e.l.f Haul/Product Review

Written by NZINGHA for TheGlamSquadFiles™

  
I love useful beauty products!! I love products that simply work and especially love affordable products that work!!! Now with that said in walks e.l.f Cosmetics. A brand that I had long penned as my go to “recession brand”. Why do I pen the brand this way? 

The e.l.f brand came about during the roughest time in the midst of Americas millennial recession and still did surprisingly well. Why are they doing so well, well enough to open two new NY Boutiques? I’m no financial or marketing anaylist but I believe it’s because the brand simply delivers and its strategy seems simple…they are everywhere, even in the most unlikely stores and shops. e.l.f just delivers the goods to the general public! No fluff no puff or dancing eyelashes in a sleek commercial found on every network on your TV.

  
I first remembered being introduced to elf in a Target store and couldn’t believe I could get 120 eyeshadows that actually go on well for $10!!! I thought…”This is crazy! What am I doing actually buying this stuff? I mean will it really work?” The answer is an unequivocal YES!!

Well, some years and several purchases in between I actually finally made my way down to the Financial District in NY (Fulton Street & Nassau) to actually check out their boutique and boy was I pleasantly surprised!

It was a sleek moder well stocked clean boutique. With items I’d seen before and others I’d never seen before. e.l.f is truly magical and unbelievably affordable. So here’s my actual haul and review.

   

elf SLAYS in the portable lotion department!! NOBODY DOES IT LIKE elf!!! They’re Lotion Wipes are a staple found in my kit…why? Because 

  1. No messy leaking and spilling out of product all over my kit!!
  2. Hygienically sound for multiple talent on set. Each person can have their own and easily toss away when they’re done.
  3. Environmentally friendly.
  4. Smells good and leaves the skin hydrated, moisturized and soft.

And yes I bought several dozens of each scent for the new TV show I’m currently working on. LOVE THESE!!!

I am also a big fan of their Makeup Remover Wipes, the Exfoliating Makeup Remover Wipes and the Eye Makeup Remover Wipes! All are genius for when I’m on set and need to do quick non-negotiable clean ups while on set!! As you well know you can get caught out there on set and have NO TIME to do quick changes but are always expected to do them with little correcting time on the clock WELL…these babies are my answer to that and my talents skin is NEVER IRRITATED by these products.


    

I can’t believe how awesome these portable palm sized kits are so good at delivering color deposit and a variety of colors that I can actually use. I use this kit for my day playing BG Actors. And most of all I just pop them in my kit without taking up all this room!!!

Oh and let me be clear about something else while we’re here…YES I use elf makeup brushes! I think they’re awesome! Here are the ones I picked up in my haul and yes I got doubles of each!!! The Giant Kabuki is great for all over body powder and shimmer powders, the flat contour feels like butter on the skin and applies and blends incredibly. The glitter applicator is genius and so is the shadow sheild!!

  

Well here I come to the end of my haul. Just as I was up at the register I happened to see this lil number…Lip Tint. Another one is love. Just a hint of color, not too much but just a slight blush of color. It almost has the effect of a mood lipstick but much lighter and transparent. It also leaves the lips soft and smooth.

 

Overall my jaunt to elf on Fulton Street was a fun experience and a great haul! You can never have enough products in you Pro Kit and with elf you get great brand items minus the financial guilt!

Curl On, Paint On ViZionaire,

NZINGHA 

e.l.f Cosmetics Eye Refresh + Mineral Face Primer | Review

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e.l.f Eye Refresh & Mineral Face Primer | Review
Written by NZINGHA for ZFACEINC,nyc
First let me say this for the record, the quiet giant, the recession makeup brand…DON’T SLEEP ON ELF!!!

I always get excited when I’m trying something new and I’m always excited when I feel I’ve gotten more than what I paid for. elf™ is that wonderful surprising brand! How is it that this brand has stood in the wind of designer label brands, how is it that this brand has managed to flourish build up and become a well known brand even to discriminating Pro Makeup Artists in the midst of a national recession?

The answer is simple…AFFORDABILITY and GREAT USEFUL PRODUCTS.

• EYE REFRESH

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Okay lets begin this review with elf’s Eye Refresh…I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS PRODUCT!!!! Where have you been all my life?!??? And how have I worked for close to 30 years in the industry and not had this baby or something like it in my kit?? Probably because no one not even myself came up with the idea until now.

This metal rollerball and formula are genius! It’s great for swollen and puffy under eyes AND overall puffiness on the face just roll it over the swollen area. It’s tingly formula wakes up the skin…LITERALLY! I liken it to my current favorite concealer Remedy Concealer by Marc Jacobs (the cooling metal applicator tip). I use both refrigerated for best results. Trust me on this if thats your area of concern, its a must purchase! I recommend using both, elf Eye Refresh first then the Remedy Concealer by Marc Jacobs. The refresh will not change or harm any concealers you may choose to use. It’s simply lovely!

The cooling sensation of the rollerball brightens and refreshes the eye area to help alliviate under eye puffiness and dark circles.

Infused with key ingredients Pomegranate, Rosemary, Green Tea, Cucumber and Grape.

Awaken the skin throughout the day with this perfect portable on the spot “pick-me-up” treatment.

DIRECTIONS:
Gently roll the tip from the inner to the outer corner of the under eye area several times to dispense formula. Apply morning, night or as often as needed throughout the day under or over makeup.
Sent from my Virgin Mobile phone.

Price $3.00

• MINERAL FACE PRIMER
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• Mineral Face Primer in Brightening Lavender and Tone Adjusting Green

Don’t be afraid of these two colors! And no you will not look like The Incredible Hulk by using this green primer! Hahaaa! Surprisingly when you dispense the product from the pump top (which I love to monotor your portions in using a product) the primer is a sheer lightly tinted solution with light refracting through it to give the appearance of color toning and correcting!!

It’s GENIUS!!!

It’s a pore and line filler and skin correcting toner all rolled in one! Now to me thats a useful product. Multipurpose cosmetic products are the wave of the millennials. Thanks elf for this wonderful light formula product. This primer is light yet thick enough to not be runny or too gummy in thickness, it’s the perfect consistency.

Transform your face into a flawless and smooth canvas with the Mineral Infused Face Primer. Developed to combat against excess oil, flaky dryness, enlarged pores and fine lines. This clear multipurpose skin primer will prepare your skin so makeup goes on evenly for a long lasting satin finish.

Features a new and improved air pump! For best results, you may need to pump the component several times before product dispenses.

Recommended uses:
Tone Adjusting Green is ideal for minimizing redness and correcting blotchy skin.
Brightening Lavender is ideal for uneven skin tones and to brighten dull or yellow tones.
Radiant Glow is ideal for creating a luminizing effect on dark spots and uneven skin tones.

Price $6.00