Effortless elegance, no splurge required—e.l.f.’s Holy Grail products deliver luxe results for less

Now, it’s no secret that I am a real sucker for luxury beauty. However, I often attribute that love affair to my belief as a teenager that the more money I spent on makeup, the better I would look. After several years working in the beauty industry and hundreds (if not thousands) of hours trying out more brands than I can count, I’ve learnt just how wrong I was—and this revelation came to me after getting my hands on e.l.f. Cosmetics’ hero products.

You’d be forgiven for assuming that the budget beauty options available couldn’t possibly rival high-end purchases. If they could, why would anyone be spending £40+ on a concealer? Well, I’m very pleased to report that it is possible with the right brand, especially when said brand has a whole cohesive beauty routine up for grabs.

The beauty industry is definitely guilty of being pretty inaccessible at times, proven by the number of outrageously pricey skincare and makeup products on the market that the average consumer just cannot afford. But that shouldn’t mean that these shoppers should be forgotten altogether, and that’s exactly where e.l.f. has come in time and time again—with hard-working products starting at just £3.

My favourite e.l.f. products

The first time I did a full face of e.l.f. products, I was genuinely amazed at how good my skin looked. It makes sense that all the products work harmoniously together, but I wasn’t expecting such a seamless finish considering the price point of each item. I have comparable products I have spent far more money on, which these could easily be mistaken for.

You’ve no doubt heard about the brand’s Camo Concealer, Power Grip Primer, and liquid blushers by now, and e.l.f.’s products haven’t gone viral online for no reason. All three of the aforementioned products are mainstays in my everyday makeup routine, with the concealer in particular being one I recommend to friends incessantly thanks to its creamy formula and high coverage. And I’m confident that few products make my skin look as good as the Soft Glam satin foundation—it’s easily one of the best I have tried for hydrating, medium coverage that leaves my skin beautifully dewey and not at all weighed down.

I also have to spend some time raving about e.l.f.’s two newest products: the Glow Reviver Melting Lip Balm & Invisi Stick SPF, which are pretty much all I need in my holiday makeup bag. As someone with chronically dry lips, I have a balm on me at all times. However, I hate when I have to compromise on lip colour as a result. E.l.f.’s assortment of six lightly pigmented (and gorgeously scented) lip balms have made this a thing of the past, for just £6. Likewise, I no longer have to contend with liquid sunscreens that irritate my eyes and make my hands greasy upon application—the Invisi Stick glides onto the face and neck with no oily finish or texture, boasting SPF 50 and water resistance.

The brand’s hero products range from just £3 up to £12, so even the ‘pricier’ products are incredibly reasonable. Plus, the vegan and cruelty free formulas mean I can shop with total confidence. Gone are the days of believing that you have to spend a fortune to get a beauty routine with flawless results—look no further for a gorgeous spring/summer makeup look that’s truly accessible to any budget.

Shop e.l.f.’s Holy Grail products