E.l.f cosmetics has been releasing new products like crazy this year. One that I’ve been personally drawn to is e.l.f.’s ACTIVE Collection, which includes a range of no-fuss, minimal makeup and skincare essentials – just up my alley!
The e.l.f. ACTIVE Collection includes 7 products, which breaks down into 3 skincare products (a mist, hydration stick, and cleansing wipes), 3 makeup products (an eyeliner, mascara & brow duo, and lip & cheek palette), and lastly a silicone sponge applicator to apply both skincare and makeup (without soaking up sweat or oil after workouts). All 7 are designed be sweat-resistant, lightweight, and non-pore-clogging.
I tried out the bulk of the products in e.l.f.’s ACTIVE collection, with the exception of the silicone sponge and eyeliner. Keep reading for my review, swatches, and the final verdict on what I’ll be keeping, and tossing…
e.l.f. ACTIVE Workout Ready Hydration Stick
This cool blue hydration stick is formulated with Shea butter, cocoa seed butter, aloe, and grape seed oil to help hydrate and soothe the skin, while also creating a cooling sensation on contact. It can be used on the face and neck, as well as on the arms, chest, and pretty much any area other you want to refresh and re-hydrate on-the-go.
First off, I love packaging – the twist-up stick makes it quick and easy to apply, and also minimizes the need for me to touch my face during/after my workout. Despite being a solid, it melts into my skin on contact. It doesn’t feel the most lightweight due to all the oils present in the formula, however, I find that it effectively smooths my rough patches and absorbs in a few minutes time. For those reasons, I’m looking forward to using this during/after my workouts, and also plan to toss it in my everyday/travel bag for times when I need a quick touch-up! KEEPING
Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Propylene Glycol, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Glycerin, Sodium Stearate, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate (Ve), PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Theobroma Cacoa (Coco) Seed Butter, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Fragrance (Parfum), Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid MAY CONTAIN: Blue 1 (CI 42090), Yellow 5 (CI 19140)
e.l.f. ACTIVE Sweat Resistant Mascara & Brow Duo
This brow and mascara duo includes a clear brow gel on one end, and a black mascara on the other. The brow gel comes with a super thin comb that makes it easy to apply precisely and evenly. The gel manages to keep everything in place without making my hairs feel stiff. The waterproof mascara on the other end provides length and definition first and foremost, with some added volume. The end result definitely falls on the more natural-looking side. From my experience, it’s best applied quickly and in one coat. Unfortunately, if you try to build it up with a second coat after it dries, the formula sticks and clumps like crazy. All-in-all, while I like the brow gel, the mascara can quickly turn into a fail after too many layers. TOSSING
Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Betaine, Allantoin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate (Licorice Root Extract), Biosaccharide Gum-1, Disodium EDTA, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Sodium Hyaluronate, Coceth-7, PPG-1-PEG-9 Lauryl Glycol Ether, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate (Ve), Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Fragrance (Parfum)
e.l.f. ACTIVE Workout Ready Lip & Cheek Palette
The e.l.f. ACTIVE Workout Ready Lip & Cheek Palette is designed to be a universally flattering, all-in-one palette, complete with four shades to add a pop of color and glow to the cheek and lips. It includes one highlighter, two blush shades, and a bronzer – all of which can be mixed and matched to create custom colors and looks.
Although very pigmented, the 3 blush/bronzer formulas are quite thick, dry, and a bit difficult to blend out on the cheeks (the eye lids and lips however take no time to apply). The only way I’m able to get the colors to look seamless is to lightly dot them on my cheeks, and then continuously press the formula in, using the warmth of my finger to help them spread (I just cannot imagine the silicone applicator working very well!). One more personal nitpick I have with these shades is that they’re all on the warmer side, with a peachy beige, deeper brick red, and orangey-bronze – I would have preferred to see a mix of neutral, warm, and cool tones.
The real ‘highlight’ in this palette? The highlighter. A little goes a long way, and it creates a beautiful dewy glow. It also blends easily and looks great on the cheeks, eyes, lips, and also mixed in with the other shades (making them a bit more workable too). KEEPING
Eyes: Wearing highlighter on inner lid and brow bone, lightest blush shade on outer lid, bronzer lightly in crease / Cheeks: Wearing highlighter and darkest blush
Cheeks: Wearing highlighter and lightest blush shade / Lips: Wearing both blush shades mixed together
Ingredients: Microcrystalline Wax (Cera Microcristallina), Tridecyl Trimellitate, Diisostearyl Malate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyisobutylene, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Polyethylene, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Kaolin, Magnesium Silicate, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopheryl Acetate (Ve), Ethylhexylglycerin, Lecithin, Caprylyl Glycol, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Wax, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Glycerides Polyglycerin-10 Esters, Tin Oxide MAY CONTAIN: Mica (CI 77019), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Red 7 Lake (CI 15850)
e.l.f. ACTIVE Post-Workout Cleansing Body Wipes
E.l.f.’s Post-Workout Cleansing Body Wipes can used both on the body and the face, and are designed to remove sweat, dirt, and makeup and also hydrate and refresh skin with aloe. There are 20 sheets total in this soft pack, making it a decent size to toss in your gym or travel bag. I tested these by removing the waterproof mascara and lip & cheek colors I’d applied above, and impressively, they wiped away everything, even the mascara with very little effort. They also left my skin feeling comfortable – not at all tight or dry. KEEPING
Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Ceteareth-20, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Ceteareth-12, Cetyl Palmitate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Polysorbate 20, Propylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Fragrance (Parfum)
e.l.f. ACTIVE Post-Workout Cool Down Mist
E.l.f.’s Post-Workout Cool Down Mist is formulated to both cool down and nourish the skin using jojoba esters, castor oil, and licorice root. It can also be used under or over makeup to add a dewy glow to the skin.
One issue I have with these misters is that they can spray too heavily and easily run my makeup. This one, however, sprays in a very fine, delicate mist. Two or three sprays is enough to cover my face and neck, cooling it on contact, adding a lightweight layer of hydration, and creating a healthy-looking fresh and dewy finish. It has a fairly strong but pleasant perfume-y scent, which fortunately doesn’t linger for too long on the skin. I wish e.l.f. would have left all fragrances out, as they can be irritating for some (especially on vulnerable skin post-workout). But otherwise, the formula has a decent line-up of hydrating ingredients that has earned it a spot on my vanity. KEEPING
Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Betaine, Allantoin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate (Licorice Root Extract), Biosaccharide Gum-1, Disodium EDTA, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Sodium Hyaluronate, Coceth-7, PPG-1-PEG-9 Lauryl Glycol Ether, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate (Ve), Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Fragrance (Parfum)
Wrap-Up
Overall, I’m semi-impressed with e.l.f.’s ACTIVE Collection. The makeup, from what I tested, doesn’t offer anything particularly unique. The Workout Ready palette is simply one of those ‘nice to have’ items for emergencies (I keep mine in my gym bag), but I don’t find myself reaching for it when I have the rest of my makeup collection at my disposal. The Sweat Resistant Mascara & Brow Duo, while in theory may be great for travel, to me falls short in the mascara department. Honestly, I’d rather just carry around two separate tubes if that meant I could use a better quality waterproof mascara.
The skincare products, on the other hand, are the shining stars. In particular, I love the e.l.f. ACTIVE Workout Ready Hydration Stick – its cooling, oil-rich formula feels so good on my skin, and helps smooth my driest areas. I also like the Post-Workout Cool Down Mist and the healthy-looking, dewy glow it creates, which lasts for hours on my skin!
Available at e.l.f. Cosmetics & Walmart
What are your thoughts on e.l.f.’s ACTIVE collection?
