I’ve tried a lot of brow pomades this past year in the hunt for my perfect brow pomade – if it even exists. I feel like there are some really great mid to high end versions such as the Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade and the Benefit Ka-Brow but decent drugstore brow pomades are hard to find. I’ve tried brow pomades from Essence, MUA, NYX and Revolution, and they’ve just been ‘OK’. I spotted the ELF Lock On Liner and Brow Cream when making a Superdrug order one night and I decided to give it a try as the reviews on the ELF website when looking for swatches, were really positive and the shades looked promising for my brow colour too.
The ELF Lock On Liner and Brow Cream is £5 and only available in three shades at Superdrug; Medium Brown, Light Brown and Espresso, however there’s a Taupe Blonde shade on the ELF website which we don’t appear to have at Superdrug.
I was really torn between Medium Brown and Espresso but where possible I like to go for a medium to dark, cool toned brown although my brows are naturally almost black as I can use my Benefit Gimme Brow in shade 5 lightly over the top to subtly darken if needed. I never want block brows as it’s just not flattering on me and I want my brows to look like brows and not like two upside down Nike ticks.
“This cream glides on smoothly to sculpt, shade, and define brows. It can also be used as eyeshadow or eyeliner for gorgeous, long-lasting color. Using an angled eyeliner brush, apply color using short strokes to imitate eyebrow hairs or line the lash line to define.“
The packaging is nice for the price and the lid closes tightly to prevent the cream from drying out. Some brow creams are quite waxy and you have to repeatedly go back and forth over the cream with your brow brush to pick up enough product.
The ELF Lock On Liner and Brow Cream is the complete opposite and is a little softer so you only need to dip your brush into the cream lightly but I imagine over time the cream might become firmer as it starts to dry out. Due to how soft it is, I tend to lightly scrape any excess cream from my brow brush (the Zoeva 322 Brow Line Brush) on the sides of the pot.
I’ve not used the ELF cream on my eyes as an eyeshadow or eyeliner as I have other products for that but as a brow cream it’s decently pigmented, easy to apply with the right brush and doesn’t smudge throughout the day. I like that it has a matte finish as I don’t want my brows to look shiny, and it’s quick to use.
Once you’ve applied it to the brows it remains creamy for a minute or so which allows you to correct any mistakes or comb through with a spoolie. For £5 I have zero complaints and whilst I don’t think the formula is a dupe for the ABH Dipbrow, it’s definitely most similar brow pomade I’ve found so far and it’s £14 cheaper.
What do you think of the ELF Lock On Liner and Brow Cream? Is it something you’d use?
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