Review: Elf Studio Lipstain in Birthday Suit

After a few months of wanting to try ELF's lipstain, I finally got one. And being the pink addict that I am, I got it in a bubblegum pink shade, Birthday Suit. I was excited to try it on my lips, because the color swatched beautifully on my hand. But my initial excitement of about 2 two minutes suddenly went downhill when I put it on my lips, because that's when I realized what a crappy product this was.

Consistency of Stain and Gloss: 2/5

   So this contains two products in one stick. One side contains the lipstain, while the other side holds the clear gloss. The lipstain was streaky upon application, especially if you use a bit more product. I tried using a lipbrush, but it still didn't help. It takes about 3 minutes to completely dry and achieve a matte finish. For those who want a glossy look, ELF has so generously provided a gloss that basically erases the first layer of product you put on your lips.

Color Pay off: 2/5

Looks pigmented on the tube, on your hand, but not on the lips. This is fine for those who prefer more natural-looking pinks, but I was expecting a bright, bubblegum pink.

A bit difficult to apply at first, gets streaky if you put too much

At 1 minute: partially dry

After 3 minutes: completely dry, color isn't as pigmented when freshly applied

Staying Power: 3/5

Won't disappear if you don't eat or do heavy smooching. But if you do, expect half-eaten lip color at the end of your meal.

Packaging: 2/5

Looks ok, but the quality? I dropped it once when my makeup kit fell out of my bag (on the same day I bought it no less) and the damn think broke. I know it's my fault but it's kind of disappointing that out of all the lip stuff I had in there, this was the only thing that got broken.

Smell: 1/5

Smells plastic-y, almost reminds me of Mighty Bond. Thankfully, the scent doesn't linger for long.

Saving Grace:
As mentioned several times before, I don't like wasting (crappy) makeup. So what I did, I saved whatever was left of the stain and transferred it into a small plastic jar. I never use the stain by itself; I use it instead as a lip mattifier (sorry, I know that's not even a word but I can't of think of anything apt). I usually layer it on top of creamy/glossy lipsticks when I want a matte finish. It works best with pinks, but I also like to layer it on top of darker colors to get a nice new shade.

Would I repurchase?

Definitely not this shade, but I read from other reviews that the others (like Bombshell and Red Carpet) have better color payoff.

Where to Get:

ELF counters, for Php 249

Elf Studio Correcting Concealer Review

Lack of sleep is something that's not good for everybody. I'm not an eyebag person, but I get something much worse when I don't get enough sleep- dark circles. I look like a zombie with hollowed out eyes, the picture of Stress Drilon herself. 

My secret weapons and best friends to looking alive and awake after pulling an all-nighter are undereye creams, gels, and concealers. I was checking out the Elf counter and I saw this and decided to get one. I liked that it was a color correcting palette with 4 shades in a nice, sleek packaging that already comes with a tiny mirror and a brush.

But I guess the adage do not judge a book by its cover applies to make up as well, because although I love the way it looks, the product itself was disappointing!

What I like:

• Packaging
• I like the color-correcting concept, too bad it failed to deliver
• I found the green most useful of the 4 because it did manage to neutralize redness, but be sure to top it off with a different brand of concealer if you want maximum results
• I made use of the other 3 shades as highlighters or eyeshadow bases

What I don't like:

• Poor concealing job
• Sheer, waxy consistency
• Creases under the eyes

Would I repurchase? 

No

Where to Get?

If in case you do want to try this out (who knows, it might work better on you. Just ask the sales assistant if you could try a sample), get this for Php 249 at Elf counters at Watsons or department stores

ELF Brightening Eye Color Quads Review

ELF eye breightening shadow quads make the most perfect travel companions! Bringing huge make up pallettes when travelling can be such a pain (in the shoulder) and you won't even get to use all those colors anyway.


I have tried 3 of their quads- Drama, Ivy, and Pretty in Pink. Since I have different reviews for each of them, I'll discuss them by color.

1. DRAMA- basic smokey eye pallette; with a white shadow, gunmetal gray, black, and silver
The good: Great for nights out, will fit perfectly in a small purse. Blends easily too. Get great smokey eyes in less than 5 minutes with this.
The bad: The gunmetal gray causes a lot of fall out, but that can easily be remedied with some loose powder and a fan brush. Also, the black isn't very pigmented if used just by itself. Try misting your brush with water when using the black shadow.

Left: Drama without primer

Right: Used the black with primer to make the color pop

2. IVY- earth toned greens; contains a light mint green, olive green, forest green and golden brown.
The good: Nice for everyday work/school looks. The darkest color, forest green, is very pigmented. Goes on the eyelids as it looks in the pan. I didn't need to use primer when I used this quad.
The bad: None!

Left: Ivy without primer

Right: Ivy with primer

Pretty much looks the same, right? :)

3. PRETTY IN PINK- contains a white shadow, cotton candy pink, a mauvy pink, and a baby pink
The good: Also works for daily use, very pretty colors
The bad: Not very pigmented. I was very disappointed with this quad. I thought I would be able to easily create a nice Barbie look with it, but the colors don't show up that well unless I use an eyeshadow primer and use a wet brush for application.

Left: Pretty in Pink without primer

Right: Pretty in Pink with Primer

My two cents: Fall outs and poor pigmentation have their solutions, so I will continue purchasing these. The price and the size are winners!

Get them at SM Department Stores and Watson's Outlets at only Php129 per quad.