e.l.f. Studio Blush {Review}

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Overview

Rating: 3.5/5 stars ★★★☆☆
Price Tag: $3 USD
Shades Available: 11 options
Weight: 0.17 oz / 4.75 g
Where to Buy: In mass retailers like Target, online at e.l.f.

I have attempted to write a review for the e.l.f. Studio Blush singles multiple times, but it just hasn’t happened until now.

Packaging

The blushes are packaged in the familiar matte black plastic compacts of the Studio line. The lid is printed with the product type and has a small plastic window to see the product. Over the years, the product type print has drifted from the bottom of the lid to the middle. Inside there is one pan for the blush and a small, mostly useless, mirror in the lid from the space leftover from the window. The Studio Blushes do not come with any brushes. The shade name is located on a silver sticker placed on the bottom of the compact.

Box packaging for the e.l.f. Studio Blush

From the packaging, it’s safe to assume that when e.l.f. launched the Studio line they were imitating the NARS packaging for their products.

e.l.f. Studio Blush in Twinkle Pink

The plastic packaging is durable and I haven’t had any issues, even after multiple drops to the floor. There’s not a lot of product—less than most blushes—but it’s fair for the price.

e.l.f. Studio Blush

Formulation

The formulation for the blushes is all over the place. Some are adequate, a couple have a near creamy consistency, while others are very powdery. Generally the more shimmer in the blush, the more powdery it is, but there are exceptions. A few shades have developed those annoying pebbles that often crop up in e.l.f. pressed products.

Closeup of the e.l.f. Studio Blush in Twinkle Pink

They have adequate wear time, at least several hours, before you’ll need a touch up.

Pigmentation can be sporadic, with some shades having good color payoff while others take more effort.

Shades

Over the years I have acquired all but two shades.

e.l.f. Studio Blushes

Gotta Glow [Shimmer]

A creamy white with a gold shift and smattering of glitter. Supposedly a dupe for the NARS highlighter Albatross, this is a good budget-friendly, all-purpose highlighter. It also works great for strobing.

The consistency is very powdery. Due to the copious amounts of shimmer, those with oily skin types should take care not to apply too much product.

Giddy Gold [Glitter/Shimmer]

This is more of a warm golden highlighter than a blush. Use it on the upper cheekbones and forehead for a gilded look.

Giddy Gold is a super glittery shade with a powdery consistency.

Peachy Keen [Pearl]

A light peach shade with low pigmentation and slight shimmer. This is most suitable for those with light skin tones and warm undertones.

Candid Coral [Pearl]

Similar to Peachy Keen, but darker, Candid Coral is as the name suggests a light coral. I’d consider this shade to have moderate pigmentation.

This is great shade for those with warm undertones and light to medium skin tones.

Twinkle Pink [Shimmer/Glitter]

A light warm pink with tons of gold glitter. The shimmer is very, very noticeable on the face. Those who struggle with oily skin may wish to avoid it, as shimmer often translates to oily looking skin.

This shade has a very powdery consistency.

e.l.f. Studio Blush swatches

Tickled Pink [Matte]

A neutral, medium pink with moderate pigmentation.

This is my favorite shade of the bunch and one of my most used blushes. I find it works perfectly on my slightly warm undertones and gives me a very natural flush. Works best for those with light to medium skin tones.

Pink Passion [Matte]

A bright fuchsia pink with strong pigmentation and a matte finish. My blush has a very powdery consistency.

Due to its pronounced blue undertones, and intense pigmentation, it is one of the shades I wear least. This color works best for those with medium to dark skin tones.

Mellow Mauve [Pearl]

A light berry shades with a pearl finish. It has light color payoff. My camera didn’t do a good job of capturing the differences between Mellow Mauve and Merry Berry, but the former is more neutral than the latter.

I haven’t really worn this blush too often because I thought it was too cool for my skin tone, but after trying it again, I find I like it now and plan to wear it more often in the future. Works best for those with cool undertones and light to medium skin tones.

Merry Berry [Pearl]

Similar to Mellow Mauve but darker and with more blue undertones. This berry shade has strong pigmentation and, despite the silver glitter, has more of a pearl finish.

This is one of the shades I use least. Merry Berry works best for those with cool undertones and all skin tones.

Images

Final Thoughts

Pros: Shade selection, finish options, widely available, budget-friendly
Cons: Small packaging, powdery, glittery

While I feel that most of the Studio Blushes are a lackluster product from e.l.f., they do have the advantage of being very budget-friendly and widely available. You should be able to find at least one suitable option from the multiple choices offered.