Less Expensive High Quality Cosmetics: ELF vs. Department Stores

If you have not heard of ELF cosmetics you are in for a treat. ELF cosmetics are for women of all ages, for those who enjoy department store quality but would like to spend less money. I for one have always loved department store makeup. My favorite has always been Clinique.

I have longed for Clinique products when I could not afford them, loved it when I could, and I still esteem Clinique highly. Honestly though, of course I would love to get the same quality Clinique offers at a lower price! This would allow me to purchase other goods and services with the money I would be saving, such as jewelry or that European facial I've been wanting.

I learned about ELF cosmetics while reading Allure magazine. I was curious yet skeptical of the ELF line which was plugged as low cost, high quality. I researched the brand online first. I found on the ELF site that the makeup line has been featured in hundreds of magazines. The cosmetics are available online or in stores. I decided to travel to K-Mart and try some of these mysterious cosmetics!

I was shocked at how many cosmetics I bought while spending $15 total! All of ELF's cosmetics are only $1 a piece with the exception of some really fun kits that contain many items. I was impressed with the quality of these cosmetics! I have researched ELF cosmetics lately and I know about all of the complaints in the past about poor customer service. This is why they are the budget mineral makeup brand. 

If I were you I would give them a second chance... The more recent comments from customers are very positive. It sounds like the ELF Company has improved their operations and customer service greatly! 

I have used ELF bronzer, blusher, eye shadows, eye brighteners, lip gloss, lip plumper's, lip moisturizers, and mascara! I loved their products. The mascara was a little flaky when I took it off but every mascara has both waterproof and regular mascara. The eyeliners each come with a pencil sharpener.

I love this because I can never find my sharpener when I need it. Now I have been able to put a pencil sharpener everywhere! I don't have to search forever anymore!

ELF cosmetics vs. Department Store Brands Most ELF cosmetics are as high quality as department store brands, although a few products- like the flakiness of the mascara- have less to offer. One huge advantage that department stores offer is a trained assistant is ready to find the right colors to match your skin and compliment your overall looks.

This advantage is mainly why I used to swear by Clinique. However ELF does not rank below department stores in this area- in my book they beat the competition. Why? The ELF website offers foolproof color matching. One must fill out a questionnaire about hair, skin, and eye color.

The questionnaire is very detailed- much more detailed than Cover Girl's and the best I have seen. I believe that although we may not always know what makeup looks best on us we can obviously describe our own looks. The results of the questionnaire were fabulous- the colors I was matched with looked great.

I evaluated availability of cosmetics because I have been somewhat frustrated lately. I find it difficult to find the ELF colors I want. I could order them online but I usually buy makeup when I most need it...now! Usually the ELF colors are picked through considerably.

Of course this may be contributed to the high quality, low price and as a result high demand of ELF cosmetics. One thing I can say about department store brands...rarely, if ever, are they "out of" a product. I have already addressed the ELF customer service issue- historically it has been lacking but is currently improving. Department stores usually have plenty of friendly staff at customers' beck and call- one thing I really enjoy.