Buy This, Not That: e.l.f. Edition
This is not about the “not that” products being bad. It’s more like: if you tried one and it didn’t work for you, this might be the better e.l.f. option.
e.l.f.’s putty primer:
poreless vs matte
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If the poreless putty primer doesn't stay put, try the matte putty primer instead!
Not that: Poreless Putty Primer, if it smooths your skin but doesn’t stay put the way you want it to.
Buy this: Matte Putty Primer, especially if your goal is pores, shine control, and a smoother-looking T-zone.
Best for: oily skin, combo skin, larger-looking pores, or makeup that tends to slide during the day.
stay all day vs stay all night
It you're looking for a good setting spray , put the stay all night on instead. It really does stay all day and it cost less!
Not that: Stay All Day Blue Light Setting Spray, if you’re mainly looking for stronger wear time.
Buy this: Stay All Night Micro-Fine Setting Mist, because it’s made for up to 16-hour wear and gives you a finer mist.
Best for: longer makeup wear, smoother spray application, and getting more hold without spending more. Bonus: depending where you buy it, it can be a couple dollars cheaper too.
hydrating camo concealer vs. flawless brightening concealer
if the hydrating camp concealer is a little too thick and cakey, try the flawless brightening concealer instead
Not that: Hydrating Camo Concealer, if it feels too thick or cakey under your eyes.
Buy this: Flawless brightening concealer
Can’t Find?: Soft Glam Satin Concealer, for a lighter, more flexible satin finish.
Optional brightening add-on: Soft Glam Under Eye Brightening Corrector.
side note:
The Flawless Brightening Concealer is out of stock on e.l.f.’s website, they haven’t put out an official statement that it’s being discontinued, so don’t lose hope yet, but I was still able to find it in some stores at Target (unavailable online at Target) and online at Amazon and eBay.
And if this the Flawless Brightening Concealer was your holy grail, here’s a link I found on ebay (try at your own risk, of course) but this seller had good reviews:
e.l.f. Shopping Notes
The nice thing about e.l.f. is that a lot of the products are affordable enough to test without feeling like you wasted a ton of money. But not every viral e.l.f. product works the same for every skin type.
If the e.l.f. Poreless Putty Primer looked smooth at first but didn’t last on your skin, the Matte Putty Primer may be the better pick, especially if your makeup breaks up around your nose, forehead, or T-zone.
If the Hydrating Camo Concealer felt too heavy under your eyes, the Soft Glam Satin Concealer is a better option to try if you want something lighter and more flexible. And if darkness is the main issue, pair it with the Soft Glam Under Eye Brightening Corrector instead of piling on more concealer.
And if you’re deciding between e.l.f. setting sprays, the Stay All Night Micro-Fine Setting Mist is the one I’d grab for longer wear. It’s made for up to 16-hour wear, has a finer mist, and is usually a better buy than the blue light spray if staying power is your main goal.
final thoughts
This is why I like doing these side-by-side drugstore beauty guides. Sometimes the most popular product is not the best one for your actual makeup routine.
So if one e.l.f. product didn’t work for you, don’t write off the whole brand. You may just need the better match for your skin type, texture, or how you wear your makeup day to day.
