You’ve probably seen the massive vault taking over your feed. It’s hard to miss. e.l.f. Cosmetics has a knack for making people lose their minds over affordable beauty, but the Big Elfing Gloss Kit is on a different level of sheer scale. It’s not just a couple of tubes thrown into a cardboard box. We’re talking about a genuine haul that basically targets every single lip preference you could possibly have.
Honestly, it’s a lot.
Some people see a kit this size and think it’s a total steal. Others wonder if they’re just paying for a bunch of filler shades they’ll never actually touch. I’ve spent enough time digging through ingredient lists and swatching drugstore formulas to tell you that the reality is somewhere in the middle. e.l.f. isn't trying to reinvent the wheel here; they're trying to own the entire garage.
What is the Big Elfing Gloss Kit anyway?
Let’s get the basics out of the way. This isn't a permanent fixture in the sense that it’s always on every CVS shelf. It’s a curated collection—often a holiday or special "vault" release—that bundles their heavy hitters.
Usually, the Big Elfing Gloss Kit leans heavily into the Lip Lacquer and Glow Reviver Lip Oil lines. You might remember when the Glow Reviver Lip Oils first dropped. People were calling them a 1:1 dupe for the Dior Lip Glow Oil, which retails for roughly $40. e.l.f. put theirs out for $8. When you put ten or fifteen of those together in a single "Big Elfing" box, the value proposition starts looking pretty wild.
It’s heavy. It’s shiny. It’s designed to be a centerpiece under a tree or a massive "treat yourself" moment. But here is the thing: e.l.f. formula consistency can be a bit of a rollercoaster. While their clear glosses are legendary for being non-sticky, some of their darker, pigment-heavy lacquers in these kits can occasionally settle into lip lines if you aren't careful with the prep work.
The formula breakdown
Most of the items in the Big Elfing Gloss Kit share a few core ingredients. You’ll see Vitamin E and Jojoba Oil listed frequently. These aren't just buzzwords. Jojoba oil is chemically very similar to the sebum our skin naturally produces, which is why these glosses feel "nourishing" rather than just "wet."
If you look at the back of the box, you’ll notice Polyisobutene is high on the list. That’s the stuff that gives it that thick, cushiony feel. If you hate that "hair sticking to your face in a light breeze" vibe, you need to know that these are definitely glosses. They have some tack. Not enough to be annoying, but enough to stay on your lips for more than twenty minutes.
Why the Big Elfing Gloss Kit keeps selling out
Social proof is a powerful drug. When TikTok creators start unboxing something that takes up their entire camera frame, the lizard brain kicks in. We want the "everything" box.
But beyond the marketing, there's a practical side. Buying these shades individually would cost significantly more than the kit price. If you’re a makeup artist—or just the "designated makeup person" in your friend group—having this variety is actually useful. You get the clears, the shimmers, the "your lips but better" nudes, and the deep berries.
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Is it a "dupe" paradise?
We have to talk about the "D" word. e.l.f. has essentially built its modern empire on being the high-end shadow.
- The Lip Lacquers are often compared to high-end MAC Lipglass, though they are much thinner and less "glue-like."
- The Lip Oils are the aforementioned Dior rivals.
- The Pout Clout Lip Plumpers (which sometimes sneak into these larger kits) are direct competitors to the Maracuja Juicy Lips of the world.
When you buy the Big Elfing Gloss Kit, you aren't just buying gloss. You're buying a library of alternatives to brands that would charge you $300 for the same amount of product. It’s a smart move. It’s why people wait for the restock notifications like they’re trying to get concert tickets.
The shades you’ll actually use (and the ones you won’t)
Let’s be real. Nobody uses every single shade in a 10-piece kit.
The "Clear" is a no-brainer. You'll finish that in a month. The "Moody" or "Black Cherry" shades look intimidating in the tube but usually go on sheer. That’s the secret to e.l.f. glosses: they aren't liquid lipsticks. They are washes of color.
The shimmer shades are where things get divisive. Some people love that early-2000s frosty look. If that’s not you, three or four tubes in this kit might end up gathering dust in the bottom of your vanity. It's a waste of plastic, honestly. If you only like matte lips, why are you even looking at this? But if you live for a high-shine finish, the "Champagne Glam" and "Wildflower" shades are usually the sleepers that look better on the skin than they do in the packaging.
Texture and longevity expectations
Do not expect these to last through a burger. You’ve got to be realistic. A gloss is a temporary arrangement between you and your environment.
The Lip Oils in the Big Elfing Gloss Kit have about a two-hour wear time before you need to reapply. The Lacquers go a bit longer because they’re stickier. One thing I’ve noticed is that the darker pigments in this kit can sometimes "ring" your lips as they wear off. It's not a great look. Pro tip: wear a lip liner underneath the darker shades to keep the pigment from migrating into your chin area.
The hidden environmental cost of "Big" kits
We need to address the elephant in the room. Or the elf in the room.
These kits involve a lot of packaging. Rigid plastic, outer sleeves, individual tubes. If you’re trying to move toward a zero-waste lifestyle, the Big Elfing Gloss Kit is basically your arch-nemesis. e.l.f. is PETA-certified cruelty-free and vegan, which is awesome, but the sheer volume of plastic in these "mega" sets is something to consider.
If you know you’ll use every drop, go for it. If you’re buying it just for the "gram," maybe rethink it. The beauty industry has a massive waste problem, and vault-style kits are a major contributor to that.
How to maximize the value
If you do pull the trigger on the kit, don't just keep it in the box. That’s where glosses go to die.
- Split it up. These make insane stocking stuffers or "just because" gifts. Keep the three you love and give the rest away.
- Layering. Use the clear gloss over a dry matte lipstick to revive it.
- Mixology. You can actually mix a bit of the shimmery gloss with a bit of the nude lacquer on the back of your hand to create a custom shade.
Comparing the competition
Is there anything else like it? Sure. Nyx does their "Butter Gloss" vaults. Those are legendary. The difference is the formula. Nyx Butter Gloss is creamier and more opaque. e.l.f. is more about that glass-like, translucent shine. If you want "color," go Nyx. If you want "glow," the Big Elfing Gloss Kit is your winner.
What most people get wrong about e.l.f.
There’s this lingering idea that "drugstore" means "bad for your skin." It’s a 1990s mindset that won't die. In reality, the cosmetic labs making e.l.f. products are often the same ones producing luxury brands. The price difference usually comes down to marketing budgets and packaging materials, not the actual goop inside the bottle.
When you use the products in the Big Elfing Gloss Kit, you're getting stable, dermatologically-tested formulas. They aren't "cheap" in quality; they are "efficient" in business model.
Does it actually plump?
Some versions of this kit include the "Lip Plumping Gloss." Let’s manage expectations. It has a slight tingle—usually from menthol or ginger root extract—that increases blood flow to the area. It won't give you surgical results. It just makes your lips look a bit more "awake" for about thirty minutes. If you have super sensitive skin or a history of reactions to cinnamon or mint, be careful with those specific tubes.
Final verdict on the Big Elfing Gloss Kit
Look, it’s a fun product. It’s maximalist, it’s affordable, and it’s genuinely high-quality for the price point. It’s perfect for someone starting their makeup collection from scratch or for a teenager who wants to experiment without spending a paycheck at Sephora.
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But it isn't a necessity. If you already have five glosses in your purse, you don't need twelve more. The "Big Elfing" branding is brilliant, but don't let the FOMO (fear of missing out) dictate your bank account.
Actionable steps for your next haul
If you’re ready to buy, check the e.l.f. website first rather than third-party resellers. People love to mark these up on eBay once they sell out.
- Check the "Best By" dates if you’re buying from a secondary market. Glosses are liquids; they can go rancid or separate if they've been sitting in a hot warehouse for two years.
- Swatch the shades on your inner wrist in natural light before putting them on your face. This helps you see the actual undertones (cool vs. warm) which can be hard to tell through the colored plastic.
- Clean the applicator before putting it back in the tube if you’ve layered it over a dark lipstick. This prevents the whole tube from turning a muddy brown color.
If you decide the big kit is too much, just grab the "Clear" and "Honey Talks" individual tubes. You’ll get 90% of the utility for 10% of the price.
Understanding the shelf life
Once you crack open a tube from the Big Elfing Gloss Kit, the clock starts ticking. Most glosses have a PAO (Period After Opening) symbol—a little open jar icon—that usually says "12M" or "18M." That means you have about a year to use it. If it starts smelling like play-dough or the texture gets gritty, toss it. Your lips are a sensitive entry point for bacteria; it's not worth the risk for a five-dollar gloss.
Keep them in a cool, dry place. Avoid leaving the kit in your car during a summer heatwave, as the oils will separate and the smell will change forever. Treat your "Big Elfing" stash with a little respect, and it’ll last you until the next big holiday drop.