Budget beauty brand ELF is storming the States like nobody business, was it any wonder that when it made its way across the pond that it would become such a success? You may or may not of the heard of the brand, but its received rave reviews from magazines such as Elle, Glamour, Marie Claire and Grazia to name a few! But why on earth, if its so amazing, have we not bought a single item yet?
Thats because of its genius brand economics, most items selling for the crazy cheap price of £1.50. Thats right, you can order an eyeshadow set, lipstick, mascara and even foundation for a the rather crazy, dramatic price. By substituting big advertising campaigns and fancy packaging, they can afford to charge small prices for good, quality products (in-fact some products such as the bronzer actually made a loss! hah). Founded in 1994, by Joseph Shamah living in New York states 'We never skimp on formulations, but we do on packaging. For examaple, we would love to put mirrors in our compacts and have great containers like Nars or Stila - but we're about something different: namely, giving women the chance to try anything without the commitment of the big spend.'
I think this is an amazing idea, because i am hardly adventurous with my make up and stick to good high end brands that i know are good quality, even if they are high priced. So to see a brand like ELF offering a wide range of eyeshadows and blushers for such a small price its great, but i am septical as to whether they are good quality as they claim and not just cheap rubbish. Which is an issue that the brand must encounter from many customers who feel better buying a £16 blusher, knowing and thinking it will be good quality than a £1.50 blusher from an unheard of brand. I will have to order some products to see whether they stand the test against the high end brands that i usually purchase.
Here are a few products that i thought were very good value and staples in any make up bag
Brightening Eye Colour - Butternut (£1.50)
Mineral Lipstick - Nearly Nude (£3.50)
This product is a higher priced because it is a mineral based product, however many of the high street brand mineral lipsticks value at £7 plus. ELF also offers a full rang of mineral make up, from powders, concealers and eyeshadows to blushers; to the price of £3.50.
Kabuki Brush - (£3.50)
There are two ranges of make up brushes in ELF, the basic and the studio lines. All the basic brushes are £1.50 each where as the studio brushes are £3.50, as it has a softer hair. However, most of the MAC brushes retail at £20, so this brush is good value. Also a Kubuki brush is specialised type of brush, as it provides better coverage and application using powders or bronzers, rather than a a normal brush.
Have you ever used ELF? What are your thoughts of using a lower priced product?
