Swatch Sunday #6 | elf Cosmetics

SWATCH SUNDAY #6 | ELF COSMETICS

As you know, I am a big fan of makeup bargains, and elf cosmetics knows the way to my heart.  The brand's "essential" line typically retials for $1-3, while the "studio" line is typically $3-6.  Those are amazing deals, but they get even better!  elf offers 50% sales once or twice a year, which bring the price down even lower.  I decided to swatch some of my recent finds as well as some past favorites.  And from now on, I will have a special guest swatching along with me - my husband! 

I often, in my YouTube videos, mention that cosmetics products can appear drastically different on deeper versus lighter skin tones.  Well, we finally had the brilliant idea to do double swatches, and I am SO excited that we did!

Here are some highlights from this week's Swatch Sunday video.

Pictured above are elf All Over Cover Sticks.  They are retractable cream foundation/concealer tubes, and they typically retail for $1 on eyeslipsface.com.  I purchased these for just 50 cents during a 50%-off sitewide sale.

These are creamy and pigmented, and they blend out very nicely.  The major downside, in my opinion, is that these never really set.  They really need to be set with a powder, or they can tend to transfer easily. 

Bottom line: these are a great concealer - try the middle shade to offset dark circles.

 
 
 

 

I found these HD Blushes at Dollar Tree, and they are also currently available at eyeslipsface.com in five different shades.  I really like all the shades, and, since the product is very creamy, I decided to try swatching on my lips. 

 

 This went on very smoothly and set semi-matte.  I absolutely love all of these shades as lipsticks, and will definitely be using them in this way.  I also imagine they would make great eyeshadow bases, and will be sure to try them that way as well. 

 

Two thumbs up for this product!

 

 

 

I purchased these bronzers online during an elf sitewide sale, when they were just 50 cents.  I got several of each, on the off chance they were awesome as highlighters, and- guess what?- they totally are!

 

I swatched these on my hand and my husband's hand to show how they appear on different skin tones.  In my opinion, these wouldn't be very effective as bronzers even on fairer skin, but I'll let you be the judge. 

 

 

 

I have used all of these as highlighters (I typically go with Luminance- the lightest of the three- during winter), and am a huge fan of these. They're creamy and blendable, and give off a nice sheen.  I would recommend picking these up, if you're not afraid of a little bit of sheen at the high points of your cheek and under the browbone.

 

There are more swatches in the YouTube video, so be sure to check it out!  If you've used any of these products, I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments. 

Thanks, as always, for reading!  See you next time.  :)

WIshlist Wednesday #4 | Dollar Tree

WISH LIST WEDNESDAY #3 | DOLLAR TREE 

 

 

If you're anything like me, you've probably made mental lists of all the awesome finds you've seen hauled at Dollar Tree in hopes that one sweet day you'll find them, too.  I'm no different - except I actually make visuals to help me keep track and I update them every week as new sightings occur.

 

On each of the items, I listed the Instagram account of the person who found them.  I also linked all the accounts in the caption so you can check out their other posts and follow them!

 

 

https://instagram.com/dollartreecrazy
https://instagram.com/amandaa28_
https://instagram.com/bargainbeauty
https://instagram.com/jessicaestrlla
https://instagram.com/beaute_07
https://instagram.com/prettynflawed
https://instagram.com/soleiluna09
https://instagram.com/sensationalfinds
 

 

 

 

Duck Tape brand duct tape has been popping up at Dollar Tree for about a year, and lots of different designs have been spotted.

 

 

 

 

These retail for $5-6 normally, so $1 is a great price.  They come with 10 yards of tape, so if you're shipping out a lot of boxes, or if you plan to use these to make duct tape crafts, now's the time to load up!

 

Next up, Amanda over at Fabb TV hauled a Soft Whisper body wash that I've never come across at Dollar Tree.

 

Several months ago, I found two different varieties of body washes that look like the ones pictured below:

 

I really regret not getting more when they were available.  The Pomegranate body wash pictured above was awesome - lathered up well, the texture was nice and thick, and it gave off a lovely scent.

There was also a peach or nectarine scent that I hauled that I adored.  So SOOOO bummed that I didn't purchase more.  They totally rival Bath and Body Works in my opinion.

 

 

These NYC City Proof Intense Lipcolors are also popping up at Dollar Tree.  I believe I picked up a few of these on clearance some months ago, so I'll be digging through my stash to try to find them so I can swatch them in a future Swatch Sunday.

 

 

There look to be about a dozen shades total, although finding a complete set at Dollar Tree is typically near impossible.  But I'm on the case!  :)

Annnnnd, it looks like the L'Oreal Magic Perfecting Base has once again been found at Dollar Tree!  YAYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!

I was lucky enough to find several of these last year, and I've been very happy with this product's performance as a primer.  True, it does need a little work to get it completely blended, BUT! It's totally a win in my opinion.  And, since the .5 ounce full-sized product retails for $8-12 dollars (the 3-week sample size, which is being sold at Dollar Tree, is .17 ounce and retails for ~$4).

The reviewers of Makeup Alley are unconvinced.

One major con - which was referenced quite often in negative reviews on MakeupAlley.com, is that this is packaged in a tub, which means that you're constantly sticking your fingers inside and exposing the product to germs, dirt, water, etc.  Some reviewers also referenced how difficult it is to blend (it is), but that's not a deal-breaker for me. 

 

 

Next up, the gawjus Miss Jessica Estrella of YouTube infamy found and IG-blasted a bunch of elf products.  I shared reviews online, but the bottom line is- reception to these two products is largely positive.

 

Both products are from the Studio line, which typically retails $2-5.  And even better, elf has 50% off sales a couple of times a year, which brings the prices down even further.

 

 

 

These lotion wipes come 15 to a pack and normally retail for $3. They're actually still being sold, and are available in three different scents, although only the Coconut Vanilla has been spotted at Dollar Tree.  Largely, the reviews were positive, and I'd be interested in trying them just to experience the whole lotion wipe trend.

 

 

The elf HD blush is a product I've actually be wanting to try for some time, so I'm very excited that it's made its way to DT!

 

 

 

Reviewers have called this product a bit watery but incredibly pigmented.  I'm not sure how easy it is to blend these out, but I did share reviewer commentary and photographs in my YouTube video, so be sure to check it out!

 

 

There's not much more I can say about Ritz crackers or the books pictured above, except that I want them (!), and if you're a long-term Wishlist reader, you've already been alerted to the awesome Skintimate product pictured below. 

 

 

Check out my most recent Wishlist Wednesday blog for more about this product!

 

 

 

 

Those are the highlights!  So, what's on your wish list this week?  Comment below to share your must-finds. :)

Thanks for reading - see you next time!