Review: ELF Blushes and Face of Australia Contour Kit as dupes for Nars blush and bronzers

Hi everyone :)

Happy long weekend! Hope everyone is enjoying themselves on the road (not that you should be reading this and driving!) or snuggled up in bed with some studying for finals to do (like me D:). This surely will lighten up your day!

Today's post will be on dupes that I found for Nars Orgasm blush and Nars Laguna Bronzer. Retailing at $45 and $55 respectively, some of us find it very hard to believe that a product could be so good for us to empty our pockets. The products that I am going to compare are all under $10. Let's see if there really is a difference.

The Blushes: 

(Top to Bottom: Nars Blush in Orgasm, ELF Blush in Tickled Pink, ELF Blush in Candid Coral)

Nars Blush in Orgasm 

Pigmentation & Colour pay off

• As you can see in the picture, the colour is a very pretty pink-coral with small specks of shimmer. Before I bought this blush, I read that it was a colour that suited all different skin tones (i.e. a universal blush colour)
• And boy were they right. I've seen this colour on really fair skin to those with more tanned skin, and they look equally as nice. On fairer girls it gives a nice, pink-flush (I wouldn't call it natural but close to it) and on darker girls, the shimmer gives them a nice and healthy glow. 
• When I first used this brush, the colour was very pigmented. I just needed to swipe a bit on and it would show up on my face. However, lately it seems that the blush has dried up a bit and the shimmer specks show up more than the actual colour. For $45 I would think that this is quite unreasonable - the colour of the product should be consistent. It actually took me the same amount of swipes to get the colour on my arm as the ELF ones.

Texture:

• Nars blushes are famous for feeling so silky and feels just heavenly soft on your face. There are no flaky bits and it is definitely not drying on your face at all. It really does just brush on effortlessly and doesn't feel powdery at all.

Longevity/Lasting power

• This baby has amazing staying power. When I set my foundation with the NYX finishing powder, this blush stays on pretty much all night. 
• That's really what you want from a high-end blush - staying power. If the colour is beautiful and very unique, but the staying power isn't as great then the product isn't really worth it in my opinion. 
• I would say it lasts about 5-6 hours with a good primer, lasting foundation and a setting powder. For those who complain that blush never stays as well, you really need to prep your face for it to last for a long time!

Packaging

• It is a rubbery/plastic compact that is easy to grip and doesn't feel fragile. You feel like it is very unlikely to break if you were to drop it. 
• The rubbery texture does make the compact prone to dust or powders sticking to it. It's really hard to clean off and it comes back again so I don't even bother. You can see it from the packaging above. I would say that once it gets dusty, it does lose its 'premium' feel but I'm not too fussed about that
• Inside there is a small full-sized mirror which is great for doing makeup on the go. 

ELF Blush in Candid Coral & ELF Blush in Tickled Pink

Pigmentation and Colour Pay off

• Last week I went to Kmart to pick up the ELF's Blush and Bronzer Duo St Lucia but they were sold out again :( So I decided to do my research and found that these were everyone's two favourite blush colours
• The colours are very similar in the compact but when they are swatched, but they're actually quite different. As you can see, Tickled Pink is a similar colour to Nars Orgasm Blush but it has less shimmer and more of a peachy pink. For everyday use, I would prefer the ELF's blush because it is closer to my own 'blushed' cheek colour. (Apparently this colour is similar to Nars Deep Throat Blush - haven't got my hands on this one yet but i'll be sure to update you guys!)
• Many people say that Candid Coral is a dupe for the Nars Orgasm Blush but I don't really think so. The Nars blush is definitely more pink, whilst this one is a peachy-coral colour. There is definitely more shimmer in this colour compared to Tickled Pink, which makes it a great highlighter as well. 
• I guess if you mixed the ELF colours together it would look a bit like Nars Orgasm (if you wanted to go to all that trouble :P)

Texture

• These ELF blushes definitely don't feel as silky and smooth as Nars blushes. They often feel powdery and needs to be blended out. In saying that, once it is blended the texture on the face feels just as nice as Nars.

Longevity/Lasting Power

• This is probably the downfall of ELF blushes. Whilst the colours are great and very natural (my favourite look!), they tend to fade very quickly. I would give them tops about 3 hours and then you probably won't see it on your face anymore.
• The powdery texture is probably to blame here. It takes so long to blend, yet it comes off very easily. Sad face here :( 

Packaging

• As you can see above, the compacts look very similar - Elf was probably copying Nars design hehe. 
• Whereas Nars Blushes and Bronzers are in a rubbery/plastic compact, ELF blushes are just in a plastic case which feels a lot less sturdy and will probably break if you use drop it too much. 
• Inside, we only get half a mirror which is pretty uncomfortable for travel when you want to see how it looks on your whole face. 
• However, I do like the plastic window that tells which colour the blush is. I know for sure that if I get more Nars blushes I will have to always look at the back to see what colour I'm getting. A win for ELF here. 

Verdict 

I would recommend investing in the high-end blushes, especially with the great colour range that Nars has. The cheaper alternatives are good for everyday natural looks, but if you really want something that defines your cheeks and gives them definition opt for Nars blushes like Orgasm.

The Bronzers: 

(Top to Bottom: Face of Australia Illuminator (Glamazon Compact), Face of Australia Matte Contouring Bronzer (Glamazon Compact), Nars Bronzer in Laguna)

Nars Bronzer in Laguna

Pigmentation & Colour pay off

• This is the perfect colour for natural contouring. It is a nice golden medium brown that isn't too muddy and isn't too orange. It has a bit of shimmer in it which should not scare anyone away! The shimmer is to a minimum and does give your face a nice supermodel glow. 
• Recently the colour has gotten a bit orange, well it is just orange on my plain face without any foundation. I don't recommend contouring your face without having a foundation base first because it just looks muddy and doesn't blend well with your skin. 
• This colour is also great for an all over nice and healthy glow bronzer. I usually use it when my face is too pasty and this bronzer doesn't make my face look too orange at all!
• It really is a multi-tasker bronzer, both for light/natural contouring and all over the face. 

Texture

• I find that this bronzer is even silkier than the Nars blush purely because there aren't shimmer specks in it. The shimmer powder is very fine, so it makes the bronzer highly blendable for the skin. Absolutely love the smooth application!

Longevity/Lasting power

• I love how brands such as Nars keeps their products consistent. As a duo with the blush, the Laguna Bronzer has great staying power. Again, I would apply this at the beginning of the night and by the end of it, it would still be there!
• As with the blush, you guys really have to prep you face before and after using blush and bronzers to make sure that they do stay for longer. Invest in a good primer and setting powder. it will really make all the difference.

Packaging

• Similar to the blush packaging, it is rubbery but shock-absorbent I guess. I could drop it on the floor a thousand times without worrying if it broke. It is very light as well so it doesn't weigh down your bag. 
• The compact in this is bigger which I think is great for bronzers. Sometimes it is used for all-over-the-face bronzing, so it gives you a bigger pan to sweep your brush on and to apply on your face. 
• Also this means the mirror is a fair bit bigger than the blushes which is awesome! I use this mirror for application of any other makeup because I can usually see my whole face. It doesn't obstruct my view at all. 

Face of Australia Glamazon Contour and Highlight Kit in Leopardess 

Pigmentation & Colour pay off

• I bought this contour kit because every Australian beauty Instagrammer has it in all of their pictures so I HAD to have it. 
• Despite the Laguna Bronzer being amazing, I wanted to find cheaper alternatives if I were to hit the pan. The bronzer in this kit is actually a bit darker than Laguna and more matte. 
• I actually quite like this bronzer because it is matte so your cheeks look more defined - it looks a bit more clean-cut when contouring. 
• This product is actually more pigmented than the Nars bronzer which means a little goes a long way. If you use too much it will become muddy especially because it is more of a chocolate brown colour than golden dark honey colours like Nars and Benefit's Hoola Bronzer. I am quite fair so I do have to be very careful
• Since this is a contour kit you can obviously not use this as an all over bronzer because the result will not be pretty
• My favourite thing about this compact is the highlighter. It is so gorgeous and pigmented. I've never used a powder highlighter/illuminator so I can't really compare to others. It is not to shimmery and sits perfectly above my blush and bronzer. Again, you only need a sweep of this product. Do not use too much or you'll end up looking like a disco ball. 

Texture

• I like that both of these colours are quite silky unlike the powdery texture of the ELF blushes. For $10 you can't really complain! It does take a bit more effort to blend into your skin but again for a product that is about 5 times cheaper, I wouldn't be too fussed.

Longevity/Lasting power

• Unlike the ELF blushes which were quite powdery and lacked blendability, this contour kit is very pigmented and blends relatively well into the skin.
• This product lasts about 34 hours - if I do not randomly rub my face and it comes off. A bit less than the Nars bronzer. If you were wearing this in the day, I would recommend carrying the compact along for touch ups.

Packaging

• Out of all of these products, this is definitely my favourite compact! First of all the lid is leopard print, how sick is that! I'm pretty sure that is what really got me in all those instagram pictures. 
• the packaging is completely plastic with a glossy shine, which is different to the matte-ness of the other cases. It is a little flimsy and I would be scared to drop it, but the hinges and lock of the compact is very sturdy.
• It also contains a full sized mirror which I love. Not many drugstore brands have a nice full sized mirror, especially those matte powders. It is also great that this is both a bronzer and illuminator in one which makes it easier to carry around than my Nars Laguna. 
• As my first ever Face of Australia product, I am very impressed. Definitely going to look out for more cheap gems

Verdict

Whilst Nars Laguna Bronzer is my HG and my go to every time, after I bought this FOA one I have been reaching for that one a bit more. As I said I love the illuminator/bronzer duo which just makes it easier for doing my makeup while travelling on the train etc. I still love the Laguna bronzer as a multitasker and for the colour pay off, but the FOA contour kit is slowly winning over my heart. Jokes aside, I am really loving this contour kit - and it is great for beginners because of the price and the duo. Would highly recommend!


Product listing and locations

Nars Blush in Orgasm - $45 @ MeccaMaxima and MeccaCosmetica stores, and www.meccacosmetica.com.au
Nars Bronzer in Laguna - $55 @ MeccaMaxima and MeccaCosmetica stores,www.meccacosmetica.com.au
ELF Blush in Tickled Pink - $8 @ participating Kmart stores, kmart.com.au, and $3.21 @ au.iherb.com
ELF Blush in Candid Coral - $8 @ participating Kmart stores, kmart.com.au, and $3.21 @ au.iherb.com
Face of Australia Glamazon Contour and Highlighter Kit in Leopardess - $9.95 @ Big W stores, and www.bigw.com.au

A rather long post but I wanted to give you guys a detailed post on whether high-end brand and HG products are really worth your money. Usually they are, but there are also some hidden gems that we look passed straight away because of their dirt-cheap prices. I would definitely recommend doing more research on alternatives that may save you all the money and disappointment if you were to hate the high end product. Hope this helped everyone!

Tune in for the next post on my beautiful eyeshadow palettes that my friends bought for me for my birthday! Exciting! (yes, Toofaced Chocolate Bar is included. Does it actually taste like chocolate?! You'll find out in my next post!)

Toodles,

Janie xoxo

Splurge vs. save (brief list!)

Hello gals and guys :D

Hope you've all been well! Today's post will be on the constant battle between high end products and drugstore brands. We've all been there in Myer, David Jones or Mecca Cosmetica and wondered if we should buy the $55 Benefit blush or just stick with our favourite Maybelline 'bouncy' blush. Here's a post that will help you decide whether you should take the plunge!

I'm pretty much in the same position as you! I've only really got a handful of expensive products that I spent hours online and hours in store testing to see if it is really worth it.

Splurge on: 
Foundation
Breathability & texture - 
- Firstly, this is the product that you will be covering your WHOLE face with. If the product is not breathable or causes allergic reactions then of course there would be damage. This is more evident in drugstore brands such as Maybelline, Covergirl and Rimmel. I'm not saying that these products are to be avoided completely but you need to watch out on which foundation you pick as you should avoid damaging your skin.
- Usually higher end brands have products such as Chanel's Vitalumiere Aqua which has a lighter texture and generally feels more breathable on the skin. Chanel's Vitalumiere provides good coverage as well as being better for the skin.
- Textures of drugstore brands such as Covergirl are normally very thick and seem to smear onto your face rather than properly blend in. It leaves streaks on your face no matter how good your makeup brush is.
Colours & Coverage:
- Besides Revlon and Bourjois, most other drugstore brands have a maximum of six shades (of which three are highly unflattering) which makes it very difficult for you to find a colour that matches you!
- Especially with Asians, it is hard to find a mixture of a pink and yellow undertones - so we might end up with a cake face that we just aren't proud of.

Recommendations: 
Chanel's Vitalumiere Aqua foundation
Make up Forever's HD High Definition foundation
Revolon's Colorstay foundation
Bourjois' Healthy Mix foundation


Blush and Bronzers:
Pigmentation & Lasting power
- I have tried many blush and bronzers from high end and the lower ends and I can tell you that for sure the feel and pigmentation of expensive brands are so worth it.
- Drugstore brands such as NYX and Rimmel have nice blush colours, especially if you want to go for a natural look, but generally they come on very light and needs to be built on a lot. In most cases they do not last very long either and it fades easily which means constantly reapplying even at a dinner party!
- I used to swear by Rimmel's Match Perfection blush in light/medium, however after constant use of the colour faded very quickly. Similar to Rimmel's Natural Bronzer in Sun light 021. As a pair these worked well for about 2 hours but fades equally as fast when you are sweating or are going through any energy inducing exercise. Also, the colour of the bronzer never sit that well with me. It isn't as orange as other drugstore bronzers, but it definitely had a hint. This is not great for any contouring because you end up looking like a cake face clown!
- After moving onto higher end brands like Benefit and Nars I have never really looked back. Benefit's Dandelion and Sugarbomb are great compact blushers that give you an even coverage and lasting power. Overall the colour pay off is great because it actually stays on your skin!
- Nars Orgasm blush is absolutely amazing. The colour is like a very subtle metallic corally/magenta pink that stays on all night. As a cult product is really does suit most skin colours so you won't be afraid to try it out.
- Coupled with Nars Laguna Bronzer, they both have just enough glitter to highlight your cheeks as well as creating a sculpted contoured face. The bronzer has no orange colour pay off which is perfect for slight contouring when you are having a simple night out without too much makeup. Again the bronzer lasts quite long compared to many of the drugstore products that I've tried.

Save on:
Mascara
- Despite the buzz about expensive mascaras such as YSL baby doll, Diorshow Mascara and Lancome Hypnose, they pretty much do the same thing as drugstore brands.
- As I mentioned in my last post, mascaras especially from the Maybelline line gives you a more subtle look as well as being quite build able and have curl hold.
- Many high end branded mascaras have fascinating brushes and colours (blue, green & purple) but I don't know if you are willing to fork out $50 for a mascara based on mere intrigue!
- Drugstore brands are enough. Trust me. Getting sucked into buying fifty dollar mascaras and finding out that they don't work as well as your favourite (and cheap) mascara will cause a big hole in your purse... and your heart!
- Check out my older posts to see what mascaras are for you! http://blushandbronzers.blogspot.com.au/2014/01/to-new-year-and-new-mascaras.html


Eyeliners 
- Although the pretty packaging of Chanel and Dior liquid eyeliners, you're better off paying $10-$20 less on them. I personally have a sample eyeliner from Lancome, and the lasting power is pretty much the same as the Retractable eyeliner from Revlon.
- But, one thing to splurge on in this category is a good gel eyeliner. Maybelline's Gel Eyeliner is quite good but the formula dries up quite easily so it is hard to use after a while. For a more longer lasting gel eyeliner, you should opt for the Bobbi Brown Gel Eyeliner which has great lasting power and doesn't dry out as fast!
- But for liquid eyeliners and your everyday liners, just stick to your good ol' Revlon or Maybelline!

Recommendations
Revlon's Colour Stay Retractable eyeliner
Maybelline's Master Precise Liner (Liquid)
Bobbin Brown's Gel Eyeliner

This is just a brief overview of some products for now! More 'Splurge vs. Save' posts to come :)

Toodles,

Janie