My 2023 Picks: Makeup
2023 was the year of experimenting with Elf lol.
So find below some of my favorite cosmetic product discoveries made this year!
Elf Halo Glow Liquid Filter
Yeah you have probably heard all the hype around this one… it is commonly known as the Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter dupe. It’s great to use under your foundation for the “glow from within look”, or even without for a really natural day look! Keep in mind that it really doesn’t provide much coverage, so it really is more a of a subtle sheen on your face, so I do like to use a foundation in addition for a night out! But also because there is not a foundation on earth that seems to match my skin tone, I always have to tone down with a concealer anyhow. But yeah, I use this for every makeup application, day or night (:
ELF Cosmetics Hydrating Camo Concealer
I first tried their original camo concealer, which was… a disaster. That stuff is thick and cakey af. But it offers coverage that’s for sure… so now I like to use it as an eyeshadow primer! However the shade match was so good that when I saw it came in a hydration version, I decided to try and have never looked back! If there is one thing I will always reach for in my makeup routine, it is this concealer. For one, it conceals lol, but two, it is an essential for evening out my foundation shades. Every foundation is either too orange, too yellow, too white, too pink… idk, I just have an odd face color that is difficult to match lol. So this concealer has made all my foundations that I have been wasting, once again a possibility!
(Thinking of trying that blue color correcting product this year for those of you who were about to suggest;) )…
ELF Cosmetics Brow Lift
This was a discovery in search of a better alternative to soap brows. Soap brows create that glued down effect, and leave a bit of a sheen in certain light angles. Additionally, if you need to go over the top with your pencil, the shade changes and doesn’t quite match the same when you are drawing on top of the wax…. With this gel, I have found the best routine is to fill the brows, then very lightly go over with the gel, without pressing to your skin, as the gel will hold in place without that glued down look. Just a more natural look, with the lift you are still aiming for. And while if you do notice a few sparse spots in your brow after applying, you still are able to go over the top of the gel and get the correct color, however I will say this will press the brow hairs down and cause that glued down effect still.
Elf Micro Mist
I will be honest, idk if I notice one setting mist is better than another… I have been using Urban Decay’s All-nighter since idk how long. It’s the only one I have ever used and tried. But this year, my Elf obsession led me to trying out this product, and so far it has not disappointed! It is a third of the price, it smells amazing, and I love how finely the mist comes out!
Elf Halo Glow Highlighter and/or Blush Wand
In a moment of weakness, I succumbed to internet peer pressure and decided to test these out. Personally, I hate the wand application. It seems dirty, and unsanitary, but I try to ignore it, because the product is just so good. Another Charlotte Tilbury dupe, I recommend one or the other honestly. If you have a blush you are obsessed with already, then just go for the highlighter! Though keep in mind you might have to sandwich the highlighter between your blush applications. If you don’t have a blush you are currently crazy about, then try out the blush version! It’s basically the same highlighter effect, but with your blush pigment included! 2 for 1 (: I’m also testing out the contour at the moment, and am still deriving thoughts so get back to you on that one lol.
