Since the dawn of time, I have been plagued with the much-talked-about workday makeup struggle.
No matter the job, no matter the place or climate, my makeup was always falling off my face by lunchtime.
I am not in the tax bracket where I can splurge on super expensive products to keep my face looking stellar all day long, but I wanted to find a budget-friendly solution that worked as well as the stuff Kim K uses… and I think I might have found it.
Elf. Cosmetics has been on the scene for a very long time, and you’ve probably heard about them before, but they’ve just recently started to blow up because of their pricing, products, and overall good-willed business practice.
I picked up a few of their viral products to test in this Elf makeup review, and I’m excited to share with you the best Elf products I think are worth it and will totally last you all day!
Elf’s Long-Lasting Power: Fact or Fiction?
Elf is not only super affordable compared to other brands, but the best Elf products claim long-lasting wear. They’ve got long-lasting primers, eyeliners, eyeshadows, lip stains… you name it!
But are the best of Elf products actually meant to keep your face fresh all day long? For my Elf makeup review, I went all out and put my skin to the test in true beauty journalist style with some of their most talked about primers and products.
To see if these E.l.f cosmetics were really worth the trouble, I tried out multiple methods of application, from mixing primers into my foundation, trying the viral trend of over-applying too much product, and even seeing how it would hold up alongside my trusted silicone sunscreen from Trader Joe’s.
I found that when used in the right order and with the right complimentary products, Elf cosmetic products can last you all day with minimal assistance from a glossy lip touchup or brow pencil fill-in. (But keep reading because not ALL Elf. products will hold up on your skin. I’m going to tell you what you actually want and what you can ditch.)
Top Elf Products for 8-Hour Wear: The Reviews
The trending brand Elf Cosmetics (which stands for eyes, lips, and face) has almost too many cosmetics products to pick from and not all are created equal.
A lot of Elf cosmetics reviews only focused on a few Elf products, but I wanted to do a super deep dive and try out as many primers, foundations, and lip stains as I could to give you a well-rounded review of their stuff.
To save you time and energy on your next trip to Target or Ulta, I’ve compiled a list of what you really need from E.l.f and what you can leave on the shelf…
The Best Primers
If there’s one thing Elf has, it’s primers. They must have more primers than any other brand because anytime I’m in an Ulta, their Primer selection takes up most of the shelf space.
I think they figured out that they were really good at formulating the perfect Elf primer and decided to make it most of their personality, which I’m not mad about.
You don’t need all of them, though. I tested out the very viral Power Grip Primer and was not disappointed.
If you’re looking for something that gets the job done, is cheap and effective, and offers the perfect amount of tackiness to hold onto your makeup, then you really only need the Power Grip Primer (maybe the one with Niacinamide if you’re feeling fancy.)
They also have the Poreless Putty Primer infused with squalene which is good for those with dry skin, or you can also splurge and try their Matte Putty Primer if you’re looking for a more mattifying finish on your makeup.
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FAIR WARNING: Depending on your skin type, this power grip primer can be your best friend or your worst enemy. I’ve had no issue using this primer, but I’ve heard through the TikTok grapevine that sensitive skin types can start to get breakouts if they’re not careful.
The Best Foundations
Alright, you’ve got the primer on, you’ve waited the 30 or so seconds for it to get tacky, and now it’s time to really get the makeup party started.
I originally decided to review this brand because of their very viral Halo Glow Liquid Filter, which I had seen literally every influencer put on during their “Come get ready with me” videos.
And WOW, if you’ve ever wondered “are Elf cosmetics good quality?” I’m here to tell you YES. My E.l.f. Halo Glow Liquid Filter review conclusion is that it is a 10 out of 10!
It’s the best E.l.f. foundation I’ve found in a long time and if you love a whoa glow to your skin, you have to try it! You know that glow that even the most intense skincare routines can’t accomplish?!
This foundation matches my skin tone shade so seamlessly (and so many shades to choose from!) while also offering a natural glow that compares to the Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter Foundation.
If you’ve been wondering “Why is Elf cosmetics so popular?” I’d bet money it’s because of this foundation.
They also have a great hydrating color-correcting cream that I’ve seen circulating the internet and would be a great addition to your makeup collection. The Elf camo cc cream review I found said this product was a great dupe for the more expensive CC+ Cream with SPF 50+ from It makeup!
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The Best Concealers
I’m going to be honest in my beauty Elf review… their concealers are not their strong suit, but there is one I think is worth trying out simply for the price and basic coverage.
The hydrating camo concealer hydrates, is crease-proof, and is meant for long day wear.
At just $7, I can’t think of why you wouldn’t want to at least test it out and if you love it, you now have a super cheap product you can buy over and over again without cringing at the bill!
If you’re looking for a concealer you can trust, check out my post on Tarte Cosmetics (they’re pros when it comes to this stuff) or check out Kara’s piece on the viral Saie brand, they’ve got a killer concealer you might love!
The Best Setting Powders & Spray
- Stay All Night Micro-Fine Setting Mist
- Power Grip Dewey Setting Spray
- Light Halo Glow Setting Powder
The most viral and popular products to come from Elf this year are their primers and setting sprays. My Elf makeup setting spray review is another voice to add to the masses, but I really think they know what they’re doing when it comes to making your makeup stick.
Again, like the primers, there are a lot of sprays you can pick up at Ulta Beauty that you don’t actually need.
For this Elf makeup mist and set review, I’m spilling the tea on the only two products you even need to think about.
The Power Grip Dewey Setting Spray and Stay All Night Micro-Fine Setting Mist are great finds with a light feel and super effective misting spray nozzle.
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Alexis & Christina (@thelipsticklesbians) on TikTok are a trusty makeup expert duo that have really broken down why these Elf setting sprays are so amazing.
They say that the Power Grip spray can “literally transform textures for you…” meaning you can take a matte texture to a lightly Dewey sheen without looking oily.
For just $10, the Power Grip Dewey Setting Spray is a great find for combination skin and acts as a dupe to Milk Makeup’s Hydro Grip Dewey Long-Lasting Setting Spray with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide.
The Best Blushes
I have been on the search for a good blush for what seems like my entire life, and while I did find an amazing blush from Merit Beauty, their prices were too high to continue to re-purchase.
Although it’s not my favorite blush ever on the market, I think Elf has made some amazing blushes that blend well, work with a wide shade range of skin tones, and are super affordable.
My favorite they have made is the Halo Glow Blush Beauty Wand. The color is super rich, it has a nice sparkle, and it even makes me look a little bit tanner! Oh, and while you have the Halo Glow blush, you might as well match it with the Halo Glow Contour.
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They also have the Camo Liquid Blush which is surprisingly pigmented and a perfect dupe of Rare Beauty’s popular liquid blush.
I think the only issue I have with Elf beauty blush is that I can’t find the exact shade to fall in love with.
The Best Mascaras
I have become very wary of the kind of mascara I use because my lashes have been battered and bruised in the past. Originally, I was using Merit’s Clean Lash Lengthening Tube Mascara, but I couldn’t keep justifying the cost, so I made the switch to Elf and I’ve been pleasantly surprised!
I’ve been using the Lash & Roll Mascara to replace my old, more expensive mascara and I’ve loved every minute of it. The dark brown shade suits my face sooo much better and the applicator is a dream for building length onto your lashes.
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The Best Lip Glosses, Stains & Lacquers
Finishing off these reviews of cosmetics for Elf with my favorite category, the lips.
Elf has all kinds of lip products from a lip oil to lipsticks, stains, and more. Like the primers, there are almost too many options, but I’ve found the ones you really want to take home.
Starting with my favorite dupe of the Merit Tinted Lip Oil, the Elf Glow Reviver Lip Oil is used constantly in my house. It’s got a nice glossy feel, light tinting, and the applicator stick is super fun (plus, it’s got a subtle minty taste).
I like to pair the Glow Reviver Lip Oil with their Glossy Lip Stain when I go out to give me more coloring and the stain actually does stain! So it’s great for long wear.
Those are my two favorites from Amazon or Ulta, but I also think you should try out the Elf Clear Lip Lacquer (recommended by Whimsy Editor Taylor!) and the O Face Satin Lipstick in your favorite shade.
Once you have all four of these in your makeup bag, you’ll be unstoppable.
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Elf’s Long-Lasting All-Stars: Ranking the Best
Alright, I’ve given you the spiel on the top affordable beauty products from every Elf category, but I bet you’re still asking yoursElf “is Elf good makeup?”
The answer is… sometimes. I think there are a LOT of good products pushed out by Elf, but there are also a lot you really don’t need.
For those who want the gist of what to take home and what to leave behind, here’s my ranked list of the top Elf products I recommend you get TODAY:
The BEST E.L.F Products
Frequently Asked Questions
Elf is still a drugstore brand and their prices leave a lot of people with a lot of questions like is Elf a good brand? And is Elf makeup clean?
Here are some answers to your most asked questions about this brand.
Why is Elf makeup so cheap?
First, they’re a drugstore brand, so they will be significantly cheaper than anything you find in Sephora. Second, they’re able to keep costs low because with their business model, they don’t mark up products as much as other brands and they use more straightforward packaging that costs less to produce.
It should be known that while Elf is a great makeup brand, especially for the price, they don’t contain high-quality ingredients like other, more expensive brands do. Some of their products are amazing, while others show you why they cost only $5.
Is Elf makeup cruelty free?
Yes, Elf is 100% Vegan and cruelty free!
Are Elf products good?
At the end of the day, it depends on what you get from them.
The products mentioned in this post, in my opinion, are good. Ones I would even gift to a friend which is the ultimate test! Other products, like their eyeshadows or random setting sprays…. Not so much.
So, ready to go out and get some Elf cosmetics to add to your collection? In all honesty, I have loved this brand for a very long time because of the price point and quality of the products.
I used to have almost all Elf sitting on my vanity in high school, but as I’ve gotten older, I’ve found the key is to have a few of their best products mixed in with your higher-end makeup. By finding a balance between drugstore and high-quality cosmetics, you’ll have the strongest makeup in the game, I guarantee.
Have you tried Elf Makeup before? What’s your favorite product? Do you know of another drugstore makeup brand that compares? Let me know in the comments below!
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Aries: This month, focus on grounding activities like yoga or meditation to calm your restless energy. Incorporate more leafy greens into your diet to boost vitality, and don’t shy away from taking short breaks to avoid burnout.