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ELF Turks and Caicos Bronzer Duo : A review + This is not a NARS dupe
Let me break it down for you. No matter how much people claim ELF is the more affordable twin of NARS, no matter how much similar their packaging and layout is and no matter how much they're promoted as the "poor-man's" NARS, ELF will never be NARS or even a straight-up dupe of it.
ELF BRONZER DUO in TURKS AND CAICOS
A $30 formulation + extensive research does not equal a $3 one's. Let's be real here.
ELF BRONZER DUO in TURKS AND CAICOS
Sleek. Black. Minimalist, with just their logo stamped on top. What more can a girl ask for? I still have a penchant for cute and distinctly girly things but these kinds of packaging just makes everything look nice and professional. If you're wondering about the feel of the compact, it's hard plastic but doesn't feel cheap. Although the logo/stamp name on top will rub off eventually.
A $30 formulation + extensive research does not equal a $3 one's. Let's be real here.
...BUT this is good stuff. :)
I really like ELF's studio line bronzers. I've tried their all-matte one (Cool), which was what I was originally going to get but surprise! They don't carry it here in Manila. Huhu
Asian's like their shimmer, I ain't gonna lie, I like me some shimmer too but that all-matte (cool) one is a really great shade for me as a contour. If you get the chance, try it. For reference I'm a light-medium/medium yellow-olive. (MUFE 120 Soft Sand / 123 Desert / MAC NC25-NC30) . I put two shades since I can use either depending on how much sun exposure I get and mostly I jump between them. But I tend to go lighter since I'm acidic and bases oxidize 2-3 shades darker on me.
If you want to know what I think about this duo, read on.
PACKAGING
ELF BRONZER DUO in TURKS AND CAICOS
Sleek. Black. Minimalist, with just their logo stamped on top. What more can a girl ask for? I still have a penchant for cute and distinctly girly things but these kinds of packaging just makes everything look nice and professional. If you're wondering about the feel of the compact, it's hard plastic but doesn't feel cheap. Although the logo/stamp name on top will rub off eventually.
FORMULA/SWATCHES/PIGMENTATION
Honestly, I find it a little chalky and coarse to the touch. Not soft and/or finely milled if you're used to those kinds of powders.
Natural lighting (Left : Blush Right : Bronzer)
But the pigmentation on these is no joke. I only swatched them once here.
Now like I've said, these have shimmer/glitter, and that includes the bronzer. However, I find I can still contour pretty well with this. When buffed in you don't really see the shimmers. The color of the bronzer is, well, very bronze-y but it has enough taupe/purple in it that makes it work for contouring.
Drama aside. I do highly recommend this. But I have to say the all-matte bronzer takes precedence over this in my heart. That one is just perfection. Oh why don't they sell that here? Sorry. I just can't shut up about that one. That was the first bronzer I owned and hit pan on. We go way back.
But the pigmentation on these is no joke. I only swatched them once here.
As you can see, both have shimmers. But when brushed onto the skin they're not as detectable. Gives your skin dimension in my opinion.
The blush is a pretty peachy-salmon-pink colour. It looks like a natural albeit muted flush on me. I quite like it for an everyday no-brainer kind of look.
Lasting power is pretty good for the contour. After 8 hours, I can still see hints of my contour despite sweating, wiping and patting away with a tissue from this abominable heat. The blush is the same, although I tend to reapply since I wipe my cheeks and touch it every chance I get. My hands have a mind of their own. (heard that one before)
INGREDIENTS : Talc, Mica, Magnesium Stearate, Paraffinum Liquidum (Mineral Oil), Polyisobutene, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Triacontanyl PVP, Sodium DehydroacetateMay Contain: Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Red 40 Lake (CI 16035), Ultramarines (CI 77007)
Now like I've said, these have shimmer/glitter, and that includes the bronzer. However, I find I can still contour pretty well with this. When buffed in you don't really see the shimmers. The color of the bronzer is, well, very bronze-y but it has enough taupe/purple in it that makes it work for contouring.
The all-matte (Cool) bronzer has a purplish-brown that's perfect for contouring. I need help getting that again. How come they don't sell that here? (humph)
NOTE : Contour powders have to have a bit of gray/taupe/purple in them since they're supposed to mimic natural shadows on the face (which as you know, aren't brown. They're grayish)
CONCLUSION
I like it and will definitely repurchase. But I will probably try their other shades. I got this for 250 Pesos in the Philippines which makes it roughly 6 USD. Twice the price of its US counterpart. Still affordable, but when you think people Stateside can get this for 150 Pesos...where is the justice in this world?!?!
Let me know your favorite bronzers below, drugstore, highend, mid-range.
Bye for now!
PS. That was quite a blog opening huh? LOL
xx,
CJ
11 Comments
Totoo, where is the justice! Anyway, I've been eyeing this since last year but couldn't get one since I'm piled up here. But will prioritize this once I have the opportunity to purchase =)
ReplyDeleteI've seen the Warm matte bronzer in PCX outlets. Maybe they'll have Cool din? :)
ReplyDeleteI haven't tried that many e.l.f. colour products but I find the one blush I have (Pink Passion) to be extremely pigmented, and this duo doesn't look any different. It might not be a dupe for NARS, but for the much cheaper price point, it seems like a great alternative :)
ReplyDeleteWow, super pigmented indeed! I haven't explored much of ELF makeup recently and i should definitely revisit this brand, asap! Thanks for sharing this! And lols about the injustice remark! I guess because of tax and customs the prices are all jack up here! :(
ReplyDeleteYay! Let me know which you get and what you think :)
ReplyDeleteI've looked at some PCX outlets, Watsons and Department stores. :( Nada.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I've heard good reviews about their very famous blushes (from the studio line). It is really good for its price. :)
ReplyDeleteIt is shimmery but not overly so. The bronzer is good. Pwede pang contour !!
ReplyDeleteYessss. Go for it! Yeah they are unfortunately :( Wish there are Duty Free in malls or something.
ReplyDeleteay i know right! im with you on this. whenever i shop i try to convert their actual prices in peso and its waay cheaper. i feel like its so nice tuloy to live there and be a beauty enthusiast. i can double my current make up collection for the same price. :)
ReplyDeleteEspecially MAC!!! Parang yung L'oreal dito kasing price ng MAC sa states. PHP 400-500 lang MAC lipsticks doon :( If and when I go there, I swear on my ancestors (charot), na mag hohoard talaga ako hahah.
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