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I Ditched Heavy Foundations for the Radiance-Boosting E.l.f. Halo Glow Liquid Filter — Here’s Why It’s Worth the Hype
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It’s rare for a product to come around and completely shift its cosmetic category — and millions of makeup routines. The viral E.l.f. Halo Glow Liquid Filter did just that, as it’s not quite a foundation, nor a liquid highlighter, but a Goldilocks multi-purpose product that functions as a complexion-smoother and radiance-enhancer all in one. For years its been the talk of the town on TikTok, with hundreds of millions of views and searches, so I Prime ordered it at the height of the hype to test out whether or not it was worth the buy.
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In all honesty, I was initially confused on the intended use of the product, so here’s some clarity off the bat: E.l.f. Cosmetics defines the Halo Glow Liquid Filter as a “makeup-skincare hybrid” and a “complexion glow booster for a glowing, soft-focus look.” It’s designed to provide a “social filter effect IRL” as an all-over face product powered by hydrating hyaluronic acid and squalane. While it appears and applies like a foundation, it delivers much lighter coverage that’s blended with finely-milled shimmer, and can be worn four ways: all over the face on its own, on areas you’d place highlighter, as a base under makeup, or mixed with other complexion products.
Dewy, glowy, “clean girl” face products are hardly new to the market, however the Halo Glow Liquid Filter offers something that typical sheer, skin care-infused makeup hasn’t before: buildable coverage. It marks a middle ground between a skin-like finish and a transformative effect, resulting in a complexion that looks visibly plump, healthy, and blurred. It’s lightweight enough to compete with the best tinted moisturizers or skin tints, while offering comparatively better blendability and comfort than its drugstore foundation counterparts.
E.l.f.’s Halo Glow Liquid Filter has become a household name among beauty lovers, boasting over 5,000 five-star reviews on Amazon with shoppers raving over its easy application and multi-purpose function. “I heard the hype but nothing would’ve prepared me for how amazing this product is,” wrote one tester. “It’s sheer but has coverage, and leaves a beautiful glow without looking oily.” Another said, “Wow — It took me way too long to try this. I am 35 years old with dry and sensitive skin, and this stuff makes my skin look so smooth and glowy (but not glittery!). It’s a glorious alternative for the Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter and is a must-have in your makeup routine.”
Below, read our testing review of the viral E.l.f. Halo Glow Liquid Filter — and take it for a spin yourself while it’s marked down during Amazon’s Big Spring Beauty Sale.
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How We Tested The E.l.f. Cosmetics Halo Glow Liquid Filter
Product tested: E.l.f. Cosmetics Halo Glow Liquid Filter
Testing time period: One year
Number of testers: One WWD Shop editor with combination skin
Application method: I tested the E.l.f. Cosmetics Halo Glow Liquid Filter with both a buffing makeup brush and a beauty sponge. I applied it as a foundation base, mixed with other complexion products, such as foundation and BB cream, and on its own with concealer.
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, squalane, finely-milled powders
Shades: 12 shades available
Coverage: Light to medium, buildable
Finish: Dewy
Retailer availability: Amazon, Ulta, E.l.f
Pros:
Lightweight
Hydrating
Blends easily into the skin
Smooths the complexion and infuses a healthy glow
Mess-free packaging
Cons:
May appear too shiny on oily skin types
Glass bottle is on the heavy side (4.96 oz)
Testing review: “As someone who doesn’t like to wear heavy foundation but likes to even out my skin tone, I am so impressed with this product. It feels super lightweight and moisturizing, and, when used alone, looks very natural and allows for my freckles to shine through. The large doe foot applicator is great for clean and controlled coverage. The product blends like a dream and visibly smooths skin with a radiant finish.”
E.l.f. Cosmetics Halo Glow Liquid Filter
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
$11.90 $14 15% off
Price upon publish date of this article: $11.90
E.l.f. Cosmetics Halo Glow Liquid Filter — Editor Testing Notes
As much as I enjoy the flawless finish of foundation, I can’t always get behind wearing heavy layers of product on the daily. For years I’ve DIY’d my own complexion formulas for more lightweight, dewy coverage, whether by mixing moisturizers with foundation, adding glow-boosting drops to BB creams, or forgoing an all-over face product for touches of concealer. When I got word that the E.l.f. Cosmetics Halo Glow Liquid Filter functioned as hydrating complexion enhancer that evened out the skin tone with light coverage, I was eager to try it out for myself (via speedy Amazon Prime shipping).
For context, I have combination skin that requires a lot of hydration and tends to produce oil in my T-zone. It often reacts immediately when I introduce new product to my routine, but I’m happy to report that the Halo Glow Liquid Filter did not leave me with pesky breakouts or texture upon initial application. Another positive first impression worth noting? The packaging. The weighty glass bottle feels surprisingly luxe for such an affordable price point, and it looks aesthetically pleasing among my arsenal of prestige foundations. It applies in controlled amounts with a chubby doe foot applicator that I find to be ingenious, considering that pour or pump foundations can leave you cleaning up built-up gunk and spills — not so glamourous.
The Halo Glow Liquid Filter melts into the skin so effortlessly with my face brush of choice, which just so happens to be the E.l.f. Buffing Foundation Brush. I also tested the product with a beauty sponge, which blends it evenly all the same, but results in much lighter coverage. The product feels instantly hydrating and soothing upon application, where you can visibly see the healthy, lit-from-within glow that comes from the inclusion of hyaluronic acid and squalane. While I was skeptical it would leave me with a shimmery, unflattering finish once I stepped in sunlight, that’s not the case here, as the reflective bits in the formula are so fine that you can’t detect them with the naked eye. I also noticed the finely milled powders at work — my skin appeared super smooth and blurred, and was pleased to see my natural skin and freckles shine through.
Needless to say, the E.l.f. Cosmetics Halo Glow Liquid Filter has become a mainstay in my makeup bag, as I routinely wear it on days I want coverage without feeling congested, and I love to mix it with foundations for a more dewy finish. Though E.l.f. claims it’s suitable for the range of skin types, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it for super oily skin — and it’s certainly no replacement for a skin care routine. It’s a comfortable no-makeup-makeup complexion product, with buildable coverage that lets your skin breathe, all while nourishing it with healthy hydration.
Shop More Editor-Tested E.l.f. Cosmetics Products
E.l.f. Cosmetics Power Grip Primer
Amazon’s Choice
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
$9.27 $10 7% off
Editor testing and review notes: “For only $10, this primer delivers as much makeup-gripping power as some of the top prestige options on the market. The tacky texture secures your makeup in place no matter the weather, and prevents your foundation, eye makeup, and bronzer from budging even if you’re an eye-rubber or lean on your hand frequently. Best of all, it doesn’t feel overly sticky or suffocating on the skin.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $9.27
E.l.f. Cosmetics 16HR Camo Concealer
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
$7
Editor testing and review notes: “As a concealer lover, I have tried the gamut of drugstore and prestige options on the market, and this one from E.l.f is a serious standout. I have several shades for different purposes, from concealing blemishes, brightening my dark circles, and even contouring my cheekbones, and it never steers me wrong. It’s rare when I find a formula that doesn’t crease under my eyes, and I love reaching for this longwear product when I know I won’t have time for touch-ups.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $7
E.l.f. Cosmetics Flawless Satin Foundation
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
$6
Editor testing and review notes: “I was floored by the E.l.f. Flawless Satin Foundation, considering its unbeatable price point. It pumps out to a thicker consistency, which feels creamy, hydrating, and cooling as you blend it out. I applied the foundation with clean fingertips as well as a buffing brush during testing, and both techniques resulted in a very natural, non-streaky, and comfortable semi-matte finish. This foundation provides nice medium coverage that’s buildable and doesn’t leave the skin dry and cakey throughout the day. This formula would likely suit the range of skin types, though I’d recommend that those with combination and oily skin powder their T zone or use a mattifying primer to ward off unwanted shine. Capping at just $6, this is a hidden gem at the drugstore and worth the try — regardless if you’re on a tight beauty budget.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $6
E.l.f. Cosmetics Lash it Loud Waterproof Mascara
Amazon’s Choice
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
$6
Editor testing and review notes: “The E.l.f Cosmetics Lash It Loud Waterproof Mascara’s silicone brush did an impressive job at combing each lash — and notably fits nicely in the small corners of the eye — to create defined volume. Despite its wet formula, it is successful in building thickness while extending the length of the lash line for a dramatic transformation that ticks every box. Lash It Loud is particularly stellar at extending the length of the fine bottom lashes with a single swipe. As for its waterproof power, this mascara was tested in the shower, at the beach, and throughout several hot sunny days, and it successfully resisted flaking, smudging, running, or budging. When you’re ready to wash it away, a makeup removing cloth or simple eye-safe face wash will do the trick, without any harsh rubbing or risk of losing any lashes in the process.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $6
Before you go, check out more editor-loved Amazon beauty products:
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Meet the Author
Olivia Cigliano is a Commerce Writer & Producer at Footwear News and WWD where she writes and edits shopping content across fashion, beauty, footwear, TikTok style trends, and more. Cigliano received her bachelor’s degree in journalism from Emerson College, and her byline can be found in publications including Elite Daily and CR Fashion Book. She is currently based in New York City. At WWD, she regularly tests and reviews bestselling complexion products that represent a wide range of skin types and price points.
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