liftbakelove

What I Actually Used for a 5 Minute Full Face

February 18, 2022April 1, 2025by liftbakelove1 Comment

The other day, I really only had 5 minutes to get my makeup on before heading out the door for something. I’ve done a few “what I would use for a 5-minute face of makeup” posts before, so I thought it would be fun to report back on what I actually reached for when I had to do it for real. This also made me really appreciate how I already have everything I need to do my makeup. Are there any other topics you’d like to see me experiment with and report back on? Let me know in the comments! And, of course, thank you so much for being here, and it would mean so much to me if you subscribe here or on Instagram @liftbakelove for new posts.

Glossier Future Dew mixed with Rose Inc Softlight Clean Dewy Hydrating Concealer – My base routine is usually what takes the longest because I use primer, corrector, foundation, and concealer, so I tried to think really quickly about how I could merge those together. My solution was to mix together Future Dew with the Rose Inc concealer, which resulted in something hydrating, dewy, and medium coverage. I quickly applied with my hands, and then blended out with my sponge – it looked great in one step. The shade LX10 is a bit light for me to use all over, so if I did this again, I’d mix in some liquid bronzer, and I think it’d be perfect. I also think my under eyes could have used my usual corrector but I’m sure no one but me noticed.

Westman Atelier Face Trace Contour Stick in Biscuit – This is one of my go-tos when I’m short on time and just need to add some color to my face without having to do a lot of work or blending. I own so many cream bronzer products, and always come back to this one as my “I just don’t want to think about it and need something that works” product.

Westman Atelier Blush Stick in Petal – Similar to the contour stick, this is just so easy to use and blend, and it’s my go to for when I’m running late or don’t have as much time to do a full “blush look.” Petal is the perfect “natural but makes me look way healthier and hydrated than I am” shade. This and the contour stick make a perfect pair for me, and the stick format and formula make them both so incredibly easy to slap on and blend.

Westman Atelier Face Trace Contour Stick in Biscuit and Westman Atelier Blush Stick in Petal

Beauty Pie Triple Beauty Luminizing Wand – This blends so easily and quickly and creates a sophisticated glow without glitter. It’s a perfect wash of light-catching pigment and is also blurring. It looks great as a finishing touch to any look I’ve used it in, and I love that it looks great on the cheeks, brow bone, inner corner, or anywhere else I want it to go. I applied it straight from the wand and blended – a process that took about 10 seconds. Because of the packaging, it’s the highlighter I reach for when I need something super quick.

Benefit Precisely, My Brow Pencil – Because of a sparse area I have in one of my brows, I never skip this step. I love this pencil because it goes on so quickly and naturally and the size makes it perfect to fill areas in fast but not overdo it. And unlike other pencils, it stays all day, so I don’t end up with a hole in my brow by the end of the day.

Rose Inc Brow Renew in Clear – Because this is clear, it was super easy to throw it on my brows in less than 10 seconds without having to worry about making my brows look too big or dark. And because of my big brows, the applicator is also perfect for me vs the usual tiny brow applicators, especially when I want to apply brow gel super quickly.

Lisa Eldridge Liquid Lurex Eyeshadow in Angelica – I’m not surprised my first thought for eyeshadow was this one. Angelica is a rosy bronze that is the absolute perfect shade for me, and I can pair it with almost any blush and lip color. The formula also doesn’t need a primer and still lasts all day. It’s so quick and easy to apply and looks amazingly impactful. I applied directly from the doe foot and blended out with a brush – it was so fast and looked like I spent a long time doing an “eye look.”

Glow-All Super Powder Face Palette – Because I didn’t set anything with powder and did everything so quickly, I wanted to add a finishing touch of powder products to blend the look together. I immediately reached for this palette because it has blush, bronzer, and highlighter all in one and because the formula is amazing. The formula is so easy to work with and you don’t have to think about what you’re doing because it’s so hard to overdo it – super important when I’m trying to work really quickly. It’s exactly what I wanted for a “set without getting rid of all the dewiness” product, and these shades match the cream products I used so they melded together super well.

Fitglow Lip Serum in Gospel – Gospel is described as a warm berry, and it’s super in my comfort zone. It’s so easy to slap on with any of my usual makeup looks and is the perfect amount of pigmented for me. Aside from how well the color fit with this look, FitGlow is always a go-to for me when I’m not sure what I want to wear because of the nourishing, thick, hydrating, long-lasting formula. While I reached for Gospel, any of the shades I have (like Root or Beach Glow) would have worked great too.

FitGlow Lip Serums in Night Lip Serum, Beach Glow, Gospel, and Root

Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara – Something always looks a bit off until I finish a look with mascara, so I finished off the look with my trusted Thrive mascara. This is the only mascara I use so it was an easy choice. It makes my lashes look amazing, doesn’t smudge, and actually holds a curl. It also builds super quickly, so I only have to do one coat. As always when I mention this mascara, if there’s a tubing mascara you love and think I should try, definitely let me know in the comments!

What do you use for a fast face of makeup? Let me know in the comments below! Let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to see here on LiftBakeLove, 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.

MY 8 FAVORITE PRODUCTS UNDER $20

February 16, 2022April 1, 2025by liftbakelove4 Comments

As part of my no-buy year, I’m trying to really get to know and love my collection and starting a “favorite products under $X series” to help me in that process. I’ll be doing posts every month for different dollar amounts, and I’m so excited to dive into my collection in this way. This time, I’m writing about my favorite products under $20. I would love see your favorites and recommendations for under $20 beauty products in the comments! And, of course, thank you so much for being here, and it would mean so much to me if you subscribe here or on Instagram @liftbakelove for new posts.

Glossier Stretch Concealer – My favorite way to use this concealer is all over like a foundation, and I’ve been using it a ton this way lately. I’ve been super tired lately with how dark it’s getting, and this has been so great to use to get my makeup done super quickly. I can just dot it all over my face, blend, and be done without needing both a concealer and foundation step. The Stretch Concealer looks incredibly skin like, lasts all day, and provides just the right amount of coverage for me (which is light). I find the light coverage makes it blend seamlessly and wear well even without powder since it’s harder to tell where it’s worn off than with a fuller coverage product. It also feels very light weight, and everything I put on top of it looks great.

Salt New York Crème Tint Pro Bronzer, Blush, and Highlighter – I’ve written about my love for Salt New York’s products so many times, and it’s because it continues to be one of my favorite cream formulas that I go back to over and over again. All the Crème Tint Pros I have (and I have 21) blend out incredibly easily and seamlessly, are super lightweight, and look so at home on my skin. This is my favorite formula for when I need a “I’m running late and need something easy” look – they blend out so quickly with a brush, sponge, or fingers and never look patchy. My most used shades over the years has been the bronzer in Light/Medium, highlighter in Beige, and blush in Rose, and I’ve really been loving Cocoa and Plum recently. They are all $16, but they have sales all the time, so I technically based on what I paid for most of them, these could have been in the under $10 post.

Salt New York bronzer in Light/Medium, highlighter in Beige, blushes in Rose, Cocoa, and Plum

Blush Divine Radiant Cheek & Lip in Ophelia, Foxglove, and Azalea– This formula is incredibly pigmented, opaque, and thick (like a balm), which I actually appreciate. It doesn’t need to be built up because it’s so pigmented but can still be layered with other cream blushes because it blends so easily. Because of its thickness, it has great staying power and even manages to keep its dewy (but not shiny) finish for hours. I love that you can just buy the refills for about half the price, and they pop into a magnetic palette super easily. I have the shades Ophelia (“true pink”), Foxglove (“warm terracotta”), and Azalea (“berry”). Ophelia is my most used because I’ve really been into a pink looks lately, but I find all the shades work well for me. All that said, if you’re not a fan of that super thick, on the edge of sticky cream blush, you might not like this formula, but I love it so much.

Flower Beauty Desert Lights and Jungle Lights Eyeshadow Palettes – For being under $20, I’m still shocked at how comparable these shadows are to my high-end palettes from brands like Pat McGrath and Natasha Denona. The formula is incredible – it’s super pigmented, smooth, and sparkly. All the shades blend easily and last super well all day with a primer. They have enough dimension to use them all as one shadow looks and blend together well enough to make a more complex look with multiple shadows. They’re just incredibly creamy and easy to use in the same way my much more expensive shadows are. If you wanted the look of the Roen shadows without the cream texture and creasing, this might be a really good option. If I had to choose one, I’d go with the Desert Lights Palette because I use it much more often and am really into pinky rose golds right now, but the quality is amazing in both palettes.

Flower Beauty Desert Lights and Jungle Lights Eyeshadow Swatches

Em Cosmetics Soft Blur Velvet Lip Liners in Kitten and Mink – Out of all my lip liners, I definitely reached for these the most often. The formula blends so easily so you can get a soft, blurred, and diffused look. I find that creates a much more natural look that still defines my lips and helps prevent any feathering of the lipstick I use on top. Even with how soft and lightweight they are, they are very long lasting. I have the shades Kitten, a neutral rose, and Mink, a cool brown, which both work really well with my lip color and the with my favorite lipsticks and glosses.

Em Cosmetics Lip Liners in Kitten and Mink

Glossier Ultralip in Villa, Trench, Cachet, and Portrait – The Ultralips are a pretty pigmented tinted lip balm that has a touch more glossiness than your average balm. I love how moisturizing it is and how long lasting it is (for a lip balm texture). You can also build up the color without anything weird happening like pilling or patching. I love using these during the day on work calls when I want more color like a traditional lipstick, don’t mind having to reapply, and can take advantage of how moisturizing these are.

Glossier Ultralip in Portrait, Villa, Trench, and Cachet

Phytosurgence Phytobrushes – I’m still in shock about how good the Phytobrushes are, especially for both being under $15. I purchased both the Skybuff and Skyfluff brushes, and I’m in love with both of them. If you’re a regular reader here, you know how much I invest in fude brushes (from Sonia G., Chikuhodo, Wayne Goss, etc.), and these fit right in my collection because of how high quality they are. They suggest using the Skybuff for their Spectral Shine and Skyfluff for their Skin Spark blushes, but I actually love using them the opposite way. They blend out the products so seamlessly and quickly so that the products really look like they’re naturally part of your face – exactly the kind of look I love.

The Inkey List PCA Bond Repair Hair Treatment – I really struggle with breakage and split ends, and this product has completely changed that for me. I use this after every shower and now have way less breakage and almost no split ends despite not getting a hair cut for a long, long time. My hair also feels much softer and less frizzy even if I only used just this product. I’m used to needing to use a couple of different products to get my hair to look and feel great, so that has really impressed me! The only con for me is that I can’t stand this packaging – it’s so hard to spray the product, and I ended up having to pour this into a different container to keep using it. For $12.99, it’s absolutely worth dealing with though.

What are your favorite products under $20? Let me know in the comments below! Let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to see here on LiftBakeLove, 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.

This or That? Answering your “which should I choose” makeup dilemmas!

February 13, 2022April 1, 2025by liftbakelove4 Comments

I asked my followers on Instagram for their makeup dilemmas, inspired by this video from Kackie Reviews Beauty, and these were the most common ones! Before I get into it, I love all of these products, and this is just for fun – if you want a more specific recommendation for your particular needs, don’t’ hesitate to ask in the comments or on Instagram DMs. As always, thank you so much for being here, and it would mean so much to me if you subscribe here or on Instagram @liftbakelove for new posts!

Auric Glow Lust vs Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter – I have a longer review comparing these, but the TLDR of that post is Auric Glow Lust all the way. The packaging is way better, and I like the formula more. I love the packaging so much more and it’s way more versatile since I can use it by itself in lieu of foundation, as a primer, mixed in with my foundation, as a highlighter, and any combination of those methods. I also think the Charlotte Tilbury was breaking me out so I ended up decluttering it because of that and because I found I never reached for it over the Auric Glow Lust or the Lisa Eldridge Elevated Glow Highlighter.

Glow Lust in Selenite and Hollywood Flawless Filter in 2

Fit Glow Lip Serum or Finding Ferdinand Custom Lipstick (if you’re buying yourself a gift) – For this one, I would go with the Finding Ferdinand custom lipstick. There’s something so special about getting exactly the color you want (the team at Finding Ferdinand will help you choose if you’re stuck) and being able to choose formula and the scent. I love my custom Finding Ferdinand shades and would happily give or get them as a gift. I also love the Fit Glow Lip Serums (they were in my 2021 Makeup Favorites and I talked about them a bunch last year), but they aren’t the same gift experience as Finding Ferdinand.

Finding Ferdinand Custom Shade and FitGlow Lip Serum in Root

Salt New Y ork vs Phytosurgence highlighters – Even though both of these products are amazing, I would choose the Salt New York highlighter. The Phytosurgence Spectral Shine is gorgeous, but the formula does take a bit of effort to work with. You really have to run your finger or brush over the product many times to get it to pick up. The Salt New York highlighter is so easy to use with a brush or finger and goes on so quickly and easily. It adds a beautiful sheen that isn’t glittery every time and blends easily with other products. I find myself reaching for the Salt New York over my Spectral Shine almost every time because I usually have very little time to get my makeup on in the morning. That said, if you have oily or normal skin (vs my desert skin) or need your makeup to be locked in all day, you might prefer the matte dry down of the Spectral Shine over the dewiness of the Salt New York.

Salt New York in Beige and Phytosurgence in Divine Daylight

Salt New York vs Phytosurgence blushes – I feel similarly about these as I do the highlighters. Both are amazing in their own way and it’s honestly so hard to choose, but I generally reach for the Salt New York Creme Tints. They are so much sheerer and easier to mix and build that I can mindlessly use them and create whatever shade I’m feeling that day. The Phytosurgence Skin Spark Blush Balms are richly pigmented, which is amazing when I want something impactful that still blends beautifully into the skin. But usually, I’m doing my makeup half asleep before I even have coffee and can easily end up overdoing it, which never happens with the Salt New York Creme Tints. I also usually end up sticking to just one shade vs the mixing I love to do. All that said, you can’t go wrong with either!

Salt New York in Raspberry and Phytosurgence in Simmer

Phytosurgence vs Vesca Eyeshadows – I love both of these so much, but from a versatility standpoint, Phytosurgence has a much better range of formulas and shades. Vesca’s liquid shadow in Lyra is one of my all time HGs but there’s only four shades and that one formula from the brand. Plus, the Phytosurgence shadows also provide a different effect depending on how you apply them (finger vs brush vs which kind of brush) whereas the Vesca looks the same regardless. From Phytosurgence, I love both the cream and glitter formulas, and they have four shades in each formula. They’re also (I think) coming out with more of the cream shadows soon! Like all of these, you can’t go wrong with either, but my guess is you’re more likely to find what you’re looking for from Phytosurgence unless you’re specifically looking for the kind of liquid shadow formula the Vesca is.

Vesca in Lyra and Phytosurgence in Potent Petal and Orchid Overload

What other products would be helpful to see compared? Let me know in the comments below! And let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to see here on LiftBakeLove, 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.

2022 EMPTIES (WILL I REPURCHASE?) – PART 3

February 11, 2022April 1, 2025by liftbakeloveLeave a Comment

Back again with another 5 empties (fully finished products)! I have a bunch of empties this month, but, as usual, I am keeping these posts to 5 products to keep them short. As always, I’m super excited to take a good look at what I thought of the products I’ve finished and whether or not I’d buy them again.

Good Molecules Niacinamide Brightening Toner – This toner was my favorite skincare discovery of 2019, and I’ve been using it every single morning ever since. It has continued to make my skin clearer, brighter, and less dry. This is probably the only product I’ve been using nonstop for almost 3 years, and I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon. It’s also $14 for a huge bottle, and it’s my most cost effective skincare product in my routine. My husband loves it too, and it’s one of the only skincare products he consistently uses. I have a ton of backup bottles so I won’t be repurchasing this any time soon, but I absolutely will when I run out.

Dieux Deliverance – This is truly a game changing product. My skin had been looking a bit dull and overly dry in the summer, and even though I love the other products I use, I needed something more. This serum is supposed to address skin issues like irritation, uneven tone, texture, lack of firmness, among others, and it definitely does everything it says it does. My skin definitely looks more even, less dull, and less textured since I’ve been using this, and I could tell a big difference when I didn’t have it with me at home for Thanksgiving. Given how much I love their Forever Eye Mask, I’m not surprised this is just as amazing. I already bought 2 backup bottles in 2021, and I’ll definitely keep repurchasing this as I run out.

La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 – It has been so incredibly dry here recently, and I’ve been experiencing way more dry, flaky patches on my skin. I tried a ton of different products, and this was the only one that truly made a difference in hydrating my skin closer to normal. It says on its product page that it’s made for visibly irritated areas associated with dry skin, and I can confirm it really does help with that. It’s even gentle enough that I can use it on my currently dry, flaky eyelids with no issues. I also love that it’s under $15 too, and this tube lasted me forever! While I do want to repurchase this eventually, I have a few other similar dry skin saving balms I’d like to try out first and then decide which is best.

Matrix Total Results Miracle Creator – This is a “totally fine but nothing special” product. I have tried so many other leave in conditioner/pre-styling treatments (let me know if you’d like a rundown of them), and compared to those, this feels like it does nothing. Somehow I ended up with 3 or 4 of these minis, so if you see it in my empties again, it’s because I don’t want them to go to waste so will still use them. I don’t think it’s anything you need to run out and get, and I will not be buying more of it.

Typology Hand & Nail Serum – I have suffered from incredibly weak nails that break seemingly for no reason and have never found anything that really improves them. I also have such dry hands that they itch and crack regardless of what time of year it is. While hand creams help, they don’t do enough for my hands to feel normal. I’ve been using this serum about once a day since I’ve gotten it, and my nails have literally never looked this good or grown so long without breaking. I had to actually file my nails down because they don’t even break at the gym while I’m lifting! My hands also look and feel normal even if I forget to use hand cream, which I’ve never experienced before. I’m honestly so thankful I found this product and will be buying more once I get through some of my other favorite nail treatment – NBM Cuticle Buddies. Between these two oil products, my nails have never been better.

I’d love to know – what have you finished lately? Like I mentioned, I have a ton more empties that I will be posting about, and not all of them are as positive as this group. Let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to see here on LiftBakeLove, and thanks for reading!

Beauty Pie Review: Seamless Foundation Buffing Brush, Pro Angled Contour Cheek Brush, and Pro Angled Concealer Brush

February 9, 2022March 30, 2025by liftbakeloveLeave a Comment

If you haven’t heard of Beauty Pie, it’s described as providing consumers with exceptional formulas sourced from the best factories worldwide – all while keeping costs low by cutting out the middleman, excessive packaging and expensive marketing budgets. It’s basically like the Costco of beauty – you pay a membership fee to access the low prices, but in theory, you save way more than your membership fee. This is part three (see my other reviews here and here), and I know I’ve already saved more than the yearly membership cost (I ended up getting a Black Friday deal where the membership was $9 when all was said and done). As with all of my reviews, this is not sponsored, and there are no affiliate links in this post. And as always, thank you so much for being here, and it would mean so much to me if you subscribe here or on Instagram @liftbakelove for new posts!

Seamless Foundation Buffing Brush – This brush is really densely packed which ensures it maintains the level of coverage of any product I’m using it with. It also never creates any streaks and cleans really well even with consistently using it with liquid products. While this brush is amazing for foundation, I actually love it even more for cream blush. It blends every formula so seamlessly and quickly and is my go-to for when I’ve overdone my blush and need to blend everything together quickly because of its size. This brush is under $10 and feels similar to my much more expensive synthetic brushes. I now totally understand why Kackie Reviews Beauty said in her review that she wanted tons of these in her collection.

Pro Angled Contour Cheek Brush – I’ve been getting way less use out of this one than I expected to. I use the foundation brush more often for cream blush and bronzer and my Sonia G brushes for powder products. I love the shape and the quality of it – it’s probably my favorite angled brush in my collection. It has the perfect density of bristles to apply and blend just the right amount of pigment. I just really never reach for this particular brush shape. If you’re looking for an angled cheek brush, this one is amazing quality for less than $10.

Pro Angled Concealer Brush – This reminds me so much of the Rare Beauty Liquid Touch Concealer Brush. It has an extremely similar shape that seems to be designed to mimic the shape of your fingertip. I find that it makes it like I’m blending out with my finger but without losing any coverage because of the densely packed bristles. I switch between this brush and the Rare Beauty one purely depending on which one is clean and/or is still drying from being cleaned. I use them every day with my undereye corrector, and it helps so much when I’m attempting to correct my dark circles. It also works great for spot concealing given how precise you can get with it while still being big enough to blend out edges. I don’t think you really need both this one and the Rare Beauty one, but it’s amazing that this is almost half the price.

What new products and brands have you discovered lately? Are there Beauty Pie questions you have or products you’d like me to review? Let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to see here on LiftBakeLove, and thanks for reading!

Rose Inc Review: Blush Divine Radiant Cheek & Lip, Lip Sculpt, Brow Renew, and Softlight Clean Dewy Hydrating Concealer

February 6, 2022April 1, 2025by liftbakelove5 Comments

During the 2021 holidays, I was gifted a bunch of Rose Inc products, including a set that came with a blush, eyebrow gel, and lipstick. I wanted to wait to review until I’d had plenty of time to try them, which is why this is coming now. As usual, my goal is to provide you with information to make the best purchasing decisions for yourself and the reasons why I might not like something might be why you’d love it or why I love something might be why you’d hate it. As always, thank you so much for being here, and it would mean so much to me if you subscribe here or on Instagram @liftbakelove for new posts!

Blush Divine Radiant Cheek & Lip in Ophelia, Foxglove, and Azalea- This formula is incredibly pigmented, opaque, and thick (like a balm), which I actually appreciate. It doesn’t need to be built up because it’s so pigmented but can still be layered with other cream blushes because it blends so easily. Because of its thickness, it has great staying power and even manages to keep its dewy (but not shiny) finish for hours. I love that you can just buy the refills for about half the price, and they pop into a magnetic palette super easily. I have the shades Ophelia (“true pink”), Foxglove (“warm terracotta”), and Azalea (“berry”). Ophelia is my most used because I’ve really been into a pink looks lately, but I find all the shades work well for me. All that said, if you’re not a fan of that super thick, on the edge of sticky cream blush, you might not like this formula. It’s very different from something like the Salt New York Creme Tint Pros which are lightweight and sheer and closer to the formula of the Kajer Weis blushes.

Lip Sculpt in Quartz – I’ve not a big matte lipstick fan unless it’s the Lisa Eldridge Velvet Matte formula. My lips are so dry that most matte formulas make my lips look and feel terrible. Somehow, this manages to be super smoothing while still being matte, and I really love the way the formula looks. It’s not as dry as other matte lip products I’ve tried, which pleasantly surprised me. While it’s not nourishing, it’s not uncomfortable and is so light weight and thin that I hardly notice I’m wearing it despite how long-lasting it is. I do wish I had another color (the one I have came in a set that someone bought for me) because I generally prefer more brown in my lip shades. With a brown lip liner underneath, it balances out to a really pretty shade that I use way more often than I expected.

Brow Renew in Clear – Similar to the Lip Sculpt, I wasn’t expecting to love this as much I do. This also came in the set, and I assumed I’d never touch it. I’ve been reaching for it over my other brow products and loving the result. I have giant, thick brows that look overdone super quickly, and I honestly didn’t realize how much a clear brow gel could make them look put together and “done” without overwhelming my face. It doesn’t feel crunchy or sticky but has great staying power like the rest of these products. Because of my big brows, the applicator is also perfect for me vs the usual tiny brow applicators. It makes applying this so fast and easy to get my brows into shape. I’m not sure I would spend $26 for the full size when I run out, but I’m definitely considering it.

Softlight Clean Dewy Hydrating Concealer in LX010 – This formula is incredibly high coverage – definitely the most pigmented of all my base products. A tiny amount goes so far, and because of that, it doesn’t look heavy or cakey. I have the shade LX010 (the lightest in range), and I’ve found it to be super helpful to mix with my foundations to lighten them because I haven’t seen sun in so long and everything is a bit too dark. It dries down on its own to a satin finish that doesn’t need to be powdered, but it plays well with all my powders. I think I’ll like it even better in the summer because it’s a touch drying on my super dry winter skin.

What other products would be helpful to see reviews of? Let me know in the comments below! And let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to see here on LiftBakeLove, 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.

January 2022 Fitness & Lifestyle Favorites

February 4, 2022January 20, 2023by liftbakeloveLeave a Comment

Here are my fitness faves and lifestyle favorites that I wanted to share to kick off February to get everyone excited about working out, being hydrated, and flossing (really!). I spend most of my time outside of work and testing beauty products training for powerlifting competitions (see my last competition recap here) and am very into fitness and health. As always, thank you so much for being here, and it would mean so much to me if you subscribe here or on Instagram @liftbakelove for new post! Some links may be affiliate links that support the blog, but all reviews/opinions are completely my own and unsponsored.

A7 UBag – I’m using a powerlifting specific program where I squat and bench every workout (and deadlift every other workout), so I need a lot of equipment with me in the gym every time I go. I bring my squat shoes, deadlift slippers, belt, liquid chalk, a variety of bands, knee sleeves, wrist wraps, and snacks. This all fits so well in the UBag, and I love that there’s a separate pocket for shoes, for small items like chalk and wrist wraps, and for snacks. There’s also room for a water bottle on the side and a laptop sleeve (which I use as another pocket). There’s also a belt loop in the front which is really convenient for easy access to my super bulky belt. One of my favorite things is that it’s super comfy to carry even with how big and heavy it can get with everything I’m carrying. It’s expensive, but tailor made for someone who powerlifts, and I’m so glad I have it.

Glossier Water Bottle – I know this is just a water bottle, and that I’ve written about it before, but this is honestly one of my favorite “fitness” items I got in 2021. If you’re a long-time reader, you know I’m awful at staying hydrated and had once posted about how I regularly have 1 cup of coffee and 1 cup of water a day. As a competitive athlete, this is not enough, and it’s been a huge issue for me. The Glossier bottle is the first bottle I’ve had that I’ve used every single day since I got it, and have still used every day since I got, and it’s meant that I’ve had a full 32oz of water without fail every single day. Because I love it, I’ve usually been able to get through 64oz of water a day, which I have never been able to do before. I’ve also still been using this for my daily mix of Gatorade Zero Powder and Buffchick Creatine, and because it’s pretty wide, it’s really easy to clean even mixing so many powders in it every day. I have the special Seattle version you can only get here that holds 32oz (the one on the website is 16oz), so if you’re near a Glossier store, I highly recommend checking it out.

BuffBunny Rosa Bra – This is hands down my favorite sports bra, not just from BuffBunny, but from any brand. They are all made out of their Nubre fabric – the softest, most buttery fabric of all time (really) except for the holo Rosa Bra V2, which is made out of performance material that I also love. They are so comfortable to wear for hours on end, which is important when we have a workout that lasts almost 2 hours and go grocery shopping right after (a very normal occurrence). Even though they are super comfortable, they still provide amazing support and coverage. Because the coverage is almost to the level of a crop top, I have no problems wearing the Rosa Bra without a shirt on top. This style comes back during most of BuffBunny’s launches in different colors, and it’s definitely the sports bra I’d most highly recommend from them.

BuffBunny Rosa Bra V2 in Holographic Black and Rosa Pocket Leggings in Secret Garden Dark Teal

BuffBunny Rosa Sports Bra and Jewel Joggers in Secret Garden Dark Teal

Built Bar Strawberry Puffs – Important context for this one is that I know it’s not everyone’s thing, but I’m a big fan of strawberry marshmallows. We make strawberry marshmallows for the holiday season every year, and they’re one of the only holiday foods I can’t stay away from. So, when I discovered strawberry protein marshmallows, I was beyond excited. And honestly, if I didn’t know better, I would swear these are regular chocolate-covered marshmallows. They’re 17 grams of protein for 130 calories (as a comparison, that’s about 5 marshmallows worth of calories but 17g more protein). I have a bunch of different Built Bar products and flavors now, so let me know if in the comments if you’d like a full run down, especially because it looks like Puffs are currently out of stock.

Cocofloss (affiliate link)- Anyone who’s known me for a long time knows how obsessed I am with Cocofloss, but I wanted to share how much I’ve been loving the Cara Cara Orange and Strawberry flavors. The only reason I floss every day is because of Cocofloss, and these flavors make it even more fun. It reminds me that spring is coming eventually and just makes me happy. If you’re not familiar with Cocofloss, it’s a floss made from recycled water bottles and infused with coconut oil which makes it both sustainable and very effective. I’ve honestly tried to go back to regular floss after using this, and I can tell the difference in how much better it works. I can’t wait to see what flavors they come out with for spring and summer this year!

What would you like to see next on LiftBakeLove? Let me know in the comments below, and thanks as always for being here! As always, some links may be affiliate links that support the blog, but all reviews/opinions are completely my own and unsponsored.

5 Functional Dupes I Bought of Makeup I Already Had

February 2, 2022April 2, 2025by liftbakelove1 Comment

My no buy is giving me lots of space to explore my collection, and one thing I’m starting to notice is how many things I own that basically look exactly the same once they’re on my face. I’m calling these pairs of products functional dupes because they may not be the exact color or formula, but once I have them on, no one could tell the difference. I definitely didn’t need to buy both! When my no buy is over, I’m going to make sure I think about whether I have something that can be used for that look in my routine even if it’s not exactly the same – as Hannah Louise Poston would say, if I could “dupe the vibes”. This is not meant to be a “this or that” kind of post so I won’t be saying which one I’d get or keep – they really are that similar, but if you want me to choose, feel free to ask in the comment. As always, thank you so much for being here, and it would mean so much to me if you subscribe here or on Instagram @liftbakelove for new posts!

Tom Ford Shade and Illuminate in 0.5 and Salt New York Sculpt and Bronze in Light/Medium – Both of these are cream bronzers that give a super natural look in about 2 seconds. They are both super blendable and easy to build up to the opacity I want even though they go on a bit sheer. As you can probably see from the swatches below, the Tom Ford is slightly cooler and slightly dewier, but once they’re blended out on my skin, I can’t tell the difference between them. They both apply in exactly the same way and work great with a brush, sponge, or fingers. They’re also both great for travel (Salt New York because it pops right into a palette that I can customize and Tom Ford because it’s a compact duo).

Rose Inc Blush Divine Radiant Cheek & Lip Color In Azalea and Phytosurgence Skin Spark Blush Balm in Simmer – If you’re looking for an opaque, warm-toned pink blush, both of these are perfect for that. Both formulas have are thick and creamy and a little goes a long way. They both blend super seamlessly and easily into the skin, leave an impact with very little product, and stay all day. Because they’re so pigmented, they don’t need to be built up but absolutely can be layered. The finish is just glowy enough without being sticky even though they both have a balmy, moisturizing texture. Azalea has a bit more red in it, but on the skin, I can’t tell the difference between them especially once they’re blended with bronzer, highlighter, and other blushes.

Rose Inc Blush Divine Radiant Cheek & Lip Color In Azalea, Phytosurgence Skin Spark Blush Balm in Simmer

Flower Lights Amazon from the Jungle Lights Palette and Pat McGrath Sextrovert from the Sublime Palette (discontinued) – While I chose these two to compare, this is a great example of how many shimmery and glittery gold, bronze, and brown shadows end up looking the same even if they have lots of little differences in a swatch. I’m sure I have over a dozen of these kinds of shades, and they basically all do the same thing. These formulas are very similar in that they both have a bit of a warm leaning shift to them, are very soft, and are very flaky and shimmery. I actually forgot which was which and had to swatch them again underneath (you can see a bit in the corner) because they look so similar in real life. I would also say that these two color stories fill the same gap in my collection with the darker purply and green shimmers and lighter and bronzier golds. I definitely didn’t need both of these palettes and would happily only have one in my collection.

Glossier Ultralip in Villa and Lisa Eldridge in Kitten Mischief – These two are probably the most different in terms of formula, even though the colors are almost exactly the same on the lips. The Ultralip formula is much glossier (pun intended) and hydrating whereas the Luxuriously Lucent formula has a much more natural finish that I find to be more drying over time. Even with that though, I end up with basically the same look while wearing these, especially after it’s worn in a bit. Because I love this color, I would bet I have a bunch of other lip products that do exactly the same thing, and I’m going to remind myself that I already have the perfect lip products many times over in my collection.

Glossier Ultralip in Villa, Lisa Eldridge in Kitten Mischief

Pat McGrath Taboo from Midnight Sun and Natasha Denona Freckle from Biba – Unlike the earlier eyeshadow comparison, these entire palettes aren’t the same. This is more an example of how all medium, neutral brown eyeshadows look the same once applied even if they look a bit different in the pan. I use these kinds of colors as my crease shade, and since there’s one in most palettes, I have so many of them to choose from. I also played around with the darker browns and greys that I have and as expected, those are all virtually identical. Given that I love natural eye looks, what I’ve learned from this is I don’t need any more eyeshadow palettes. And even though these palettes are different in terms of their color stories, I do end up gettting very similar looks out of them (dark brown in the inner corner, lighter brown in the crease, glittery shade all over the lid, lighter shimmer in the inner corner), so I do think I could have gotten by with just one of these even though I love them both.

Pat McGrath Midnight Sun, Natasha Denona Biba

Do you own any functional dupes that you imagined would be totally unique to your collection but do basically the same thing? Let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to see here on LiftBakeLove, 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.

January 2022 Favorites

January 30, 2022April 1, 2025by liftbakeloveLeave a Comment

I can’t believe January is already almost over, and it’s time for another round of favorites! As always, I’m only featuring products in my favorites that are true favorites that I’ve been using consistently for longer than a couple months (I have some products I received during the holidays that I’m loving but not ready to talk about just yet!). If there’s anything you were looking for a review on or a topic that you want me to cover, please let me know if the comments below! And, of course, thank you so much for being here, and it would mean so much to me if you subscribe here or on Instagram @liftbakelove for new posts.

MAC Glow Play Blush in Blush, Please – This formula has been my go-to recently for finishing off my cheek looks because it has a really incredible blurring quality that really pulls together any look I’ve done. Because the texture is like a cross between a powder and a cream, it adds a slight sheen like a cream and great lasting power like a powder. I’ve been getting great use out of all of the shades I have (So Natural, Blush Please, Heat Index, and Grand), but I’ve been really loving the shade Blush, Please this month. It’s described as a neutral light mauve, and I find it pairs so well with so many different eyeshadow, lip product, and blush combinations.

Salt New York Sculpt + Bronze Crème Tint Pro in Light/Medium – I’ve been mentioning the Salt New York crème tint pro bronzer a ton lately (the swatches are from a post recently where I also talked about this), and it’s because it’s really become a staple in my everyday makeup routine. It blends out incredibly easily and seamlessly, feels like nothing on the skin, and looks so natural on me. It’s my favorite formula for when I need a “I’m running late and need something easy” look, which is every day right now. It blends out so quickly with a brush, sponge, or fingers and never looks patchy which is great when I’m behind on washing my brushes. This honestly might end up being the first cream color cosmetic product I hit pan on ever, and I wouldn’t be surprised.

Fitglow Beauty Lip Colour Serums – I know I just wrote about these in my 2021 Makeup Favorites, but I have been loving them and use them almost every day. The formula is incredibly nourishing, thick, hydrating, and long-lasting, and I just reach for them so often especially because they work so well as toppers for more matte lipsticks or lip liners. All the shades are beautiful and I can always find one to match my look. I’ve been really loving Bliss and Gospel this month in particular, but all of the shades I have get a ton of use. I have 5 full sizes and the rest are minis, and I highly recommend looking out for sales or mini sizes if you’re interesting in these!

Fitglow Beauty Lip Colour Serums in Bliss, Beach Glow, Kind, Halo, Ful, Root, Nudie, Gospel, Regal, Cheer, and Juice

NBM Cuticle Buddy – My nails have never been healthier or stronger since I starting using these, and I don’t freak out about nail breaks anymore because they grow back so fast now. I have been particularly loving the Lavender Cuticle Buddy right now – I use it every night as I’m getting ready for bed, and it’s become a key part of my nighttime routine. It’s calming and relaxing and the perfect “wind down” scent. As always, you can use my affiliate code with Shop NBM to get 10% off sitewide: LIFT10. Like all my reviews, everything written is my completely unbiased opinion, and I would definitely be talking about these without being an affiliate.

Holo Taco Lavender Syrup topped with Gliterally Purple to match my Lavender Cuticle Buddy

What were your favorites this month? Let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to see here on LiftBakeLove, 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.

2022 EMPTIES (WILL I REPURCHASE?) – PART 2

January 28, 2022April 1, 2025by liftbakeloveLeave a Comment

IT Cosmetics Confidence in a Cleanser – This is a very hydrating facial cleanser was great for my dry skin. It cleaned my skin and didn’t just not strip it of moisturize, but actually added hydration. This bottle also lasted me a really long time because I didn’t need to use very much. That said, I still like the Allies of Skin Molecular Silk Amino Hydrating Cleanser even more and have two bottles of it to get through. I won’t be repurchasing the IT Cosmetics Cleanser, but I did really enjoy using it while I had it.

Nécessaire The Body Serum – This added extra hydration to my skin, and I definitely noticed that my skin felt moisturized longer when I used this before my body lotion. It sinks in super quickly and doesn’t pill. It’s fragrance free so it didn’t mix weirdly with any of my lotions, which I really appreciated. It’s pretty expensive for what it is, but the bottle lasted a long time and I did really enjoy it. I’m trying out two other body serums I got last year, and I’m going to wait to decide which of the three (if any) I’ll repurchase once I finish all of them.

Zoya 3-in-1 Formula Remove + Nail Polish Remover – I love how effective yet gentle this is for removing nail polish. It’s really important to me to keep my cuticles, nails, and hands healthy and hydrated because they get really dry and crack super easily. This has been so non-irritating compared to other nail polish removers. Plus, I love the way it dispenses onto a cotton round instead of having to tip the bottle over so I found this lasted way longer than other bottles of nail polish remover I’ve had. I already bought a replacement for this and will likely continue to use this one over any other nail polish remover.

Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Mask – I love the entire invisible oil line, and this mask in particular is magic for my hair. My hair always feels so much shinier and softer when I use it and is so much less frizzy. Plus, it smells amazing like the rest of the line. I only use the mask about once every 3 weeks, and that’s been more than enough to keep my hair feeling great. Even though it’s pretty expensive at $43, I find that it lasts me so long (almost a year) that it’s definitely worth it, especially if I can get it on sale. I have a couple of other masks that I’m working through, but I’ll likely go back to this after those run out.

L’Oréal 8 Second Wonder Water – I really love this product and not just because it’s less than $10. I don’t understand what magic is in this product, but it does truly transform my hair only using it a couple times a week, 8 seconds at a time. It leaves me with silkier, shinier, healthier-looking hair without weighing my hair down. I have really dry hair that tends to look dull, so this has been a game changer for me. I happen to already have a ton of backups that my mom bought me (thank you!) as she loves this too so I won’t be repurchasing quite yet, but I totally will when I need to.

Author: liftbakelove