elf Wispy Cloud, Wildflower, Sahara, Golden Rays No Budge Cream Eyeshadows Reviews & Swatches
Wispy Cloud
elf Wispy Cloud No Budge Cream Eyeshadow ($5.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a bright white with subtle, cool undertones and a matte finish.
- Opaque coverage but prone to sheering out, not buildable
- Very creamy and emollient but dries down incredibly quickly
- Hard to blend out fast enough to use as eyeshadow/base
- Best as eyeliner, hard to layer shadows on top (using it as a primer/base)
- Very long-wearing (12 hours+)
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Lethal Cosmetics Frequency (P, $6.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- Glaminatrix Marshmallow (P, $7.30) is darker (95% similar).
- Melt Cosmetics Sandworm (LE, ) is darker (95% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty White Elephant (LE, ) is cooler (95% similar).
- ColourPop Young Love (LE, $4.50) is darker (95% similar).
- Anastasia C1 (Norvina Vol. 1) (LE, $12.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- Sugarpill Tako (P, $13.00) is darker (95% similar).
- MAC Me Me Me (LE, ) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- Anastasia Headliner (LE, $12.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Urban Decay Hey-o (P, $26.00) is darker (95% similar).
Formula Overview
$5.00/0.14 oz. - $35.71 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "blendable, long-lasting color" that is "smudge- and crease-resistant." It is a "3-in-1" formula that can work as an "eyeshadow, primer, and liner" and is "richly pigmented."
When you can work quickly and apply the shade right, they are absolutely budge-proof, but they dried down quickly and are unforgiving for any late touch-ups. As a result, they are also a little harder to work on top of if the layer is too thick, so there was a definite learning curve.
I ended up finding that as an eyeliner, it was the easiest to work with and had great staying power--12 hours--but as an all-over eyeshadow or primer, it was finicky and harder to work with, particularly as a primer as I felt like it wasn't the most conducive to layering and blending out other powder eyeshadows on top.
They were very pigmented initially but were somewhat prone to sheering out, and they did not build up as evenly or as well as I expected, so while they had some great wear time, they were largely impractical!
Browse all of our elf No Budge Cream Eyeshadow swatches.
Ingredients
Isododecane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Kaolin, Dimethicone, Synthetic Wax, Polypropylsilsesquioxane, Silica, Jojoba Esters, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Phenoxyethanol, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Propylene Carbonate, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed Butter, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Tocopherol Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Yellow Iron Oxide (Ci 77492), Black Iron Oxide (Ci 77499), Red Iron Oxide (Ci 77491)
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Wispy Cloud
PPermanent. $5.00.
Wildflower
elf Wildflower No Budge Cream Eyeshadow ($5.00 for 0.14 oz.) is desaturated, light-medium lavender with neutral-to-cool undertones and a matte finish.
- Opaque coverage but prone to sheering out, not buildable
- Very creamy and emollient but dries down incredibly quickly
- Hard to blend out fast enough to use as eyeshadow/base
- Best as eyeliner, hard to layer shadows on top (using it as a primer/base)
- Very long-wearing (12 hours+)
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Lethal Cosmetics Loop (P, $15.50) is darker (90% similar).
- NABLA Cosmetics Lavender (P, $18.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Cry Baby (P, $7.00) is cooler (85% similar).
- Make Up For Ever M92 Matte Pastel Purple (P, $21.00) is darker, cooler (80% similar).
Formula Overview
$5.00/0.14 oz. - $35.71 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "blendable, long-lasting color" that is "smudge- and crease-resistant." It is a "3-in-1" formula that can work as an "eyeshadow, primer, and liner" and is "richly pigmented."
When you can work quickly and apply the shade right, they are absolutely budge-proof, but they dried down quickly and are unforgiving for any late touch-ups. As a result, they are also a little harder to work on top of if the layer is too thick, so there was a definite learning curve.
I ended up finding that as an eyeliner, it was the easiest to work with and had great staying power--12 hours--but as an all-over eyeshadow or primer, it was finicky and harder to work with, particularly as a primer as I felt like it wasn't the most conducive to layering and blending out other powder eyeshadows on top.
They were very pigmented initially but were somewhat prone to sheering out, and they did not build up as evenly or as well as I expected, so while they had some great wear time, they were largely impractical!
Browse all of our elf No Budge Cream Eyeshadow swatches.
Ingredients
Isododecane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Kaolin, Dimethicone, Synthetic Wax, Polypropylsilsesquioxane, Silica, Jojoba Esters, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Phenoxyethanol, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Propylene Carbonate, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed Butter, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Tocopherol Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Yellow Iron Oxide (Ci 77492), Black Iron Oxide (Ci 77499), Red Iron Oxide (Ci 77491)
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Wildflower
PPermanent. $5.00.
Sahara
elf Sahara No Budge Cream Eyeshadow ($5.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a deep, mustardy yellow with subtle, warm undertones and a matte finish.
- Opaque coverage but prone to sheering out, not buildable
- Very creamy and emollient but dries down incredibly quickly
- Hard to blend out fast enough to use as eyeshadow/base
- Best as eyeliner, hard to layer shadows on top (using it as a primer/base)
- Very long-wearing (12 hours+)
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Formula Overview
$5.00/0.14 oz. - $35.71 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "blendable, long-lasting color" that is "smudge- and crease-resistant." It is a "3-in-1" formula that can work as an "eyeshadow, primer, and liner" and is "richly pigmented."
When you can work quickly and apply the shade right, they are absolutely budge-proof, but they dried down quickly and are unforgiving for any late touch-ups. As a result, they are also a little harder to work on top of if the layer is too thick, so there was a definite learning curve.
I ended up finding that as an eyeliner, it was the easiest to work with and had great staying power--12 hours--but as an all-over eyeshadow or primer, it was finicky and harder to work with, particularly as a primer as I felt like it wasn't the most conducive to layering and blending out other powder eyeshadows on top.
They were very pigmented initially but were somewhat prone to sheering out, and they did not build up as evenly or as well as I expected, so while they had some great wear time, they were largely impractical!
Browse all of our elf No Budge Cream Eyeshadow swatches.
Ingredients
Isododecane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Kaolin, Dimethicone, Synthetic Wax, Polypropylsilsesquioxane, Silica, Jojoba Esters, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Phenoxyethanol, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Propylene Carbonate, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed Butter, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Tocopherol Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Yellow Iron Oxide (Ci 77492), Black Iron Oxide (Ci 77499), Red Iron Oxide (Ci 77491)
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Sahara
PPermanent. $5.00.
Golden Rays
elf Golden Rays No Budge Cream Eyeshadow ($5.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a bright, lighter orange with strong, warm yellow undertones and a matte finish.
- Opaque coverage but prone to sheering out, not buildable
- Very creamy and emollient but dries down incredibly quickly
- Hard to blend out fast enough to use as eyeshadow/base
- Best as eyeliner, hard to layer shadows on top (using it as a primer/base)
- Very long-wearing (12 hours+)
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Morphe Creamsicle (LE, ) is warmer (95% similar).
- ColourPop Wild Soul (LE, $4.50) is warmer (95% similar).
- ColourPop Big Three (LE, $4.50) is warmer (95% similar).
- Natasha Denona Carnelian (PiP, ) is warmer (95% similar).
- Coloured Raine Evening (PiP, ) is warmer (95% similar).
- Melt Cosmetics 2012 (LE, ) is warmer (95% similar).
- Melt Cosmetics Mensaje (LE, ) is lighter (95% similar).
- Sydney Grace Mango Tea (P, $5.25) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- KVD Beauty Gina (LE, ) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Melt Cosmetics Erode (PiP, ) is lighter (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$5.00/0.14 oz. - $35.71 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "blendable, long-lasting color" that is "smudge- and crease-resistant." It is a "3-in-1" formula that can work as an "eyeshadow, primer, and liner" and is "richly pigmented."
When you can work quickly and apply the shade right, they are absolutely budge-proof, but they dried down quickly and are unforgiving for any late touch-ups. As a result, they are also a little harder to work on top of if the layer is too thick, so there was a definite learning curve.
I ended up finding that as an eyeliner, it was the easiest to work with and had great staying power--12 hours--but as an all-over eyeshadow or primer, it was finicky and harder to work with, particularly as a primer as I felt like it wasn't the most conducive to layering and blending out other powder eyeshadows on top.
They were very pigmented initially but were somewhat prone to sheering out, and they did not build up as evenly or as well as I expected, so while they had some great wear time, they were largely impractical!
Browse all of our elf No Budge Cream Eyeshadow swatches.
Ingredients
Isododecane, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Kaolin, Dimethicone, Synthetic Wax, Polypropylsilsesquioxane, Silica, Jojoba Esters, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Phenoxyethanol, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Propylene Carbonate, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed Butter, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Tocopherol Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Yellow Iron Oxide (Ci 77492), Black Iron Oxide (Ci 77499), Red Iron Oxide (Ci 77491)
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
The shade colours are vivid, but the formula makes it too difficult to apply them easily. A shame really because they could have been a fairly low cost alternative to some of the more expensive brands who offer cream eyeshadow pots.
I kind of like these (especially that light purple color). Probably not as eyeshadow, but as liner, like you suggested in the post.
Elf needs to bring this not so wonderful formula back to the lab and tweak it into something much easier to us as either a base or an eyeshadow. These sound pretty rough!
I was so excited by the opacity of your swatches that I bought the white one before your review was posted… that will teach me! I also found it difficult to use as I had intended it (cut crease) due to patchiness. I’ll still keep it because I don’t have any other white liner, but quite disappointing.