Why Not Wednesday: e.l.f. Daily Hydration Moisturizer

elf has been a beloved drug store brand of mine for quite some time. I remember in middle/high school my aunt emailed me about this website where all the makeup was only $1.00. Over the years, elf has grown so much as a company and introduced some amazing products. The best part- they are very affordable options. I was SO EXCITED when they announced they were releasing a skincare line! Skincare items tend to be more expensive than other beauty items, so I knew elf would have affordable options. Plus, I'm a skincare junkie...

I contemplated ordering online for quite some time. It would sit in my cart for weeks as I went back on forth whether or not to buy. While strolling through WalMart, I noticed a bunch of little yellow "new" tags in the skincare aisle. There... on the top shelf of course... was the entire elf skincare line. Why not? At first I opted to only buy the cleanser and daily moisturizer. I have a ton of target specific items at home, but I use daily cleanser and moisturizer like they are going out of style. I am always looking for great, daily options. (This blog is strictly about the moisturizer, but I will eventually follow-up about the cleanser.)

The website states it is lightweight, lightly scented. It's infused with a couple different items- first listed purified water, jojoba oil, aloe, and a couple others. It also lists antioxidantes- shea butter, grape and orange. My favorite part all elf skincare products are paraben, sulfate, and phthalates free.

I. Hate. This. Moisturizer.

1. I don't consider it lightweight. It sat very, very heavy on my face and refused to dry or sink in! One day I timed it... 43 minutes. That is unacceptable.

2. When it does decide to dry, it is sticky. My face felt tacky afterwards. I actually rewashed my face and applied a different moisturizer.

3. I really like elf, so I decided to give it another shot and apply makeup. Terrible, terrible mistake. I made it through primer and 1/4 foundation application. Again, I washed my face immediately.

4. Maybe it's my sensitive nose, but the smell is overwhelming.

5. Upon purchase, I was excited to see they took the time to include a pump! I hate squeeze bottles or jars. The first couple of pumps no product came out. I thought... okay this is typical for new pumps.  Nope. The pump is useless. There's no tube connected to the pump, so you have to shake hold upside down, pump it a million times, and repeat.

I feel bad for writing this because I really like elf products, but I would not recommend this one. Spend a little more and purchase one you love.

Jojoba, Aloe, Vitamin E and Cucumber

This lightweight, lightly scented moisturizer helps hydrate and nourish for glowing, healthy looking skin. Infused with Purified Water and skin-nourishing Jojoba, Aloe, Vitamin E and Cucumber to help soothe and protect the delicate skin area. Rich in antioxidants such as Shea Butter, Grape and Orange.

This lightweight, lightly scented moisturizer helps hydrate and nourish for glowing, healthy looking skin. Infused with Purified Water and skin-nourishing Jojoba, Aloe, Vitamin E and Cucumber to help soothe and protect the delicate skin area. Rich in antioxidants such as Shea Butter, Grape and Orange.

Why not? Wednesday and a Giveaway!!!: Shimmer Eye Shadows and Primers

This Why Not Wednesday has been in the works for a while. Mostly because as you will notice, I've tried a fair share of products to find my favorite one(s).

I am a HUGE fan of cream eye shadows. I know some of you will cringe and think the only thing they do is crease. Well I would be lying if I didn't encounter that same problem. After a lot of trial and error, I found some that I really really like. I am not an eyeshadow primer fan. It always feels a little too heavy for my lids, but I do like using a cream as a base. I think it provides a little more 'adhesive' for my shadow. I will use an eye primer if it is a special event, or I know I will be sweating/outside. Here is a review for 8 total I've tried and definitely listed in order. My favorites... all come from e.l.f. which means they are extremely affordable.

8. e.l.f. Glitter Primer: This is thick, and I really didn't see any glitter flakes. It dries extremely chalky and left a white residue on my lids. There is no evident staying power as indicated in an eyeshadow primer. It was originally bought on a whim since I found it at our local Dollar Tree for $1.00. You can purchase this online for $2.00 on e.l.f.'s website. Eye Glitter Primer

7. Hard Candy Eye's the Limit Shadow Primer: This is creamier and thinner than the primer mentioned above. It was included in a gift set I received for Christmas, so no harm done in trying it out. I couldn't get this to dry. It remained tacky, and my shadow creased like crazy. I tried it with glitter, matter, satin, and any other shadow you could imagine. You can only find this at WalMart for $5.00. Eye's the Limit

6. Maybelline Color Tattoo: This is the only *matte* base I own. I also found this at our local Dollar Tree hence why I have a less than ideal color. I really like this to build my crease. It does an amazing job, but I cannot use it as an all over base. The shadow sticks well and keeps it in place. I can't speak to creasing because I used it as a builder. I think I would enjoy these in a different shade. Color Tattoo

5. Mary Kay Cream Eye Color: These are very creamy and work best be used with a concealer type brush. There is a range of colors. I used the lighters ones as an entire base, but also used the darker colors as eyeshadow. They offer nine different colors are a mix of shimmer and matter. These run about $14.00, but I know Cari, my BFF, runs amazing deals and great parties. Shop with her today! Mary Kay Cream Eye Color

4. e.l.f Facial Whip: For $1.00, you can't beat this buy! It is extremely pigmented and multipurpose. I love the glitter power of this product. It makes for a great base shadow. My con, it is very watery, so it can be hard to manage and placement can be a little messy. It dries somewhat quickly; although, I do have to wait for it to dry before applying the next color. It is available in 3 colors. It can be purchased in your local drugstore or online. e.l.f. Facial Whip

3. Mary Kay Cream Highlighter: MK why do you do this to me?! It is DISCONTINUED!!! I would still be using this as my cream base if it wasn't insanely hard to find. This was actually developed to be a cream highlighter. I used it as an all over eyeshadow base.  It is so creamy, just the right amount of shimmer, stays in place, and doesn't crease!!! I can't find a direct link, but there are some on Ebay for sale.. at an inflated price.

2.  e.l.f. Shimmer Palette: This small palette offers four different colors- an icy silver, two pinkish peaches, and a taupe/sand color. These are weightless and smooth. This is another multipurpose makeup product. I mostly use it as an all over eye base, but occasionally as an inner eye corner and nose highlighter. I also really like this if I am going for a somewhat natural look. It's the right amount of sheen. I've not seen this in store, but you can purchase it online. e.l.f. Shimmer Palette

DRUM ROLL PLEASE...

1. e.l.f. Smudge Pot: I  LOVE THESE THINGS!!! They are almost identical to the texture of the MK Cream Highlighter mentioned above. These things also DO NOT come off. There is no movement, no creasing,  no smudging (despite the name). There is an assortment of colors and great for a smoky eye- a total of 11. The names are super cute. My favorite color is Ain't that Sweet? It is a pink base, but the glitter flakes are multicolored. When in the sun, it has a holographic, iridescent effect. Gorgeous!! These are $3.00 a pod, which I think is great! Only con- I don't like how these are applied with a brush, and I wish the mouth of the pod was a little wider for accessibility. Local drug stores sell some colors, but for the full range check out online. e.l.f. Smudge Pots

Below are swatches of all the products except #7 and #8.

 

Do you want to add some of these to your collection?! Yes, that's right I am doing a small giveaway!

 

 1. Ain't that Sweet? e.l.f. Smudge Pot

2. Lilac Petal e.l.f. Shimmering Facial Whip

2. Pink Petal Mary Kay Eye Shadow (sample- LOVE this color!)

3. Beach Bronze Mary Kay Nourishine Gloss (sample- PERFECT for Summer!)

5. Orange Polka Dot Mini Composition Book- Why you ask? This thing is my best friend. I write down all my thoughts, blog ideas, and prayers. Basically anything that pops into my mind. You need to try it! It will make you feel better. 

Though the giveaway small, she is fierce. And FREE!

How to enter? 

Answer the following question- What is your favorite summer product? Comments can be posted on Facebook or Instagram (as the blog link/info will be posted on each site). Please ensure you tag me, so I can validate your entry.

How to win?

The winner will be selected from a random number generator online and notified to obtain mailing information. 

The giveaway will begin tonight Wednesday August 5 2015 and will last through Friday, August 14 2015 at 11:59 PM

No purchase is necessary. Odds of winning are based on number of entries. One valid entry per person. Prize totals around $6.00. Giveaway is open to US residents ONLY.

Happy entering and best of luck! 

Oh yeah, and if you want to share my post... I would appreciate it. Maybe your friends want to enter too!

Why Not? Wednesday- e.l.f. Essential Lipstick $1.00

It's Wednesday! Half way through the week. Thank goodness!! This is the first week I've been fully functional at work and partially functional at home. I only say partially because I've been exhausted. I'm talking like come home at 7PM and falling asleep. One of my coworkers even text me yesterday to make sure I was awake.

I was in a rush to get to work today. Wednesdays I have an 8:30 AM call that pretty much dominates my morning. It also seems that every Wednesday something happens... running late, speeding ticket, laptop crashed. Today- I was awake, on time, and ready to go. Before walking in the door to work, I quickly checked in the mirror to make sure I'm presentable. I thought holy smokes... this lop color is super gorgeous. I actually wear it often and just purchased my second tube.I was hesitant about purchasing because it was a whole $1.00. I thought Why not?

These are from elf cosmetics- Essential Lipstick. These colors are Sociable, Classy, Nostalgic. They are smooth and moisturizing. They are not waxy or sticky- my BIGGEST lip product pet peeve. I do have to reapply around lunch, so it's definitely not one that lasts all day long. It's not matte but not glossy. It's in between. The pigmentation is hit and miss. I had really AWESOME results out of Classy, but the other two lacked in pigmentation.

1. Sociable- is a reddish pink, with a hint of fuchsia. Fades quicker than the others I tried.

2. Classy- a super, soft pink. Very, very pretty. This is my FAV. It reminds me of the lip color on Miranda Lambert- Mama's Broken Heart video. Like I said, it's my second tube.

3.  Nostalgic- It's a sheer nude, so sheer you can't even see it in the picture. It also makes me look like a zombie. It. Was. Awful. Maybe I just got a bum one. The texture isn't even the same as the others.

Overall, I would say they are mediocre. I had two misses and one hit. Would I tell you to go buy them now? No. Would I tell you if interested buy one or two to try? Yes. For a dollar, it's not too big of a loss. And, if it doesn't work out, give it to a friend.

 You can check out these lipsticks and more by visiting their website. Prepare to splurge.

Also, you can purchase at your local drugstore. :)

PS I won a Maybelline The Smokes palette on Ebay! It should be here by early next week. I am so EXCITED!