As a makeup lover, I have tried everything from drugstore to high end beauty products. I believe that great products can be found anywhere, and at any price; However, because inflation is the girl, I put my Sephora Rouge mode and started looking for cheaper options for my favorite products. When a product comes out that looks like it can compete with my favorite product, I feel like I’ve won the lottery—that’s why I’m so happy when I win the lottery. Elf Halo Glow wands industry.
Over the past few years, elf has transformed from a brand known for having affordable beauty products to one whose affordable beauty products challenge the high end. We’ve all seen the TikTok-viral video of the elf product being a good dupe for those that quadruple the price, but if you’re like me, you’ve been used a time or two. With the release of their Halo Glow line, they created contour, highlight, and blush wands that compete with similar, affordable ones that have gone viral recently.
And due to the culture being so widespread, I entered to try out the products known to chemists and models use moon and moon to create specific formulations; so unless your preferred cost model copies the formula, the product may not be the same. However, it’s worth finding similar ones—and sometimes I end up liking the similar ones better than the first.
I tried and tested the elf Halo Glow blush, contour, and highlight wands to see if they were worth it. Here’s how they stack up:
Application
Since there are three products in the line, I want to give each product a chance to shine (as in Brooklyn Nine-Nine when Jake Peralta had the gang singing “I Want It That Way”). To do that, I tried everything in two ways: I use an elf blending brush (which is always my holy grail brush) on one side of my face,and my beauty stage and the other.
The bone and the head are best with a brush. Both are buildable products, where I can start with a small amount and slowly build up to get the look I want. At first, I was a little worried that the blush wouldn’t show up, but adding another layer helped.
I really muddied the heck out of my face using a brush to contour (I really said out loud “oh no, you’re in danger, girl”). I recommend applying it with a sponge, rather than brushing. This product is pigmented, so a little goes a long way, and applying it with a sponge helps to build it up a bit.
Feelings
Because the system is thin, each product feels very light on the face. All three of the wands were easy to apply, and they didn’t dry immediately which gave me a little time to blend them properly. I find these products blend very well and are very forgiving on the skin.
But blush and highlights are good in how they appear on the skin. The finish reminded me of Nars Orgasm powder blush; Radiance is not bright, but it is bright.
The way they dress
I did this on a beautiful New York day for about six hours (which is a long day during the pandemic!). Like any good scientist, I had to keep the control the same. I use my go-to foundation-and-concealer combo so I can test how the wands perform on their own.
I’m happy to report that all three wands last the entire time without creasing or smudging. I left a radiant feeling from cleansing and highlighting, and from contouring from the time I left to the time I got home. I do exfoliate throughout the day, but not more than I usually do as someone with oily/skin. That said, I think these products would work well on someone with sensitive skin.
The amount
Elf Halo Glow wands run you $9 each, while the famous Charlotte Tilbury ones they try to copy are $42 each. At less than a quarter of the price of elves, their price is a huge win.
The decision
Given that I love makeup products, I’m a big fan of makeup with wands. Elf Halo Glow wands are a great choice for the wand enthusiast, or for someone to try out if it’s their first start with wands. (That being said, if you’re someone who doesn’t like shimmer, these might not be your cup of tea.) They add a nice wash of shine to the skin, wearing well throughout the day, and the price. , you will not defeat them.
