I mentioned in my review of the E.L.F Studio Matte Lip Color that I’d picked up two makeup items while I was grabbing a couple of brush replacements. That was the first and this is the second. I’ve become something of a blush fiend and I figured I’d be remiss to not give their cream blush offerings a try. Judging from the images on the E.L.F website, Heartbreaker was the only color (AKA Not-Completely Pink) that appealed to me. So here it is!

ELF Studio Cream Blush in Heartbreaker

Generic Information:

E.L.F. was one of the first makeup brands my young self ventured into. Of course now I’m much more hesitant to purchase from them, I’m not a fan of hit and miss quality. But how could I pass up a cheap blush that i’d never tried before when given the opportunity? I couldn’t!

This Cream Blush is from ELF’s Studio line for “Professional Makeup Artists.” Eeh. I’d stop short of saying that, but their studio products are better than their $1 lines or their mineral lines.

Each Cream Blush comes with 0.53 oz (15g) of product for $6 USD. This is over double any NYX or MAC blush and almost triple my Tarte Amazonian Clay blushes. They are currently available in 6 shades and I picked up “Heartbreaker.”

Packaging:

The packaging, as it should be is a fairly nice presentation. A plastic jar with a matte black screw on cap. When the black cap is removed there is a a small removable stopper to keep the blush from drying out and it is very effective!

The packaging is fairly effective at protecting the product inside. The plastic jar is bulky, but sturdy. The cap…not so much.

Broken Cap

I ended up removing the black and found that the base of the cap was just white plastic. Not super strong but good enough. I did note the damage (among another issue with another item) to ELF and they promptly sent out a replacement blush.

So yes, mixed feelings about the packaging.

Color Accuracy:

ELF Official Product Image

Heartbreaker Official Swatch

ELF Heartbreaker Blush Swatches

I’ll admit that I knew that Heartbreaker was pinker than the promo shots, but I was surprised at how pink it ended up on me. I’d say it’s a coral on most but turns quite yellow-pink on me. Once again, ELF lets down on their color accuracy.

Pigmentation:

So, I know that some women require a few layers of this to get it to work. I’m no different. But where i’ve heard 3-5 layers from some, I tend to max out at 2-3. I think it gets a bit cakey beyond that point. The color does build nicely and really you don’t need much of it if you only want a flush of color. I don’t think i’d say that this blush ever gets “intense” per se but the effect can go from very faint to fairly visible.

The darker backdrop of my skin also really makes the color of this pop a bit more than paler skin might.

Application:

I think that the formula for this product is a bit of a double edged sword. The description and title list it as a cream but i’d say it’s a lot more like a solid mousse in its texture. It feels more solid in my hand than a mouse but much softer and drier than any other cream i’ve ever touched. A little bit of product (I use less than a pea sized amount for each of my cheeks) goes a long way.

I initially tried applying this with a stippling brush. This was a horrendous failure. I then tried with my fingers and loved the result. The product takes some work and warmth to blend, but once it’s done it goes from the mousse texture to a powder finish – just like the official ELF blurb says it will.  Just keep rubbing until the little…blobs? flecks? or product are gone.

Wearing ELF Heartbreaker

Wear:

The finish will highlight dry patches and the like, but it holds up moderately well on oily cheek days as long as I use primer and powder. I’d say 3-5 hours on average. It’s not something i’d wear for an all-day event or a full work or school but it’s pretty for short term wear.

It is important to note that this doesn’t hold up well against friction or water, it’s about what i’d expect of a $6.00 blush of drugstore quality. Nothing spectacular but no grand failures.

Summary:

This is a pretty, fun to touch formula with an interesting texture and powder soft finish. It is definitely not for long term wear, for those expecting color accuracy from product images or for those who have patches of dry skin on their cheeks. But if you have the $6 laying around I’d say it’s worth a shot.

Value: 5/5

Packaging: 3/5

Color Accuracy: 6/10

Pigmentation: 8/10

Application: 8/10

Wear: 7/10

Overall:74% (C)

I need to pick up some of those Bouncy Blushes to see if the formula is at all similar! Hee hee.
<3 EA