Author: liftbakelove

STRONGER BY THE DAY WORKOUT PROGRAM REVIEW – 120 DAYS IN & USAPL Meet Recap

by liftbakelove9 Comments on STRONGER BY THE DAY WORKOUT PROGRAM REVIEW – 120 DAYS IN & USAPL Meet Recap

Update as of 6/24/2023: Stronger by the Day now has a fantastic app that the team put a ton of thought into (which I discuss in this post that I wish they had), and that makes the program even that much better! The price has also gone up a tiny bit, but the app is incredible and totally worth it if you’re looking for this kind of program.

I spend most of my time outside of work and testing beauty products training for powerlifting competitions now that we are back in the gym, and the program I’ve been following for training is Stronger By The Day. It’s is a 4 day a week workout program created by MegSquats that is focused on strength and powerlifting movements. It’s $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year for the in-the-gym program. It also includes a full at-home workout program, an extra workout day every week, warm ups, and access to a Facebook group with other lifters running the program. For transparency, I did win a free year of the program in 2019 but have become a paying customer since then.

Wearing all Buffbunny, my favorite activewear

I did a 90 days in review of this program in early 2020 after I had recovered from a back injury and was beginning to prep for a powerlifting competition. As happened with most things in 2020, the competition got cancelled, the gyms closed, and we had to figure out something else for the last year and a half. Luckily Stronger by the Day added a home workout program, and we also discovered the amazing home HIIT workouts from The Team Plans. Because of that, we didn’t start from zero going back into the gym in June, but I was definitely a long way off from my pre-COVID lifts (as you can see from day Day 1 numbers here).

Day 1 (lbs)Day 120 (lbs)
Squat115226
Bench75115
Deadlift135270
Total325611

The 120 days numbers are from my competition on October 2nd, which was the USA Powerlifting 2021 Washington State Championship. I placed 5th, which I was incredibly excited about given it was my first meet and there were some amazing competitors there. I’m really proud of what I was able to accomplish after only four months of training, which included a few weeks off for vacations and other things, so I ended up doing exactly 50 sessions in those 4 months. I can’t believe I added over a hundred pounds to both my squat and deadlift in that time, and almost doubled my total. I was able to add almost 6 pounds to my total every single workout session. I know I can credit the Stronger by the Day program for that success, and I couldn’t have hoped for anything better given the amount of time I spent training.

KBShimmer in Better Lake than Never with my USAPL medal

Beyond the incredible strength gains, I really love that there’s a ton of variety week to week and block to block so you avoid getting bored. There’s still enough consistency to actually make progress, but it stays fun. I also love how many substitutions are offered to make it easy to work with whatever is available at the gym. And because I’m always wary of getting another back injury, I appreciate that there are core and mobility movements included in every workout, which I find help keep my back feeling great.

However, as I noted with my last review, I still struggled with peaking for my meet since it’s not personalized to you and doesn’t account for things like having a meet coming up. I had switch up some of the sessions to try and prep as best I could (which honestly still worked out just fine!). I also found that the blocks in these months focused way more on squat and deadlift progress, so I made way less progress on my bench than on those lifts. So if you’re prepping for a meet, I don’t think this is necessarily the best program for you unless you’re on a budget. Even with this issues, the program is still definitely one of the most affordable while still being very effective.

I also can’t wait for the team to launch their app which will make it so much easier to use than having to copy everything into the Strong app. I know that’s coming out as soon as they have it ready, and the sneak peaks have made it look amazing. I’m still planning on using the program to prep for my next meet in December, app or no app!

Is there any fitness gear or program you want me to test? Let me know in the comments below, and thanks as always for reading!

September 2021 Favorites

by liftbakelove1 Comment on September 2021 Favorites

I can’t believe it’s already October, and it’s time for another round of favorites! As always, 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!

I am so happy to have discovered the Ulta Under Eye Brightener. It’s about $10 and a very effective dupe of my beloved Becca Under Eye Brightening Corrector. Just like the Becca one, this corrector works so well for correcting my super dark circles and helps hydrate my super dry under eyes for whatever concealer goes on top without any heaviness. It blends like a dream and the color is perfect for me. And it’s in stick form which is so much easier to use than the pot!

I’ve been testing Dieux Deliverance serum since August, and it’s 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 is already looking less uneven, less dull, and less textured This serum did the trick and absolutely has my skin more even and calm and all the other improvements I was looking for. Given how much I love their Forever Eye Mask, I’m not surprised this is just as amazing.

Everything everyone has said about Kosas Cloud Set Baked Setting & Smoothing Powder is true – it really is that amazing! I have it in the shade Airy, but because of how sheer it is, I’m sure Breezy or Feathery could have worked for me as well. It has a tiny bit of luminosity to it so it sets without mattifying too much. I love using this for all over my face and to set all my cream products without getting rid of any of their dewiness. The only thing I find is that it doesn’t add any coverage, unlike the Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder, which is still one of my favorite powders of all time, and I’m still using under my eyes because I prefer it for that.

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

So I know I’ve only had this for a few weeks, and I try not to share things in my favorites until I’ve been using them for awhile, but I just can’t not talk about the FitGlow Beauty State of Kait Edit. The kit comes with Night Lip Serum, Beach Glow, Gospel, and Root. The formula is incredibly nourishing, thick, hydrating, and long-lasting, and I just can’t stop using them. The Night Lip Serum is the best night time lip treatment I’ve ever tried, and I wake up consistently to hydrated and nourished lips. The 3 colored serums are all beautiful and, between the three, I can always find one to match my look. I expect to have these in favorites posts for months to come, and I’m hoping they do some more mini sets so I can grab a few more shades!

I didn’t realize how much I need the Cupcake Polish VNL Blur #1 until I purchased it. It’s a neutralizing base coat that comes in multiple shades and is meant to reduce the number of coats of the nail polish you’re using. It works incredibly well and turns all my 3 coaters into 2 coaters and 2 coaters into 1 coaters! I never do a manicure without it now.

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.

2021 EMPTIES (WILL I REPURCHASE?) – PART 11

by liftbakeloveLeave a Comment on 2021 EMPTIES (WILL I REPURCHASE?) – PART 11

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. 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!

SkinFix Barrier+ Triple Lipid-Peptide Face Cream – A ton of people I follow on YouTube and Instagram were raving about this, so when Sephora had this deluxe same for free with a $25 purchase, I had to try it. And it’s totally a fine moisturizer. I didn’t notice a huge difference after finishing it, but it definitely works to lessen skin dryness like any other moisturizer. I won’t be repurchasing it when I have so many other moisturizers I love and that I’m testing out right now, especially at almost $30 an ounce.

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream – I’ve been using this every morning for years, and it’s been a staple in my dry skincare routine. It’s simple, effective, not too heavy or light, and plays well under makeup. I don’t have much to say about it except that it’s one of my favorite moisturizers for my dry skin – it just works really works. That said, I’ve been using the Phytosurgence Verdant Forcefield since I ran out of the Kiehl’s and have been absolutely loving it (and now have a Farmacy Honey Drop to get through as well), so it may be a long time before I repurchase this if I do.

Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil Body Butter – I have yet to find another body butter I like more than this one. It is incredibly moisturizing while still being fast absorbing and super lightweight. I love all the scents, but I think the cranberry may be my favorite. This also mixes with any body oils super easily when I need that extra boost. I’m already on my next tub, and I have two backups that I will absolutely replace when holiday sets come out again.

Allies of Skin Vitamin C+ Perfecting Serum – This serum has continued to be amazing. I didn’t have any irritation when I started using it, which has never happened before with a Vitamin C product, and I haven’t had any since. I have noticed such a big change with my skin since I started using this, particularly with helping with dullness. My skin has a glow that I’ve never seen before (since I have such dry skin), to the point that I can get away without using highlighter! I’m already using my backup of this because it’s such a key part of my morning skincare routine now and am planning on repurchasing unless I find something to test instead.

Thrive Causemetics Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara – This continues to be the best mascara I’ve ever used. I’ve moved on to one of the four minis I have, and I still love it. It makes my lashes look amazing, doesn’t smudge, and actually holds a curl. The best part is that it washes off so easily and quickly. I still have three more minis to get through after this and will definitely repurchase until an amazing tubing formula comes out that’s better than this one.

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! As always, some links may be affiliate links that support the blog, but all reviews/opinions are completely my own and unsponsored.

Phytosurgence Review: Phytobrushes, Spectral Shine, Flash Florescence Cream Shadows in Bloom, and Verdant Forcefield

by liftbakelove3 Comments on Phytosurgence Review: Phytobrushes, Spectral Shine, Flash Florescence Cream Shadows in Bloom, and Verdant Forcefield

I’ve been waiting to do another Phytosurgence review until I had enough products to do a full post with only buying things I thought I would love. And now I almost have too much for one post because they keep launching amazing things! If you haven’t heard of Phytosurgence before, they are a very small indie brand that focuses on transparent and conscious beauty. They make high performance and affordable products that absolutely rival luxury brands. As with my last Phytosurgence review, I’m about to really rave about the products so I want to say upfront that this was not sponsored, and I bought the products with my own money. 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!

It took me an incredibly long time to start this paragraph because 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.

I used the Phytobrushes, Skin Spark blushes, and Spectral Shine highlight for a perfect no-makeup look

It’s so hard to describe how special Spectral Shine is and how unique the formula is. It doesn’t have glitter or shimmer, just really fine pearl pigments that blend seamlessly into the skin. It’s incredibly lightweight and feels like nothing but is super long lasting. Especially if you want something that looks like your skin but better in person (vs blinding highlights that look great on camera), this is for you. I was waiting for the right shade to come out, and then the limited edition Divine Daylight launched. It’s a peachy neutral beige shade, which is so at home on my skin.

Spectral Shine in Divine Daylight

I’ve been using the Flash Florescence Cream Shadows – In Bloom almost every day since I got them. The formula is incredibly thin and lightweight with very little fallout. I love how multidimensional the shimmers are – they’re just really special. I have two of the shades: Defiant Dahlia (described as a rich deep brown shade with violet undertones and neutral/gold shimmers scattered throughout) and Orchid Overload (described as a translucent based shade with pink, purple, and silver shimmer). Defiant Dahlia looks amazing as a one-and-done shadow, and Orchid Overload is one of my favorite toppers of all time. And these are about half of the price of the Hourglass Scattered Light eyeshadows! If you’d like me to get and review the other two shades, let me know in the comments below.

Flash Florescence Cream Shadow in Orchid Overload and Defiant Dahlia

I’m always looking for new moisturizers to try because of how ridiculously dry my skin is. Verdant Forcefield is described as a skin barrier reinforcing moisturizer that hydrates, softens, moisturizes, and protects with well studied vitamins, actives, and extracts. And it does all of that! I love how quickly is sinks in so I can move on to my next step without any pilling and how much softer my skin feels now that I’ve been testing it for over 3 months (I don’t like to review skincare until I’ve really tried it). It’s also only about $11 per ounce, which is a bargain compared to some of my other faves like like the Dr. Jart Ceramidin Cream at $28.4/ounce and Farmacy Honey Drop at $26.4/ounce. I still can’t get over how high quality Phytosurgence products are from the packaging to the efficacy for their prices.

Have you tried anything from Phytosurgence? Are there other products from them or other brands you’d like me to try and review? Let me know in the comments below, and thanks as always for reading!

MORE LIFESTYLE FAVES: WHAT I’VE BEEN LOVING THAT’S NOT BEAUTY

by liftbakelove2 Comments on MORE LIFESTYLE FAVES: WHAT I’VE BEEN LOVING THAT’S NOT BEAUTY

I have more fitness faves to share! I spend most of my time outside of work and testing beauty products training for powerlifting competitions now that we are back in the gym and am super 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 posts!

Almost all of my activewear is now from Buffbunny, and I know I’ve written about them before, but I just had to share how amazing the new Jewel Joggers. They are a hybrid between joggers and leggings and made out of their Nubre fabric – the softest, most buttery fabric of all time. I was living in my first pair so much that I actually bought a second pair so I could switch between them. They have zippered pockets that hold my wallet, phone, keys, hair ties, a mask, and anything I need with me. I’m so excited to have these for upcoming flights and long car trips (but also just to wear around the apartment every day). These feel like an upgraded version of the Lululemon Align joggers and for less money – I’m so glad they made these.

Buffbunny Rosa sports bra and Jewel Joggers in Secret Garden Dark Teal

Anyone who’s known me for a long time knows how obsessed I am with Cocofloss, but I wanted to share how amazing some of their seasonal flavors are. I have been loving the pineapple flavor and the chocolate and vanilla from their S’mores set. The only reason I floss every day is because of Cocofloss, and these new flavors make it even more fun. 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 winter!

Since I’m training for competition (my next one is in a week!), I am doing some pretty intense workouts. I’ve been trying different masks to find the one that is most comfortable to wear for these long, sweaty, hard-breathing workouts. The Atoms masks are perfect for this, and I’m never going back to anything else. They are so comfortable, and almost cooling, they wick sweat so well, and I love that I can keep it on for a whole workout with no issues so I can be protected and protect others around me. I originally bought 3 and then immediately went and bought 3 more – I can’t live without them now.

In the very, very beginning of this blog, I wrote a post about how having more plants in our apartment makes us happier. And it turns out, having our own little herb garden makes us even happier! I am loving having an Aerogarden in our kitchen and watching all the herbs grow every day. It’s only been a few weeks, and we already have enough to use in our cooking, and I love not having to run to the store to grab some basil or dill. I never thought I’d need something like this, but I’m so happy we have it.

Now that we’re solidly in cold weather, I have been switching to wearing my boots more often, and forgot how uncomfortable they can get on long walks. Luckily, the folks from Walk Fulton sent me a pair of insoles to try (not sponsored or any obligation to review), and I honestly love them. I wasn’t expecting anything, but my boots are so much more comfortable, and it’s so much better for long walks now. My feet are a pretty weird shape (it’s a long story), and I was shocked how perfectly they fit – they say that the insoles mold to your feet, which I didn’t think was true, but it is! I didn’t realize how much I needed these, but now that I have them, I’m never taking them out of my boots.

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.

Matching Manis and Lipsticks for fall featuring Finding Ferdinand’s new collections

by liftbakelove1 Comment on Matching Manis and Lipsticks for fall featuring Finding Ferdinand’s new collections

If you’re a regular here, you’ll know how much I love my Finding Ferdinand products and the company, so I was super excited for their fall collections. I thought this was the perfect opportunity to showcase one of my favorite things to do – match my manicure to my lipstick! Like all my reviews, everything written is my completely unbiased opinion, and I would definitely be talking about these without being an affiliate. This post was not sponsored, but these were gifted to me.

First up, the Cabernet Collection, which features three sheer lipsticks with the flavor Cabernet Crush. The flavor is super bright and fruity but not in a fruit candy kind of way. It’s more a sophisticated grape flavor that really does pair well with these shades. Like all Finding Ferdinand lipstick flavors, it lasts just long enough without lingering in an annoying way.

Finding Ferdinand Sip Happens and Starrily Oxytocin

Sip Happens, which is my favorite of the collection, is a bright reddish berry that is now my go-to “red.” Because of the sheer quality of the lipstick, this is one of the only red toned lipsticks I can actually wear. It also has enough brown in it to work for me since my natural lips tend to make everything quite pink. I paired Sip Happens with Starrily Oxytocin, which is a dark red holo polish and perfectly matches the vibe of this lipstick.

Finding Ferdinand Grapeful and Holo Taco Purple Slushie

Grapeful is a cool purple shade that reminds me of Finesse but darker. I’ll be honest that this shade doesn’t look great on me on its own, but it’s a great mixer shade to cool another lipstick down without making it lighter. And because it’s a sheer formula, it mixes super well into other lipstick formulas. I paired it with Holo Taco Purple Slushie, which is a vibrant royal purple linear holo from their original rainbow collection. I love their linear holo formula, and this was such a great excuse to use the original rainbow colors again.

Finding Ferdinand On Cloud Nine and ILNP Dash of Cocoa

On Cloud Wine is a super deep red berry shade that is now the darkest lipstick I own. I’m so glad to have it in my collection to add some depth under my lighter glosses (I have a lot of pale glosses that make me look dead, but not on top of this lipstick!). It’s a bit intense for me on its own (like Grapeful) but so useful to have especially now that we’re in the colder months. I paired it with one of my new favorite nail polishes, ILNP Dash of Cocoa. This polish is a deep brown holo polish with a red-to-gold shift. It’s incredibly complex with a ton of depth and so perfect both for fall and with this lipstick shade. I’m still wearing now as I write this, and I can’t get over how beautiful it is.

The second collection is the Pumpkin Spice Collection, which also includes three sheer lipsticks but with the flavor Pumpkin Spice. The flavor is smells exactly like pumpkin pie to me in the best way possible. I’m not even a huge fan of pumpkin scents (I’m much more of an apple person), but I really love this one.

Finding Ferdinand Pumpkin Spice Latte and Holo Taco Orange Drink

Pumpkin Spice Latte is a warm orangey brown that is the exact opposite of Grapeful. I use it similarly as a mixer shade to add warmth to my cool-toned lipsticks and under cool-toned glosses. It’s much less bright than my other orange mixer shade, and I really appreciate having both. I paired it with Holo Taco Orange Drink, which is a vibrant, bright orange linear holo also from their original rainbow collection. As I mentioned above, I love their linear holo formula and loved wearing this color again.

Finding Ferdinand Autumn and Olive and June JJ

Autumn, which is my favorite shade of this collection, is a warm pinky nude shade. This is almost exactly the color of my lips, and I love pairing it with Kackie’s Thrive Lip Liner and a clear gloss. It’s a great my lips but better look for fall for me. I paired this with JJ from Olive and June, which is a rosy terracotta shade. I love this color, but I’m not a huge fan of Olive and June’s formula, so if you have suggestions for a color like this, please let me know if in the comments below!

Finding Ferdinand Cold Brew and ILNP Chai Latte

Last, but certainly not least, is Cold Brew, which is a deep neutral brown that I’ve been loving using to “fall-ify” my punchier pink lipsticks. I’m also wearing this lipstick right now, and it works so well with the deep brown eyeshadows I tend to pull out this season. I paired it with the shade Chai Latte from ILNP, which is a mocha ultra holo, and perfectly compliments the brown tones in Cold Brew. I love the cozy vibes this pair gives me since it feels like having hot chocolate with marshmallows on a cold winter night under a blanket.

What do you think of these collections? Would you like to see more matching makeup and nail polish from me? What would you like to see next on LiftBakeLove? Let me know in the comments below, and thanks as always for being here! And a big thank to Color Expression for editing these photos – all edit credit goes to him!

August 2021 Favorites

by liftbakelove4 Comments on August 2021 Favorites

I know I’m a bit late with my August favorites, but hopefully that’s okay! As usual, I fell in love with a ton of new products this month, but am only featuring products in my favorites that are true favorites that I’ve been using consistently for longer than one month. Since I took quite a long break, if there’s anything you were looking for a review on or a topic that you wanted me to cover, please let me know if the comments below! 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!

Vesca Kissed By Bronzing Powder in Santorini – I have been loving setting my cream products with powder products in a matching tone to make them last longer and add a bit of coverage in those areas. I find this creates a more satin finish which is great for someone like me that wants to look hydrated and dewy while still having something long lasting, especially under a mask. This Vesca bronzer is my favorite for this purpose (and also my favorite powder bronzer in general) – it’s not too orange, feels incredibly smooth and velvety, blends beautifully, smells amazing, and is such a believable bronzer on me.

Vesca Kissed By Bronzing Powder in Santorini

Urban Decay 24/7 Moondust Eyeshadow in Space Cowboy – I own a ton of single glittery/topper type eyeshadows and love them all, but I think my absolute favorite is this one. I’ve used it on top of my eyeshadow almost every single time I’ve used my eyeshadow since I bought it, and I’m so happy with the effect it has. It’s a sheer shimmery eyeshadow that adds a wet look to any shadow without really adding any color or changing the color of the look underneath. It’s also incredibly reflective and glossy, doesn’t have any fallout, and is so easy to apply with a brush or fingers (and doesn’t require any glitter glue).

Urban Decay 24/7 Moondust Eyeshadow in Space Cowboy

Flower Beauty Chill Out CBD Lip Glaze – If you’re a regular reader here, you’ll know I tend towards mid-range, high-end, and luxury products, but sometimes I find a budget gem – this is one of them. These are $10 and just as beautiful and high quality as my lip glosses that are over $30. I have the shades Unwind (a beautiful pink that really brightens up my face) and Peace Out (a sheer shimmery peach that adds a luminosity and glow to any lip color I put underneath). The formula is incredibly nourishing and thick enough to stay within lip lines unlike thinner glosses. It has really great lasting power for a gloss and feels great for hours.

Flower Beauty Chill Out CBD Lip Glaze in Unwind and Peace Out

Dieux Forever Eye Mask – I have incredibly dry undereye, and these really lock in hydration and increase the effectiveness of any eye cream I put underneath. They also feel like they are doing a bit of tightening on the undereye area, which I love. They also really stay put so I can walk around and do other things with them on instead of worrying about them sliding down my face like some other eye gels. These are so incredibly worth it for $25 since they are reusable and continue to feel new no matter how many times I use them (whereas some eye patches are in the $2/use mark, these will be around $0.25 per use even if I only use them twice a week).

Dieux Forever Eye Mask

Allies of Skin Multi Acids & Retinoid Brightening Sleeping Facial – This is incredibly effective and strong, so I recommend only using this if you are already comfortable with retinols and acids. It contains a blend of 7% AHAs + BHA, 1% Retinoid Complex and 7 Brighteners, and it really does everything it says it does! It makes me feels like I have new skin that is brighter, clearer, less dull, and more hydrated. Because I only use this twice a week, this bottle is lasting forever (I got this in May and feel like I’ve barely made a dent in it), which makes the $88 much more reasonable. Plus, I was able to get this for 15% off which made it even more worth it, and, as always, I highly recommend also waiting for a sale to grab Allies of Skin products.

2021 EMPTIES (WILL I REPURCHASE?) – PART 10

by liftbakelove2 Comments on 2021 EMPTIES (WILL I REPURCHASE?) – PART 10

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.

Dr. Brandt Luminizer Primer – I got this as part of a subscription box in 2019 and finally used it up recently. I found that this was nothing special – it was a little blurring and a little luminizing and didn’t cause any irritation. For $38, I didn’t find that it did anything out of the ordinary to justify that price. I much prefer the Glossier Future Dew (my favorite primer and only $24), Auric Glow Lust, and VDL Lumilayer primer instead and won’t be repurchasing this.

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’m already on my backup and have a couple of other masks I’ll try when I run out, but I’ll likely go back to this.

Aveeno Therapeutic Shave Gel – This is less than $4 and lasted me quite a long time. It definitely does what it says, and it was totally fine shaving gel. I decided to try the Athena Club Cloud Shave Foam when I ran out of this though because I was looking for something even more conditioning. I have extremely dry skin, and I am appreciating the extra moisture with the one from Athena Club so far. I still haven’t decided if it’s worth paying double for and will provide an update when I run out of that one! Depending on how it goes, I may or may not repurchase the Aveeno one (but please recommend your favorite in the comments if you have one!).

Allies of Skin 1A™ Retinal + Peptides Overnight Mask – This continues to be my HG retinol product, and I’m already using my backup and will repurchase this when I run out. It doesn’t irritate my skin at all, is very hydrating, and still actually does all the things retinol does (smooths the appearance of wrinkles, fades scars, and brightens skin). I love that if I’m really exhausted, I can use this as my all-in-one nighttime product without waking up to incredibly dry, blotchy skin, which is what used to happen with other retinol products. It’s pretty expensive, like the rest of this brand, but it works so well, and now I can’t imagine going back to something that isn’t as effective as this.

Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Cream – This is my HG morning moisturizer. I can’t count how many times I’ve repurchased this, and I find that when I’m trying something else, I can really tell the difference. I find that this helps much more with skin dehydration than just dryness, which is very important for my skin. I also find that it’s a really good prep step before makeup to make sure everything goes on smoothly without catching on any dry patches. I recommend getting this during Sephora’s holiday sales because there’s always set of this and a couple other Dr. Jart+ products for less than the price of just the Ceramidin cream. I’m already on my backup and will repurchase this when I run out.

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!

July 2021 Favorites

by liftbakeloveLeave a Comment on July 2021 Favorites

I can’t believe it’s already time to talk through my July favorites, which means we’re more than half way through 2021! I fell in love with a ton of new products this month, but as usual, I only feature products in my favorites that are true favorites that I’ve been using consistently for longer than one month. So if you don’t see something you were expecting based on how much I raved about it, you’ll likely see it in a future 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!

Phytosurgence Flash Florescence Cream Shadow in Potent Petal – I have used this shadow so many times since I got it that I feel bad for neglecting my other eyeshadows. Potent Petal is described as a  a soft cherry blossom pink with a slight hint of a champagne shimmer, which is perfect for my brown eyes. The formula is the perfect mix between a matte and shimmer shadow so I can use them for a more subtle day time look or build them up to something super multidimensional and impactful. It’s just so easy! I’ve frequently added the their new Flash Florescence Cream Shadow in Orchid Overload for some extra dimensional glitter, and the glitter sticks to these eyeshadows all day. I also love how much time I have to play with these to get them just where I want them on my lids, but then they dry down and stay put (even through some super intense gym sessions). I have also been loving Wild Oak (the other shade I bought), but Potent Petal is my favorite of the two.

Phytosurgence Flash Florescence Cream Shadow in Potent Petal

Phytosurgence Skin Spark Blush Balm in Simmer – I have been loving the Phytosurgence blushes I got last month, but in particular the shade Simmer. It’s a beautiful bright pink that really wakes up my whole face. It blends so seamlessly and easily into the skin, leaves an impact with such little product, and stays all day. It doesn’t need to be built up but absolutely can be layered. The finish is just glowy enough without being sticky even though it has a balmy, moisturizing texture. I don’t know how they did it, but it’s basically perfect. it’s just really special, especially considering it’s only $17. If I didn’t own so much blush, I would buy more colors (definitely let me know if you want me to review any other colors though – I will grab them if you comment below with a request!).

Phytosurgence Skin Spark Blush Balm in Simmer

Glossier Ultralips – I have been loving all of the shades I got – you can see more swatches and comparisons of all of them here. 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. Glossier says that the formula is so comfortable it’s like “pulling on a buttery-soft, well-loved cashmere sweater”, and I definitely agree. This is like putting on your favorite pair of sweatpants after a long day, but for your lips, and I have been using them so much.

Ultralip in Portrait, Villa, Trench, and Cachet

Farmacy Honey Drop Lightweight Moisturizer – I’ve been loving this in the summer because it’s incredibly lightweight but still very moisturizing. It also sinks into my skin so fast, which I really appreciate when it’s this hot and I don’t want to feel moisturizer on my face. It also layers incredibly well with my other morning skincare without causing pilling. I’m planning on picking up the Honey Halo Ultra-Hydrating Ceramide Moisturizer to try for the winter when my skin gets even drier than it is right now – let me know if you’d like a review!

NBM Cuticle Buddy – Color Expression, who does amazing nail polish reviews, totally sold me on the Cuticle Buddy. And for $35, you can get a kit that comes with a great travel nail file, the cuticle buddy, and a full 1oz of nail oil to refill your cuticle buddy with. I think this is just such an incredible value, especially considering how great the oil is. I got the orange (growth) formula which contains tangerine and sweet orange essential oils, and it smells amazing. I’ve been using this every night, and I definitely feel a difference in my nail health and strength. I’m so excited to have found these and am hoping to pick up some of the fun summer scents when they restock. 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 (I even wrote this before getting a code and am editing this in afterwards). 

What was your favorite product this month? What would you like to see next on LiftBakeLove? Let me know in the comments below, and thanks as always for reading!

My 10 most repurchased skincare and haircare items

by liftbakelove4 Comments on My 10 most repurchased skincare and haircare items

I’ve been keeping track of all of my beauty purchases and empties since 2016 in Excel. I went back through to see what are the things I finished and repurchased over and over again, and these are the things that made the top of the list. There are a couple of things I’m not including either because I wouldn’t recommend them anymore even having used them for years or because they are no longer available, but these are all the things I’ve repurchased at least 4 times that I’m still planning on getting the next time I need more. Let me know in the comments if you’d like to see my most repurchased makeup items, and subscribe if you’d like to see more reviews from me!

Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Cream – This is my HG morning moisturizer. I can’t count how many times I’ve repurchased this, and I find that when I’m trying something else, I can really tell the difference. I find that this helps much more with skin dehydration than just dryness, which is very important for my skin. I also find that it’s a really good prep step before makeup to make sure everything goes on smoothly without catching on any dry patches. I recommend getting this during Sephora’s holiday sales because there’s always set of this and a couple other Dr. Jart+ products for less than the price of just the Ceramidin cream.

Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream – This eye cream was sent to me to try and review, and I thought at the time “there’s no way I’m going to fall in love with a $70 eye cream.” And now, I’ve repurchased it four times! This is the only eye cream I’ve found that actually works to reduce wrinkles around my eyes without irritation and while still adding a ton of hydration. I’ve been able to continually find it on sale, so I usually spend about $40 on average for it. It’s totally worth it for me for how effective it is, and this is another product where I can really tell the difference if I switch to something else.

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream – I’ve been using this every morning for years, and it’s a staple in my dry skincare routine. It’s simple, effective, not too heavy or light, and plays well under makeup. I don’t have much to say about it except that it’s one of my favorite moisturizers for my dry skin – it just works really works, and I keep coming back to it over and over again no matter what else I try.

Josh Rosebrook Hydrating Accelerator – This continues to be my favorite facial mist of all time. I’ve tried a few others for testing, but I always end up missing this one. It’s so hydrating, it helps my other products sink in better and faster, and it smells amazing too. I’ve used it alone with nothing else if I’m in a pinch and somehow it actually moisturizes my skin enough even with my incredibly dry skin. I have been through so many bottles of this and just bought two more when Ulta was doing 20% off recently. I’m planning on repurchasing this forever unless something really amazing launches that knocks it out of its HG spot in my routine.

Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Ultra-Fine Mist – I use this as a hydrating step while I’m doing my makeup every morning, especially if things are starting to feel a little drier than I want it to be, because I set everything with my Cover FX Setting Spray. I use this very much like a Mac Fix+, but Fix+ breaks me out, so I was so excited to find this. The watermelon mist is so fine, actually hydrating, and smells amazing. I love how it melts all my makeup together to look seamless without disrupting anything.

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. 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.

Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm – I’ve written about this a few times already, and it’s because it’s my HG makeup remover. I had been trying the cleansing oil for awhile, but found that the balm was more effective at removing makeup if I was wearing more of it. The cleansing oil is great for the summer and really light makeup days, but the balm is what I need (both in terms of effectiveness and hydration) in the fall/winter and whenever my skin is irritated by spring or summer allergies. I try to always repurchase this when it’s 50% off, which it usually is as some point during the year, which makes continuing to repurchase this much more cost effective.

Bumble and Bumble While You Sleep Overnight Damage Repair Masque – This hair mask always makes my hair feel completely revived from whatever I’ve been subjecting it to. It’s really magic for my hair. It keeps it looking shiny, soft, and frizz-free without weighing it down. Plus, it smells amazing, and I only need to use it about once every 3 weeks. I usually use it for only about half an hour instead of overnight, and that’s been more than enough to keep my hair feeling great. I love how long one of these tubs lasts for me, but I’ve repurchased it quite a few times because I’ve been using it consistently for so many years.

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.

Soap from The Oakley Soap Co. – This is the best bar soap I’ve ever tried. The scents and colors are so fun and the soap is very high quality – I don’t think I can ever go back to another bar or liquid soap. The soap works well without stripping my skin, and the scents are just strong enough to last a bit but not be overpowering. I’ve used so many bars at this point, and I’ll keep buying this forever as far as I can tell. I also love their shower steamers, which are so amazing for a relaxing (or energizing, depending on what scent you use) experience just by dropping one on the bottom of your shower.

What are your most repurchased items? Let me know in the comments below, and thanks for reading LiftBakeLove!