October 1, 2012

E.L.F. Studio HD Blush Review & Swatches

E.L.F. Studio HD Blush ($3) has launched to some great excitement and let’s face it who wouldn’t be hyped about a three dollar blush that quite reminded us of Make Up For Ever‘s much more expensive version at $26!

Rich, creamy, and HD ready these promise a long wearing formula and are available in five shades.

Do you need them?

Yes, you do!

It’s one of the best budget products I’ve come across to date. However, it isn’t without its quirks so listen up!

These lovely little blushes are a mere three dollars each and come in a small (0.2 oz) bottle with a pump. Don’t get nervous about the packaging! I know I was scared that I’d pump too much out but the depressor is easy enough to handle so you aren’t left with a ton of blush. It’ll push out just the right amount so long as you use a light hand. And believe me, you only want a little bit to come out!

The blushes are intensely pigmented. I’m talking full color experience here and even the darkest skin tone will find a shade to fit them as they build up incredibly well. The formula is very concentrated so a little dot goes a very LONG way.

The formula starts out a tad troublesome as at first pump it released a rather unpleasant liquid-y separated, oily blush (as swatched below). A quick shake redeemed the issue and I ended up with a creamy textured blush. They are rather a pain to blend out due to the strong pigmentation of the product. Even the smallest amount seems to be too much and produces very patchy application if you aren’t careful. I suggest a squirting a small amount on the front of your hand and blending a fibre brush into the blush and proceed to apply using the brush. This lightens the color considerably and allows for a smooth, airbrushed finish. The louder shades like Diva and Encore prove the more difficult to apply on a lighter/medium skin tone. Just use a lighter hand and don’t rush during application and you’ll be just fine.

Although creamy they aren’t entire hydrating which again leads to blending issues. They do have a soft, velvety feel with a lightweight finish and a soft focused glow when applied correctly but they don’t have the most moisturizing formula in the world so don’t expect dewy.

Wear time varies for me. Although they start out life vibrant I find that vibrancy fades a little as the day progresses and into hour six or seven the color isn’t nearly as intense as when it originally started but they do pretty much last the day away without touch ups.

Diva

Encore

Superstar

Headliner

Overall, it’s debatable how long the formula will actually keep. I do wonder if they’ll begin to separate in a month or more as E.L.F. doesn’t have a great track record with expiration dates. For now, I couldn’t be happier with the budget friendly price tag and fairly nice formula. They aren’t without application issues that’s for sure but the heavily pigmented formula, ideal packaging, and overall finish once applied correctly is a cheap thrill I couldn’t resist indulging in.

Likey!

Superstar

Headerliner

Diva

Available now at www.eyeslipsface.com

Tried ’em?

Love ’em?

I purchased this item.

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • Cindy

    I’ve literally been waiting for this review! I’m like a puppy who is so excited he pees himself. That’s totally what happened here. I’m the happy little puppy who can’t wait to pick these up! Thaaanks for the review!

  • Vi

    Wow, Diva actually looks amazing on you in that photo! You must have incredible blending skills. xD I’m still trying to learn how to apply blush without looking too ruddy overall. It’s a fine balance to find. 😛 But yeah, first thing I thought when I first saw pics of these was “oh dear god, clown cheeks.” Glad to hear that they can be sheered out, since some of the shades do look rather pretty. I might be tempted by Superstar, as I don’t yet have a coral shade of blush in my collection. 😀 Thanks for the review!

  • Laura H

    I’m definitely gonna pick these up !
    Do these contain shimmer or sparkle? Its hard to tell in the pictures.

  • Sweta

    Hey Muse

    I hv got them..n i just think they r phenomenal for the price..Thanks for the review 🙂

  • Lisa

    Ah dios mio (hand across forehead….swoons…falls delicately to the floor)…I tweeted you about these when I read your first blog post about them….Headliner must and shall be mine. 😉 Thanks!

  • Lorraine ER

    I found the MUFE hd bluhshes a tad tricky to apply as well because they were so thick and pigmented. Your tip about applying to a hand first is a good one. This might be crazy, but do you think these would work double-duty as lip colors/stains? I’d love to know if you try that and how it works out.

    • the Muse

      hey lorraine, yeah, it was the only way I could sheer them out! they are crazeeee pigmented! I didn’t try them but twirlygirl just mentioned above they work as a stain/lip color. Seems a little too loud for me but maybe the coral!? will try it out and tell you what I think!

  • Enkida

    Thanks for the review and the lovely swatches! Superstar looks nice, though I worry for my dry skin if the formula is not really moisturizing. I might just stick to my safe Max Factor creme blushes.

    I was wondering if it would be too much trouble to post pics of the bottle of blush, without cap so we could see the pump, in relation to the size of your hand. I know how much 0.2 of an oz is, but I am curious to see how much packaging they put around the product, too.

    Cheers from Germany!

    • the Muse

      ymy pleasure enkida! you can check the mufe link which is in this post as that shows a photo of the pump packaging. Hope this helps!

  • Indy

    Diva is so very pretty on you, Muse. I want to try both Diva and Encore. I love how eye popping they are.

    Counting down to my trip to the U.S. These are on the ever expanding list.

  • TwirlyGirly

    Morning, Ms. Muse! I purchased all five shades, and am in the process of experimenting with application techniques/tools. According to the folks at E.L.F., these are lip safe, too!

    In regards to your comment about the formula separating over time, may I recommend keeping these in the fridge? Any liquid/cream cosmetic product will stay fresh and usable longer if kept refrigerated.

    • the Muse

      hey twirlygirly!!!!!!!! I haven’t tried them on lips tbh, seemed a little too vibrant ;-D but maybe the coral shade? 😀 thanks! I’ll try that! I was a little worried about separation issues since they arrived at first pump a little oily/separated.

  • Lulubelle

    Superstar is my favorite so far! I’ve also got Diva but haven’t tried it yet.

    They also make nice lip tints.

  • Laura

    These seem overly pigmented to me. Is there such a thing? Encore and Diva look like liquid lipsticks!

  • Krystel

    Very pretty, can’t wait to pick these up. Which brush would you suggest for application?

      • Lorraine ER

        Sonia Kashuk makes a good duo-fibre stippling brush, available at Target. I think Eco Tools might make one now too but I haven’t tried it.

  • Tiffany Martin

    LOVE this review, the concept of $3 blushes of awesometude excites me, but I’m a bit worried about application. Whatevs, for the price I can learn a little finesse as long as it pays off in results.

  • KatPetrova

    Hey, why do you wear that condom-like thing on your head? And these 3 pics all look the same, can’t see a difference in the blushes. You really should change the way you take pics of yourself.

  • Evangeline

    I totally love the look of these! I’ve got to have these in my life it’s a shame that they’ll probably take ages to come out here in Australia and if they do they’ll probably be four times the price and end up costing just as much as the Makeup Forever ones do!

  • Lorie

    Have you tried these on your lips? I’m curious if they can be used on lips and cheeks.

    • the Muse

      i haven’t lorie, too loud for me, although if you read through the comments believe someone tried them! 🙂

  • Kelly

    These look stunning! I’d love to try one because I always wanted a Makeup Forever one but they’re so expensive.

  • pauladharni

    Hello what is the colour of the 1st swatc above it looks slightly peachy is it headliner it’s the single swatch? Thanks

  • Miho Mallory

    Hmm I’m not a fan of elf products AT ALL. Like you’ve said, they have issues with expiration dates. I’m also not to keen on the packaging. But for a cheap as these are, it seems worth a chance. And I much prefer the colors of these rather than the Make Up For Ever versions. And they do look softer, a kind of velvety appearance.

  • Lauryn G.

    Your skin is gorgeous! I’m an olive toned asian and a little bit italian (so basically olive skin) and was debating between headliner and superstar. I like more of a flushed look (less shimmery nars orgasm) and I know pictures aren’t always accurate so what would you recommend?

  • Hez

    I’m late to the party on these .. I spotted Encore at the dollar store today so thought I would give it a whirl. I’ve never had a blush last on me for so many hours. It is rather difficult to work with but it has it’s good points. I KNEW you’d have an application tip Musey! Thanks!

    • Isabella Muse

      yay happy to hear it hez! 🙂 I’m glad it worked out for you! Enjoy!