e.l.f Contouring Blush & Bronzing Powder

I picked up the e.l.f contouring blush and bronzing powder on an after work trip to Kmart. I knew I could get it for $3 on iHerb, but I had a sudden desire to compare it to the Nars blush in Orgasm and Nars Laguna bronzer.

In the pan, both the packaging and shades are very similar to the Nars products. The sleek and sturdy black packaging really is identical, aside from the logo and I did find myself questioning the price tag I had paid for Nars. The shades too, were very similar. However, once I dipped my brush in I saw a significant different in pigmentation. To some, this may be an attribute to the product, as pigmentation equals a small amount of product going a long way. When it comes to blush and bronzer I personally prefer a medium amount of pigmentation as this allows a natural, blendable and buildable application. The pigmentation that comes from the e.l.f blush and bronzer could very easily result in too much product on the face, patchiness and a massive blending job. Too use this product on my face I found myself lightly dipping my brush in the product and then wiping it on a tissue before applying to my face. On the skin the shades do loose their similarity to their higher end 'dupes' as they appear a lot darker and the gold shimmery flecks do not transfer to the skin in the blush. Perhaps it is because my skin is pale, or perhaps it is because I have been previously using the Nars blush and bronzer, but the e.l.f alternative looks cheap and patchy on my face.

I have however continued to use the bronzer. The high pigmentation is perfect for when I haven't fake tanned my neck and I need to bronze it to match my foundation. It is quick, easy and provides a beautiful colour.

Even when using it this way the powderyness is still an issue with this product. A lot of powder is always left in the pan and as a duo this means the products spill into each other. For $3-$10 this product is a good option for those who cannot afford to spend more, however I will continue to reach for Nars, ZA and Revlon blush and bronzers over this product.

This is a great affordable price, but I have never really had a successful application with it. The blush is not too bad- I am more of a winter skintone and this does work for me but is probably one I will use more in the cooler months than in summertime. The contour side however has quite a bit of glitter, which from my understanding is not really what you want in a contour product? Will keep playing around with this product however as it seems to be a favourite budget product for many.

I definitely wouldn't use this to contour but i like it to bronze and add colour to my face. I'm never really too keen on shimmery bronzers but this one is pretty good. I like the packaging because it has a nice big mirror and seems really good quality for the price. I like the colour of the blush too, it's similar to Torrid by Nars. I really like using this duo in the summer as it has shimmer in it and gives me a nice glow.

Very pigmented and works in theory but both blush and bronzer are very powdery and the texture of the products is average. Not bad for the price, but I find these products can end up looking very muddy.

When I purchased this I instantly loved the bronzer!! I purchased it online meaning the bonzer colour was to warm for a contour shade but used it instead to warm up my face after the contour. It is super pigmented - a light hand is needed, and it blended into my skin nicely leaving a really natural looking bronzed glow. However a few months later, I have completely finished the bronzer, but not touched the blush. The blush I found was super chalky and didn't have very good pigmentation at all. The texture was kind of rough as it was not a silky powder. However for the price of this kit, I would re purchase for the bronzer knowing I will not use the blush!

I got this off iherb, as I had heard good things about it and it is relatively cheap. I really wanted to try contouring (jumping onto the bandwagon and thought why not try slim down my face and bring out my cheekbones). I like the black packaging, I think it looks simple and sleek. The compact is easy to open and close and has a good surface area for my brush. It’s also got a plastic cover over to try and stop the powder from going onto the mirror, but still gets powder on the mirror, however this doesn’t really bother me because I don’t really like using mirrors in compacts. The powder is more shimmery as I thought, however is not a bad contour colour. It is not super smooth and blendable, but I have learnt to work with it, and still get a good result. It gives a nice subtle contour and shape to my cheekbones which I like, and have started to use a lot more. Sometimes though, it can look a little too brown and slightly orange which is something to be careful of! I don’t really use the pink side too much, sometimes I put it over the darker colour where I have contoured, however I don’t feel it makes too much of a difference and have not tried it as a blush on its own yet! (will update this review when I try it!) I have had this product for a while now and have just hit the pan so I must be using it a fair amount! As this is a bronzer and not specifically a contour (but i use it as a contour), it does a pretty good job. I am thinking about repurchasing it (also being on a poor student budget doesn’t help make up obsessions), however I have been loving contouring and have been using this a lot. I think it's really good for the price too! I will probably re purchase while I look for something better, but I am happy using it at the moment!

I have this in saint Lucia, I like the colours. The pink is a pretty like pink and the bronzer is not too orange or ashy. However my problem is that is too shimmery. I got this of iherb and it was about five dollars so it is good for the rice but I cant don't use it for everyday because I do not like the shimmers.

I heard many great reviews on this product and thought I would give it a go. The blush is pretty and I wear it during the day because it is a nice shade for my skin tone. I feel like the bronzer side is very difficult to work with especially being a beginner to contouring. I find that when it is on the skin it is very hard to blend out and appears muddy. I think it takes a lot of practise to use but I think while im learning I will have to find another product.

I heard this is a nars dupe but I don't think that's entirely true. However I've come to like it a lot- although the blush isn't my fave so I use the bronzer mostly. I was surprised at how dark it was at first but not use it and it looks great- just make sure you blend it properly!! Lasts forever and is really handy , I wish there was a lighter colour though!