e.l.f Contouring Blush & Bronzing Powder

I picked up the e.l.f contouring blush and bronzing powder on an after work trip to Kmart. I knew I could get it for $3 on iHerb, but I had a sudden desire to compare it to the Nars blush in Orgasm and Nars Laguna bronzer.

In the pan, both the packaging and shades are very similar to the Nars products. The sleek and sturdy black packaging really is identical, aside from the logo and I did find myself questioning the price tag I had paid for Nars. The shades too, were very similar. However, once I dipped my brush in I saw a significant different in pigmentation. To some, this may be an attribute to the product, as pigmentation equals a small amount of product going a long way. When it comes to blush and bronzer I personally prefer a medium amount of pigmentation as this allows a natural, blendable and buildable application. The pigmentation that comes from the e.l.f blush and bronzer could very easily result in too much product on the face, patchiness and a massive blending job. Too use this product on my face I found myself lightly dipping my brush in the product and then wiping it on a tissue before applying to my face. On the skin the shades do loose their similarity to their higher end 'dupes' as they appear a lot darker and the gold shimmery flecks do not transfer to the skin in the blush. Perhaps it is because my skin is pale, or perhaps it is because I have been previously using the Nars blush and bronzer, but the e.l.f alternative looks cheap and patchy on my face.

I have however continued to use the bronzer. The high pigmentation is perfect for when I haven't fake tanned my neck and I need to bronze it to match my foundation. It is quick, easy and provides a beautiful colour.

Even when using it this way the powderyness is still an issue with this product. A lot of powder is always left in the pan and as a duo this means the products spill into each other. For $3-$10 this product is a good option for those who cannot afford to spend more, however I will continue to reach for Nars, ZA and Revlon blush and bronzers over this product.

I love the Elf bronzer and blush duo you get so much product and it is super pigmented. I use this almost everyday and the price is just unbelievably worth it. I buy mine from beautyjoint.com delivers in a week.

The palette is super pigmented so you don't have to put on much, it stays put all day and the bronzer has a matte finish which is fab.

Both are such gorgeous colours. ELF's blush quite light and peachy. It doesn't have much colour payoff but gives a very subtle, healthy glow (on my medium-olive skin tone). The bronzer is just lovely- I find it similar to Too Faced's 'Sun Bunny'- goldy-bronze that's not too shimmery. It comes in such a sleek little package which makes it super handy to carry in my makeup bag. AND ITS SO CHEAP!

this is a dupe to the nars bronzer and blush duo. colours are good and blend well id recommend it for sure! so cheap as well and they are a cruelty free brand :):)

This contour set is perfect for adding colour and creating a contour effect. I use the St Lucia shade and it is the perfect light pink and not-too-dark shade for my fair skin. Although this powder isn't the longest lasting contouring product i have tried, for the price you pay it is still a great product. To encourage it to last longer on my face, I set it with a setting spray.

I'm a newbie to contouring, and this is the first 'dedicated' contour kit I've purchased. Love it.

The compact is a nice size and it has a mirror, which is great for when you're on-the-go or traveling.

The bronzer: I find you really don't need much as it's very pigmented. It's really easy to blend. There's a slight shimmer to it, but I don't find it too much (or even that noticeable on me).

The blush: This is quite a pale pink and is quite shimmery. I don't mind the shimmer at all, but I wish the pink was a bit darker/more intense. I tend to use this over a darker pink blush to add dimension to my cheekbones, as on it's own it gets a bit lost on my skin tone.

Affordable and effective.

I like E.l.f products and for the price you can't go wrong with wanting to try their products without breaking the bank. I had purchased this online just to fill up my shopping basket, with something inexpensive not knowing that this would be one of my favourite finds of 2014, I brought St. Lucia which is a light brown and a dark brown, both are shimmery pigments.

When I first used this I couldn't believe how pigmented the colors were, you only need the smallest amount, your brush just touching the pigments is enough to add shape to your face. It's a lot easier to apply a small amount at a time, and blend it as you go.

I noticed that if you apply too much it makes it difficult to blend out and if that happens I normally have to remove it all and start again. The formula of these are so pigmented and creamy, they are insane! Wear time is fantastic too they last all day from morning to night without moving.

I highly recommend these to everyone, even if your used to using high end products everyone needs to try this duo it will completely blow your mind!

So the main reason I brought this was because everyone kept comparing it to the Nars product, so I thought I'd try it. I got my one from makeup.co.nz for $11 i think, so I'm so stoked with the price! The packaging is e.l.f's typical matte balck packaging, which is really sturdy, so that's a plus. Normally the cheaper products have crappy packaging. The bronzer - it looked quite dark when i first saw it, but it actually suits my skin tone pretty good. it has some shimmer in it as well, but nothing too crazy. Just enough I'd say. Go very easy at first and then build up the colour as i find the bronzer a little bit difficult to blend. Nothing major, but always always easier if you build the colour. Not much fall out, which is great. I'm a clean freak, so I hate getting powder eveyrwhere lol. The blush - gorgeous pink colour with a gold shimmer. You definitely have to build this blush, but it looks amazing on my skin tone once I get my desired colour. Overall - pretty good product at an affordable price. I can't complain. I'll try the Nars product one day, but for now, I'm happy with my e.l.f compact :)

I bought this online in the colour St Lucia, I had heard good thing about one of the shade, but since this was the only colour available I thought I would try. Sadly I was quite disappointed, the blush looks a nice colour, but doesn't have good pigmentation at all and hardly shows on the skin. The bronzed is ok and I do use this in moderation regularly, but to dark for me to use as a contour shade. I really would try the other shades, because for that price, as I have heard that they have some nice blush colours.