Review: NARS Highlighting/Bronzing Blush Duo in Orgasm/ Laguna vs. E.l.f. Studio Contouring Blush & Bronzing Powder: THE BATTLE!

Happy Cyber Monday!!  I hope ya’ll also had a fabulous turkey day…I was full for a few days after mine- LOL!!  J  Now let me get to the good stuff…

Items that are battling it out:

1)      0.16 oz. mini NARS Highlighting/Bronzing Blush Duo in Orgasm/ Laguna ($39 for .35oz nearly double the size than the mini in my pics…)

2)      e.l.f. Studio Contouring Blush & Bronzing Powder ($3)

L: NARS   R: E.L.F.



NARS





E.L.F.



As you can see the packaging is very similar; both are sleek, black and compact.  They also both have a mirror included on the inside, for quick on the go makeup application.  The one thing I really like about e.l.f.’s packaging is that it isn’t rubber like the NARS…so it doesn’t keep your fingerprints, etc. on it!  I hate that about NARS packaging, because your product looks like you’ve had it forever even after one day due to all the fingerprint marks!! That’s one of my biggest pet peeves :P

 Enough about the packaging, let’s get into how the actual product compares.  As for the blush shades, the colours are similar.  However, they are not an exact match.   E.l.f.’s blush is a beautiful peach/pink toned blush with more of a matte finish.  On the other hand the NARS blush is also a very beautiful peachy/pink, but it has sheen to it.  It is nowhere near matte… 

 

E.L.F.

The e.l.f bronzer is a deep bronze matte colour; it can be used as a bronzer or even a contouring powder.  I personally like to use a matte colour to contour; one with shimmer just doesn’t give me the same “she was born w/ perfect cheekbones” effect!!  As for the NARS bronzer, it is VERY light in comparison to the e.l.f. bronzer.  It is a nice light brown colour with shimmer, seems like it would be great as an overall bronzer. 

L- E.L.F and R- NARS



NARS



RESULTS:  Personally, I feel they are 2 completely different products, that don’t really mimic each other.  The e.l.f. is more pigmented and matte and may be a better match for women who are of a bit darker skin tone.  While the NARS is a little less pigmented (as seen in the pics) and full of shimmer and sheen, it would work on many skin tones.  However, if you have lighter skin, you may want to opt for this one.  So if you don’t have the $39 to spend on the NARS, go ahead and give the e.l.f. blush/bronzer duo a try first…and for $3 you just can’t go wrong!!

All the swatch pics are HEAVILY swatched on NC 37 skin.  I am in no way affliated or being compensated in any way to review these products.

                                                X + O,

                                                 --S

Review: NARS Albatross vs. E.l.f. Gotta Glow: THE BATTLE!

Hey Everyone!

Today I decided to review something I received in my gigantic E.l.f. haul from the other day.  I haven't posted from that haul yet, but I've been tackling the items bit by bit.  I've had the NARS Albatross for sometime, and honestly I rarely use it.  It's not that I don't like it, I just don't find myself reaching for it.  

E.l.f.'s packaging is very similar to that of NARS.  The major difference in packaging is the weight, the texture of the casing and the clear window that elf uses.

Once you open up the case, the highlighter itself also appears very similar.  At first sight, the ELF highlighter appears a little more yellow.

Note that these were swatched heavily! 

Again, you can see that the elf highlighter appears a little more yellow. 

The texture of the NARS Albatross was obviously smooth and non grainy.  The elf highlighter was smooth yet, nothing compared to the Albatross.  I did not have to use much of the Albatross to get that beautiful sheen that you see here. 

Price:  $3 vs. $26

So?  Whatcha think?  There are some obvious differences between the two but if you're not willing to shell out the money for the NARS Albatross, why not pick up Elf's Gotta Glow? 

xoxo
-C

NEW E.L.F. Studio Cream Eyeshadows: Review and Swatches!!!

Hey Everyone!!  I just received a haul from e.l.f. and among all my goodies are the NEW studio cream eyeshadow.  Lately I've been on a HUGE cream eyeshadow kick, so I just had to pick these up.  Since these are part of their studio line, they are each 3 dollars a piece.  Honestly, that's a great price!

Unfortunately, they only have four colors available right now, hopefully they can add some more shades in the future.

I had initially assumed that they would be the same size as the cream eyeliners.  But, their packaging is larger.  Here is the comparison between the new cream eye shadows and the cream eyeliner.  Excuse the lighting.  I took these pictures with my phone, since my husband hijacked my camera.

I ordered all four shades!

(Above Pic) With Flash

From left to right:  Eggplant, Dawn, Bronzed, and Candlelight

Without Flash

Eggplant, Dawn, Bronzed, and Candlelight

Pros: 

• They have not creased on me....so far.
• They are creamy and blendable. 
• Affordable!!  You can purchase all four for the price of one "higher end" brand
• Once they are on, they don't move!!

Cons: 

• The packaging is large and bulky.  It seems like such a waste of plastic...
• There are only four colors :(
• The Candlelight color was not as smooth as the others.  As you can see in the pictures, I couldn't blend the color evenly.
• Both a pro and a con.  Once they are on, they don't move.  So, it feels somewhat dry and tight on the skin.  That may be just me, my lids are sometimes dry.

Everything in the studio line has impressed me.  When I initially started purchasing from E.l.f., I thought there products were junk.  I'm glad they finally realized that they needed more quality products.  Overall, I like the new cream eye shadows. At three bucks, it was worth the gamble.  I think I won!  Try them out and see what you think. 

xoxo

-C