ELF Studio glosses are a lovely surprise! Plus a mini haul.

I did a little shopping yesterday for some necessities, and like always, I ended up buying a few items I didn't need.  Ugh this ALWAYS happens!  In this post I'm going to talk mainly about the ELF Studio lip glosses I found, but I wanted to show you the other things I got, too!

I'm kind of in the market for a new cleanser, although I should stick to what I know works for me.  I ran out of my Aveeno Positively Radiant daily scrub a couple weeks ago.  I have been using my Mario Badescu Enzyme Cleansing Gel for about a week, but I think it's the reason I'm breaking out in a few areas (which is weird because when I tried it in a sample pack, I loved it).  Anyway, I saw this Aveeno Positively Radiant Brightening Cleanser at Target and picked it up.  I hope it'll be nice for a basic daily cleanser- I love this line of products!

The L'Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes mascara I will review separately, but my first impression is good.  It gives a lot of length and definition without clumping!  

I was at my local HyVee grocery store and couldn't believe it when I saw an ELF Studio display!  They've always had the regular $1 line display (a four-sided turning stand), but I guess they just recently added one full of Studio products.  I'm not complaining!  They had a bunch of things I've seen online but never at Target- (all Studio line) small angled eyeliner brush, small precision eye brush, pigment eyeshadows, matte eyeshadows, matte lip colors, to name a few!  I was so excited.  The display I found was kind of picked over and some of the shades I wanted were out of stock, but I'll check back in a week or so and see.  I did pick up three things, a Glitter Gloss in Dazzling Diamond, Glossy Gloss in Funky Fuchsia, and Pigment eyeshadow in Innocent Ivory.
I'll talk about the Pigment eyeshadow in a separate post- for now, here are my thoughts/swatches/pictures of the glosses. :)

Glossy Gloss in Funky Fuchsia, Glitter Gloss in Dazzling Diamond, Pigment eyeshadow in Innocent Ivory

I'm totally loving each of these!
The Glossy Gloss in Funky Fuchsia is a gorgeous color.  I go absolutely crazy for shades like this (I love them on my fair skin!).  The formula is soft and smooth, and it applies evenly.  See the applicator below- it's a brush!

This makes it really easy to 'paint' on the lip gloss and get the color to exactly how you want it.  Both the Glossy Gloss and Glitter Gloss have this style applicator, by the way.

You can see by the swatches on my arm and lips below that these are also nicely pigmented.  I was afraid Funky Fuchsia would be really sheer, but fortunately the color stays pretty close to what's in the bottle.  The Glossy Gloss lives up to the 'glossy' claims- it makes my lips look healthy and shiny.  I'm really eager to try more of these!  

They both smell like Jolly Ranchers or some kind of hard candy, so if you're bothered by scents, I'd be cautious.  Thankfully they don't have a taste otherwise I'd lick them off right away. :)

The Glitter Gloss in Dazzling Diamond is just as pretty to look at.  I had a hard time capturing the glitter, but the bottle shots above portray it most accurately.  The glitter is intense, though!  I still find it easy to wear because its in a clear base, but I always love a sparkly gloss.  Dazzling Diamond kind of reminds me of Sally Hansen Hidden Treasure nail polish in a lip gloss form.  It doesn't shine as many different colors, but it has that "glowing" effect.  

Glossy Gloss in Funky Fuchsia, Glitter Gloss in Dazzling Diamond

I couldn't capture the glitter in Dazzling Diamond with the flash on, so I had to take it off for that lip swatch.  I hope you can still get a good idea of how they look, though.  Funky Fuchsia is true to color.

Have you tried these lip glosses?  Have a favorite?  I'm absolutely loving them and how affordable they are!

ELF Mineral Booster in Sheer fits the bill- does it make the grade?

I got this a month ago in my last ELF order and promised its own post/review, so here goes!  This was my most-wanted ELF product for a long time, after hearing so many comparisons between it and Bare Minerals Mineral Veil.  Since running out of my Mineral Veil a couple months ago, I hold it as my 'powder standard'.  There's something about it that I just love but can't quite put my finger on!  It just made my face look so healthy and glowy without being shimmery/glittery/shiny, and I've been trying to find a good replacement that's cheaper.

So, when I saw the ELF Mineral Booster in Sheer online, I knew I had to try it.  Keep reading to see what I think about it!

The Mineral Booster is available in two sizes, small (0.17oz) and large (0.63oz)- the size I have is small.  It retails for $5 on the ELF website, described as:

Achieve the ultimate, translucent "photo finishing touch" to your makeup, our Mineral Booster melts into your skin, infusing it with key vitamins A, B and E to promote healthier skin that’s noticeably silkier and smoother. Completely sheer and ideal for all skin tones, Mineral Booster gently absorbs oil and minimizes the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines and pores for a beautiful even finish. Wear alone or buff over our Mineral Concealer and Foundation to lend extra staying power and to achieve a professional and stunning porcelain matte look that will last all day. 

So, it's supposed to give you that photo-finished 'airbrushed' look (which is the minimizing appearance of wrinkles part), absorb oil, and reduce the appearance of pores.  And it's supposed to last all day.

Color/coverage:  In the pot it looks tinted, but the color goes on sheer for me (as it's supposed to be!)- I have read reviews that this looks too dark on some people, so that's something to keep in mind.  I can imagine this would look ashy on darker skin tones, but I can't say for sure; it matches my skin pretty spot-on. 

Consistency:  I hope you can tell from the pictures how fine-milled the powder is.  This is probably one of my favorite qualities because it makes it blend into your skin easier.  You don't get that "I just applied powder I look cakey" look, and you can't even tell you have powder on, woot!  I have normal skin with a slightly oily t-zone, but I typically don't have a problem with oiliness- I don't like to pack on powder products.  Any finishing powder that sets my makeup without looking cakey ranks high on my list!

Quality (Oil control, lasting ability, photo-flawless look):  I tried this over both liquid and powder foundation (powder being Bare Minerals).  In terms of oil control, this is so-so.  Like I said above, I'm not super oily but in the summertime/humidity I need extra help.  I find I need to powder my t-zone once during the middle of the day when I use the Mineral Booster- it doesn't last me all day.  It does set my makeup nicely and gives me a nice finishing touch, but it's a little matte for my liking.  I loved Bare Minerals Mineral Veil for its not-quite-matte glowy finish, and this doesn't fit that exactly.  However, it's definitely the closest thing I've found to replacing the Mineral Veil!  I'd say if you have combination to oily skin, you should look elsewhere for an oil-controlling powder (unless you don't mind touching up).

I do like this powder, but it didn't reach HG status for me- I'm still in the market for a finishing powder that gives me that healthy, glowy look.  I also need something that lasts longer in the summertime when it's hot and humid!

I actually wore this for the whole week straight after I received my ELF order, and then switched back to my ELF Studio Complexion Perfection (the one I'm trying to finish).  I've had to force myself to stick with Complexion Perfection because that's super matte.  Ugh.  It's almost done... just a few more weeks.  ;)

SO.  I'd recommend this if you don't get too oily and want a budget-friendly translucent powder that doesn't cake.  It looks great over liquid and powder makeup but doesn't last all day on combination skin, unfortunately.  

Have you tried this?  Did you like it?  

ELF part two: miscellaneous (eyes, face)

I love ordering from ELF.  Usually there are one or two things I'm not thrilled with, but for the most part I like everything and it's just exciting to see what's new.
ELF has a bunch of new products and colors lately!  I tried out one of the new Studio Radiance Enhancers in the shade Sunrise, the $1 Smudge brush, Studio blush in Twinkle Pink, and then two of the new-ish cream eyeshadows, Dawn and Bronzed.  I'm planning on another order as soon as ELF restocks some items, but I hope this post helps those of you who have been curious about a few of these! :)

ELF Studio Radiance Enhancer in Sunrise

I really don't need more highlighters, but I love click pen applicators (for some reason!) so I wanted to try this out.  Sunrise is the second shade of the new Radiance Enhancers.  I thought from the online pictures that this would be lighter and more gold, but it's a rather deep rose-gold shade.  On my skin it leans bronze, as you can see in my swatch.  Blended out it's very sheer and leaves a subtle glow- perfect for anyone who likes a little highlight but nothing over the top.  I'm not sure I'll get much use out of this just because of the shade, but it'll make a nice base for blush.

ELF Smudge brush

I've been wanting a brush in this style for awhile now; it appeared to be perfect for applying color to the lower lash line.  As it turns out, it is!  There are a few comments on the product page online that the bristles aren't dense enough, but I've had no problem.  A few have shed on me already, but for $1 I'm not complaining.  It makes applying color close to the lash line really easy.

ELF Studio blush in Twinkle Pink

Twinkle Pink is one of two new shades of the Studio blushes (Giddy Gold being the other).  The shade is really gorgeous, and is a slightly pinker version of the blush side of the Studio Contouring Blush/Bronzing Powder.  I'll compare these in another post- they look quite similar in the pan, but swatched you can see their differences.  Anyway, Twinkle Pink is pretty powdery and glittery but it's a gorgeous color.  I have so many of these peachy-pink shades that I think I've hit my limit, haha.

Left: Dawn, Right: Bronzed

ELF Studio cream eyeshadows in Bronzed and Dawn

First of all, the packaging with these cream eyeshadows is just as bulky as everyone says it is.  In terms of product, however, I just love these.  They don't crease and make for great bases for eyeshadow.  Bronzed is a bit smoother and more pigmented than Dawn, but they both blend easily and are overall great quality.  I hope ELF comes out with more shades, because I'd love to try more!

I also purchased the small size of the Mineral Booster, which I'll review in a separate post once I've tested it a little longer.  I was hoping for it to be a good dupe for my loved Mineral Veil, so we'll see how it goes!  

If you guys haven't entered yet, there's one week left to take part in my giveaway.  Thanks for your continued support that has allowed me to do this! :) xox

My ELF order arrived! Part one: lip products

I had been wanting to order from ELF for the longest time, but for a number of reasons didn't get around to it until last week!  At first I was waiting for new products to come in, and then when they did come in the other products I wanted were out of stock (and ELF takes forever to restock things it seems).  A few weeks ago Total Beauty featured a daily deal (which I posted about) that was $10 for a $25 voucher to ELF.  I purchased it right away, and that kind of gave me the push I needed to finally place my order.
So, exactly a week after ordering, my package arrived.  Yay! :)

I apologize in advance for 1) the lighting of the first few pictures, and 2) that I didn't take pictures of a few of the products before using them.  I wasn't able to open my package until late last night, and I couldn't get very good lighting for pictures.  And there was no way I was waiting until today to try out the products... haha.  So I'm sorry for that!

Everything together!  I will be breaking it down into individual posts, so today will be lip products.  I'll go into detail about the rest of the things I got in a separate post. :)

Essentials lipstick in Nostalgic, Mineral Moisturizing Lip Tint SPF8 in Rose, Mineral lipstick in Natural Nymph

Essentials lipstick in Nostalgic

I've never tried any of the $1 lipsticks before, but as soon as ELF put up the new colors, I knew I had to try this one out.  I noticed my package had been opened (the lipstick was untouched, but the plastic packaging was ripped open) which was weird, but the product hadn't been opened anyway.  My initial reaction is so-so.  The bullet sticks up a little farther than the top of the tube, so I nicked the lipstick right away.  The reviews on the website are right- this lipstick is really fragile.  The color reminds me of my Revlon ColorBurst lipstick in Fashion's Night Pout, but maybe a tad peachier.  

Mineral lipstick in Natural Nymph

Having heard so many good things about the mineral lipsticks, I knew I needed to try one!  Natural Nymph has been on my wishlist for a pretty long time.  It's definitely a 'concealer lips' color, and makes for a great nude lip base although it's a little patchy on me.  The mineral lipsticks feel so much better quality than the $1, from the packaging to the product itself.  I'll definitely try out more of these in the future- I have a feeling the deeper shades would apply better.

Mineral Moisturizing lip tint in Rose

This was one of the products I was waiting for to make my order, and unfortunately by the time I actually placed my order, most of the colors I wanted had gone out of stock.  I love this, though, especially being someone who doesn't really like lipstick.  It's pigmented (as you can see in my lip swatch), and gives my lips a lovely rose-y berry color.  I can't wait for these to come back in stock, because I'll definitely order more!

Mineral lip tint in Rose, Mineral lipstick in Natural Nymph, Essentials lipstick in Nostalgic

Stay tuned for the rest of my order, where I'll cover the new Studio Radiance Enhancer, blush, and cream eyeshadows, along with the new smudge brush (I'll be reviewing the Mineral Booster in its own separate post).  

Thanks guys! :)

ELF deal: $10 voucher for $25

Click here to take advantage!

I got an email a couple days ago about Beauty Story joining with Total Beauty to feature various deals.  I had no idea I was even on an email list with Beauty Story, haha.  Well, today I received an email in my junk mail about today's "daily deal" on Total Beauy- for $10 you can get a voucher for $25 worth of ELF products.  I've been waiting for the longest time to make another ELF purchase, and this seemed like the best deal I could get!  It doesn't include tax or shipping (which it explains in the "fine print" on the Total Beauty page, that I didn't see until after I purchased!), but it's still a pretty good deal.

According to the website, this deal lasts for 2 more days if you're interested! :)
(Edit: It looks like this is only available to US and Canada- sorry everyone!)

(Note:  I'm not affiliated whatsoever with ELF cosmetics.)

ELF Mineral Shadows

I LOVE these shadows! They have very good pigmentation, long wearing, don’t crease and are shimmery! I feel like a little bit of these shadows go a long way! Well worth the money!
Colors from top to bottom:
Angelic, Sweet, Smoldering, Earthy, Elegant, Caffeinated, Socialite.
You can find all these shadows at E.L.F under the Mineral category!

ELF Cosmetics (Lips)

I wanted to continue with  my E.L.F series and tell you about the lip products. They have two main lines, essentials and studio. The items from the essentials line only cost $1.00, yep that’s right a buck! The items from the studio line cost $3.00. They offer a wide variety of products on their website. You can also find E.L.F products at select K-mart, Target, Big Lots, and Dollar Stores.

Like the eye products, most of the lip products that I bought came from the essentials line. I will list my favorite products that I have.
First up the $1.00 line lipsticks. I have one in Gypsy and one in Seductress. I was really impressed with the quality of these lipsticks for them to only cost $1. They are very pigmented and glide on smoothly.

Next are the luscious Liquid Lipsticks, they are also $1.00. These are probably my favorite lipstick from E.L.F, as you can probably tell, I have a few of them When you first get these you are supposed to twist the bottom of them to make the product come out of the top. On the side it says to twist it 7-11 times, but I find myself twisting it a lot more than that to get the product to come out. These are not stick and come in a wide array of colors.

I also have some of the Hypershine lip glosses, also $1.00. These have the same twisting concept as the Lucisous Liquid Lipsticks, again I find myself twisting it more than it says you have too. These have a brush type applicator and also come in a wide array of colors. I do not think that these are sticky and look great over top of lipsticks.

The next item comes from the studio line. They are the Minty lip glosses, $3.00. I have mixed feelings about these. I like the colors and I like the mint flavor that they have. But on the down side they feel gritty on your lips and I feel like I have to dip the wand in and apply it several times before I get any amount of product on my lips. Probably not a product that I will re-purchase.

And lastly for the lip products I have 2 of the Mineral lipsticks. I love these! They glide on very smoothly and feel very moisturizing on your lips. I can’t really say if they are really pigmented or not because I got 2 of the lightest colors that they have, runway pink and natural nymph.

If you have any questions about any of these products, feel free to leave a comment down below or email me: smallbudgetbeauty@gmail.com

E.L.F Cosmetics (eyes)

I have recently discovered this brand of cosmetics by watching videos on YouTube. The brand as you can probably tell from the title is E.L.F (aka eyes, lips, face). They have two main lines, essentials and studio. The items from the essentials line only cost $1.00, yep that’s right a buck! The items from the studio line cost $3.00. They offer a wide variety of products on their website. You can also find E.L.F products at select K-mart, Target, Big Lots, and Dollar Stores.
I will break this topic down to 3 entries one for eyes, one for lips and one for face. Most of the products that I bought came from the essentials line. I will list my favorite products that I have and post some pictures of the actual product, and a picture of swatches. Click the photos to see them full size.
First up, tools for the eyes! I have a couple of the eyeshadow brushes, one of defining eye brushes and one of the blending eye brushes. I really like the eyeshadow brushes, they grab a lot of product. I’m not sure yet how I feel about the blending eye brush, I used it once and didn’t care too much for it, but I want to use it some more before I make my final decision about it. The blending eye brush is great! It works very well for blending your eyeshadow so you don’t have harsh lines when using multiple colors. All these brushes are super soft!
I also have a tube of their eye lid primer, which I absolutely love. It really helps your shadow to stay on all day!
The other 3 eye products that I like are the Brightening Eye Quads, the cream shadow duos, and the powder shadow duos. I have bought about 5 of the quads and they have been hit or miss. Some of them are very pigmented and some are not. I really love their cream shadow duos. All the ones that I have gotten have been very pigmented. I feel like they wear very well, just don’t use too much of the product because if you do it will crease on you. The powder shadows are also very pigmented and wear very well. Sometimes I like to put on the cream shadow as a base and then use the matching powder shadow on top.
Tools

Primer

Brightening Eye Quads (if you would like to see swatches let me know and I’ll post them)

Shadow Duos
 Cream Shadow SwatchesPowder Shadow Swatches

Finally! ELF Studio Contour brush- a small crease brush on the cheap

I have been casually searching for an inexpensive, small, preferably "pencil" type of crease brush for what seems to have been the longest time.  I know Sigma has one along with Coastal Scents and other various online retailers, but it's hard to know exactly what they look like from a computer screen.  This is why I was really hoping to find one in person so I could see what I was getting (and I have a hard time convincing myself to buy stuff online... a story for another day!).  Well, it is like pretty darn difficult to find a large variety of brushes in stores that aren't as expensive as MAC.  EcoTools is great, love them, but they don't have all the different types of brushes that I want.  Sonia Kashuk has a crease brush that I own (it's pictured below), but it's not what I'm looking for.  When I was shopping at Target a couple weeks ago, I stumbled across the ELF Studio Contour brush that has been patiently waiting in my online shopping cart for me to place an order.  This is new, guys!  And I was so excited to see it because I've been wanting to try it for the longest time, but was hesitant to order online.  Long story short, I grabbed it right away.
Here are my thoughts on it!

(Left to right: ELF Studio Contour brush, ELF Eye Definer brush, Sonia Kashuk Crease brush)

From what I've used of it so far, this is the best crease brush I've been able to find and for the lowest price.  It's $3, and I was able to find it at Target, so I saved myself the cost of shipping, yes!  

Its small size makes it perfect for precise crease work and that "outer v" area of the eyelid.  For comparison, I pictured it next to the ELF $1 Eye Definer brush and the Sonia Kashuk Crease brush.  The Sonia Kashuk brush isn't a favorite of mine because of its roundness and larger size- it's almost too big for my crease.  The Studio Contour brush is small enough so it places color exactly where I want it.  It's also a little more pointed than the SK, which is really rounded.  

In an ideal world, I'd have the Contour brush pointed like the MAC 219, but that's probably asking too much for $3! The 219 has been on my wishlist this past year for its precision and ability to apply color to the lower lashline.  The ELF Contour brush is too rounded for the lower lashline, but it's still perfect for those of us with smaller creases or more deep-set eyes who just don't like doing too much in the crease (like me!).  

The synthetic bristles are firm and dense, which allows for more control.  They also pick up color well- I like to kind of "roll" the brush into my eyeshadows.  I find this picks up color the best way.  

I've also given it one quick wash, and no bristles came out.  

If you've been looking for a nice, quality crease brush that's inexpensive, definitely take a look at your Target for this one!  I'm really impressed so far. 

Have you tried this ELF brush?  I'd love to hear your thoughts!