I honestly don’t know how this ended up in my shopping cart. I own too many bronzers and blushes right about now. Still, I was very excited to compare the e.l.f. Contouring Blush & Bronzing Powder Kit in St. Lucia to the NARS Laguna Bronzer / Orgasm Blush duo. I down’t own the NARS duo, which looks extremely similar to the duo from e.l.f., but I do own Laguna and Orgasm individually. Here are my thoughts on this “dupe”….
First things first, I don’t think this is a dupe. I’m quite picky about my dupes. Regardless of the discrepancies in formula, I don’t find these to be close enough in color. You can immediately tell these apart in the swatches below. Here are my thoughts on e.l.f. St. Lucia Kit vs. NARS Orgasm/Laguna Blush/Bronzer Duo:
Texture: both are soft but the e.l.f. kit is more powdery
Longevity: the NARS powders last longer on the face
Pigmentation: both are nicely pigmented
Blendability: both are easy to blend
Similarity: Surprisingly, the e.l.f. bronzer is darker. The gold shimmer in NARS Laguna is more noticeable. The e.l.f. blush is less pink and the shimmer in NARS Orgasm is much more pronounced.
In summary: I don’t think the e.l.f. Contouring Kit is a dupe for NARS Orgasm/Laguna, the differences are pretty clear specially if you’ve used NARS’s version before. However, the Contouring Kit is a nice product on its own accord. You might prefer one over the other depending on how much shimmer you want or how dark you need your bronzer to be. Like I mentioned before, the e.l.f. kit feels a bit more powdery and doesn’t last as long but the kit only costs $3 vs. $45 for the NARS duo (or $24 for the mini version).
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This is so nice! xx
BerrieBlogs {beauty and lifestyle blog}
I totally agree. I actually really disliked this ELF duo, but I bought it after everyone claimed it was dupe status!
Kallie – But First, Coffee
That's a big problem I have. A lot of people are very quick to claim "dupe", specially if the product is very inexpensive so it creates expectations which aren't met and the disappointment is greater.
I own the elf version, but i like using the bronzer as a crease shade as it's too dark for me! xx
A Little Treat | Beauty & Lifestyle Blog
I have the Elf duo and never use it because the bronzer is so dark and pigmented. I never thought to use it as a crease colour though! I'm totally going to try that 🙂
Great use for it!
I'm giving away my e.l.f. contouring kit. It oxidizes on me and makes me look red-orange by midday, which is a shame because it's so darn affordable!
As for the Nars duo, I'm probably not going to spend that much money on a blush OR bronzer.
Honestly, if you found the elf one orange I wouldn't recommend NARS Laguna for you so you're right for staying away. They are definitely on the warm side x
That was a very useful blog post, thanks for sharing ! I'd love to try the NARS brand, I always hear so much good about it !
Giveaway, win Sally Hansen and Cocoa Brown self tanning products !
http://thecrimeofashion.blogspot.fr
The price makes it so very worth it for me.. Though I honestly shouldn't be buying another powder yet! I'm still on the MAC Careblend powder for my contouring needs heh 🙂 I'm sure the ELF is an awesome budget pick for a beginner though! x
I definitely agree that it's not a dupe. I own the Elf duo and I never use it, it's just so-so!
http://www.chelsealeigh.ca/
Yeah, it's not bad but quality-wise it's no NARS plus the colors are different so no not a dupe for me x
It looks surprisingly good! Great for those on a budget
I've never been tempted by the e.l.f. duo because the bronzer looks SO dark… way too dark for me; it would look so muddy on a lot of complexions!! 🙁
♥Cassie
thriftthick.blogspot.com
Yeah, I get you. But it's also hard for people with dark complexions to find a bronzer that will show up on them so it's difficult to please the majority of consumers xx
I actually prefer the elf one because of how dark the contour is. I do struggle when looking for a contour bronzer, especially when I'm tanned xx
Lauraslittleloves
Then I want to suggest the MAC Sculpting Powder in Shadowy. It's quite dark. I use it when I'm tan and with a light hand when I'm paler x
That is certainly no dupe.
RIKKI POYNTER
// RIKKI POYNTER MAKEUP: The Deaf Side of Beauty
I found the elf one to be very chalky, and didn't really like it, its probably a good one if you are on a budget though! x
Maddy from UNSTITCHEDD
I love Nars, but Elf definitely would be great for when I'm on a budget!
Great post 🙂
nikkiandthings.blogspot.co.uk
Loved this comparison, now I definitely know that I don't need Laguna because it looks way too shimmery for my liking 🙂
sparklewithlaughter.blogspot.com
Definitely agree with you! I don't understand how people think it is a dupe… I own both of the products and I think the Elf Duo is good in its own right, but not the exact same thing!
<3 Pauline, Addicted to Makeup
You summarized my review/thoughts perfectly 😀
The ELF Duo contains mineral oil – just letting you know! So, using this product can result in clogged pores and unnecessary acne and blemishes.
I usually check ingredients on high-end products because I want to make sure they aren't crap considering I'm paying a lot, but I usually forget to do so when it comes to affordable items! Thank you for the heads up x
The NARS duo is beautiful. I haven't ordered off of ELF in some time as it always seems to be a bit hit and miss x
Love finding things like this!
http://www.beautyandtheboy.com
I had the elf duo and love it 🙂
I love that you did a comparison! So awesome. I love the look of the shimmer in the Nars blush, but for the price I'd probably go for e.l.f.
I try to avoid the ELF face powders. I agree, they are a bit too powdery and don't last. Even for the low cost, I wouldn't be interested. These two are definitely not dupes.
Thank you for the review!
I bought this because of it being a 'dupe', but I'm actually not a fan of the formula. I find the bronzer quite dark, a good contour colour, but hard to blend and too shimmery. The blush is quite chalky and sheer for me too!
Tasha // shiwashiful.
i just bought this on iherb as a gauge to see if i should splurge on the real thing! looking at the swatches they dont seem alike at all D: …looks like i might have to buy the real thing 😛
♥ M&L twoplicates
I'm impressed, thats a really close match. I think I actually like the ELF duo better !
Madeline | Its a Mads Mads World
It really bugs me when people find a colour that's similar and say it's a dupe, there's more to a dupe than just colour and I totally agree with you here. Although I love NARS products, I actually prefer the ELF colours here. I don't own Laguna, but I do have Orgasm and it is really shimmery on me.
Lovely post!
Claudia xx | Beauty and the Chic
Yeah, I rarely ever wear Orgasm. It's beautiful but I just don't like such a shimmery finish on myself. x
Great post, I've never tried e.l.f products
http://www.ambermcniff.co.uk
Definitely not a dupe at all I think. The nars bronzer is much more natural and not as dark and the blush is also much pinkier and has nice fine golden glitter!
Thanks for the helpful comparison! Nice to hear that the ELF palette is still a great affordable option and that its shades aren't quite as shimmery!
-Jen
http://www.vibrantbeautyblog.com
I don't own the elf version but own the NARS ones seperately as you do. I thought they were pretty good already so didn't buy the elf one but everyone kept saying they were exact dupes but they are pretty different I think xx
Yes, definitely different. I think you're good if you own Orgasm + Laguna already. Since you've tried those you will definitely notice a big difference in terms of texture x
I always heard that the Elf duo was a dupe but seeing the swatches totally debunks that. The colors are really different! Still beautiful but different than the NARS duo.