ELF Earth & Ocean eyeshadow palette review

I wanted to make sure to also include some more affordable palettes in this review cycle. One of the more affordable palettes I tried in recent months is the ELF Earth & Ocean eyeshadow palette. The minute I spotted this I knew this was a palette I wanted to try. I mean, blues and greens are some of my favorites and this palette also features some neutrals to keep things wearable. I tried finding it in New York and then I spotted it in no other place than my local beauty store! How lucky was that?! Let’s review the ELF Earth & Ocean eyeshadow palette

Review: ELF Earth & Ocean eyeshadow palette review

It had been a while since I last tried an ELF eyesahdow palette. I last reviewed two of their palettes in 2017. The reason? I just wasn’t a fan of the quality and never reached for them. But then ELF revamped their eyeshadow line in 2019 and they released some larger palettes that seemed to have decent quality. I looked for this in New York, but couldn’t find it, even though I went out of my way to try and find it. A few weeks later it was brought to my attention that ELF is now available from Douglas in The Netherlands and that they stock this palette at €15. That is a very reasonable price point.

What does this palette have to offer?

This palettes is an 18-pan palette featuring a blue/ green/ neutral color story. There are 7 mattes and 11 shimmers in varying degrees of intensity. There are some satin shades, but some are super foiled and metallic as well. There are not glitters in this palette (Hallelujah!). I love how the shades of the palette really go with the name. You have the earthy tones on the right with some warmth from those murky greens and that gold and champagne. But then we head over to the left of the palette and we get lots of cool tones that perfectly reflect almost any shade of blue a girl could ask for.

What is the color story like?

So let’s zoom in on the color story for a minute. I knew the minute I spotted this I would love it. Why? Because it favors cool tones over warm ones. There are really only 6 warm toned shades in this entire palette. Everything else is a deliciously cool undertone. I also appreciate how it gives you some nice neutrals to play with. There is a good transition in both a cool and warm undertone, some shades to deepen things up and than all those lovely shimmers to play around with on the lid. I love how the greens in this palette aren’t too vibrant. They are that perfect, murky green shade that reminds me a lot of the shades you get in the Melt Gemini palette.

What does this palette swatch like?

I don’t think you are ready for this one. Because oh boy, look at these swatches! Aren’t they scrumptious? All these shades were easy to pick up with a finger as well as with a brush. I would recommend applying some of the more foiled shades with a finger or a sponge tip applicator to ensure they reach this type of intensity and have less fall out. The matte blend like a dream and the shades played together really well too. Oh what am I banging on about here? I think the best way to convince you of how great these shades are is to show you some makeup looks.

3 Looks, 1 Palette

As per usual, I am featuring multiple makeup looks with this palette. I just like to make sure I have used all the shades in a palette before I review it. In these three looks I created for this blog post I have used all 18 shades this palette has to offer. I did a blue look, a warm toned look with the greens and a very neutral look.

I seem to have a tendency for starting this part of my reviews with my favorite look haven’t I? I don’t think you mind! I certainly don’t. This is the first look I did and one I knew I wanted to do the minute I spotted these shades in real life. This palette has an amazing teal shade which I used to deepen up the look. I then also used that vibrant blue on the lower lash line. The look is finished off with an icy blue in the inner corner. Look at how much this just brightens up my face. How flipping stunning is this?

I knew I wanted to do a look featuring the greens as the main star of the show. Here I used some of the warm toned neutrals to frame the look. I have to say I am very happy with Mojave Mami: it is the most perfect crease shade for me. I then used the two greens to finish off the look. That green shimmer reminds me of the shade you get in the BH Cosmetics Royal Affair palette! I kept the look quite toned down those and only put some of the champagne shade in the inner corner.

And then I was left with a bunch of shades I hadn’t used yet. I decided to throw them on together in a look and see what happens. And look at that?! I actually quite like how this look turned out. And can we take a moment to appreciate that silver shade? It is so super foiled and yummy. It almost feels like a cream and it is also best handled as a cream in my opinion. Stand out shade in the palette for sure.

My final thoughts

If there is a palette I fell in love with head over heels it would have to be ELF’s Earth & Ocean eyeshadow palette. For €15 (I believe it is $15 in the US, which is a bit cheaper) this is one of the best palettes I tried. This is high end quality at a drugstore price point for sure. It is up there for me with some of my Milani and Juvia’s Place palettes and that is saying something. I like the color story, it has some stunning stand out shades, but the palette overall works well too. Plus I of course love how it leans more cool toned.

Would I recommend the ELF Earth & Ocean eyeshadow palette?

Yes! If you are looking for a blue/ green palette that doesn’t break the bank, get this palette. You will not regret it. However, if you are looking for a ton of mattes than this palette does not offer that. However as someone who prefer shimmers I don’t mind getting limited matte options. For the shade selection and the quality of said shades, I cannot do anything but recommend this palette. It is simply one of the best drugstore eyeshadow to have come out in years.

What do you think of the ELF Earth & Ocean eyeshadow palette?