I Tried Every Product From e.l.f. Cosmetics—These 15 Replaced My High

The debate between drugstore and luxury makeup has persisted for decades, but the real challenge lies in finding budget-friendly options that actually outperform high-end favorites. If you were active during the peak beauty YouTuber era between 2014 and 2018, you likely spent hours watching videos about drugstore dupes to find the best products for less. Since I spent most of those years balancing community college classes with part-time retail jobs, drugstore makeup was often my only viable option.

Over the years, both as a beauty enthusiast and a former freelance makeup artist, I have tested nearly every item from e.l.f. Cosmetics to determine which ones are truly worth the investment. From viral primers and concealers to affordable alternatives for luxury bronzers and cream blushes, these are the top e.l.f. products that have earned a permanent place in my daily routine.

The Best e.l.f. Cosmetics Products Worth Buying

Best e.l.f. Primer for Long-Lasting Makeup

The Power Grip Primer costs just $11 and keeps my makeup intact all day, regardless of my activity level or the heat. I can personally vouch for this, having lived in the sweltering climate of Texas. The clear, gel-based formula applies with a tacky finish, which is intentional: it grips your makeup to hold it in place from your morning coffee until your final text at night. It also functions as a hydrating base, prepping and smoothing the skin without the slippery residue left by some other primers.

Best e.l.f. Primer for Blurring and Smoothing

The Putty Primer is the ideal choice when you want a soft-focus, airbrushed complexion. Its unique putty-to-smooth texture fills in pores and fine lines to blur skin texture before you even apply foundation. A little product goes a long way, resulting in a velvety canvas that allows the rest of your makeup to sit more evenly. If you have been considering expensive blurring primers, this is one of the best drugstore alternatives available.

Best e.l.f. Concealer for Full Coverage

The Hydrating Camo Concealer is a high-coverage powerhouse that manages to avoid looking cakey. Its creamy, buildable formula hides everything from blemishes to dark circles, and the hydrating properties ensure it doesn’t settle into fine lines or become crepey by the afternoon. A small amount provides significant coverage, so one tube lasts a long time. It is also available in a wide variety of shades, making it simple to find a perfect match.

Best e.l.f. Bronzer for Cream Contour

The Camo Liquid Bronzer & Contour is my go-to when I want genuine, sculpted definition rather than just a subtle glow. The liquid formula blends effortlessly and is easy to build, allowing you to define your cheekbones and add warmth to your face without creating muddy or harsh lines. I appreciate that it layers well both under and over powder products, making it a versatile addition to my routine.

Best e.l.f. Bronzer for a Natural Glow

The Bronzing Drops are my secret to achieving a post-vacation look. You only need a few drops to add a warm, sun-kissed radiance, and they can be worn on bare skin, mixed into foundation, or applied over your base. The liquid formula melts into the skin for a natural finish, eliminating the risk of the patchy, muddy appearance that powder bronzers can sometimes cause. These drops are highly buildable, giving you complete control over the level of warmth you desire.

Best e.l.f. Cream Blush with Luminous Finish

The Luminous Putty Blush provides the beautiful, dewy flush I am always seeking. The putty-to-skin texture blends seamlessly, appearing like a natural flush rather than a layer of makeup sitting on the cheeks. It is buildable, so you can keep the look subtle or layer it for more intensity, and the luminous finish adds a healthy glow without appearing greasy. One of our editors trusts this blush so much that she chose to wear it on her wedding day.

Best e.l.f. Setting Powder for Brightening

The Halo Glow Soft Focus Setting Powder locks in your makeup while simultaneously brightening and blurring the skin. Unlike heavy powders that can flatten your glow or settle into fine lines, this product offers a soft-focus finish that keeps the skin looking luminous rather than dry. It works especially well under the eyes, where it brightens without creasing. I typically use a light dusting to secure my makeup while maintaining a lit-from-within appearance.

Best e.l.f. Highlighter for a Natural, Weightless Glow

The Halo Glow Liquid Filter is the product behind that lit-from-within, “your skin but better” glow frequently seen on social media. It acts as a hybrid between makeup, skincare, and a complexion-blurring filter, and it can be worn alone, mixed into foundation, or underneath it. The texture is completely weightless, providing a glow that never looks heavy or glittery.

Best e.l.f. Brow Product for Natural, Fluffy Brows

The Wow Brow Gel is the perfect choice for achieving a full, fluffy, brushed-up brow look. The tinted, fiber-infused formula adds both color and volume in a single swipe, clinging to your natural hairs to create the illusion of thicker brows. It holds them in place all day without feeling stiff or crunchy, keeping your brows looking laminated from morning until night. It is a standout product for anyone aiming for an effortless, polished brow.

Best e.l.f. Brow Product for Precise Definition

The Ultra Precise Brow Pencil features an ultra-fine tip that allows you to draw hair-like strokes for defined, natural-looking brows. Its slim design makes it simple to mimic real hair and fill in sparse areas without creating a blocky, drawn-on appearance. It applies smoothly, lasts all day, and includes a spoolie on the opposite end for blending. It is truly foolproof, even if you find doing your brows to be the most intimidating part of your routine.

Best e.l.f. Lip Balm for All-Day Hydration

The Glow Reviver Melting Lip Balm is the glossy, hydrating product I find myself reaching for constantly. It offers a sheer tint and a glassy shine while deeply moisturizing the lips, making it feel more like a treatment than a standard balm. The melting texture glides on easily and never feels waxy or sticky, which makes it perfect for reapplying throughout the day. It is the type of product that will definitely stay in your bag.

Best e.l.f. Lip Oil for a Glossy, Tinted Finish

The Glow Reviver Lip Oil takes the nourishing formula found in the Melting Lip Balm and transforms it into a high-shine oil. It provides a beautiful glossy finish with a touch of color, all while conditioning the lips with hydrating oils instead of drying them out like some glosses do. It is comfortable, non-sticky, and can be worn alone or over a lip liner. It is the easiest way to achieve a healthy, juicy lip with minimal effort.

Best e.l.f. Setting Spray for All-Day Wear

The Stay All Night Micro-Fine Setting Mist lives up to its name by locking your makeup in place from morning until you wash it off. The micro-fine mist distributes evenly without leaving your face damp or disturbing your makeup, and it helps melt powdery layers into the skin for a more natural, skin-like finish. It is the ideal final step when you need your look to last through a long day or a night out.

Best e.l.f. Duo Brush for Foundation & Concealer

The Complexion Duo Brush is a versatile two-in-one tool that manages both foundation and concealer. The larger end buffs foundation into the skin for an even, airbrushed result, while the smaller, more precise end is ideal for pressing concealer into the under-eye area and around the nose. The densely packed bristles do not absorb excess product or leave streaks, ensuring a flawless application every time. It is an affordable and simple upgrade for your complexion routine.

Best e.l.f. Duo Brush for Contouring

The Liquid Bronzer & Contour Duo Brush is specifically engineered to make liquid and cream sculpting products easy to blend and apply. One side places the product exactly where you need it, while the other diffuses any harsh edges for a seamless finish. It is the perfect companion for the Camo Liquid Bronzer & Contour, and it serves as proof that e.l.f.’s brushes are genuinely underrated. You could easily mistake them for much more expensive tools.