Beauty Care: elf Tan-Deep Halo Glow Liquid Filter Review & Swatches

Tan-Deep

elf Tan-Deep Halo Glow Liquid Filter ($14.00 for 1.06 oz.) is a medium, golden brown with warmer undertones and a glowing, radiant finish that was moderately dewy without being texture-emphasizing.

Sheer, buildable coverage
Applied well on its own or mixed in with products
Added luminosity without being heavy
Lightweight, fluid but almost a bit gel-like
Long-wearing (8.5 hours as a highlighter, didn’t impact wear of foundations)

FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).

Top Dupes

View Swatches View All Dupes

Makeup by Mario Medium (P, $30.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (95% similar).
Charlotte Tilbury Dark (7) (P, $44.00) is warmer (95% similar).
Charlotte Tilbury Tan/Dark (6.5) (P, $44.00) is lighter (95% similar).
Makeup by Mario Medium Dark (P, $30.00) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
REFY Tan (P, $26.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
Iconic London Golden Hour (P, $27.00) is less shimmery, lighter, less glossy (90% similar).
Fenty Beauty Macchiato (P, $32.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar).
Kaja Shady (P, $24.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar).
Becca Borealis (5.5) (-, $30.00) is darker (85% similar).
Fenty Beauty Hunnie Glaze (P, $32.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar).

View Swatches

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.

Ingredients

Water (Aqua), Hydrogenated Didecene, Squalane, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Octyldodecanol, Cetyl Peg/Ppg-10/1 Dimethicone, Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Isoamyl Laurate, Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Hydrogenated Styrene/Isoprene Copolymer, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Propylene Carbonate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Disodium Edta, Tocopherol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aluminum Hydroxide, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Tin Oxide, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Yellow Iron Oxide (Ci 77492), Red Iron Oxide (Ci 77491), Black Iron Oxide (Ci 77499), Bismuth Oxychloride (Ci 77163)

Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.