E.L.F. Studio HD Blush in ‘Superstar’ – Review & swatches

I have never had an experience with liquid blushers before so it took me some time to figure out the right way to work with it.

Studio HD Blush
Rich and creamy HD Blush naturally sculpts and highlights the cheekbones for a soft-focus effect that is great for everyday use. The Vitamin E enriched formula conditions and hydrates the skin for a healthy, radiant glow. Velvety soft, lightweight and highly pigmented color creates a long-lasting result for all day wear.

E.L.F. Studio HD Blush in ‘Superstar’

E.L.F. Studio HD Blush in ‘Superstar’

E.L.F. Studio HD Blush in ‘Superstar’

E.L.F. Studio HD Blush in ‘Superstar’ -- (L-R) Applied heavy and blended

E.L.F. Studio HD Blush in ‘Superstar’ -- Applied

My thoughts
Before we go into the details, let’s talk about the shade first. As you can see, it’s a gorgeous pink-coral that shows up as a warm peach on my skin tone which I don't mind because I think it looks good on me. It contains tiny shimmer that doesn’t emphasize any skin imperfections which is plus point. I see this shade working better for warm medium to dark skin tones and not so well for a pale skin with cool undertones; for one, it is über-pigmented which makes it hard to blend or it may come across too bold for your taste.

Since it’s a liquid blush, I was worried that it would make my face look shiny but it turned out just the opposite of what I’d expected. The formula is creamy with a smell that isn’t strong or repulsive. After a couple of seconds, it sets to a complete matte finish which of course isn’t ideal for anyone with a dry skin type. Nope, it doesn’t hydrate as it claims.

When I first tried it, I saw oil seeping through the pump which kind of put me off but after I shook it well, it was just fine. So don’t forget to give the bottle a good shake every time before using. I didn’t face any issues with the pump; it dispenses just enough to get the job done. You only need about half of what a full pump gives out for both the cheeks as a little goes a very long way. Now there are two ways you can apply; dab super tiny dots on your cheekbone and blend it out quickly with your fingers or squirt some on the back of your hand and use a stippling brush for a natural wash of color. It dries very quickly so once you have it on, make sure you blend it out fast else you'll end up with spots/patches and it’d be hard to get an even color application. In case you over do, use a kabuki brush to buff it into the skin or brush a little face powder to tone it down.

What’s best about this product is the staying power; it’s incredible! It lasted for good six hours over my primed skin with foundation. I think it’s safe to say that it is water-proof which might be a con for some since it will stain if you use your fingers to apply. At first, I had doubts about the quantity since the packaging is teeny-weeny but now I know it will last a long time. I have seen people using it as a lip stain but it didn’t quite work for me because it appears somewhat cakey but that could be fixed easily with a clear lip gloss or a balm on top.

Overall, this blush is actually good for the price. It’s also considered a great dupe for MUFE HD Blushes. The only way you can make it work for you is to master the application technique. One thing’s for sure, you will NEVER complain about any of the five shades in this range not showing up on your skin as this line most definitely caters to women of color. You may want to skip on it if you expect quick and easy blending or if you have a dry skin type.

You might like it if…

• You expect a matte finish
• You expect great pigmentation
• You apply and blend quickly
• You expect a good wear time
• You find it affordable

You might not like it if…

• You have a dry skin type
• You expect easy and quick blending
• You expect it to hydrate

My rating
3.5/5

E.L.F. Studio HD Blush is priced PKR 699 and can be purchased online at BeautyInBudget4u. Folks abroad can purchase from E.L.F's website, Target and BeautyJoint.com.

What do you think about it? Have you tried it?