I’ve always liked this brand, and their products are good, but they don’t end up being staples in my collection. The makeup I like most from e.l.f tend to be dupes for higher end products, which I consider to be nearly as good, but not better. This is the only reason I don’t review e.l.f products as frequently on this blog, because I already own the makeup they’re creating alternatives for.

I didn’t realize a loose powder version was released long before this pressed one. In Germany, the loose powder is €9 for 6.8 grams and €16 for 10 grams.
I’m not certain if this is supposed to be similar to anything else on the market, but I was intrigued enough to want to give it a try.

e.l.f. Cosmetics Halo Glow Powder Filter in Tan Warm

This gave me quite the great first impression! It’s not a weighty product, but I was pleased to see that it had a mirror, as well as a velvety puff. The powder is so soft to the touch and is not hard-pressed, so one has to be careful not to pick up too much powder with a brush. This isn’t translucent and slightly lightens my foundation, so I prefer using a brush with this rather than the puff that packs on a lot of product. That way, the color isn’t a problem for me. Based on the photos I’ve seen, I still think I picked the best one for me.

This looks beautiful over a moisturized base, but it doesn’t look that smoothed or blurred over dry patches. It sets my face in the sense that it dries the emollient spots, while still allowing for some luminosity (that I assume is from the Synthetic Fluorphlogopite), but it doesn’t really control oil. If I’m using emollient skincare, my face will start to get that wet-shine look again as the day goes on. This is a great thing for me and the kind of look I try to achieve in the wear of my makeup. I figure this could be a problem for others though.

I’ve used this once to set down my concealer, but it got broken down around 4-5 hours in. So, I haven’t used it that way again. A finishing powder isn’t really intended to set, but I wanted to test it anyway. The Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder has “finish” in the name, but I only like to use it under my eyes because it’s too drying for me elsewhere, and acts more like a setting powder on me. So, I can’t always judge products based on their name.

I think this is a good pressed powder for someone with dry skin who uses products that will allow glow to shine through, but doesn’t want to look overly luminous.
It’s probably not fair to compare this to my Dior Powder No Powder that’s like 4 times more expensive (and seems to be discontinued), but I prefer the sheen in that one way more. In fact, there are several other high end products that I prefer over ELF’s, but I can’t think of a single other drugstore finishing powder with a texture and performance as nice as this one.

Huda Beauty created something similar with their GloWish Luminous Pressed Powder, as well as Melt with their Glazed Skin Sheer Finishing Powder. Both were so glowy that I could only use them as highlighters. I believe ELF has done a better job. Even though this product has not become a staple in my collection (because it couldn’t compete with my holy grail finishing powder), I recommend it as a budget-friendly alternative for someone without a lot of uneven skin texture. That part is key.

Thanks for reading!

-Lili ❤