Tag: ELF

ELF Power Grip Primer| A Review

On By Manda JanetteIn cruelty free, drugstore, makeup, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Gripping primers are all the rage right now. While ELF does have some popular gripping primers under their belt, of course they had to come out with one that touts the gripping claim.

The ELF Power Grip Primer retails for $10. If I had to compare it to the Milk Hydro Grip Primer (the mini I have of the milk primer is lasting me ages!) I would say it is EXTREMELY comparable. I haven’t compared them side by side, but I have used them on alternating days and I haven’t noticed much of a difference. Honestly, I probably won’t pick up another Milk Hydro Grip Primer now that I have tried the ELF Power Grip Primer.

This day was my second time trying the Power Grip Primer.

On day one I learned that I don’t like using a brush with my coverage products when using this primer. It came out very patchy. (I forgot to take pictures!!)

Day two I used a sponge and all was well.

This was SIX HOURS into my day. Most of which I was wearing a mask. I noticed some wear down of my foundation on my nose, around my mouth, and cheeks, where my mask sits, but everywhere else looked fantastic! The ELF Power Grip primer really does increase the longevity of makeup.

This was the beginning of day three. I forgot to take pictures hours later, it’s allergy season so work is busy! But I noticed the same wear as the day before. I wish I would have taken pictures much later on either day to really showcase just how well the ELF Power Grip Primer improved the longevity of my makeup.

Over all thoughts?

BUY THIS! It will be $10 very well spent. Buy it from the ELF website, they always have great promotions going on and their rewards program is wonderful.

I would say the keys to really getting a “grip” on this primer is to use a sponge when applying your coverage products. As well as not using too much of the primer. A little really does go a long way.

I definitely think the ELF Power Grip Primer is a major win. Bye Bye Milk Hydro Grip.

Thank you for reading 🌻

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ELF Bite Sized Shadow in Pumpkin Pie

On By Manda JanetteIn cruelty free, drugstore, fotd, Hotornot, inexpensivemakeup, looks, makeupLeave a comment

I have had a few of these quads just sitting around. I haven’t really been playing with makeup, but this morning I was watching Tati videos and got inspired. So I thought, “ let’s do an inexpensive fall look.”

This quad retails for only $3!!! Here ! Let’s get into swatches and the super quick and easy look.

My first comment is I wish the matte shades had one that was a bit more orange toned, but the mattes are still super pretty.

The mattes don’t swatch the best, but they do work very well. The metallics on the other hand swatch like a dream and work just as well.

I used a fluffy blending brush and used the lightest matte and went all through the crease. I used a more tapered blending brush and used the darker matte on the outer corner. On the outer portion of my lid I used the darker metallic and then the lighter one on the rest of my lid.

I am in love with the look that came out of this quad! Simple easy, so cheap and perfect for fall. Now I want every single one of the bite sized quads and no one will stop me from getting them. I feel an ELF hall coming on!!

Which bite sized quad is your favorite?

Thank you so much for reading 🎃

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A full face of makeup I am panning | I let the music guide the look

On By Manda JanetteIn empties, fotd, makeup, Uncategorized2 Comments

I have started following a lot of panning groups on Reddit ( u/mrsmandreedus) and decided to start my own project pan.

I will not solely use these products, but for work, and when I need a quick look. These are the products I will be reaching for.

I decided it would be fun to do a full face for y’all with the products, but I decided to add a twist. I listened to the “Sad Covers” play list on Spotify, and let the music help guide the look! Let’s just say, it turned out grungy.

Base products

For my primer I am using up the last little bit of my last Smashbox Photo Finish Primer. I love this primer, I just have so many and need to use them up.

For my concealer I am scraping out the last bits of my Tarte Shape Tape in Fair. This is my favorite concealer and I will repurchase it once this one is gone.

For my foundation I am trying to finish the Revolution Fast Base Stick Foundation in F1. I am not 100% on how I really feel about this foundation. Some days I love how it looks, but others– I HATE it.

The powder I am trying to pan is the Elf Tone Correcting Powder in Cool. I enjoy this powder, but it doesn’t do enough color correction for me to repurchase it. It does set well though.

Face color products

For my blush and bronzer I am using up the ELF Contouring Blush and Bronzer in Fiji Matte. I have gone through a few of these over the years. As you can see the bronzer is pretty much done for. I will probably be repurchasing this guy.

The highlighter I am trying to pan is Citrine from Jouer. I love this highlight and don’t want to see it go. But, I dropped it once and keep having to repress it. So I want to use it to get it out of the way. I probably won’t repurchase because I do have so many similar highlighters.

Brows

The pencil I am trying to use up is from Winky Luxe. I have had it so long that the packing design has rubbed away. It is a decent pencil, but nothing special.

For my brow gel, I am using up The Brow Gal Instant tinted brow gel in Brown 02. I actually really like this product. It really helps to make my brows look full and natural. I have another one to use up after this one. Then I will probably repurchase.

Eyeshadow

The primer I am trying to pan is the MAC Paint Pot in Soft Ocher. This stuff last forever. It works great, but it isn’t something I would spend the money on again.

The eyeshadow palette I am hoping to pan is the ABH Modern Renaissance palette. This is my all time favorite eyeshadow palette. If I pan a decent amount of it I will repurchase.

Eyeliner

For my water and tight line, I am trying to finish is the Covergirl Liquiline Blast in Black. I love this liner. I won’t repurchase it though, because I have so many black liners.

For liquid liner, I am trying to pan the never ending Revolution Renaissance Flick liner in Black. I really love this liner and will be repurchasing it. Even though I have like 15 black liquid liners, but whatever.

Mascara

I always use two mascaras at a time. It’s a weird habit, but I have always done it.

The first one I am trying to use up is Maybelline The Falsies Volume Express in Black. It’s an okay mascara, but nothing I would repurchase.

The second mascara I am trying to use up is the Tarte Big Ego mascara. To be honest, I was let down by this mascara. I usually love the Mascaras from Tarte, but this one is leaving much to be desired.

Lips

I have almost panned the KVD Liquid Lip and Lip Liner in Lolita. This is my go to lip shade and I will be repurchasing.

Setting Spray

For setting spray I am almost done with my second to last Mac Fix Plus. I actually do really like this stuff. However, I have others sprays that work just as well, for a lower price. As of right now, I probably will not repurchase.

The Look

What is a product you are trying to use up?

Thank you so much for reading, I hope you enjoyed it! 🐤

Find me on IG @_notan_alien

Find me on SC @manda_janette

ELF Rose Gold-Sunset | A review and a look

On By Manda JanetteIn cruelty free, fotd, Hotornot, inexpensivemakeup, makeup1 Comment

Hello there!

It has been a little while since I have done a palette review. I thought, why not start up again with something affordable!

The ELF Rose Gold – Sunset eyeshadow palette retails for $10. See ELFs’ website.

This eyeshadow palette is cruelty free!

This is a warm palette, as the name would suggest. You get 10 shadows

Swatches

The shadows are rather powdery, so expect fall out during application. The formula feels very smooth.

The metallic shades all swatched beautifully. For the most parts, the mattes didn’t not appear too impressive during swatching.

The Look

I would normally walk you through the look, however; these shadows do not have names. Making that process a little complicated. So here is an example of a look you can create with this palette.

Over all thoughts

I had a bit of a hard time working with the palette, because the shadows tended to blend away to nothing. I got them as built up as I could, and thought the look turned out okay.

For me, this eyeshadow palette is a miss. However, if you like quick super natural looks, I think that you may really enjoy this palette.

But, don’t take my word for it. Try it for yourself!

What is your favorite ELF product?

Thank you for reading 🦐

Find me on IG @_notan_alien

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6 Drugstore Beauty Products I can’t Live Without

On By Manda JanetteIn cruelty free, drugstore, makeupLeave a comment

Makeup can get expensive. But, you don’t always have to break the bank to find some amazing products.

I am going to share with y’all, my beautiful readers 6 of the drugstore products that I just cannot live with out!

Ulta Beauty Brow Tint $10 mo Buy it here!

I have talked about this brow tint in a recent empties. I haven’t had time to run to Ulta to grab a new one, my brows are not the same. This product is great for quick brows, but I also love to set my brows with it. It gives great hold and more tint. I do like my bold brows!

ELF Acne Fighting Foundation $6 Buy it here!

In the beginning I did not have high hopes for this product. All my initial opinions were wrong. The foundation is infused with salicylic acid and witch hazel. My skin has never been so clear! It has definitely made a huge difference in my skin. The coverage isn’t full, but it is just right for me. It doesn’t wear off all gross and patchy through out the day. I would almost go as far as to say that, at this moment, the ELF Acne Fighting Foundation is my favorite foundation.

Makeup Revolution Renaissance Flick Liquid Liner $9 Get it here!

I initially tried this liner because of Soph Does Nails on YouTube. It’s great. She’s right. It’s pigmented, dries down matte. The tip is felt and flexible, which makes it easy to work with. There is also something about the shape that makes it so easy to hold and control. I prefer this liner over my higher end ones.

ELF Perfect Finish HD Powder $6 Get it here!

This is my favorite setting powder in general. It makes my under eye area so smooth, and really helps to set the rest of my face. It also does not cake when you reapply it through out the day to control shine.

ELF Contouring Blush and Bronzing Powder Fiji Matte $4 Get it here!

I have gone through so many of these through out the year. The shades are perfect for my skin tone and really packs a punch.

Morphe Continuous Setting Spray $16 but the $3.50 off $15 ulta coupon does apply! Get it here!

This is another product that was in a recent empties. I love this setting spray. To me it works just like Urban Decay All Nighter, for like half the price!

Those are a few of my drugstore favorites! What are some of yours?

I want to apologize if all of the images do not upload. I am having some technical difficulties.

Thank you for reading 🐰

Find me on IG @_notan_alien

Dose Of Colors x Desi x Katy | Friendcation

On By Manda JanetteIn cruelty free, Hotornot, looks, Uncategorized5 Comments

I wasn’t going to fall prey to the appeal of this collection, then I saw it in store and here we are.

I picked up two items from the Friendcation collection. The eyeshadow palette $55 and the highlighter in Fuego $28.

I thought about picking up their new liquid velvet lip formula. But why change a good thing? I LOVE their original liquid lip formula. I ended up getting one of the shades on their regular line “Supernatural” $18.

I don’t watch Desi or Katy, no real reason why. But, I do love Dose of Colors, they are a fantastic cruelty free brand with beautiful products.

I do have to say, the packaging for this line is very pretty. It’s gold an elegant and seems very sturdy. It also isn’t bulky, which is great. I hate bulky packaging.

I really enjoy that the lids do have magnetic closet.

The Eyeshadows

There are ten shadows 5 mattes and 5 metallic finishes.

Row one:

  • Basic- a matte cream
  • Cheens- a dark matte warm brown
  • Necessary- a light matte brown, literally the best transition color ever.
  • Dirty Money- a metallic green with gold.
  • A Moment- a metallic blue with purple.

Row 2

  • Try Me- a stunning metallic copper
  • Just a Kiss- a metallic gold
  • Girl Bye- a matte almost burgundy. I don’t really know how to describe this.
  • Churro- a midtone warm matte brown
  • Game over- deep metallic blue with black

The Look

  • After priming my eyes I went in with Basic all over my eyes.
  • I went into Cheens and used it as my transition shade.
  • Next I deepened the crease up a bit with Just a Kiss
  • On the outer third of my lid and my outer crease I applied Girl Bye.
  • All over the rest of my lid I applied Dirty Money.
  • Obviously there was a lot of blending done. I used mainly Morphe and ELF brushes.
  • I also applied the worst wing I’ve done in ages.

  • I used Churro in my inner corner.
  • Under my eyes I used the same matte shades I used in my crease in the same order in essentially the same way.

The Highlighter “Fuego”

I decided to pick up Fuego because I had heard Jkissa raving about it. She said it doesn’t apply as dark as it looks like it would. I figured from this that it may work on my light skin tone.

At this point I was not too confident.

I do think it applied nicely. It is very smooth and pigmented.

When applied and blended out I do this it looks rather nice and I have been reaching for it frequently!

Over All – The Palette

I think the palette is beautiful. All the mattes are fantastic and i really like Dirty Money and Game Over as far as Metallics go. I do not like the other three metallics much, I just don’t like that chunky glitter texture where the shadows seem almost flaky.

So, would I purchase this again? No. Am I glad I have it? Yes! I will still be able to get a ton of great looks, but for $55 I want to love every shade, not just most of them.

Over All- The Highlight

I love it.

I have nothing but good things to say. It is buttery, pigmented, and easy to apply and blend out. It works great as an inner corner and brow bone highlight also.

I am very glad that I picked this up!

What is your favorite Dose of Colors product?

Thank you for reading 🎃

Find me on IG and SC @manda_janette

Cruelty Free Drugstore Haul| Update

On By Manda JanetteIn cruelty free, drugstore, Uncategorized2 Comments

This is Carl! He is also super excited about cruelty free things.

If you look at the bottom shelf you can see where I am making my way through my noncruelty Free haircare! I may donate the rest to a shelter.

I think it’s important to talk about cruelty free brands at the drugstore. We can’t all afford pricey items, so it is nice to have less expensive options. Be on the look out for more drugstore posts!

*you can see prices in my previous post **

Flower Beauty Draw the Line brow pencil

I loveeeee this brow pencil. It isn’t the thinnest, but it is really easy to blend out and it didn’t budge. If I can’t find a thinner one, I will probably go back to this pencil!

Found beauty Illuminating Baked Blush “Peach Glow”

I really enjoyed the subtle glow and warmth this blush gave me. The other one “rose Glow” that I purchased from the line is beautiful as well. I think I am going to have to pick up another shade or two!

Wet N Wild Shadow Quad “Flock Party”

I will be honest, as a whole I did not like this palette. I love the shades on their own, but this isn’t a one and done palette, I had to pull in mad for matte by elf.

But, if you don’t have a cranberry shimmer in your collection- get this palette. Individually the shades are awesome. Inexpensive and pigmented. And in theory you could use only this palette for a look, I just personally couldn’t get that to happen.

If you don’t have these shades or just want some drugstore options, I would pick this guy up. I did get a ton of compliments on the eye look I did, I thought it wasn’t a good look, so the shadows must be doing their job.

Physicians Formula Healthy Wear Foundation

I just wanted to start off by saying I hate the applicator. I have to dip into the bottle a ton. I think that also may contribute to how tight the stopper is on it. Contemplating taking the stopper out.

When you apply the foundation it definitely gives a your skin but better look. I have it on in the two previous photos and I though my skin looked great. I blended it out with a beauty blender and it was super easy to work with, and you don’t need to use a whole lot of product.

8hours later

For 8 hours in an office whose AC went out, I think this foundation held up fairly well. I was impressed. I did get shiny, but that’s my oily skins fault. I also didn’t touch up with concealer or powder at all.

Here is another picture with the foundation right after application. I think it is the perfect everyday foundation. BUT I do think the shade selection is terrible. The Wet N Wild foundation that the entire world talks about is also very similar to it. But, if you don’t mind paying the extra few bucks, I say pick up the Physicians Formula Heathy Skin Foundation.

Over all

I am really happy with this haul!! The only thing I don’t absolutely love is the quad and that’s mainly because I think it needs a dark matte, but I also wouldn’t want to loose any of the shades in it….

Basically, if you see any of these items I think they are more than worth getting your hands on!

What are some CrueltyFree products you would love to see reviewed??

Thank you for reading ❤️

Find me on IG and SC @manda_janette

ELF Mad For Matte “Holy Smokes” Palette | Review and Look.

On By Manda JanetteIn cruelty free, drugstore, Hotornot, inexpensivemakeup, looks, UncategorizedLeave a comment

It is no secret that the OG ELF Mad for Matte palette is good, but what about the new addition to the collection?

This $10 palette contains an array of shades from white to black-really everything you need to make a basic Smokey eye.

There is even a Forrest green and a navy blue for different options for your Smokey eye!

The shades included are:

  • A white
  • A light grey
  • A light brown
  • A more warm Brown
  • A medium brown
  • A dark brown
  • A Forrest green
  • A navy blue
  • A deep grey
  • And of course black

The look:

  • I primed my eyes with the Wet N Wild Photo Focus eye Primer. I didn’t have one from ELF, but I wanted to use a drugstore one.
  • I set it with Wet N Wild “Brûlée”
  • I used the light brown as a transition.
  • Then I packed the Forrest Green shade all over my lid.
  • Then I used the warm shade to blend out that shade and to help it fade into my crease.
  • To deepen my crease and outer corner I used the black shade.
  • I then lined my eyes with my KVD Ink liner in “Trooper” and applied the BWC Mascara in “Black” which I am finally almost done with.

  • For my lower lash line I lined with a black ELF pencil.
  • Then I smudged it out with the light brown, then a little bit more with the warm shade.

Over all thoughts:

For $10 this palette is awesome. The shades are pigmented and very easy to blend. The packaging is of nice quality and you get a nicely sized mirror. My only complaint is that there isn’t a Cream shade in it. But, I have 100000 cream colored shadows, so that really isn’t that big of a deal.

You can pick it up for yourself, HERE! Make sure to join their point program, it is actually very nicely set up!

I hope you enjoyed this post! What is your favorite drugstore Smokey eye palette??

Thank you for reading💕💋

Find me on IG and SC @manda_janette

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ELF Lock on Primer | First Impressions and 8hr Wear Test.

On By Manda JanetteIn cruelty free, drugstore, Hotornot, inexpensivemakeup, UncategorizedLeave a comment

If y’all read my recent ELF haul, if not you can do so Here, then you have seen this product before. You would also know that they have it listed on the ELF site as a foundation glue. Which really sparked my interest!

The product itself appears opalescent when pumped out of the tube. But, does rub down clear after some work. It is extremely tacky and did, in fact, feel like rubbing a thicker glue on my face.

Here is my makeup maybe 30 mins after application, still looking good!

The next few hours we spent the day out shopping and getting dinner. It was chilly out side, but I was hobbling around on crutches, so I got pretty hot.

Four hours after application. Oil is breaking through on my T-zone, but my foundation and concealer itself is still in place. Again, keep in mind I was pretty hot. I went to a few different stores and got somethings do do some up coming posts on!!

Hour 8. I noticed around hour 6 that there was a lot of break down around my nose, on my Cupid’s bow and near my hair line.

By the 8th hour more redness happened to show through on my forehead. I did get a few compliments on my makeup not too longer before We had gotten back in the car and I took this picture. I am guessing by that it didn’t look too bad.

The Primer actually held out pretty well through all my sweating! But, I could definitely feel it on my skin. It stayed tacky all day, it was pretty uncomfortable.

I think this is a good primer if you need to makeup your makeup last through a party or for pictures. But every day…no. It would get so aggravating feeling like there is always a layer of glue on your face!

That being said, I will continue to use it. The Primer continues to stay locked on through sweaty moments like parties, bars, and clubs (St. Louis life can be fun when you are 21!) I may pick it up again.

The comfort ability factor is going to have to take away a point. The fact that it is a bit hard to rub into the skin is also losing it a point.

🐯🐯🐯 out of five tigers.. if you saw Sunday’s episode of The Walking Dead then you know why we are using tigers to gauge this product. 😭😭.

If you would like to try out the ELF Lock on Foundation Glue pick it up, Here!

And don’t forget to use the code celebrate for 50% off orders of $30 or more. That can get you a TON on from elf!

Thank you so much for reading! What is your favorite budget Primer?🐯😭🐯

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E.L.F Haul | It has been a minuet!

On By Manda JanetteIn cruelty free, drugstore, inexpensivemakeup, Uncategorized2 Comments

I am finally home, and when I arrived home an ELF order I had made was delivered!

It had been quite a bit since I had ordered from ELF, so I decided it was about time to do so. 

I do want to let you know that this post will not include swatches, those are for an upcoming post! 


I love ELF brushes. They are awesome quality, and extremely affordable. I picked up…

  • Fluffy eye blender brush $3
  • Beautifully Bare eye blending brush $3
  • detail Crease Brush $3

I have already used the fluffy brush and it was amazing! 

  • HD Lifting Concealer “Fair” $3

I had used and I believe reviewed this product before. I decided to give it a second try for an upcoming post!

  • ELF Lock on Face Primer $8

On the site this is called “Lock on foundation glue” which is what caught my interest. I mean I have to review something called a foundation glue!! 


ELF Mad for Matte “Summer Breeze” Palette $10

I love the original “Mad for Matte” palette so I needed the others. I like how warm toned this one is. I know there are a lot of people falling out of that trend but I really enjoy it! (Be on the look out for an upcoming post!)


ELF Mad for Matte Palette “Holy Smokes” $10

Like I said, I needed them all! I really like the color selection in this palette. (Again, be on the look out for an up coming post!) Honestly, I want to purchase all the ELF palettes! 


I ALWAYS recommend buying ELF products from their site! They have a fantastic rewards program and always have codes for free sets of products. Right now the code is “datenight”.

The code I used was “Smokey “ it included…

  • Intense ink liner in blackest black $3
  • Eyelid primer in sheer $2

I actually hate this Primer, but my mom loves it, so I gave it to her!

  • Volumizing and Defining Mascara $2
  • Clay eyeshadow palette “Smoked to perfection” $6

That’s $13 worth of free products! I love that! 

That’s it for my ELF Haul! What are your must have ELF products?

What hare you interested in seeing a review on? Comment below!

Thanks for reading 😍 Join my IG and Snap Fam @manda_janette