As I’ve mentioned a million times, I prefer cream everything for my dry skin. Recently, I read a post from Katie at From My Vanity comparing e.l.f. Smudge Pots to Maybelline Color Tattoos. I never heard of e.l.f.’s cream Smudge Pots, and after reading about them, I headed right for Target.
They had two shades left on the rather picked over display of e.l.f. goodies so, at $3 each, I bought them both:
- Ain’t That Sweet: pale pink shimmer
- Wine Not: deep plum shimmer.
I’ve only owned them for about 10 days so I can’t say if they dry out over time the way Maybelline Color Tattoos can. Right now, they’re very creamy, and they contain vitamin E for skin benefits.
I usually like to apply creams with my fingers, but the openings to these little pots are smaller than the Maybelline Color Tattoos. It can be a challenge to get my finger into the pot, especially now that my nails, thanks to Naturol Biotin, are super long. As a result, I’ve resorted to applying them with a brush.
The deep plum shadow, Wine Not, is fabulous. The color is pigmented and rich. You’d swear it was a much more expensive eye shadow. Ain’t That Sweet, the pale pink, is much sheerer, and truth be told, a little disappointing because I would prefer more color in addition to the shine. It does build up, but I wish it were more opaque.
My swatches below are over bare skin, and the colors of both look quite good IMHO, though you can see that Ain’t That Sweet isn’t as smooth and opaque as Wine Not. When I wear them, I always apply primer first, and there’s been no creasing, and both shades are long lasting. They maintain their color till I remove them. I definitely intend to haunt the e.l.f. display at Target to see if they restock with some more shades.
There are 10 shades in all. Most appear to be shimmers, but some look like they could be matte. Most of the shades are neutrals, but there’s a yellow-gold, deep blue and deep purple in addition to a variety of browns, mauve and gray.
The rest of my look uses:
Face
- Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer
- IT Cosmetics CC+ Veil Beauty Fluid (Cushion) Foundation, Light
- PUR Hydrating Water Foundation, Light
- IT Cosmetics CC+ Vitality Brightening Creme Blush, Je Ne Sais Quoi
- Cynthia Rowley Illuminator
- Amazing Cosmetics Perfection Stick, Fair
Eyes
- Urban Decay Anti-aging Eye Primer
- Shiseido Lash Curler
- e.l.f. Essential Smudge Pots, Ain’t That Sweet? and Wine Not
- Lancome Drama Liqui-Pencil, Noir (upper lid & waterline)
- Smashbox Always Sharp Waterproof Kohl Liner, Royal
- IT Cosmetics Superhero Mascara
Lips
- Milani Power Lip, Macaroon, one of my favorite hydrating liquid lipsticks soon to be discontinued, boo hoo
Have you tried these little e.l.f. cuties?
This is the first time I read about e.l.f smudge pot too, I had no idea that they have cream shadows! Wine Not is so lovely, must say I’m not a fan of Ain’t That Sweet which I think would be too light on me. Got to check my local drugstore to see if they have these.
Shireen L. Platt recently posted…#GETYELLOW With YLLO Turmeric Scrub
Wine Not is definitely worth adding to your stash especially at this affordable price!
These are both beautiful! Other than screwing the lids on tightly, I have found the tutoring them upside down helps prevent drying out.
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How interesting, Helen! Why does turning them upside down keep them moister? Curious
I’m not entirely sure, Allison. I initially wondered if some how the moisture from the product navigated toward the top, or whether somehow between being upside down with a tightly screwed on lid somehow discouraged added air from drying it out. All I know for sure, is that it has kept my pile of cream shadows from drying out.
Lola’s Secret Beauty Blog recently posted…Barneys New York Love Yourself Bag Event March 8-12 | His & Hers Gift Bag Reveal
I was just curious if you had a scientific reason for it, but experience is just as good!
I’ve tried the Smudge Pots, and like them. They work really well as a cream base for me. I need that Wine Not!
Nidia – Lit From Within recently posted…What’s Punker Than Punk?
I may end up using the pink shimmer as a base, though it does show up well enough. I think Wine Not would be beautiful on you!
I can’t wear many cream products because I have such oily skin & lids. I do find the smudge pots work way better for me than the maybelline ones do. Oh and gorgeous look!
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Thank you, Leigh! I hear that from a lot of women who have oily lids. I’ve always had dry skin, and dry eyelids so even in my 20s, cream was my form of choice. These have a smoother consistency than the Maybelline Color Tattoos, and once I get some on my finger or brush, they’re easier to apply.
Oooh I haven’t seen these before but I love a good cream base! I’ve been doing good with staying out of the stores during this low buy but I have a few elf goodies that’ll I’ll be racking up on during one of their 1/2 off sales soon enough!
Kara recently posted…February Empties | Rebuy or Let It Fly | Hair & Beauty
For $3 or $1.50 during the sale, it doesn’t even count (towards your no buy) 😉
You know, I also love cream products. I think I am going to go out and look for these!! <3
Shipra recently posted…ColourPop Cosmetics Ultra Satin Lip Swatches and Review
I think they are so worth it. Far better quality than one would expect for $3!
I love the look of WIne Not! Gotta check it out 🙂
I think you’d like it. Plus $3!!
Both shades look pretty but if I have to choose, I’d pick the wine not. I really like your lip color from Milani. The color blush looks awesome on you.
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You don’t have to choose, Monica, lol. I’m eager to try some more of these creamy shadows. Sad that the pink wasn’t an opaque shadow, but the color stayed on and shimmered till I took it off. For $3, I’m sold. Thank you, I love that Milani lippie and I’m so sad it’s being discontinued.
I’ve heard these are awesome and have been thinking about maybe picking one up; I like the shades you chose, thanks for a helpful post. I love their brow/liner in a similar little pot, it has replaced most of my other brow products as it too does not budge and is easy to apply.
I haven’t used a lot of makeup from e.l.f. but when I saw a comparison of the elf cream shadows vs Maybelline Color Tattoos, I knew I had to try them. Wine Not is just a fabulous shade, and even though I’d prefer the pink one to be opaque instead of sheer, it lasted for 10 hours till I removed it. For $3, these are an incredible bargain. I’ll have to see if they have a redhead shade for brows! Thanks, Monica!
I love those colors! So pretty.
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Thank you!
You look lovely using ELF eye colors…I think I need to those wine plum next time at Target!
Ursula
http://www.blueridgebeautyblogger.com
For $3, it’s a worthwhile purchase, Ursual!
Well now I want to try some smudge pots!
Kat Dinges recently posted…Wednesday Jam: Bit O’Luck
For $3, we all can try them!
What a great deal! I think they’re both pretty colors. I’ve never tried these before either, so I’ll add them to my Target list.
Stacie recently posted…Red Carpet Makeup
They are definitely worth trying, Stacie. They make a good base or nice shades on their own.
Your skin looks amazing–I need to know your secret. That lip color is beautiful on you too!
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Thank you! Cindy, I had on two different foundations in that photo to get the finish. I don’t usually do that. The lip color is Milani Power Lip Macaroon, unfortunately for me being discontinued
I’m a huge fan of e.l.f. I have some of these little smudge pots. I like them best as eyeliners, because they do crease a little bit on me if I use them as shadows. I have really oily lids, though.
That’s great that they work well for you as eyeliners. I’m hoping I can find some more shades to try out.
I’ve only heard good things about these Smudge Pots. I’ll admit that the name makes me think it’ll be a mess on my oily lids but it actually sounds like they’ve got a good formula
Mai recently posted…Swatches & Review: Essence Sheer & Shine Lipsticks in BFF and Glamour Queen – For the Everyday Casual Lip Look
They really are good, and they stay in place and are long-lasting. But not sure how they’d be with oily lids. But I love the quality especially considering how affordable they are
You’re right, Wine Not is just so gorgeous! I love your FOTD, especially that beautiful lipstick. Pity they’re discontinuing it.
Renu recently posted…Beauty Products Emptied in February 2016
Thank you, Renu! Yes, I’m so ticked off that everything I like always gets discontinued 😉
Oh I love cream e/s! You look fabulous as usual
Kath TheFabZilla recently posted…February Empties : Lots of Skincare
Thanks, Kathryne. I am so disappointed because I was planning to buy a couple of the Tom Ford cream shadows during the upcoming Barney’s beauty event, but Helen tells me that they don’t carry TF makeup. I don’t know why I thought it was there. I may try Givenchy cream shadows. Have you tried them?
Wow they look great and ELF is so much more affordable in US than it is here in UK. It’s still cheap but the price is probably a double 😉
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Maybe elf doesn’t manufacture in the UK and have to ship product? Here elf is such an amazing value!
The shade Wine Not is so pretty! I don’t have anything like that. I have a bunch of Mayeblline Color Tattoos definitely reaching the end of their life span so I’ll be in the market for new cream shadows soon!
Tess Galen recently posted…February Favorites 2016
Wine Not is such a bargain at $3, Tess. Worth picking up!
I saw that post about the Elf pots too and added them to my “to try” list since the Maybelline ones just don’t work for me. That wine color looks lovely. Thanks for the review!
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They’re cheaper and I like the consistency better!
I need to get me some of those smudge pots… the color are nice. Very pretty FOTD 🙂
You do. At $3 each, they’re a steal!
I need to grab both of these! Perfect shades for me
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For $3 each, they’re a steal!
I have Ain’t That Sweet and a gold one. I’ve just used the pink and it can be patchy but it smooths out well. I use it for an e/s base. For $3 it’s a great buy. I’ll try the gold one soon.
I’ll be curious to hear what you think of the gold. The two shades I bought were the only options at Target, but I’m intrigued for the other 10 choices that I saw online. And the gold was one I wish they had more info about because it looks yellow online. I hope it’s a good one!
Smudge pots are fantastic! So affordable and they work so well!
Katie Garvin recently posted…Quick Hairstyles for Busy Moms – Goody Makes it Easy!
Thank you for turning me on to them, Katie!