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13 E.L.F. Beauty Products That We’re Currently Obsessed With

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When it comes to affordable drugstore beauty, we’ve swatched, sampled, and spritzed it all. The mission to find makeup and skincare products that have a high-end feel and payoff without the hefty price tag is one that many a makeup lover has taken on. And while there are thousands of brands that promise to deliver professional level results (and some definitely come close), nothing quite had us as hooked at hello as E.L.F. COSMETICS. Born in 2004, the brand has developed a serious cult following that includes loyal fans from everyday makeup lovers to pro makeup artists, celebs, editors, influencers, and more. The secret to their sauce? Their products are not only affordable (they’ve gone viral for creating amazing dupes of other, more expensive prestige beauty brands), their products cater to universal skin tones and skin types thanks to their mission of inclusivity and positivity—and they’re cruelty-free. To sum it up, we’re obsessed with E.L.F. COSMETICS. Here are 13 of the best E.L.F. beauty products that we can’t live without.

E.L.F. COSMETICS Power Grip Primer + 4% Niacinamide

When we look for a primer, we want one that lasts. We’re talking ulling-an-all-nighter-outside-in-a-rainstorm type of lasting power. This gel-based makeup saver (one of the brand’s best sellers), does just that. It applies on sticky but dries without any tack and makes our skin look healthy, glowy, poreless, and smooth all night long. Plus, it's made with 4% niacinamide to help brighten up skin and smooth skin texture.

2. E.L.F. COSMETICS  Holy Hydration! Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm

E.L.F. COSMETICS  Holy Hydration! Makeup Melting Cleansing Balm

Not only does this balm melt everything away with ease (we used it to remove a full face of makeup, including matte lipstick and eyeshadow, without having to rub or scrub at our sensitive skin), it hydrates heavily. It’s all thanks to a mix of hyaluronic acid, peptides, and ceramides to help keep skin moisturized and smooth like buttah. Ipster Elizabeth C. says, “It hydrated my skin, and it smells so good! I always dread taking makeup off, but this makes it so easy. Plus, a little goes a long way so this will definitely last a while. Safe to say I will never use a makeup wipe again.” The best part? This balm starts off solid, melts away into a luxurious oil, and morphs into a milky cleanser as you cleanse with water. It’s basically a facial in a bottle.

3. E.L.F. COSMETICS Suntouchable! Woah Glow SPF 30

E.L.F. COSMETICS Suntouchable! Woah Glow SPF 30

Ipster dawnh68 sums up our obsession with this sunscreen by saying, “This product matches my skin tone great. It gives you fantastic protection from the sun all day as well. I had no reaction or skin breakouts or issues. A very nice sunscreen addition to your skincare routine during the year.” This SPF and primer combo blends in seamlessly without any white cast while helping lock in makeup all day long. To top it off, it's got good-for-skin ingredients like aloe, hyaluronic acid, and squalane, making it totally worth the hype.

4. E.L.F. COSMETICS Glossy Lip Stain

E.L.F. COSMETICS Glossy Lip Stain

Of all the lip combo inspo that’s come across our TikTok FYPs, this glossy treat is one we’d use to top off pretty much any one of them. It’s a lip stain that delivers the high-impact shine of a sheer gloss with the long-lasting transfer-resistance of a lip stain. “These glosses apply so effortlessly to my lips,  one Ipster says. We love to swipe on one coat for a sheer finish or two for a more opaque look.

5. E.L.F. COSMETICS Halo Glow Liquid Filter

E.L.F. COSMETICS Halo Glow Liquid Filter
Courtesy of E.L.F. COSMETICS

This skin perfector went mega viral and for all the right reasons. It’s pretty much the holy grail of complexion-perfecting products, thanks to its ability to blur flaws and create a dewy, radiant, sun-kissed glow that you can wear under makeup, over makeup, or by itself. It also comes in 12 shades, so there’s a shade for every skin tone and skin type—and it delivers such a flawless finish that it’s as if you had a magic beauty wand waved over your face.

6. E.L.F. COSMETICS Lash It Loud Mini Mascara

E.L.F. COSMETICS Lash It Loud Mini Mascara

When our lashes need a little on-the-go lift, we reach in our bags for this baby. This travel-sized mascara has a flexible wand with vertical and horizontal brushes that coat every single one of your lashes like it’s its job (literally). “It’s easy to apply and makes my lashes look so long and full with very little product,” says Ipster Savannah L. It’s made with super-rich pigments that make your lashes look lush and full with loads of volume.

7. E.L.F. COSMETICS Glow Reviver Lip Oil

E.L.F. COSMETICS Glow Reviver Lip Oil

When lip oils became a viral thing, very much thanks to social media, we made it our mission to add it to our next drugstore makeup haul—and this shiny beauty did not disappoint. Made with a cocktail of nourishing ingredients like avocado oil, squalane, apricot oil, pomegranate oil, and jojoba oil, it's a fantastic hydrator and moisturizer, and leaves behind a sheer glossy finish that’s not one bit sticky. “It feels like butter on your lips, it lasts very long, it comes with lots of product in it, and the applicator is very nice,” one Ipster says. Plus, it's got a minty scent that’s nothing short of delish.

8. E.L.F. COSMETICS H2O Proof Eyeliner Pen

E.L.F. COSMETICS H2O Proof Eyeliner Pen
Courtesy of E.L.F. COSMETICS

Our endless search for the perfect liquid liner ended when we met this smudge-proof version. It delivers kohl levels of pigment, glides on creamy and comfy, then dries to a matte finish with serious staying power. The shade range includes Black, Charcoal, and Coffee.

9. E.L.F. COSMETICS Matte Putty Primer

E.L.F. COSMETICS Matte Putty Primer

If you’ve got oily skin, consider this your new BFF. Ipster McBwrne agrees, saying, “I have used other primers before. However, because I have oily skin, they didn’t work. This primer is excellent and my foundation didn’t look cakey. I just needed to apply a thin layer and allowed 30 seconds before applying foundation. I did my makeup at 5:00 in the morning, and by 8:01 pm I didn’t need to touch up anything but my lipstick.”

10. E.L.F. COSMETICS Skin Bronzing Drops

E.L.F. COSMETICS Skin Bronzing Drops
Courtesy of E.L.F. COSMETICS

Possibly one of the best E.L.F. COSMETICS products we’ve tried, this bronzer gave us the sunkissed, golden glow we’ve always dreamed of—and made it so easy too. This lightweight serum is made with antioxidant-packed vitamin E and sunflower seed oils that help nourish and add moisture to skin. We love mixing it with our face moisturizer and body lotion for a year-round glow, or dabbing it over the high points of our cheeks and temples as a highlighter.

11. E.L.F. COSMETICS Camo Liquid Blush in Dusty Rose

E.L.F. COSMETICS Camo Liquid Blush in Dusty Rose

If dewy, flushed, cherub-like cheeks are what you’re seeking, you've met your blush bestie. This liquid formula delivers a healthy-looking pop of color to your cheeks that’s buildable, long-lasting, and non-streaky. Just dot it onto the apples of your cheeks, blend, and follow up with highlighter for a lit-from-within glow. A little setting powder and you’re good to go!

12. E.L.F. COSMETICS Hydrating Camo Concealer

E.L.F. COSMETICS Hydrating Camo Concealer
Courtesy of E.L.F. COSMETICS

Whether you’ve got dry, oily, or combination skin, this full-coverage concealer will cover everything from dark spots to acne breakouts without irritating your skin. The application? So easy, thanks to a large doe-foot applicator. The finish? Satin and super comfy on skin. The wear? Long-lasting, buildable, bendable, and crease-resistant. This is pretty much perfection all around.

13. E.L.F. COSMETICS Holy Hydration Fragrance Free Face Cream

E.L.F. COSMETICS Holy Hydration Fragrance Free Face Cream

Another TikTok favorite, this super-hydrating face cream is one of the best things to come to drugstore skincare. It’s lightweight, scent-free, helps brighten and even skin tone, and is an Ipster favorite. “I've been using this moisturizer for months now, and it is by far one of the best! I have normal/dry skin (dry specifically on my cheeks). It sinks in quickly but not so quickly that I can't give myself a nice little massage while putting it on, and as someone who is very sensitive to smells, it really truly is fragrance free,” Ipster Emma S. raves. We especially love how hydrating it is during harsh New York winters.

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About the author
Runa Rhattacharya
Runa Bhattacharya
Runa is an NYC-based writer and Registered Nurse with over 8 years of experience covering beauty and wellness. She’s worked for publications like SELF, Cosmopolitan, and more. She’s passionate about beauty, science, and two careers that she loves!
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Article Last Updated September 3, 2024 12:00 AM