What do an Elf and a buck have in common? It's almost like Christmastime everyday!
Written: Nov 14 '05 (Updated Dec 02 '06)
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I recently discovered a new cosmetics website that seemed too good to be true. I always believe if something seems too good to be true, it usually is. When I saw that every cosmetic and accessory on the site was $1.00, I pretty much assumed the site was a crock. To my surprise, Elf Cosmetics (www.eyeslipsface.com) is actually is as good as it claims to be. No strings, no hidden costs, no problems at all.
What the Site Sells
Elf, short for Eyes, Lips, Face, sells cosmetics such as blush, concealer, mascara, lip glosses of all kinds, face powder, eye shadows, nail polish, and accessories like cosmetic brushes and nail items.
Everything is a buck.
The only items that are not one dollar the cases they sell. If you want cosmetic carry case, you can purchase one for $5.00-$10.00 depending on size and features.
Navigation
Elf is simple to navigate. The light pink and white hues are easy on the eyes and the site is set up simply. Pick a category: Eyes, Lips, Face, Nails, Tools, Cases, or Looks. Once inside a category, you will see thumbnails photos of all the items they sell in that category (Looks is a category of certain styles and conditions and what items you should buy to recreate the style or treat the condition). Click on a picture and you will see all the shades and a description of the item. The cost is $1.00 so you don’t need to wonder about that. One thing I do not see on the site is a list of ingredients for each product so, if you have specific allergies, you may want to contact them before purchasing anything.
Click to add to your cart. If you want, you can choose a case and then click to add to your kit and the items will arrive stuffed into your case of choice. I like that. The cases are really quite nice. I bought one for myself (with another on the way) and three for my sisters and niece and all were worth the money and very good buys.
When you have finished shopping, you go to the check out. Shipping is a flat $5.00 for all orders (It was free for orders over $25.00 until January 1, 2006). There is no tax added, at least not to my state. They have weekly specials with either free gifts with purchase or free shipping so be sure to sign up for their weekly emails to catch the deals.
You can set up an account with your personal info and a few facts about your hair, eye, and skin coloring to be kept on file. A major credit card completes the order.
You will see a confirmation number and your complete order on the screen. I suggest you print that screen out for your records.
You will get an order confirmation in email almost immediately after you get a confirmation on the screen - usually. I did not get one the last two times I ordered but did the first two times. Even more reason to copy or print your invoice when you check out.
Orders arrive in a US Postal Service Priority Mail box.
Extras
You can sign up for their newsletter which gives you special deals and information on their newest products and promotions.
Also, there is an area that helps you to determine what your skin tone is and gives tips on how to achieve certain looks. There are also areas that tell you what magazines and media their products have appeared in and what is being said about the site and products.
Variety
There are quite a few items in the lips area but only a few in the face area. Overall, there’s plenty to keep you browsing for a good long time but they are sorely lacking in the foundation department with just one offering. They also sell premade kits - products picked for a specific look packed in one of their travel bags. These cost the same as if you were to buy the bag and products separately but are time savers for those looking for cosmetics that coordinate and don’t want to search for the right shades themselves. The site is adding new products fairly quickly so check back to see what's new.
My Experience
I was leery of the site and the cosmetics. After all, what can you get for a buck these days? Still, they are participating merchant with www.ebates.com who offer a whopping 8% of your total sale back and I had seen one of their items (the face whip) in a popular magazine as the “editor’s pick” so I went ahead with an order.
With my first order, shipping was free for orders over $25.00. I didn’t realize how hard it was finding $25.00 worth of cosmetics and accessories when everything is a dollar! I didn’t want to pay $5.00 shipping so filled my cart with lip glosses and balms, blushers, a couple eyes shadows, and a couple face brushes. I also tried out the under eye concealer and bought a cute striped cosmetic travel bag.
I went to the checkout, spent $26.00, no shipping or tax, and filled in my personal info and gave my credit card number and expiry date. I got my confirmation and printed it out.
About a week later, I received a Priority Mail box and, inside, all my items were packed.
Each item comes carded and with clear plastic over the product like you would buy in a drugstore or mass-market store. I like the cards because they are different colors for specific areas of the face (lips, eyes, blush, concealer, etc. all have different colored cards). Each card also has a picture of the part of the face that the item is to be used for. It’s a cute extra especially if you are giving these items as gifts. The brushes come in a reusable thick plastic pouch
Most items are about the same size as drugstore products. The powdered blush, however, is about the size of Covergirl’s Cheeker’s Blush. Just a bit smaller than a typical blush compact (but the same size as my Tarte blushes which were each as much as my entire order at Elf!). The lip glosses and shines are full sized and the concealer is actually larger than any tube of concealer I have seen.
The quality of items is pretty good. I like the face whip and most of the lip items. If you’re a lip gloss junkie like I am, it’s like Christmas spending a dollar each on a bunch of different glosses and stains.
The bag I bought is cute and holds quite a bit. It has several zippered compartments and mesh areas for cosmetics and is worth the $5.00 I paid for it.
Another good buy was the foundation brush. It’s really a good brush! I also bought a lip brush that is as good as my brand name ones.
Overall, I am very pleased with the site - from navigation, to price and shipping, to the quality.
The items aren’t artistically packed like high end products but nothing was damaged and all 21 items were there and in the shades and varieties I ordered.
One thing I wasn’t thrilled with was the invoice. It does have all your items on there but not the names of them, just the shades. It’s very hard to match what you ordered with the enclosed invoice. That’s why I suggested above that you print out your order confirmation. That way you can match your products with the list.
In all, you can’t go wrong with Elf cosmetics. A buck goes a long way once again!
Shipping and Returns
Shipping is a flat $7.00 for all orders unless they are having a promotion.
The return policy states: "Due to the low cost nature of our business and the high cost of shipping we are unable to offer refunds or exchanges on our products. If your product arrived damaged please email customer service."
UPDATE: January 4, 2006: I did get the wrong tone in my concealer and foundation (I asked for Tone 2, they sent Tone 4) in my second order and an email to them was sent. They immediately shipped the correct tone of both items and didn't want the other ones back so they definitely make good on their promise of making sure you get the exact products and shades you order.
Contact Info
There is an onsite contact page to write to customer service with inquires and problems.
Their toll free customer service number is 1-800-231-4732 and their physical address is:
Elf Cosmetics
1350 Broadway, Suite 1715
New York, NY 10018
Conclusion
I like this site. The cosmetics are certainly not high end but they’re pretty darn good for a buck a piece. The Face Whip is being raved about by everyone who has tried it, including me! I am most impressed with the various lip glosses and stains. Some items are smaller than you get at some stores, notably the blush, but some are larger and most are the same general size as cosmetics that are much higher priced.
Navigation is easy, they have weekly promotions and sales, and everything came to me as it should have been with nothing missing or damaged.
I have no complaints at all. You get what you pay for plus some at Elf aka www.eyelipsface.com.
4 stars and hoards of dollar cosmetics for all!
I would go with 5 stars but the lack of an ingredients list for items, the on again, off again order confirmation emails, and the loss of the great free shipping over $25.00 policy brings the site slightly down. Still, one of the best beauty sites around for real deals and steals.
Recommended:
Yes
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