Here’s why everyone is wearing the E.l.f Halo Glow, from celebrities to beauty editors
I always look for the little joys in life, like finding a fiver in my pocket or getting an extra McNugget in my share box. While these are all top-tier surprises, discovering a ‘drugstore double’ of my Holy Grail beauty product is a next-level kind of feeling.
Don’t get me wrong, I love a lavish purchase, but my bank balance never appreciates it in quite the same way. Well, here’s the good news; the beauty industry has come a long way in recent years, so no longer does expensive = best.
Today, you can find great makeup dupes for many of the classics, but IMO, there is only one I'd buy time and time again.
As soon as E.l.f’s Halo Glow Liquid Filter launched, it was instantly labelled as a dupe for Charlotte Tilbury’s Flawless Filter. Yes, the packaging and wand-style applicator is an impressive lookalike to its luxe counterpart, but it also delivers a similar dewy finish and delicate coverage that the Flawless Filter is so famous for.
While the Flawless Filter will always remain a classic, there's one teeny tiny issue; it'll set you back around £40. It’s a little spenny and a bit of a treat buy which is why I swear by E.l.f’s Halo Glow; it delivers everything it promises all for £14.
As with many trendy makeup launches, beauty TikTokers – like Mikayla Nogueira Hawken – gave the Halo Glow their stamp of approval as a genuine Tilbury ‘doop’. Even A-List's finest, including Issa Rae and Meghan Trainor, have been known to walk the red carpet wearing the high-street tint.
Not a primer, and not a foundation either, the Halo Glow sits right in between. It’s described by E.l.f as a complexion booster, which IMO, means it won’t offer the same coverage as a thick base, but has enough pigment to blur redness and fade the appearance of acne scars.
What makes it a staple inside so many makeup bags is how versatile it is. Some layer it under foundation for a medium to full-coverage finish, while others where it alone to create a naturally radiant complexion. For maximum glow, I’ve even seen MUAs and beauty buffs double it up as a highlighter for the areas where they’d like a little more radiance (think: cheekbones and down their nose bridge).
The shade range is quite limited – with only eight to choose from – however the brand describes them as 'flexible' shades which will suit a range of skin tones. As the finish is sheer and delicate, you should be able to find a shade or two that works for you.
As for the formula, it’s laced with fine shimmers (but not in a blinding kind of way) to boost the radiant finish. After patting down the product with a beauty sponge, it delivers a light veil to my complexion which gives it a ‘my skin but glowier’ kind of result.
I can still see my texture and freckles peeping through, and the occasional rosy patch – but during the summer, this is the kind of fresh-faced look I’m after. I’m not interested in products that are designed to blur my complexion or give it an ‘IRL filter’ but rather formulas that will brighten and give me a great-looking skin.
The way it feels is ideal for warmer climates too; the formula never separates or contributes to my ‘sweaty’ sheen after a rush hour commute. I also spotted hyaluronic acid and squalane on the INCI list which is probably why my skin feels hydrated and plump for as long as I wear it.
Frankly, most of the time I forget I've got makeup on until someone compliments my complexion and asks what product I’m wearing. As you’d imagine, there's always a shock when I don’t say the Flawless Filter.
While it’s always nice to invest in a little luxury, sometimes the bank balance just doesn’t agree with you (I feel you). So if you’re awaiting payday and don’t want to drop £40 on the Flawless Filter just yet, this is a great way to achieve the same kind of finish, for far less dosh.
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