E.l.f. Contouring Blush & Bronzing Powder

Hey lovelies!

I know for many of you, Elf has been there for a long time. For me, however, it's pretty new. My Target recently started carrying this brand so I just had the pleasure to try it out few months ago. You may think, but there is their website. I confess, I am a cheapo when it comes to shipping costs, that's all I'll tell you :p Here is one of my most recent finds from Elf...

Both the packaging and the colors are somewhat similar to the NARS Orgasm/Laguna duo. (which I no longer have :/ )

Comparison to the Orgasm/Laguna Duo..

- Elf packaging is a bit cheaper as it is plastic, NARS packaging is more sleek and has that rubbery feel 

- Elf blush is a more pink-er/red-er, more pigmented and a bit more powdery and chalkier than Orgasm

- Orgasm is more on the peachy-pink side, more sheer and seems to be more shimmery than Elf

- Laguna is a slightly lighter and sheerer than the elf bronzer

- Elf duo; $3 and NARS duo; $39

Both pictures are of the elf duo, just taken in different lighting. 

I know that a lot of people think "NARS obviously makes their products with better ingredients" hence the more expensive products. I don't think that's the case at all. Ingredients for the NARS duo include just about the same ones in the Elf duo. NARS ingredients also include parabens and Elf ones surprisingly don't. Keep in mind when purchasing high end products, we are paying for the name as well!

Back to the Elf duo...I think this is a great product at a very reasonable price. It does exactly what it says and the quality of both the blush and bronzer is just amazing. They are both very pigmented and last all day on my face. One thing I am not too crazy about is that the blush is a bit too powdery for my liking. When I dip my brush in the blush pan, the blush gets so powdery it lands all over the place in and out of the compact. However, it's not that big of a deal since the product really delivers. I am definitely a devoted bronzer user so I need my contouring color and blush to show up over my bronzer and they both do a great job and show up beautifully layered over my bronzer. I personally don't like to use the bronzer color as a bronzer but for contouring purposes. Application and blending are a breeze and both colors while pigmented can be built up. This is definitely a product I'll repurchase and I recommend it to anyone who has been wanting somewhat similar colors to NARS Orgasm/Laguna but don't want to shell out a fortune for it. Though the colors are not exact dupes of each other, I think this is a great alternative.