I really dislike elf's online management team: (product quality control issues aside) Not only they just randomly add bloggers to their mailing list, without asking for permission or simply giving a head-up then continuously spam us with "Hello Beauty Bloggers" emails, expecting people to just promote for them/put up their press releases. I have also heard about how they used Temptalia's photos on their news letter, when no actual elf product was use, and no permission was asked/given...
Anyway, I guess they didn't get on my last nerve (putting their email into spam list didn't take more than a few seconds) so I still look through their new stuff in stores and pick one or two toys to play with from time to time. 
Elf Hypershine Lip Gloss in Flirt ($1) is like a cheap man's Stila lip glaze, with a thin click-y tube and brush tip. I normally hate built-in applicator but for how little this contains (a bit over 1ml), my OCD self was totally fine. Flirt is a light shimmer-free yellow-pink with a texture of thick cream gel - it wasn't particular smooth or line-filling but it's not gooey and hard to spread either.
Revlon Pink Whisper (pale shimmery pink), Milani Lip Party (medium pink) NYX Beige (light creamy blue pink) and elf Flirt
On the lips, elf hypershine lip gloss in Flirt offers slightly less coverage than Stila Lip Glaze (the similar shade I tried was Grapefruit) but it didn't look blotchy/frosty either. As with most (if not all?) elf lip products I have tried, the hypershine gloss gives me lip a bit of sting/numb sensation (you would think my lips are invincible after trying so many glosses...) which is enough of a deal breaker for me, even though the gloss doesn't have any other flaws.
I am glad that I have tried one so now the 3 piece hypershine set (I just like the sheer red though) is officially crossed off from my to-buy list. As cheap as they are, elf glosses aren't that great of a deal since their unit price is similar to glosses from Maybelline/Revlon yet they rarely go on sale in stores ( I never want to shop for drugstore products online anyway) and the quality usually is not as good.
While I was at Target, I almost picked up Tickle Pink (a shimmery peachy pink)...then I had to remind myself how many similar shades I have. Mental note to self: Need save up for Paul & Joe and Majolica Majorca's summer collection!
When I first got into makeup, I got into elf because it was so affordable. But like you said, as cheap as they are, most of their stuff are not that great of a deal. I ended up never using any of the elf stuff after I built up on my collection. By the way, a friend gave me the maybelline salsa sun lipgloss just yesterday and i jumped with joy - cause you have reviewed it and the color looks amazing on you! plus it was limited edition. I have this thing for orange-red lip products too:)
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome! I was thinking about ordering a backup from eBay then I realize that I better finish up what I already have...I have seen (some blurry pictures of the) Maybelline summer 2012 collection, I think they are coming out several lipstick in the colorsensational high shine formula and there is a red one!(possibly orange red as well but I can't tell from the picture).
DeleteYeah I have to agree with sunikins too that elf makeups isnt really that worthy. When I saw lots of ppl reviewing and bragging them so much, got me interested about the brand (Im not from U.S.). After trying all the products that most ppl raved about, I can honestly say that those stuff can go straight to the trash bin >_<
ReplyDeleteI still kind of like their eyeshadow brush (that I got back in 2009, although it took me quite a while to find a usable one in store) and I thought the rest are just alright...I suppose for a makeup addict with a certain stash size, elf doesn't offer anything new/groundbreaking, but some items could be great for starters...
DeleteWow! I've never heard those rumors about ELF but...it certainly puts me off from buying more of their products. I used to buy these hypershines but as I gravitated away from gloss and towards lipsticks, their products left me wanting. I'm just not a huge fan.
ReplyDeleteThey started doing that (spamming people) in 2010 but I don't know if they kept the e-mail going since I blocked them after the 3rd e-mail. I suppose many people consider an "honor" to be added to their list (and some blogger did follow the e-mail the sent and posted about "check out elf's new site lay-out" for once or twice...then they stopped doing that for reasons unknown to me). I personally am just annoyed, since the emails were no less annoying than those advertise for male enhancement drugs.
DeleteAs for pictures issue, Christine mentioned in her comment section (a few months ago) ,after people asked why she doesn't cover the brand.