I Tried $150 Worth of Top Rated e.l.f Products—Here Are Some of My Favorites

This primer has over 8,000 5-star reviews—and I can definitely see why. I have combination skin, so I rely on gel-based primers for a smoother finish. The first thing I noticed was the small pump, which provided a pea-size amount that worked well in my T-zone. The gel texture spreads evenly across my entire face and settles fairly quickly without being too tacky or clogging up my pores. I also appreciate that it goes on clear and provides a translucent base, so I don’t have to worry about a white cast before working on the rest of my makeup. 

Infused with hyaluronic acid, the primer is hydrating and soothing on the skin. The brand recommends waiting 30 seconds before applying foundation, and I found that time made a huge difference. Even if I prolonged the time between primer and foundation, my skin still felt smooth and hydrated—never sticky or uncomfortable. Grip is in the name, so my look definitely lasted all day and it might go toe to toe with my go-to primer (which happens to always get compared to this very viral primer all the time). 

This beloved PureWow favorite offers so much versatility that I can see it being a staple in my routine. It can be worn alone like a skin tint, mixed with a foundation, used as a glowing base for any makeup look and be a regular ol’ highlighter. Since my skin is often darker in the summer, the medium/tan shade suited my complexion well enough as a skin tint. I was thoroughly impressed that it comes in 12 shades to cater to both skintones and undertones, especially when I have a tough time matching my skin tone during seasonal transitions.

The large, doe-foot applicator is genius. I can swipe nicely across my face and cover large areas. Thanks to the squalane and hyaluronic acid blend, it blends well with a beauty sponge or even my finger, while leaving a soft satin finish behind. The formula also includes finely milled powders, which reduce the appearance of my pores and minimize any redness. Now, the shine wasn’t noticeable at first, but as soon as I stepped in front of my window, I was glistening (in a good way, not like a greasy glazed donut).

Two words: High. Pigment. This liquid blush does not mess around in the color department. I’ve been feeling more spontaneous lately, and open to testing out more vibrant colors, so I reached for the ‘Pinky Promise’ shade. This bubblegum pink is bold and striking at first glance, but once you blend it out, it’s a pretty shade that compliments my skin tone. If you’re not ready to take the plunge, I also tried ‘Dusty Rosé,’ which is more of a neutral pink shade that’s great for daily makeup wear. 

Since it’s very pigmented, I suggest applying one or two dots on your face. It was just enough to give me a pop of color on my cheeks. Like mentioned, it’s buildable and blends well with my foundation (or the Halo Glow highlighter above). Overall, the blush leaves a soft finish, almost like a natural flush moment. 

I’ve been loyal to one cleansing balm for years and it’s going to have some heavy competition now. This melting balm is great for my combo, sensitive skin. The gentle formula includes hyaluronic acid, ceramides and peptides, which hydrate and plump the skin. The solid balm turns into an oily texture that spreads evenly and smoothly. I wore a full face of makeup and it washed off completely without any irritation. I would say it can be a bit drying afterwards, but not enough to be too uncomfy. 

The cleansing balm comes with a small spatula, so I was able to scoop out a dime-size amount without digging my fingers in the tub. I was surprised to find it removed 99 percent of my look. When I dried my face, I hardly saw any signs of makeup left. (If I did, I just went over with a regular cleanser to get any nooks and crannies.) I was just shocked it was able to even remove my waterproof mascara without the consistent scrubbing. 

Since the cleansing balm was a bit drying, I used this serum for a boost of hydration. With key ingredients like squalane, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, this blend helped hydrate and plump my skin. The dropper was long enough to gather at least three drops of product—plus, the gel texture made it easy to apply. Though it is a serum and can get tacky once it starts drying down. But once I applied with my moisturizer afterwards, it was a great combination of the two. Overall, it’s lightweight and great for my sensitive skin. 

I’m very picky when it comes to sunscreens, but this setting spray definitely piqued my interest. It’s a standout product for being a spray that I can apply alone or I can reapply on top of makeup throughout the day. Once I spritz some on, it’s like a fine mist (similar to a traditional setting spray) and dries quickly, though I’m able to gently rub the product across my face. It also goes on clear, so no white cast here. 

It can take time settling in, but once it does it doesn’t leave my face greasy at all. I would avoid putting on too much, as some shoppers found it doesn’t work for super oily skin. The formula includes watermelon fruit extract, bisabolol and prickly pear seed oil, so it felt smooth and soft on my combo skin. Plus, the classic sunscreen smell is very subtle and I appreciate it being SPF 45. I know I’m in good hands in being protected against the harsh sun rays. 

When ‘mega volume and lifting’ is in the name, I’m expecting my lashes to look fluffy—no falsies necessary. The wand has an hourglass-shape design and intertwined bristles to separate and define my lashes. The formula contains jojoba wax, which is meant to hold the curl in place and capture an even amount of pigment on the wand. There was no need to shove the wand back into the tube to get the black shade to show up. 

I would say it lifts my lashes and one swipe of product is all I need for a va va voom effect. (I did test the waters a bit and added a second coat, but it felt too much.) It has a creamy texture, however, it’s not very buildable, so smudging and clumping can occur. Plus, the mascara is waterproof but I experience some flaking at the end of the day. 

My favorite e.l.f product has to be the Glow Reviver lip oil. When lip oils became super popular, this was the first one I tested and I wasn’t disappointed. It has an oil blend of squalane, jojoba, avocado, apricot and pomegranate, which work together to hydrate and enhance your natural lip color. I can’t emphasize enough how moisturizing the lip oil feels on my pout. 

Moisture aside, the lip oil also has a plumping effect. It’s a slight tingle, but it goes away to leave a juicer pout behind. I have naturally large lips so it’s a slight difference, but if you have smaller or thinner lips, this might be a lip oil worth exploring. And the shine. The oily texture adds a glossy finish that I couldn’t stop doing that cringy duck face every chance I got. I would admit the pigment is very subtle, so don't expect great color payoff. But it does complement my go-to lipsticks if you’re looking to experiment with a daily combo.