of a pink blush gal, so I shrugged and figured these would just sit in the back of my drawer.

 Fuschia Fusion

Fuschia Fusion is mega sparkly. I'm talkin' theres some major glitter going on, gold glitter to pe precise (Uh, better than silver right?). It's really pretty to look at, but I've yet to put this on my cheeks. I do NOT want glittery cheeks. Pigmentation on this gem is amazing. I've heard some people say that this is a dupe for NARS' Super Orgasm... but I really don't think so. It's got glitter, yeah, but the color's off.

Note: It still bothers me that ELF spelled fuchsia wrong. Seriously? 

Pink Passion

Pink Passion is a TRUE bright hot pink. I mean, this thing is BRIGHT and HOT PINK. Two combos I don't want on my face. It's gorgeous, but seemingly not for me... or so I thought.

Application is a completely different story. Pink passion comes on a lot sheerer, and a lot less scary. You really have to build up the color. Instead of a clown-esque look, you get a nice soft pink. It's actually very wearable (I wore it today, tee hee). It's very pretty and it makes me happy =). I felt super daring because I abhore hot pink. Fuschia Fusion still had major glitter. The color is nice, but the glitter freaks me out, glitter-lovers REJOICE. Yes, needless to say, I haven't tried this on my cheeks yet.

Overall, I really like the new blushes. They're really cute, and it's a nice addition to the plum/coral/peach blushes they made before. If anything, Pink Passion is worth a try.

ELF Gives A Lesson On All Things Sparkly

Awhile ago, ELF released their Beauty Encylopedia Everyday Eye Collection ($5), which I also own and really like. More recently, they added a new one, named the ELF Beauty Encyclopedia Sparkle Eye Edition ($5). The "book" comes with 12 eyeshadows, two cream shadows you can use as a base, an eyeliner, and a brush/sponge tip applicator. Sounds good for 5 dollars right?

 When opened, the left flap shows a chart on where to place colors, very helpful for those starting out.

 As you can see, the brown at the very top right hand corner came completely shattered and I had to dump it out! It was such a nice color too. This means that my entire palette is a HUGE mess. That's my first complaint, with these sparkly glitter shadows, you get it everywhere if you happen to get a damaged shadow. Curse you ELF for not being careful with my packaging! Anywho, the color selection looks pretty nice, and you get a large white and pink cream shadow to boot.

The brush it comes with is really small, probably only good for small defining and outer "v". I didn't bother photographing the other side, we all know what a sponge tip applicator looks like =).

First row of shadows 

The first row of shadows was a major pain in the arse to deal with. There was SO MUCH FREAKIN' glitter fall out. I HATE the first two colors. They were basically just chunky bits of disco glitter, and rough to the touch. The second two colors were a bit better though, since they had less glitter.

Second row of shadows

Third row of shadows

I LOVE all of the other shadows in the other rows. They were more shimmery than glittery, and provided excellent pigmentation! The teal is amazing, and the black is so intense, I could swear I was rubbing a piece of charcoal on my arm. All swatches were done without a base (as always) and the colors were great. I was surprised at the quality after having swatched the first few shadows. LOVE.

Cream shadows and eyeliner

The cream shadows were very creamy, but would probably not be suitable alone as a base. I'd have to wear a primer underneath for fear of creasing. The eyeliner is pure crap, as ELF liners usually are. I had to rub it many times to get the above swatch, and the texture isn't soft enough for me to feel safe putting on my eyes.

Overall, this palette is a great purchase. It's cheap and you get so many colors! I probably won't reach for it much because it's become a mess due to the broken shadow, but this is perfect for those who love shimmery/sparkly shadows and don't mind the fall out. If you don't like Urban Decay's (awesome) eyeshadows, you'll want to pass on this.

Thumbs up!

ELF Eyelid Primer VS. Urban Decay Primer Potion

I decided to give ELF's Eyelid Primer ($1), to see how it would compare to my darling Urban Decay Primer Potion ($18). Plus, it was only a buck. If this primer works out, I will feel incredibly stupid having three backups of UDPP.

The wand is just a normal wand, a lot like a lipgloss applicator, much like UDPP's old one. It feels cheap, and for some reason, product doesn't hold well on it, which makes application on the eyelids feel a bit rough.

ELF on the left, Urban Decay on the right 

They look relatively the same right? I'm not talking about packaging, because ELF's is a cheapo little tube. It had the same color, and creamy consistency. While ELF's version is thinner, It certaintly FELT like UDPP on the lids. I decided to do a test to see how eyeshadows showed up on the primers, as well as to time how long they lasted. I did a swatch test using MAC's eyeshadow in Mulch.

Mulch on bare skin, on ELF's Primer, and on UDPP

First of all, I just realized what CRAP Mulch looks like alone. This is why I ALWAYS wear primer. I wasn't expecting it to look so lame alone. When I applied it on both primers, the color was equally vibrant. The ELF swatch did go on easier though. So far, so good.

This is what the swatches look like 5 hours later. It's not great picture quality because I woke up at 3 in the morning to take this picture... Don't ask =). As you can see, the lone Mulch swatch is virtually gone, the two primed swatches both held up, EQUALLY! I can't evaluate creasing, because I never have much of a problem with that. From my experience, using these primers on the eyes yeilded almost identical results. I did find blending with ELF's version easier (probably because it is thinner), but I still somehow feel safer sticking to my Urban Decay Primer Potion. But don't mind me, I'm a Urban Decay whore.

I highly recommend trying out ELF's Eyelid Primer if you want to save $17, what do you have to lose?

Uh, a dollar I guess.

Super Cheap Nars Albatross Dupe

Nars Blush in Albatross ($26) is my HG highlighter. It makes me happy and I can't help but coo and sigh when I tickle it with my brush. God, I'm psycho. E.L.F. recently came out with three new blushes, with one that looks strangely similar to Albatross. I spotted it on the website under the pseudonym "Gotta Glow". Now, I'm already aware that E.L.F. totally ripped off Nars (think black flat packaging and products such as their Blush/Bronzer duo- Orgasm/Laguna anyone?). E.L.F.'s Blush in Gotta Glow ($3) is basically Albatross' sister in cheap clothing.

First similarity: Packaging. Nars has an icky rubber plastic that attracts fingerprints that I can't stand, but looks a lot sleeker. ELF has a clear window on the outside to see the color, and a mirror on the inside.

Albatross on the right, Gotta glow on the left

Albatross (top) and Gotta Glow (bottom)

NARS has better pigmentation, and the gold is more prominent in the ELF blush. However, when I actually applied them to my face, I seriously could not tell the difference. Plus, you save $23 dollars by buying Gotta Glow. For those of you who are lemming after Albatross: Here's your solution! If you already have Albatross, pass, because that thing will last you ages. I knew I had to have Gotta Glow just because I love anything that closely resembles my beloved. Plus, I wasn't losing much with spending three bucks. 

Do you guys have either? What do you think?

Last Week's Haulage

I get some haulage each week, and my haul posts are an opportunity for you to pick and choose what you'd like swatched and more in-depth information about.

Again, I'm posting up all item names so you guys can request specifically what you'd like reviewed.

Urban Decay @ Hautelook:

Hall of Fame set (x2)
Surreal mineral makeup in Trance (x2)
Apocalyptic nail set
Loose pigment in X and Gunmetal

Cherryculture.com :

(All NYX):
Single eyeshadows: Midnight, Sahara, Antique Gold, Sensual, Nude, Cryptonite,  Exotic Green, Dune, Golden Amber, Frosted Ocean, Gunmetal, Smokie Mountain
Powder blush in Sand
Rouge Cream Blush in Boho Chic
Mega Shine Lipgloss in Smokey Look
Round lipstick in Honey
Not pictured: The Runway Collection palette in Catwalk

EyesLipsFace.com :

 

Single Studio Eyeshadows in : Every color

Quads in : Day 2 Night, Hazy Hazel, Ivy, Luxe, Rocker, Punk Funk, Glam

Eye Primer

Beauty Encyclopedia- Sparkle Eye Edition (this came broken =(! )

Studio blushes in: Fuschia Fusion (BTW they spelled Fuchsia wrong), Gotta Glow, and Pink Passion

I feel like I need help. My makeup spending is getting ridiculous. I only post up bigger hauls (specifically those I get in the mail). Therapy please?

Just comment below if you're interested in reviews for any of the above products =).