Which e.l.f. products are worth trying and what you should avoid!

e.l.f. cosmetics has 50% off everything right now on orders over $25 with the code 50WIDE. I’ve made a list of things you should or shouldn’t buy, if you’re overwhelmed by choice and cheapness.

Recommendations (i.e. things I’ve tried and liked a lot):

• Essential Glitter Nail Polish in Fairy Dust: It’s a flakie topcoat like Essie Shine of the Times (etc.), but $2. Here are some swatches. Be warned: e.l.f. glitter nail polishes smell terrible.
• Other Essential Nail Polish: I’ve really liked all of the ones I’ve tried. I have a bunch. Pretty colors and good formula.
• Studio Makeup Lock & Seal: This shit is good for turning powder eyeshadows into liquid liners. Here’s what I suggested you do with it before.
• Essential Shine Eraser: Oil blotting sheets. They work great, and they’re $1.
• Mineral Eyeshadow: These are great. There are a ton of colors, and they work especially well with the Lock and Seal. You can also use them as loose pigments for making other things, like your own nail polish.
• Essential Eyelid Primer: Costs $1 and it works (50 cents with this sale!).
• Studio Cream Eyeliner: This liner is one of my everyday makeup favorites.
• Essential Shimmering Facial Whip in Lilac Petal: It's a $1 near-dupe for Benefit High Beam ($26).
• Studio Eyebrow Kit: Good stuff.

What I’m buying (i.e. things I haven’t tried yet, but have heard good things about):

• Essential Hypershine Gloss
• Studio 11 Piece Brush Collection: Paula Begoun approves.
• Studio Waterproof Eyeliner Crayon
• Essential Waterproof Eyeliner Pen: Paula again!
• Essential Concealer Brush: Supposed to be the best thing for cleaning nail polish off of your cuticles.
• Studio Lip Lock Pencil: More Paula.
• Studio Long-Lasting Lustrous Eyeshadow: Review by Musings of a Muse here.
• Essential Slant Tweezer

What to avoid:

• Studio Eye Primer and Liner Sealer: It's just not that great. Get the primer and Lock and Seal above instead.
• Essential Brightening Eyeliner: It's too hard.
• Essential Soothing Lip Balm: Even for 50 cents, you can probably find something better.
• Essential Zit Zapper: It has an annoying roller ball applicator which does not work well on zits (which are usually not big enough to roll across) and gets gunky easily. Bleh. Just buy yourself some tea tree oil instead.

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