Author: liftbakelove

Vieve Beauty Brand Review: The Best New to me Brand I Tried in 2025

Featuredby liftbakeloveLeave a Comment on Vieve Beauty Brand Review: The Best New to me Brand I Tried in 2025

I was going to write a big 2025 favorites of post, but I have a ton of round ups on here already. What I’m more excited to share is the best new to me brand I tried this year (which also happens to be the brand y’all voted for in my poll). I finally did a Vieve haul this Black Friday and feel like I’ve had enough time to test them and share reviews. Plus, their Boxing Day Sale will be live from Friday 26th December until Sunday 28th December with 40% off selected items. In this post, all links are affiliate links (thank you for your support!), but all opinions are my own.

Vieve Skin Nova Complexion Balm in 140 – I definitely want to call out up front that this is scented. It has a lemon verbena, kind of herbal tea vibe that I don’t mind, but if you’re sensitive to fragrance or just hate scented face products, this is one I’d probably skip. That said, it’s absolutely beautiful on the skin, so it’s worth it to me, and the scent fades pretty quickly. This blends in so easily, evens everything out, and makes my skin look hydrated and just prettier. It’s what I reach for when I want to look like I drank enough water and got enough sleep (vs something like the Prada foundation when I want to look like I have really perfect, made up skin). The site says medium, buildable coverage, but I’d personally call it light to medium. You can get a super sheer layer really easily and then build where you want it. It sets to a natural, almost satin finish that doesn’t stay tacky or pick back up the way a lot of tints/balms do, so I can throw it on and skip powder if I want. 140 is a little too saturated and peachy for me in the winter, but I think it’ll be perfect in the spring/summer. It blends so seamlessly you can’t really tell the shade isn’t a perfect match for me. I think 120 might be closer for the winter, but I can use a beigey green color corrector (this one is around $5) to make this work for me year round.

Vieve Skin Nova Complexion Balm in 140, Vieve Modern Radiance Concealer in Light 1 

Vieve Modern Radiance Concealer in Light 1 – This concealer is so great because of both the color and the formula. It’s a little bit green in the best way, so it’s actually a warm olive concealer and looks so natural on my skin. This shade is perfect for under my eyes or anywhere I want a little brightening, and I’m planning on picking up a darker shade for the summer. I wish they had this type of shade in the complexion balm because the undertones are spot on. The formula is not too dewy or too matte. It blends out really fast and has enough coverage to actually cover, but doesn’t blank everything out and make you look uncanny. It layers really well over other products and itself, which is exactly what I want when I’m low on sleep and need to add coverage in places I might have missed. This has quickly risen to be one of my top 3 concealers, and I’ve barely touched my others.

Vieve Modern Radiant Cream Bronzer in Light 1 – This bronzer is also so perfect for green people. It has a slightly green, olive-leaning, neutral-warm tone that makes it look like I’ve actually gotten some sun recently. It doesn’t turn orange on me and just looks so natural. The formula is super easy to use and makes me not want to reach for my other bronzers. I can take a fluffy brush and slap it on or do a more targeted application with a dense brush, and it blends beautifully either way. I can also do a sheer layer or build it up. It’s just a super flexible formula. It also lasts really well and doesn’t disappear into my blush the way a lot of bronzers do on me. I’ve been testing a ton of cream bronzers and contours for olive skin, and this is the best one I’ve tried so far.

Vieve Modern Radiant Cream Bronzer in Light 1, Vieve Sunset Blush Balm in Rosa

Vieve Sunset Blush Balm in Rosa – I am so impressed with this formula. As with all serum blushes, I recommend putting a little on the back of your hand and dipping your brush into that first before putting it on your cheeks, because that method will give you the most seamless application and the most control. This is sheer enough that you can still see your freckles through it but still looks like you’re wearing blush. The finish is the main reason I like this so much. It’s luminous and fresh without being sparkly or sticky. It blends out effortlessly, works beautifully for no makeup makeup days, and layers really well with bronzer and under a powder blush. I really do love this formula, but Rosa is not my best shade. On me, it pulls too peachy/coral (as I like to say, it goes Cheeto). I think it’s just too warm for my olive undertones. I’ll probably grab Cherub and Piazza to try next so I can find a shade I’ll reach for all the time.

Vieve Lip Dew in Original – This is genuinely one of my favorite lip gloss/balm hybrids. I’ve been collecting sparkly glosses lately (related, please let me know in the comments if you want a roundup because I’ve acquired a bunch of them). This one is absolutely one of the best I’ve tried so far. It’s super glossy while being also actually nourishing. The first time I tried it, I texted a friend because I couldn’t get over how long the moisturized feeling lasted. It makes your lips look hydrated and healthy without needing constant reapplication. The shimmer is perfect too. It makes your lips look amazing without any kind of gritty feeling, and it doesn’t read as aggressively glittery, as you can hopefully see in the swatches. I love it over a lip liner, and it’s also my go to fix if I try a matte lip that ends up too drying. I just pop this on top, and it makes it wearable. I’m definitely thinking about buying more shades of this one because the formula is so good.

Vieve Lip Dew in Original, Vieve Bounce Balm in Vanilla

Vieve Bounce Balm in Vanilla – I got this as a gift with purchase, and I’m happy to have it. I have a lot of lip balms (seriously, I have over 30 in front of me on my desk). This one lands right in line with most of the others. It’s effective, it keeps my lips nourished for a long time, and it smells really nice. It works really well an overnight lip mask since it lasts a long time and has a bunch of skincare ingredients. It is apparently a plumping lip balm, but I don’t really notice much plumping personally. Would I go out of my way to buy it over the other balms I already own? Probably not. Out of everything I tried from Vieve, this is the least standout because it’s not as uniquely good as the other products. If you’re already placing an order and you’re wondering if it’s worth adding though, it’s a very good, nourishing balm that lasts and does seem to leave my lips smoother when I use it.

What other products would you like me to review? Let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to see here, and thanks for reading! As always, some links may be affiliate links that support the blog, but all reviews/opinions are completely my own and unsponsored.

2025 Product Fails And What I’d Buy Instead

Featuredby liftbakeloveLeave a Comment on 2025 Product Fails And What I’d Buy Instead

I was going to do a full “worst products of 2025” post, but honestly I didn’t have enough fails to do one. It was an amazing makeup year, and I’ve had way more great products than bad ones. That said, I’ve been collecting the products that really didn’t work for me in a bin all year, and these are the five that really stood out as not working for me (and what I’d recommend instead). In this post, all links are affiliate links (thank you for your support!), but all opinions are my own.

Instead of the Sephora Collection Color Shifter Strange Botanicals Palette, Try the Half Magic Eyeshadow Singles – This palette is such a cool concept. I bought it on sale because it was really inexpensive, and I thought it would be a fun way to try Sephora Collection palettes. But all of the mattes are patchy, hard to blend, and super uneven. The shimmer shade is fine, but pretty flat. It’s the kind of palette that makes you feel like you’re really bad at doing your makeup, and then you remember you own other shadows that basically apply themselves (like my beloved Byredo Bibilophilia palette).

Sephora Collection Strange Botanicals, Half Magic Blushing Lizard, Wet Pebble, and Sparkle Puff

The one topper shifter shade in the palette is actually really pretty (it’s the fifth shade in). It’s smooth, shifty, and performs well. But I think it’s better to just find your perfect shifty topper and buy that because you probably already own a bunch of mattes you love that perform way better. Specifically, I would recommend the Half Magic single shadows, especially since they have way more shades to choose from. I have Blushing Lizard, Wet Pebble, and Sparkle Puff. Look how much prettier and sparklier and smooth they are than the Sephora Collection Shades. I’d rather buy one amazing topper that can also be a gorgeous single shadow than buy a whole palette where I only reach for one pan.

Instead of the Make Beauty Heat Stroke Blush, Try the the Make Beauty Cream Stroke Blush – I wanted to love the dewy Make Beauty Heat Stroke Blush stick especially since I have dry skin. The formula ended up being more work than I want to do with a blush stick. The formula can get patchy and a little sticky, and even though the finish is nicely dewy, I don’t love how it sits on my skin. It also was really hard for me to find a shade that I thought would work well with my olive undertones, and even with Swelter being the best option I could find, it still doesn’t feel quite right on me.

Displaying PXL_20251121_164736235~2.jpg
Heat Stroke Blush in Swelter, Cream Stroke Blush in Major Mauve and Hypernude

The Cream Stroke Blush sticks, though, I’m so happy with. I have Major Mauve and Hypernude, and I love this formula so much more. It’s easy to swipe on, easy to blend, and the finish is blurring without being too matte. It’s not sticky at all and lasts much longer than the Heat Stroke blush. The shades also actually look great with my olive undertones. Major Mauve is a terracotta leaning mauve (they describe it as an “Earthy Mauve”) that works perfectly with my olive undertones. Hypernude is peachy beige that definitely leans orange/warm on me but is perfect for when I want to do a warm look on purpose because it doesn’t go all the way to Cheeto orange like a lot of blushes do. I’m so glad they came out with this new blush stick formula, and I’m planning on grabbing Chroma for the summer. If you’re looking for something dewier that has a great formula, I’d recommend the Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dewy Flush.

Instead of the Ulta Beauty Collection Pressed Finishing Powder, Try the Canmake Abloom Face Powder – I was really excited about this one because I am always hunting for great affordable powders, and powders are my most read category on here. On my skin, the Ulta Beauty Collection finishing powder looked textured and drying without actually doing anything blurring, smoothing, or setting. It also feels a little too pigmented to work as a soft-focus finishing powder. If you’re looking for an Hourglass or Givenchy style powder, this is not the one. If you want to something similarly affordable that is actually a great finishing powder, I’ve been loving the Canmake Abloom Face Powder in shade 3. I’ve been using it just as much as my favorite luxury pressed powder from Givenchy, and it’s been working the exact same. Related, I’ll be doing a bunch of KBeauty reviews soon – let me know if there’s any products or brands you’re interested in reading about!

Ulta Beauty Collection Pressed Finishing Powder and the Canmake Abloom Face Powder

Instead of the e.l.f. Black Cherry Sheer Slick Lipstick, Try the Finding Ferdinand Delicious Balms – This one is supposedly a dupe for Clinique Black Honey, and I have worn variations of this shade family for years. Now that I understand my undertones and color theory better, I can see why it has always felt slightly off on me. I also know that it turns weirdly orange on some of you, and generally just isn’t a universal shade. Beyond the shade, I really do not like this formula. It feels a little drying, it does not apply as smoothly as I want a “sheer easy balm lipstick” to apply, it can look patchy, and it’s just not comfortable. And honestly, I didn’t love the original Clinique Black Honey formula either for the same reasons.

Displaying PXL_20251121_165132239~2.jpg
e.l.f. Black Cherry, Finding Ferdinand the Black Balm and Lucky Cat

The Finding Ferdinand Delicious Balms are absolutely what I’d recommend instead (and you can use my affiliate code liftbakelove10 for a discount.)I showed the Black Balm and Lucky Cat in the swatches, but there are more shades if you’re looking for something warmer, cooler, more berry, more lavender, etc. The formula is so much better. They go on smoothly, feel comfortable, actually nourish the lips, and they smell amazing. The shades feel more dialed-in and nuanced than all the Black Honey dupes, and it’s much easier to find something that works for your undertones. I also like mixing the Black Balm and Lucky Cat to get a deeper black cherry tone that works for me.

Instead of the Ulta Beauty Collection 5-Pan Eyeshadow Palettes, Try the Colourpop 9-Pan Palettes – Ulta’s small 5-pan palettes are absolutely fine for an affordable eyeshadow palette. There’s nothing terribly wrong with the one I have, but it’s also just not amazing. And since they’re $14, and ColourPop’s 9-pan palettes are also $14, I would go with a ColourPop 9 pan every time. Not only because the formula is better, but you also get more shades. The eyeshadows are easier to use, have more consistent pigmentation, and overall just more fun to work with. Hopefully you can see how the mattes in the ColourPop shades are smoother and more pigmented and the shimmers are sparklier. Both brands go on sale often, but even at full price, I would choose ColourPop every time for the formula. If you’re willing to spend a little more for a mini palette that feels truly high quality, I love the Natasha Denona minis. I absolutely love the Mini Retro and Mini Glam palettes, and I would happily spend the extra $10 for any of those.

ColourPop Going Coconuts on the top (plus the four on the right) and Ulta Beauty on the bottom of the first five

What other products would you like me to review? Let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to see here, and thanks for reading! As always, some links may be affiliate links that support the blog and some products may have been gifted, but all reviews/opinions are completely my own and unsponsored.

Setting Spray Showdown Round 2: One/Size, MAC, Milk, Danessa Myricks, Milani, and Hourglass

Featuredby liftbakeloveLeave a Comment on Setting Spray Showdown Round 2: One/Size, MAC, Milk, Danessa Myricks, Milani, and Hourglass

Welcome back to the Setting Spray showdown! This is the second full round in my setting spray showdown series, where I’m testing popular formulas side by side to see what actually makes a difference in real life. I’ll be doing the same makeup, with the same lighting, for at least 16 hours for each test. I’ve also been testing all of these setting sprays for months before doing these elimination rounds. For this round, I did all of the matches in this post since I’ve already talked about each spray at length in previous posts. In this post, all links are affiliate links (thank you for your support!), but all opinions are my own.

Round 2, Match 1: One/Size On ’Til Dawn Mattifying vs MAC Fix+ Stay Over – This one was honestly frustrating to kick off this round with because these are two of my favorite setting sprays, and I’d genuinely recommend either depending on what you want. If you’re looking for a more matte, smoothed, blurred finish and maximum hold for your makeup, One/Size absolutely delivers. It mattifies, blurs, and keeps everything in place all day. But the MAC Fix+ Stay Over surprised me by keeping my makeup staying looking good just as well as the One/Size while also having a better skin finish. It managed to smooth and blur while still maintaining a hydrated, skin like, slightly dewy finish, and my makeup still stayed together all day. I was really impressed that it held its own against the One/Size while also making my skin look hydrated and natural, so MAC is moving on. Note that I have dry skin and it’s the winter, so if you have combo or oily skin, you might really like One/Size.

Round 2, Match 2: Milk Makeup Hydro Grip vs Danessa Myricks Blurring Balm Spray – I want to be fair to Milk because on its own or compared to plenty of other sprays, it really does work well, but head to head, Danessa Myricks made it obvious which of these two was moving on. The Milk side looked good at the start, but it looked way more textured as the day went on and the makeup seemed to fall apart faster. By end of day, it looked a more broken up on that side, almost like I hadn’t used a setting spray at all relative to the other side. The Danessa Myricks side, meanwhile, stayed noticeably smoother, blurred, and put together all day long. Everything stayed melded and cohesive instead of separating and getting textured. Way more easily than I expected, Danessa Myricks is moving on.

Round 2, Match 3: One/Size Powder Melt vs Milani Make It Last Dewy – This was another round where I really struggled to pick a winner. Right after spraying, Milani Make It Last Dewy looked more natural, while One/Size Powder Melt looked noticeably glassier and glowier. Both melted my powders together nicely, but the Milani felt like it slightly thinned the makeup, while One/Size kept everything more intact at the start. By my 6:30 p.m. check in though, most people I sent photos to actually preferred the Milani side because it looked smoother, even though the One/Size side held the makeup a little better. By the end of the day, both sides honestly still looked great and I’m not sure you’d really be able to tell the difference. So, I’m giving this round to Milani for that tiny bit of a smoother, less textured, more natural finish overall, and the huge price difference between them. The One/Size is still one of my favorites, and I will absolutely be finishing this bottle, but I feel confident recommending the Milani for a dewy, melt your makeup together spray.

Bye round: Hourglass Veil Soft Focus moves on. Because of the number of sprays in this showdown, one of them had to get a bye round this time, and Hourglass Veil Soft Focus is the one moving on automatically based on how the bracket shook out. I don’t mind at all, because it was one of my favorites from Round 1, and I’m excited to see how it stacks up against the Milani Make It Last Dewy.

Who’s moving on from this round: MAC Fix+ Stay Over, Danessa Myricks Blurring Balm Spray, Milani Make It Last Dewy, and Hourglass Veil Soft Focus.

What other products would you like me to review? Let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to see here, and thanks for reading! As always, some links may be affiliate links that support the blog, but all reviews/opinions are completely my own and unsponsored.

6 Products that Kackie recommended that are so good they make me want to throw out my other makeup

Featuredby liftbakeloveLeave a Comment on 6 Products that Kackie recommended that are so good they make me want to throw out my other makeup

Most of you know KackieReviewsBeauty and are here because of her (thank you for joining us over here!). She’s actually the person who came up with the name of this blog (because I’m literally her green friend). I’ve written a ton about why she’s awesome (like in this post here), but most importantly for this post is that she’s also one of the only reviewers I trust to recommend things based on what will work for her viewers. Kackie will get into the details like what undertones a shade will work best for, nuances about a product’s finish, what’s the best application style for it, etc., not just the products she personally loves. Normally I do a massive “Kackie Made Me Buy It This Year” roundup (and yes, I have that list… it’s really, really long). This post is about the products that are so perfect for me, especially with my olive undertones, that they make me want to throw away everything else in their category. In this post, all links are affiliate links (thank you for your support!), but all opinions are my own.

Byredo Bibliophilia Eyeshadow Palette – I watched Kackie’s video and my first thought was, “It’s probably fine, but I do not need another palette that expensive.” Especially because it has a few red shades, and it’s otherwise mostly basic browns. And then I kept thinking about it. And thinking about it. And thinking about it. Even when I got it in my hands, I was nervous because of the red tones in it. We literally texted back and forth about it because I just didn’t think it was going to work on me.

And then I tried it. I have never put on an eyeshadow look so quickly and had it look that good. I’ve been using it every day, and every look I come up with just looks so right on me. The thing I love most about this palette, other than the fantastic formula, is that the colors are so nuanced. If you want everyday browns with that lean a little cool or a little warm (but not too orange, grey, or green!), it’s perfect. The red shades, especially the burgundy, work on me way better than I expected because they have such nuanced tones to them. The lighter cream, beige, and grey shades blend everything together so well, and everything looks smooth and intentional even if I layer a ton of shades together. The sparkly wet look topper does pull a little green like Kackie said, but I love that. It brings out the brown in my eyes and makes everything look harmonious with my skin. I haven’t wanted to touch my other eyeshadow since I bought this, and I have an absurd amount of eyeshadow. Seriously, I have only worn this palette and nothing else since I got it. I really don’t think the swatches below do this palette justice with how smooth and blendable the formula is, how perfectly not quite matte the matte/satin shades are, and how sparkly the shimmers are.

The first 9 shades in the palette starting from left to right on the top row
The second 9 shades in the palette starting from left to right in the middle of the second row

If I were starting over, I’d buy this and maybe add one YSL quad for pinks and purples. I know that $115 is incredibly expensive for an eyeshadow palette, but you would need to spend $310 on the YSL quads to get to the same number of shades that’s in the Byredo palette. Danessa Myricks and Pat McGrath sell $128 palettes, Isamaya’s are $110, and Prada has $85 quads. In this price range, I’d choose the Byredo every time.

Vieve Modern Radiance Concealer in Light 1 – I have tried a bunch of concealers specifically because Kackie mentioned them, and honestly I’ve liked every single one. This one is so great because of the color and the formula. It’s a little bit green in the best way, so it’s actually warm olive concealer. It looks so natural on my skin. It is a little light for me, so I can’t use it all over my face instead of foundation, but it’s perfect for under my eyes or anywhere I want brightening. The formula is not too dewy or too matte. It blends out really fast and has enough coverage to actually cover, but doesn’t blank everything out and make you look uncanny. It layers really well too over other products and itself. Like everything on this list, once I started using it, I’ve barely wanted to reach for my other concealers, which is saying something because I have at least 10 at this point that I’m supposed to be testing.

Vieve Modern Radiance Concealer and Vieve Modern Radiant Cream Bronzer in Light 1

Vieve Modern Radiant Cream Bronzer in Light 1 – I have so many great cream bronzers at this point that I really didn’t think this one would stand out. This one though really is special, just like Kackie told me it would be. It has a slightly green, olive-leaning, neutral-warm tone that makes it look like I’ve actually gotten some sun recently. It doesn’t turn orange on me and just looks so natural. The formula is super easy to use and makes me not want to reach for my other bronzers. I can take a fluffy brush and slap it on or a more targeted application, and it blends beautifully either way. I can do a sheer layer or build it up. It’s super flexible. It also lasts really well and doesn’t disappear into my blush the way a lot of bronzers do on me. I’ve been testing a ton of cream bronzers and contours for olive skin, and this is the best one I’ve tried so far.

Haus Labs Color Fuse Longwear Hydrating Glassy Lip + Cheek Blush Balm Stick in Glassy Cayenne and Glassy Cinnamon – I’m honestly still shocked by how much I love these. This formula has quickly become one of my favorites because it strikes that perfect balance between a cream and a balm blush. It melts right into the skin, blends beautifully over foundation or bare skin, and leaves behind a glow-from-within finish. The shade Glassy Cinnamon is a beigey peachy brown that somehow doesn’t turn Cheeto on me and just looks so natural. Glassy Cayenne is a rosy terracotta that adds life to my face while stayed muted enough for the kind of makeup looks I tend to wear. The formula feels nourishing but not sticky, and it dries down just enough to stay put all day without losing the glassy finish. It’s the blush I reach for when I want something that looks effortless but polished, and it layers really well with powders or other creams. The only caveat is they’re sheerer than a typical cream blush stick so keep that in mind. That’s worked well for me because it’s harder to go overboard when I’m running on 2 hours of sleep or am doing makeup in the car.

Haus Labs Color Fuse Longwear Hydrating Glassy Lip + Cheek Blush Balm Stick in Glassy Cayenne and Glassy Cinnamon and Westman Atelier Lit Up Highlight Stick in Biscuit

Westman Atelier Lit Up Highlight Stick in Biscuit – I actually had no plans to buy this until Kackie shoved it in my hands at her house because she knew it’d be perfect for me. I’ve tried so many highlighters that just look off on my skin and aren’t quite the right color. Biscuit is a perfect light beige that makes my skin look glassy and hydrated without any weird shifts happening. It really looks like my skin is naturally doing something nice, not like I applied a highlighter. It also doesn’t emphasize texture and doesn’t mess up any of the products that are underneath. I catch myself in the mirror and think it just looks so pretty. I have a few other highlighters that I really love, but this quickly has become my favorite. My only complaint is you can’t buy this shade at Sephora, so I had to grab it directly from Westman Atelier.

Merit Beauty Signature Lip Sheer Lip Liner in Brownstone applied directly and then sheered out

Merit Beauty Signature Lip Sheer Lip Liner in Brownstone – This one comes with an apology to Kackie because when she first raved about a sheer lip liner I told her, “that is totally not for me.” Especially since I’m so high contrast, I didn’t understand why I would want something sheer that wasn’t going to last very long. I bought it anyway to review for the blog after hearing about it on her channel a few times, and it’s now one of the only lip liners I’ve used since. It gives definition to my lips without a harsh line. The sheer quality makes it super easy to wear, and if you let it dry down before adding anything, it has surprisingly good staying power for a liner that doesn’t promise longevity. The shade Brownstone is my perfect every day slightly deep cool brown that works really well to add just enough contrast for it to be a natural looking but still an effective lip liner. My only tip is to not fuss with it too much or you can basically smudge it off. Especially, if you’re a lip liner and clear gloss person, this is the liner I’d pick.

What other products would you like me to review? Let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to see here, and thanks for reading! As always, some links may be affiliate links that support the blog, but all reviews/opinions are completely my own and unsponsored.

The Best New to me Products I Tried From the Sephora Sale

Featuredby liftbakeloveLeave a Comment on The Best New to me Products I Tried From the Sephora Sale

I’m taking a small hiatus from the setting spray tournament now that we’ve finished round 1 (but round 2 and 3 coming soon!). Sephora is doing another 20% off sale starting today, so I wanted to share my favorite 5 things I picked up in the last one that were new to me and absolutely worth getting. I forced myself to only pick 5, but let me know if there was anything you wanted to hear about! In this post, all links are affiliate links (thank you for your support!), but all opinions are my own.

Makeup by Mario SurrealSkin® Natural Finish Foundation in 3W – One of the first things that immediately impressed me about this foundation is how well it matches my skin tone. I don’t need any green color corrector with it, which feels like a small miracle because I’ve relied on one with so many products. It goes on incredibly lightweight while still evening out my skin in a really seamless way. It never looks like I’ve put on too much makeup. It blends out super easily, takes almost no time to apply, and the finish is very “my skin but better.” I also love that it doesn’t require any extra steps like heavy moisturizers or special primers to look good like some other foundations do with my dry skin. It almost sets on its own right away and has a velvety texture that isn’t sticky at all. I can touch my face before setting without a ton of transfer. This has quickly become my go to when I want something with more coverage than a skin tint without going as heavy as some other foundations.

Makeup by Mario SurrealSkin® Natural Finish Foundation in 3W

Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Under Eye Setting Powder in Soft Pink – I’ve been testing so many powders lately. I think I have about 20 to review, about half of which are pink powders. If you want a full deep dive sooner rather than later, let me know in the comments! In my quest to find the best brightening pink powder that works for dull and/or tired-looking skin, I’ve really been enjoying this one. I was never a big fan of the original Laura Mercier loose powder (though to be fair, the last time I tried it was five years ago), but this version is honestly so good. It’s smoothing, lightweight, and noticeably brightening under the eyes without looking dry or powdery. It mattifies just enough while still giving a skin-like finish, and even though it’s marketed as an under-eye powder, I can use it all over my face with no issues. Even with all the other pink powders I’m testing, this is the one I keep reaching for, even more than the original Givenchy powder I loved so much.

Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dewy Flush Serum in Dragonfruit

Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dewy Flush Serum in Dragonfruit – I’ve talked about this product a few times before, and I really love the other shades I own, but Dragon Fruit has become my new favorite. It looks like a hot, neon pink in the bottle, but on my skin it sheers out into the prettiest light pink flush. I’ve been using it as a blush base under other products to bring some life back into my face (my almost one year has decided sleep is not for him), but it also works beautifully on its own for that easy no makeup makeup, “I definitely hydrated today” kind of look. It blends out into this natural color that works surprisingly well with my undertones. One of the things I appreciate most about this blue is that my skin doesn’t immediately eat it, which is rare for serum blush formulas on me. It lasts well without getting overly dewy, and it just makes my skin look healthy rather than shiny. I get the smoothest application when I put a little on the back of my hand and load up a brush before stippling, but you can absolutely dot it straight onto your cheeks too.

Eadem Lip Balms in Fig Sauce, Pain au Chocolat, Croissant au Beurre, Boba Bounce, Bissap Glaze, Guava Fresca, and Butter Mochi

Eadem Le Chouchou Exfoliating + Softening Peptide Lip Balm in Fig Sauce – I’ve talked about these balms so many times because they’re genuinely some of my favorite lip products ever. What I wanted to share is that Fig Sauce is such a good color. It’s a super pretty milky rosy brown that ends up being the perfect everyday shade. I usually go for deeper and more brown colors because of my high-contrast olive complexion, but this one still works so well. It’s flattering, easy, and very much a “throw it on without a mirror” situation. The formula is incredible, the scent is amazing, and I haven’t met a shade I didn’t like. I’m so happy to have another one in my collection, and I highly recommend them if you’ve been curious. I still love the shimmery ones (Pain au Chocolat and Coissant au Beurre), Boba Bounce, Bissap Glaze, Guava Fresca, and Butter Mochi, but Fig Sauce has definitely become one of my favorite day-to-day colors.

JVN Complete Hydrating Air Dry Hair Styling Cream – I don’t talk about hair care very often because it’s such a personal category and not one I consider myself an expert in, but sometimes something impresses me so much that I have to share. The JVN Complete Air Dry Cream is absolutely one of those products. I’ve never had something that I can apply to towel-dried hair and have it dry into something voluminous, defined, and genuinely good looking with zero effort. My waves stay intact, my hair keeps its shape for days, and it never feels heavy, crunchy, or weighed down. Plus, it smells great. The brand says it provides “touchable hold that lets your natural texture shine,” and that’s actually true. Most air-dry or leave-in products just don’t work for me, but this one has been such a standout that I had to include it.

What other products would you like me to review? Let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to see here, and thanks for reading! As always, some links may be affiliate links that support the blog, but all reviews/opinions are completely my own and unsponsored.

Setting Spray Showdown Round 1, Match 7: Hourglass Veil Soft Focus Setting Spray vs Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray

Featuredby liftbakeloveLeave a Comment on Setting Spray Showdown Round 1, Match 7: Hourglass Veil Soft Focus Setting Spray vs Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray

This is the seventh match of the first round in my setting spray showdown series, where I’m testing popular formulas side by side to see what actually makes a difference in real life. I’ll be doing the same makeup, with the same lighting, for at least 16 hours for each test. I’ve also been testing all of these setting sprays for months before doing these elimination rounds. For this round, I tested the Hourglass Soft Focus Seeting Spray tested against the Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray (newest version). In this post, all links are affiliate links (thank you for your support!), but all opinions are my own.

Before I get into it, I did do a full day side by side wear test between the original All Nighter and the new All nighter. They were basically indistinguishable, especially by the end of the day. I felt super comfortable moving forward with the newest version since that’s what is available now. If you’re a loyalist to the original, I’d grab a bottle from Skindinavia (which I’ve also tested many bottles of), but the new one is almost identical in performance.

The Hourglass has one of the nicest misters of all the sprays I’m testing, which I do appreciate. The mist is so even and way better than the ones that spit out droplets all over your face. I do think that added to the overall blended/blurred look that the spray gave right away, in addition to making my skin look more hydrated. The All Nighter has a surprisingly nice mister for a mini that was still way better than a lot of the others. Going on, All Nighter feels like a classic setting spray. There is a bit of tightening and a light tackiness that lets you know it is setting everything down. It felt heavier than Hourglass, and it almost seemed like I lost a tiny bit of coverage as it dried. The Hourglass side just looked more seamless right from the start, and I could definitely tell a difference.

A few hours later, both sides were still looking good, but the Hourglass side was still slightly better. I happened to go into the office, so I asked my (fantastic, amazing, genius) coworker which side looked better, and she ended up choosing the Hourglass side. She said the blush and complexion products looked more intact and more skin-like, and I completely agreed. She did point out that my eyeshadow looked better on the All Nighter side (the glitter was holding up way better). It also seemed like from farther away, you wouldn’t be able to tell a difference, which was a good sign for both of these sprays.

Later in the day, the All Nighter side was feeling noticeably heavier, while the Hourglass side still felt hydrated and weightless. It also looked more soft, natural, and hydrated than the All Nighter side which was really starting to break down at this point.

By the time I was ready to wash everything off around 11 p.m., the difference was very obvious. The concealer on the All Nighter side was almost gone, and the Hourglass side still looked intact under my eyes and around my chin. Both sides wore off on my nose, but there was still slightly more coverage on the Hourglass side.

The blush, bronzer, and foundation were also holding up better on the Hourglass side. It kept that soft focus finish all day (as the name would suggest!), and it still felt lighter and more comfortable by the end of the night. The All Nighter side looked more worn down and noticeably drier. As always, my husband got a vote. He looked at both sides and immediately picked Hourglass because the All Nighter side looked much more textured.

I also took a video of myself to send to a friend, and the difference between the two sides was super clear. The Hourglass side looked hydrated and smooth, while the All Nighter side looked textured and overly matte. The only place where All Nighter still looked better was the eyeshadow, which really did hold up well.

Who’s moving on?
The Urban Decay All Nighter Natural Finish did well with eyeshadow and is still a great spray generally, but the Hourglass Veil Soft Focus really outperformed it. It has blown me away every time I’ve worn it. I will say that I have pretty dry skin, which I think made a huge difference in this particular match. I still think the All Nighter is really functional (even the new one), especially in the summer or for more combo skin. That said, the Hourglass made my complexion look better immediately, it held coverage longer, it felt better, and it kept a soft, hydrated finish all day. Hourglass moves on!

What other products would you like me to review? Let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to see here, and thanks for reading! As always, some links may be affiliate links that support the blog, but all reviews/opinions are completely my own and unsponsored.

Setting Spray Showdown Round 1, Match 6: Milani Make It Last Dewy Setting Spray vs Josh Rosebrook Hydrating Accelerator

Featuredby liftbakeloveLeave a Comment on Setting Spray Showdown Round 1, Match 6: Milani Make It Last Dewy Setting Spray vs Josh Rosebrook Hydrating Accelerator

This is the sixth match of the first round in my setting spray showdown series, where I’m testing popular formulas side by side to see what actually makes a difference in real life. I’ll be doing the same makeup, with the same lighting, for at least 16 hours for each test. I’ve also been testing all of these setting sprays for months before doing these elimination rounds. For this round,  I tested the Milani Make It Last Dewy Setting Spray tested against the Josh Rosebroook Hydrating Accelerator. In this post, all links are affiliate links (thank you for your support!), but all opinions are my own.

The Josh Rosebrook Hydrating Accelerator feels more like a skincare prep spray than a traditional setting spray, but I’ve seen it recommended as a multipurpose product that works well to set makeup too. The Milani Make It Last Dewy is more of a classic setting spray but with a glossy, “glass skin” finish. When I first sprayed them, it definitely felt like hydrating spa experience vs “a normal setting spray.” After they each dried down, both sides looked equally smooth and dewy, and my skin felt comfortable and hydrated. Neither blurred or mattified (as expected) which was a nice break for my dry skin.

By the afternoon, there were no major differences in how the sprays felt on the skin. Both sides still looked glowy and neither felt sticky or dried out. Where the difference started to show was in makeup longevity. My blush and bronzer looked better on the Milani side whereas they had faded a bit on the Josh Rosebrook side already. I also asked my husband to take a look, and he said the Milani side looked slightly better, which matched what I was seeing up close. From far away, I’m not sure you could tell a difference. I was especially impressed that the Milani spray held up to the Josh Rosebrook in terms of staying dewy and hydrated and was also impressed that the Josh Rosebrook was holding up against a setting spray for the most part.

At the end of the night, both sides still looked good overall. My skin didn’t feel tight or dry, and neither spray caused any serious patchiness or makeup breakdown like some other sprays have. That said, the Milani side continued to outperform when it came to makeup staying power. The blush, bronzer, and complexion products were still going strong on that side, while the Josh Rosebrook side had continued to fade even more throughout the day.

Who’s moving on?
The finish on both sides ended up being fairly similar, and I would gladly keep using both of them for a natural, slightly glowy, and hydrated look throughout the day. That said, the Milani helped my makeup last much better over the course of the day, while matching the dewy finish of the Josh Rosebrook. It promises a 16 hour wear, and I’d say it holds up. I will absolutely keep using the the Josh Rosebrook Hydrating Accelerator as a skincare mist and prep step, but (as probably expected), it didn’t quite hold up as a setting spray. Milani moves on!

What other products would you like me to review? Let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to see here, and thanks for reading! As always, some links may be affiliate links that support the blog, but all reviews/opinions are completely my own and unsponsored. I also received the Josh Rosebrook spray from the brand, but have bought at least 6 bottles of it myself before that. One of my favorite skincare brands!

Setting Spray Showdown Round 1, Match 5: Em Cosmetics Divine Water Perfecting Mist vs One/Size Powder Melt Glass Setting Spray

Featuredby liftbakeloveLeave a Comment on Setting Spray Showdown Round 1, Match 5: Em Cosmetics Divine Water Perfecting Mist vs One/Size Powder Melt Glass Setting Spray

This is the fifth match of the first round in my setting spray showdown series, where I’m testing popular formulas side by side to see what actually makes a difference in real life. I’ll be doing the same makeup, with the same lighting, for at least 16 hours for each test. I’ve also been testing all of these setting sprays for months before doing these elimination rounds. For this round,  I tested the Em Cosmetics Divine Water Perfecting Mist tested against the One/Size Powder Melt Glass Setting Spray. In this post, all links are affiliate links (thank you for your support!), but all opinions are my own.

I want to say up front that I’m not 100% sure you can even still get the Em Cosmetics spray anymore, but I decided to test it anyway because I wanted to see if the One/Size Powder Melt really works as well as I think it does. It’s been one of my favorites throughout the months I’ve been testing, and I love seeing in these side by sides if things actually work.

Both sprays applied beautifully with misters that sprayed evenly. I love that they don’t spit at you (looking at you so many of the sprays I’ve tested so far!). Right after applying, the One/Size side looked glossier and more hydrated, while the Em Cosmetics side looked little more natural and slightly drier in finish in comparison. I could definitely feel the difference in the beginning with the Em Cosmetics having more of a dry down vs the One/Size feeling more hydrating. Both actually did a great job of melting powders together and helping my makeup look cohesive, which is one of the promises of the One/Size spray.

Within the first hour, both sides looked really similar, and there was no clear line of demarcation. I couldn’t actually tell a real difference in texture or finish. If you told me I had used the same spray on both sides, I probably would have believed you. They both also settled into feeling lightweight and pretty unnoticeable. Neither were uncomfortable or tight like some setting sprays can be.

About halfway through the day, I could start to see a difference in how my makeup was holding up. The One/Size spray clearly kept the blush and bronzer in place better, and my skin still looked smooth and glowy without looking greasy. The Em Cosmetics side had a touch more fading and a slight increase in dryness, especially around my mouth and cheek area. I did a quick check with my husband, and he thought the One/Size side looked much better too. I even got a comment from one of my very favorite coworkers that one side clearly looked more dry and matte, even though Teams.

By the end of the day, it was clear that the One/Size spray outperformed the Em Cosmetics mist. My blush and bronzer were still visible and my skin still looked blurred and cohesive on the One/Size side. The Em Cosmetics side wasn’t bad, but it just didn’t hold up as well. The blush had faded significantly, and there was more texture showing through especially around my cheek and forehead. Both sprays were still super lightweight and never felt heavy or sticky, which I really appreciated compared to some of the other sprays I’ve tested.

Who’s moving on?
While both sprays are great in terms of comfort and application, the One/Size Powder Melt Glass Setting spray clearly out performed the Divine Water Mist in terms of actual makeup setting. If you’re looking for something that’s going to lock in your makeup for a long day and give a blurred and hydrated finish, One/Size is the better choice here. I’ll still use the Em Cosmetics mist as a skincare spray, but One/Size is definitely moving on in this setting spray tournament.

What other products would you like me to review? Let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to see here, and thanks for reading! As always, some links may be affiliate links that support the blog, but all reviews/opinions are completely my own and unsponsored.

Setting Spray Showdown Round 1, Match 4: Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Liquid Blurring Balm Mattifying Setting Spray vs Milani Make It Last Original Natural Finish Setting Spray

Featuredby liftbakeloveLeave a Comment on Setting Spray Showdown Round 1, Match 4: Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Liquid Blurring Balm Mattifying Setting Spray vs Milani Make It Last Original Natural Finish Setting Spray

This is the fourth match of the first round in my setting spray showdown series, where I’m testing popular formulas side by side to see what actually makes a difference in real life. I’ll be doing the same makeup, with the same lighting, for at least 16 hours for each test. I’ve also been testing all of these setting sprays for months before doing these elimination rounds. For this round,  I tested the Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Liquid Blurring Balm Mattifying Setting Spray against the Milani Make It Last Original Natural Finish Setting Spray. In this post, all links are affiliate links (thank you for your support!), but all opinions are my own.

This is one of the matchups I’ve been most excited to test. I’ve heard amazing things about the Danessa Myricks spray since it launched, including that it’s the best mattifying spray ever for dry skin (which is a bold claim). The Milani has been a drugstore staple that so many people swear by for a long time. I actually really liked both of these individually while I tested them and upfront I’ll say I’d recommend both of them if you want a setting spray that works. I honestly wish I hadn’t put them up against each other, but there can only be one winner in the end. And I definitely have a clear winner moving on to round 2.

When I first applied them, the Danessa Myricks spray immediately gave my skin a smooth, blurred appearance that looked softly matte without taking away any of the dimension from my face. The mist was very fine, even with the mini size I got, which I always appreciate. It didn’t leave any tackiness or heaviness behind. Despite being described as mattifying and blurring, it didn’t dry out my skin or emphasize dryness at all. I’ve been continually surprised at how this just looks so natural and nice even though it’s mattifying.

The Milani spray had a much more noticeable feel on the skin right after spraying. The mist isn’t as fine (which I’d expect from drugstore packaging, especially a mini), and it felt a bit heavier than the Danessa Myricks. It had a much more dewy, glossy finish which I honestly hadn’t noticed as much until I did this side by side. It really felt like I had a thicker layer sitting on my face vs the super lightweight feel of the Danessa Myricks.

A few hours into the wear test, the Danessa Myricks side still looked smooth, fresh, and very skin-like. It hadn’t settled into any fine lines or clung to dry patches, and it still felt completely weightless. The Milani side had started to look more textured in comparison, particularly around my nose and cheek area. It wasn’t breaking down or looking bad, but next to the Danessa Myricks side, the difference was pretty obvious.

We decided to after take our 10 month old on a 5 mile hike (a true test of a setting spray in my opinion!), and about half way through, I asked my husband which side looked better than the other. He said that the side that had Danessa Myricks on it (without knowing which was which) looked significantly better. And he holds nothing back (there have been some of these where he’s said neither side). I sent pictures to some friends who also all picked the Danessa Myricks side.

By the end of the day, both sides had held up well in terms of actual makeup wear. Nothing had melted off, and my foundation and blush/bronzer still looked intact. There was a clear winner in finish and comfort. The Danessa Myricks side continued to feel like I had nothing on, and it maintained a soft, blurred finish. The Milani side still looked okay from a normal distance, but up close it had more visible texture and felt heavier.

Who’s moving on?
Both sprays absolutely work, and I think someone who prefers a slightly dewier, more hydrating finish might actually prefer the Milani. Even though I have pretty dry skin, the Danessa Myricks spray was the clear winner. It gave my makeup a blurred, smooth finish that held up all day without ever feeling heavy or noticeable. This is the kind of product that makes me want to reach for it every time I do my makeup. Danessa Myricks definitely moves on to the next round in the bracket and is a real contender for winning the whole thing.

Stay tuned for the next round and more chances for drugstore products to move on! What other products would you like me to review? Let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to see here, and thanks for reading! As always, some links may be affiliate links that support the blog, but all reviews/opinions are completely my own and unsponsored.

Setting Spray Showdown Round 1, Match 3: Milk Hydro Grip Dewy Setting Spray vs. e.l.f. Power Grip Dewy Setting Spray

Featuredby liftbakeloveLeave a Comment on Setting Spray Showdown Round 1, Match 3: Milk Hydro Grip Dewy Setting Spray vs. e.l.f. Power Grip Dewy Setting Spray

This is the third match of the first round in my setting spray showdown series, where I’m testing popular formulas side by side to see what actually makes a difference in real life. I’ll be doing the same makeup, with the same lighting, for at least 16 hours for each test. I’ve also been testing all of these setting sprays for months before doing these elimination rounds. For this round,  I tested the Milk Hydro Grip Dewy Setting Spray against the e.l.f. Power Grip Dewy Setting Spray. In this post, all links are affiliate links (thank you for your support!), but all opinions are my own.

Today’s match is one I’ve been excited about because I’ve seen so many people say the e.l.f. is a dupe for the Milk. During my testing of them up to this point, I honestly liked them both pretty evenly, although I have been reaching for the Milk more. It’s actually almost half way empty even with all the setting sprays I’ve been test. Both sprays have a nice even mist, which I was pleasantly surprised by since the Milk is a mini and the e.l.f. is drugstore. Both sprays also smelled really nice, like being in a spa. Right away, the Milk spray felt more hydrating and the e.l.f. dried down noticeably faster. It honestly felt a little dry even before makeup was fully set.

By 11:30 AM, there was a super clear difference. The Milk side looked much more natural and hydrated in a way that made my skin look really healthy. The e.l.f. side looked dry and emphasized texture in places that normally don’t show any. It wasn’t stark, but I could definitely tell when they were side by side. When I asked my husband which side looked better, he chose the Milk side too without knowing which was which.

By the end of the day, the finish on both sides looked honestly looked pretty similar. The Milk side had basically caught up to the e.l.f. side in terms of looking too dry and textured instead of soft and blurred or staying dewy and hydrated. One thing that did stick out was the difference was in how the makeup held up. The Milk side stayed intact, while the e.l.f. side had much more wear and breakdown. Even though the finish evened out after 16ish hours, the Milk side still clearly held my makeup together better, and I could tell a huge difference side by side.

Who’s moving on?
If you want a setting spray that keeps your makeup looking hydrated, natural, and fresh while locking it in for the day, Milk Hydro Grip is the clear winner. The e.l.f. Power Grip does an okay job, but it couldn’t match the performance of the Milk, especially in how it handled texture and wear over time. The finish became dry way earlier and didn’t keep my makeup looking great all day. Even when the finish looked the same at the end of the day, the Milk side held the makeup itself noticeably better. I promise I found a drugstore gem, but for this one, the Milk Hydro Grip moves on!

Stay tuned for the next round and more chances for drugstore products to move on! What other products would you like me to review? Let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to see here, and thanks for reading! As always, some links may be affiliate links that support the blog, but all reviews/opinions are completely my own and unsponsored.