Out of All the e.l.f. Products That Exist, *These* Under-$15 Finds Are the Ones You Should Be Buying
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Known for having luxury quality at a drugstore price point, e.l.f. Cosmetics truly n-e-v-e-r misses when it comes to its makeup and skincare products. I mean, the affordable brand has gone viral on social media countless times for being compared to very popular and, ahem, expensive options because they're just as good and provide the same—if not better—results. (Enter: the cult-favorite dupes you've prob seen tons of TikTok videos about, aka the Halo Glow Liquid Filter and Power Grip Primer.) And, honestly, Cosmo is here to tell you we're fully on board the e.l.f. train. So whether you're a first-timer trying the brand or you're just broadening your e.l.f. horizons, we're here to give you the 411 on the best e.l.f. products you must incorporate into your everyday routines STAT. (To my Prime members, you'll be happy to hear that almost everything is available on Amazon too!)
Below, you'll see the exact e.l.f. products Cosmo editors cannot live without. We've got moisturizing, high-shine lip products, some your-skin-but-better foundation and primers, easy-to-use makeup brushes, and more. Keep in mind that most of the things in this list are $15 or less and have skin-loving ingredients that will make you, your skin, and your wallet v happy. (Let's be real, that's all we could ever ask for.) Okay, now get to shopping! Your new makeup collection awaits!!
Halo Glow Liquid Filter
FYI: You'll get identical results using this $14 glow primer instead of the other version that's nearly $50. It has skin-loving ingredients (including hyaluronic acid) that will hydrate your skin while giving it that blurring and smoothing effect. Associate editor Siena Gagliano loves to use it under makeup or on its own. "This product gives me the most gorge base," she says. "Sometimes when I wanna go foundation-free, I apply it and spot conceal and my skin glows and looks so fresh."
Power Grip Primer
With over 20,000 glowing reviews (!!), people can't get enough of this stuff—especially assistant shopping editor Jasmine Hyman. "If you’re a fan of a grippy primer, this one from e.l.f. seriously rivals the formulas of those that are more than triple the price," she says. "It keeps my makeup in place for all-day wear, without being too tacky (which is v important in a gel-based primer). If I could live off one affordable primer for the rest of my life, it would be this bb right here." And the fact that it also acts as skincare with the infused hyaluronic acid, you can't beat it!!
No Budge Retractable Eyeliner
It's me, Meg, associate shopping editor here! Never have I ever met another black eyeliner that checks all my boxes like the e.l.f. one does. It's creamy, saturated with pigment (aka a little goes a long way), and it stays on for 12+ hours. I've been using it for over five years now so you know you can trust me! I also personally love that its soft formula makes it easy to smudge if I want a messier, smoky-eye look. And for $5? It's a no-brainer.
Cosmetics Camo Hydrating CC Cream SPF 30
You'll be instantly sold when you hear how much Beth loves the Camo Hydrating CC Cream. "The way I immediately gasped and FaceTimed my beauty BFF the second after I blended this on my face," she says. Keep in mind Beth tries on beauty products for a living (many of them pretty pricey ones), and this is still at the top of her list when it comes to foundations. "It has a lightweight, creamy texture that spreads easily across my skin and offers a shocking level of coverage considering how featherweight it feels on my skin," she continued. Apply with a stippling brush for a smooth look or even a sponge for a transparent, glowy finish if you're in a pinch.
Pout Clout Lip Plumping Pen, Toasted
Any time I wear this, I always get allllll the compliments. And people can't believe when I tell them that I'm wearing a lip product that costs less than 10 bucks! This three-in-one lip plumper, gloss, and balm make my lips still look natural but better. Upon first application, it has a slight cooling sensation that gives your lips a fuller look. Plus, in one swipe, you get lots of color and shine payoff. I love that it's not sticky whatsoever and the easy, non-retractable click pen design. It's become an essential I can't leave my house without!
Clear Lash & Brow Mascara 2-Pack
We love a two-in-one makeup product! With this dual-ended clear eyebrow and lash gel, you can give yourself that defined and glossy look. It's so good that it has become essential in Siena's makeup routine! "This one (for less than $3) doesn't cause my brows to look crunchy or leave any flaky residue and keeps them natural and in place all day," she says. "I also use the lash side when I want my eyelashes to pop sans makeup."
Total Face Sponge
Jasmine absolutely swears by this under-$10 makeup sponge! "It's my favorite complexion tool—better than any brush or sponge I’ve ever used—to seamlessly apply quite literally any type of makeup," she says. "I use it for everything from concealer to contour when I don’t feel like using many different brushes. It’s super lightweight and expands v easily in water for a smooth and flawless finish."
Hydrating Camo Concealer
I mean, there's no denying it's an amazing product if it's got more than 35,000 rave reviews and the stamp of approval from beauty editor Beth Gillette! Great for any skin type, this long-wearing concealer will last you all day and all night. And even though it's got a thicker formula, it'll still hydrate your skin because of its skincare ingredients. For Beth, "the O.G. Camo Concealer is the GOAT for a high coverage, matte finish." "But on the reg, I prefer this hydrating version, which gives me a similar medium-to-full coverage but with a satin, natural finish. I have oily skin, and it's not too emollient or shiny on my skin, FYI," she continued.
Blending Eye Brush
As someone who wears eyeshadow every day, I've become quite picky about what brushes I use. But let me tell ya this: e.l.f.'s eyeshadow brushes have never let me down! This blending option is one of my faves that I constantly use. The synthetic and vegan fiber bristles are super gentle on my lids when I use it to softly blend out shadows—whether I'm just using one color or multiple. Its smaller brush size also allows me to get into my crease to soften fine lines.
Cosmetics Camo Liquid Blush
Even with 150+ blushes in her collection, Beth can't stop reaching for this one that blends like a dream and is easily buildable. "When I cling to blush and start bringing it on every single trip, requiring one in every makeup bag I own, that's how I know it's good," she says. "And that's how I feel about this e.l.f. blush. It has hella pigment but blends pretty easily with a brush, giving me a dewy finish that's comparable to all the high-end blushes I usually fawn over." Customers also love the fact that its pigment lasts them all day!
Lock On Liner and Brow Cream
In the last couple of years, I transitioned to gel/cream liners from liquid liners as I wanted a less dramatic look. The moment I first used this product, I haven't looked back. It glides on so effortlessly, is easy to draw and shape a wing, and still gives me dimension without being too sharp or bold. The "Espresso" color is my go-to shade (I have brown skin with yellow undertones) because it's a lil darker than my natural skin tone and gives a subtle pop to my eyes.
Glow Reviver Lip Oil
Let this be your sign that you don't have to spend hella money to get a juicy, high-shine lip oil! "These lip oils are just as good (dare I say better?!) than the more expensive, cult favorites on the market," Siena says. "They last super long, aren’t sticky or goopy, and add the perfect amount of shine." BTW, they're infused with nourishing oils like apricot oil, avocado oil, jojoba oil, and pomegranate oil. It's a 10/10 product if you ask us!
Studio Small Angled Brush
There's no other brush I'm using to apply my e.l.f. Lock On Liner and Brow Cream. Point blank period. Because of its angled shape and thin design, I'm able to create a precise winged liner look without worrying if it's gonna be too thick. And if I do want a more pronounced wing, I can easily build it up with this brush.
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