Hey Everybody!!
I had to jump on here and share a new elf cosmetics discovery that I’m really LOVING!
I picked up their Beautifully Bare Natural Glow Face Palette. I’m really not sure if this product is “new”, or if I’m just late on trying it out? Either way, the pretty packaging really caught my eye along with the soft, spring-y tones it has. I love me a good makeup multi-tasker, so I thought it was a pretty practical purchase (I love alliteration).
It’s a 4-pan palette with a mirror and contains a highlight, 2 blushes, and a bronzer.
I’m REALLY impressed with the packaging elf put out on this — it’s a really pretty mirrored finish on the outside. I thought it was a cool detail and gave it a luxe touch (it doesn’t look like it only costs $8.00!). It’s also a very compact size and won’t take up much room on your vanity or makeup drawer. I love the fact that it has a large mirror — it really makes it perfect for travel or touchups throughout the day!
Of course I wasted no time unboxing this beauty and swatching her out!
Image Source: elfcosmetics.com
My Swatches in Dim Light with Flash
Highlight and Bronzer in Natural Light on a cloudy day (I don’t think they have an official name)
Then, the 2 blushes in Cloudy Natural Light: The darker one on your left, the lighter to your right
I wasn’t initially blown away by the pigmentation of the shades swatched. That being said, sometimes swatches don’t always tell the full story of how makeup actually performs and looks on the skin, especially with face products. The consistency of the powders are SO silky and soft, I found them super easy to blend. They also don’t sit on the skin chunky or chalky, which is especially a deal breaker in highlights for me.
I’m really particular about bronzers, when they apply streaky or blotchy it can totally ruin a whole face of makeup for me. I was SO impressed with the bronzer in the palette, it applied so seamlessly and evenly with my beloved elf pointed powder brush, and I just found it easy to build up and work with.I also used the bronzer in the creases of my eye as a transition shade to give my eyes more definition.
The neutral tone it has is a perfect balance between cool/warm. For my skin tone, I can get dimension as well as an overall look of warmth to my complexion from this shade. I couldn’t help but immediately be reminded me of Benefit’s Hoola Bronzer ($30.00) The elf is a little less pigmented than Hoola, but the shade and overall effect on my skin is pretty dead on.
What do y’all think??
The highlight definitely isn’t a blinding, super noticeable one. It is more subtle and gives more of a natural radiance effect. I think this one would be ideal for people that struggle with pores/textures that some formulas tend to emphasize. It’s just the perfect amount of “gleam” and a really perfect choice for daytime looks or school/work. The consistency is buttery and doesn’t create that “stripe of glitter” on the cheeks. Personally, this is my favorite kind of highlight and the glow looks very “lit from within”.
After applying the bronzer, I used a brush to highlight the high point of my cheek. To finish the final look, I used my elf illuminating mist & set spray and added another layer of highlight before the mist could dry and set. This step really locked in the staying power of all the powders.
I really LOVED the 2 blush shades in the palette! The lightest one is more of a warm pink color, and the darker blush pulls a little bit more peachy-coral on me. I used them both in the photo below, with the darker color being on my apples/upper cheeks. I used the lighter color to bring a little “pop” of brightness to the top of my apples only. Really pleased with these!
Overall, I think this palette is an awesome buy. It does exactly what it claims, in creating a “natural glow” makeup look. The colors are fresh and soft which made me feel feminine and polished for the season. It really does create a flattering, glow-y look that you can put together in 10-15 minutes. I just find everything in the compact to be useful and practical–you could definitely use more of the shades to create a soft and bright eyeshadow look. This palette is everything you need to put together pretty, effortless-looking makeup!
The major drawback of this palette would be she shade range. I think that dark medium to deep skin tones would have trouble getting some of the blushes to show up. Deeper skin tones might also have an issue getting a sculpted effect from the bronzer –it might serve as a better blush. I hope that elf will come out with one of these palettes where all shades are suited for deeper skin tones.
You can beat the price of this compact for $8.00! Many high-end palettes containing similar 4-powder products, could easily run between $40-$60! It has really nice shades and it has some similar tones to high-end products. It’s just easy, pretty, springtime makeup!
What do y’all think of this palette? Worth the $8.00 or not?
COMMENT BELOW!
Thanks so much,
xo
Jena
FTC: This post is NOT sponsored and all products mentioned were purchased by myself. Opinions are honest and my own. Some links are affiliate.
Jena J Beauty 
I’ve yet to try both Hoola & Elf… Judging by the pictures, I’m more inclined towards Elf, it’s given you that beautiful natural glow, having said that, the hoola gives you that gorgeous holiday tan look … decisions decisions 😊
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Haha yes! Thank you! 😉 They are crazy similar! The elf isn’t immediately as pigmented, but you can build it and I swear they look identical on me!!
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