elf 3.5 (Medium Neutral Olive) Halo Glow Liquid Filter Review & Swatches
3.5 (Medium Neutral Olive)
elf 3 5 (Medium Neutral Olive) Halo Glow Liquid Filter ($14.00 for 1.06 oz.) is a muted, medium beige with subtle, warm olive undertones and a luminous sheen that wasn’t overtly shimmery and retained a dewy finish on its own.
- Sheer to semi-sheer, buildable coverage
- Lightweight, fluid, spreadable without being too runny or too thick
- Dewy finish so never fully set
- Applied well on bare skin, mixed with foundation, or on top of foundation (no lifting)
- Long-wearing (8 hours before fading noticeably as standalone highlighter)
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Auric Selenite (P, $45.00).
- elf 2 (Fair/Light Neutral Warm) (P, $14.00).
- Becca Orbit (2) (P, $30.00).
- Charlotte Tilbury Fair (2.5) (P, $44.00).
- Auric Morganite (DC, $45.00).
- Auric Morganite 2.0 (P, $45.00).
- Natasha Denona Light (01) (P, $38.00).
- Lisa Eldridge Cosmic Rose (P, $38.00).
- Glossier Play Pale Pearl (P, $20.00).
- Urban Decay Universal (LE, $32.00).
Formula Overview
$14.00/1.06 oz. - $13.21 Per Ounce
The formula is billed as a "multi-purpose, liquid glow booster" that gives a "soft-focus" filter. It can be used on its own, over or under makeup, mixed with foundation, or as a standalone highlighter. It lived up to its claims, was easy to use, and didn't impede the wear of products I paired it with.
It worked to add all-over radiance when applied as a sheer layer over bare skin. I agree with the brand's recommendation to apply it all over with a sponge, as this ensured a very even, hydrated application that allowed me to build up the level of luminosity. It mixed well with thinner and thicker, sheerer and fuller coverage foundations without shortening their longevity or making them hard to apply.
As a standalone highlighter, they applied well with fingertips or brushes, though I found the easiest way to ensure over-application (that doe-foot is huge!) was to tap a bit on the back of my hand, then use a fingertip or stippling brush to apply to the high points of my face. I didn't have any issues with the formula lifting up base products.
It is very comparable to Charlotte Tilbury's Hollywood Flawless Filter (which also has several other similar competitors on the market), though I'd say the elf version has less of a fluid, thin feel. I think this helped it work better with thinner foundations as well as thicker, higher coverage formulations, and I didn't feel like it made anything better or worse--neutral--when used on its own or applied on the skin. At most, a little went a bit further as far as radiance and coverage went, than HFF.
Browse all of our elf Halo Glow Liquid Filter swatches.
Heck yeah, I’m getting this! Finally something in a liquid formula that won’t look unnatural on me that I can mix with foundation, underpaint, or highlight with. Most are either too yellow or have an odd orange/peach cast
I’ve read about this product and it seems that it is a really good one – quite versatile if you wanted to use it as a standalone type of foundation or as a highlighter or mix it with your foundation.
Beautiful. I just picked up a mini kit from Rare Beauty with two highlighters and two blushes for my daughter’s Advent Calendar. I should have read the blog before I headed to Sephora this morning!